The color was called 'Barney purple' after Barney the purple dinosaur, an american children's television-show host. I have one from 1999. I believe they made this color from '97-'99. Race Face made an earlier color that was less purple and more pink in tone.
They look powder to me. Considering all the nasty powdered colors that Race Face made at the time (Sid blue, Judy reds and yellows etc) I wouldn't put it past them.
Turbines are great, but the solid powder colors always left me clammy. Them Barneys look nice though.