Kim Kardashian Makeup, there’s no denying THE KWEEN!
Kim Kardashian is a true beauty expert, and she’s not afraid to take risks. She once went platinum blonde on an impulse because she wanted an “intense transformation,” and she once made an appearance on the Paris Fashion Week sans makeup. In our eyes, the mother of four is a legend.
Kim ascended to stardom in the early 2000s with her long time friend Paris Hilton. Since then, she’s built a billion-dollar fashion and beauty business as the founder of KKW Beauty and the CEO of Skims.
With stardom comes premieres, red carpets, and glam events—and Kim has had her fair share of those. Over the years, she has given us countless iconic makeup and hair moments. It’s hard to choose just a few, but we’ll give it a shot.
One of her most memorable looks was at the 2019 Met Gala. Many fans were worried about her squeezing into a Thierry Mugler corset, but we couldn’t take our eyes off her glam. Her beauty team, including her hairstylist Chris Appleton and makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, created a stunning look inspired by a California girl stepping out of the ocean.
“This is almost 8 months in the making,” she told Vogue on the red carpet. “He envisioned me as this California girl striding out of the ocean, dripping, and wet.” Dedivanovic and Appleton followed Mugler’s lead by styling her mane in wet-looking waves and giving her skin a radiant glow.
Take a look at some of Kim’s best hair and makeup moments over the years, including her bold decision to go platinum blonde—not once, but twice.
1. Blushed Out
We are willing to wager that this is the one cosmetic look that Kim Kardashian would wear forever if she had to choose. She loves a nude pink lip with a dramatic burst of pink blush and plenty of mascara; she’s always game. We like how the makeup on Kim Kardashian lit up, giving her a lively and alert look.
2. Brown Smoky Eye
The stunning makeup that Kim Kardashian wore to the 2023 Met Gala will be one of the most iconic looks of the night. Makeup By Mario’s Mario Dedivanovic performed his magic for the evening, and her brown waterline eyeliner was a stunning, unexpected touch. A little baby pink blush and dimensional gradient lips enhance her matte skin. It is a breathtaking red carpet appearance that will undoubtedly go down the history.
3. Bombshell
Someone said “bombshell,” right? The combination of Kim Kardashian’s supermodel makeup and her thick waves is flawless. A glossy lip, full brows, and delicate bronze toned makeup accentuate her long lashes.
4. Bronzed Glow
Arriving at the CFDA Awards, Kardashian wore the most flawless bronzed makeup look imaginable. We like the artistic approach that Dedivanovic used with her makeup, which really stood out with her straight blonde hair pulled back. The attractive beauty icon has it all: thick black brows, long lashes, and expert contouring.
5. Blonde Brows
This might be the cue you’ve been looking for to finally bleach your brows. We were completely smitten when Kardashian posted an Instagram selfie of herself with bleached brows. We believe the combination of her delicate brows and dramatic eyelashes is just gorgeous. She also chose a beautiful nude lip for this look.
6. Bold Cut Crease
We applaud Kardashian for stepping beyond her comfort zone and donning a daring cut crease, a skill courtesy of Nikki Wolff. With a dark grey crease and crisp black eyeliner, the negative space is delineated with a delicate, light grey tint. Her eyes are as striking as her bronzed complexion, full brows, and lashes.
7. Wet Makeup
There were several memorable beauty looks at the 2019 Met Gala, but none more so than Kardashian’s. The goal of the “wet” eye makeup application was to give her eyes a stunning pink tone. It was the ideal match to her lips while her skin kept its signature matte texture.
8. Intense Black Smokey Eye
Kardashian debuted her most daring black smokey eye ever in 2018. She had a smoke-out black liner and a subtle gothic disposition, creating a seductive look. She chose a bronzed matte complexion and nude lipstick, drawing focus to her eyes. We appreciate her for it.
9. ’90s-Inspired
At the 2018 Met Gala, Kardashian’s eyes looked stunning, thanks in particular to her penchant for liberally applying mascara to her top and bottom lashes. Thin brows, layers of mascara, and the star’s trademark nude lip were all parts of the ’90s-inspired glamourous look that Kim Kardashian makeup artist designed, taking influence from the Versace runways of 1997.
10. Shimmer Shadow
As usual, Kardashian brought her A-game at the Met Gala in 2018, with her look designed by Dedivanovic. The dazzling shimmer eyeshadow set the fashion and beauty magnate apart with its vivid white inner corner. She completed the look with a matte foundation and a slight glossy lip. Her makeup and skin had a flawlessly blended, natural finish, with a little of blush and contouring.
11. Beachy Glam
Even though Kardashian usually goes for matte makeup looks, Dedivanovic managed to pull off this new look with a radiant shimmer. She looks like she’s about to go on a tropical getaway with her beach waves, clear lip gloss, and defined eyebrows. Adding to the air of understated glamour are chunky (in a good way) mascara and delicate winged liner.
12. Bold Under Eye Liner
Among Kardashian’s many smokey eye experiments in 2016, this one is our fave. A smeared, smoked-out bold liner draws attention to her under-eyes and amps up the drama. She creates a smokey lift look by making her eyes appear elevated. The remainder of her skin remained matte, as per her typical routine, giving her a perfectly contoured look.
13. Thick Wing
We think Kim K. should wear thick winged eyeliner more often; it’s not something we see very often. She created a really wearable look by contrasting the bold liner with neutral eyeshadow and neatly styled brows.
14. Gold Shimmer
There is no doubt that everything that glitters is gold in this dazzling makeup look by Dedivanovic. We thought it was a very imaginative move that he extended the glitter from her top lid to her lower lash line. To round off the appearance, a matte complexion and a delicate nude lip would be ideal.
15. Red Lip
With her sleek, slicked-back haircut and daring red lips, Kardashian exudes enormous, strong energy. For this look, Dedivanovic made sure her lips were the focal point by emphasizing thick mascara and modest face makeup.
16. Spider Lashes
Kardashian may be known for her lengthy eyelashes, but in this 2013 Instagram photo, her eyes steal the show—even with the dramatic apple-red lip. Especially her use of brow bone highlighter was a throwback to 2013, proving once again that she’s one step ahead of the fashion curve.
17. Classic Hollywood
Embracing a traditional Hollywood feel in 2010, Kardashian sported a vivid red lip and thick lashes. We are really smitten with how the blush enhances her natural beauty, creating a stunning contrast to her matte skin tone.
18. Popping Inner Corner
The inner corner eyeshadow look was all the rage in 2009, thanks to Kardashian. Not to mention the glossy nude lip, she went for a brown smokey eye and a vivid, sparkly inner corner.
19. Vampy Lip
Although it’s a gorgeous and natural look, it lacks the gloss and contouring that we’ve come to expect from her contemporary makeup. The icon’s innate beauty is well highlighted in this makeup look, and we love the choice of vampy lips she made. She looked stunning at the TCA because her natural lashes were on full display, highlighting her plump, young face.
20. ’90s Classic
While most of us shudder when we think about the cosmetics we wore in middle school, Kardashian subtly hinted at her future as a beauty star with her ’90s beauty look. Everything about this look—the brick red lip, the understated Kim Kardashian eye makeup, and the strong brows—is chic and easy to copy.
Decoding Iconic Kim Kardashian Makeup Looks
Let’s decode some of her iconic looks and how we can incorporate them in our glory moments.
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala 2018
We suggest:
- Before you apply any makeup, make sure your skin is clean and ready. Also, don’t forget to moisturize.
- Choose your preferred method of application—a brush or a cosmetic sponge—and apply a matte foundation that covers completely.
- Huda Beauty Easy Bake is a heavy-duty setting powder that will set your makeup. After using it, give it some time to settle.
- To create a smokey eye, use the Urban Decay Smokey Eyeshadow palette to mix and apply black and deep brown eyeshadows to your lids.
- Dust off any extra-setting powder with a soft rag.
- For a subtle, natural effect, stroke a matte bronzer with an orange undertone up and across your cheekbones to define them.
- Pearlescent highlighter used on the bridge of the nose, forehead, and cheekbones gives a gentle sheen.
- Use a taupe lip liner, like Makeup Forever Liner, to define your lips, and then top it off with a matte, neutral lipstick.
- To finish off the look, use a waterproof black kohl eyeliner to line the top and bottom lash lines, then add several coats of your preferred mascara.
Kim K. at the 57th Grammys
As for this style, we suggest:
- Moisturizer is a must for those with dry skin. Also, be sure to use lip balm.
- Priming the T-zone should be your first step; use your fingers to apply the product and work it into your skin.
- Use a dewy foundation with medium coverage. To apply it more evenly, use a brush or your fingertips.
- Use a setting powder to fix your makeup, paying special attention to your T-zone.
- Finish off your look with a hint of pastel pink blush and a little dusting of bronzer over your cheekbones, forehead, and jawline.
- Put an oil-free primer all over your lids to get your eyes ready. Your eyeshadow will last longer if you do this.
- Make use of an ultra-matte eyeshadow in a neutral amber shade. One of the most popular options is Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Modern Renaissance shade, Raw Sienna.
- Using a fluffy crease brush, apply a shimmery gold eyeshadow to the middle of your lids.
- Choose a lightly colored brow gel to keep your brows looking natural.
- Apply mascara to your upper and lower lashes and a coat of chalky nude liquid lipstick to complete the look.
Kim at the 2018 CFDA Awards
As for this style, we recommend:
- You can get by without eyelid primer if you use a combination of liquid concealer and setting powder.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Primrose palette has several shades that you can use. Blend them outward after applying them to your eyelids.
- To hydrate your dry skin even more, try combining a liquid foundation with a few drops of beauty oil.
- For a more subtle look, apply foundation with your fingertips; for a more dramatic one, use a brush.
- Use a matte finish powder to set the concealer you used beneath your eyes, down the bridge of your nose, forehead, and chin. For this, compact powders are ideal.
- For a dewy complexion, apply a peachy cream blush on your cheekbones and blend it in with your fingertips.
- Use a setting spray, such as Mac Fix Plus, to fix a matte finish.
- To finish off the look, apply mascara and curl your lashes with a lash curler. In between coats of mascara, use loose powder to add volume.
- At this point, you may show off your finished appearance.
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala 2016
- Here we will dissect the star’s legendary bleached honey blonde eyebrows look at the Met Gala.
- To begin, prime your face with a radiant primer to bring out your skin’s natural radiance.
- The Dior Backstage Eye Palette in 003 Amber Neutrals has brown and golden tones that you should concentrate on utilizing with a blending brush.
- Choose an HD foundation that will last all day, such as Dior Forever Undercover. After giving the container a good shake, use a buffing brush to apply the product in circular movements. Apply more layers for desired coverage.
- Apply a shimmering golden waterproof eyeliner down your waterline.
- To make your eyes stand out, line the inner corners of your eyes with a glittering silver tone.
- If you want longer and thicker lashes, use several coats of black mascara.
- Use Pat McGrath’s MattTrance Lipstick in Peep Show to create a beautiful lip and complete the look.
Kim for KKW Beauty
- Here are the steps that we recommend for a strong makeup look:
- For a flawless foundation, we recommend starting with a generous coat of Illamasqua Matte Veil primer.
- To get a more uniform complexion, use concealer on the area beneath your eyes and on your eyelids.
- For a smokey appearance, outline your eyes with the S.O.P.H.I.E. coloring eye pencil from Illamasqua and their Artistry Elemental eyeshadow palette.
- For the eye look, pay close attention to these four shades: Elphaba, Perdita, Hessa, and Desdemona. Apply Hessa evenly over the whole lid, then press Perdita into the crease. You should also use these hues on your lower lash line.
- Use a fluffy crease brush to blend a mix of Desdemona and Elphaba beneath the brows.
- For added impact, coat your natural lashes with mascara and then top them off with delicate artificial lashes.
- Apply foundation after prepping your face and smooth it outward for a flawless finish.
- To create a natural lip color, outline your lips with a matte brown lip pencil and then softly touch on a nude lipstick.
- Applying the Illamasqua face powder duo to define your jawline and cheekbones will round off the look.
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