It’s no secret that I am shamelessly obsessed with Kim Kardashian and her sisters. One of my favourite things about her, of course, is her make-up – especially as she has single handedly set about the contouring trend. Although I’ve never really been one to try new trends (as I’m rubbish at them), I’ve decided to try out two today, in turn re-creating Kim Kardashian’s famous contoured cheeks, smokey black eye look. Despite there being hundreds, if not thousands of Kim inspired tutorials already on the internet, I wanted to write one specifically for blondes, as the majority of tutorials cater for those with Kim’s dark hair and olive complexion.
So, after making myself a collage of inspiration (see below), I got to work re-creating the famous American’s look. I will admit, it did take several attempts (and several frustrated make-up removal swipes later), but I do think I ended up with a fairly similar end result. Of course, I have a completely different skin colour and complexion to Kim (not to mention, I’m a blonde) however, I do really like the finished look – and although it’s a bit dramatic for day-wear, I might re-create it if I’m going to an event.
What I Used:
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (in N117) for the base, Ash Blonde HD Brows Palette Shade for the brows, Make Up For Ever HD MicroFinish Powder for the matte base, Benefit Dallas for the cheek contouring, MAC False Lashes in False Black for the lashes, Eylure Naturalites for the false lashes, MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage, Rimmel Match Perfection in 200 Soft Beige for the forehead and chin areas, Blushbeam Bare Beam Pop to make the cheeks standout, HD Palette in Carbon for the smokey eyes, Lacura Beauty Concealer Pen for contouring.
1. Moisturize your skin as you normally would, making sure you let it dry and set properly before putting any base products on.
2. Squirt a small helping of MAC’s Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage (or other primer) onto your hand and blend onto your cheeks, forehead and chin. The glittery pigments of this product will help the contouring process later on.
3. Apply one thin layer of Make Up Forever HD Foundation (or a full coverage foundation equivalent) to your face, making sure to cover all areas.
4. Use the Lacura Concealer Pen (this is about £3 from Aldi, and one of my favourite products), applying generous amounts to the length of your nose (the middle), the under eye area, chin and t-zone (don’t cover all of your forehead though). Then blend in with your fingers. You could apply several layers of this if you think it’s necessary, as it is worth building the light contouring, as this is where the light will reflect off when you take pictures.
5. Apply another layer of your HD Foundation, blending in gently with the concealer.
6. Take another slightly darker liquid foundation (I used Rimmel for this) and apply gently on your jawline, your forehead area (just above the brows) and under your cheekbones. Then take a foundation or kabuki brush and blend all layers together gently.
7. Take a light bronzer (I used Benefit Dallas) and sweep under your cheekbones, starting from the edge of your face, to your mouth. Keep building this colour until your cheekbones become prominent.
8. Then take a more pinky based blush (I used Blush Beam) and blend into the apple of your cheeks, and gently along your cheekbones (this coverage should be really light and gentle).
9. Apply one layer of mascara, before then securing your false lashes to your lash line using lash adhesive.
10. Lick (yes, I know) the end of a clean angled eye shadow brush and dip into the HD Brows Carbon shade. Gently run this (now quite liquidy) eyeliner across your lash line, blending in the false lashes and making them look a little more natural.
11. Using a soft eye shadow brush, gently blend small amounts of carbon (or a black shadow) into the crease of your eyelids, building the colour up. Don’t worry if it looks hideous to start with, the more you build the colour and the more you keep blending, the better it will look.
12. Either using the angled brush, or the soft eye shadow brush, sweep carbon across your lower lashes and waterline. Again, blend this until you are happy with the look.
13. Take another angled brush, and dip into the Ash Blonde colour on your HD Brows palette. No need to lick this time. Follow your natural arch, and sweep the colour along your brows, making sure you build the colour naturally.
14. To finish, sweep Dallas and Blush Beam together across the two sides of your nose (making it look slimmer), your forehead and your cheekbones once again.
15. And – there you have it. Kim Kardashian. Well, erm – almost!
What do you think? Are you a blonde who wants to re-create Kim’s contoured smokey eye look, but worried it might not suit? I would love to know your thoughts!