Kim Kardashian’s beauty evolution, from contour queen to platinum blonde babe

Since her first time gracing our screens as the star of the reality TV show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian’s striking beauty has always been a topic of discussion. With her perfectly tousled hair to her glam makeup, Kim has mastered the art of keeping herself the center of attention for nearly two decades. It comes as no surprise that she ended up launching a cosmetics brand, KKW Beauty, and a perfume line called KKW Fragrance.
The mother-of-three turns 38 on October 21st, which is why we want to take a trip down memory lane. From her contour days to her more minimalistic look, we’re going through it all. We love that she’s not shy when it comes to experimenting with her makeup, hair, and fashion either. Whether she’s rocking her signature long hair and center part or playing around with cuts and color (remember when she dyed her hair pink?), Kim serves us looks on a silver platter.
With the help of her hairstylist Chris Appleton and makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, Kim never misses a beat. Her looks have definitely evolved over the years, but nonetheless, she always slays no matter what she’s rocking. To that we give you 27 of Kim Kardashian’s most memorable beauty looks.
1September 2006
Before she was known for contouring, Kim started off with the “less is more” concept. She kept her lashes dramatic, but the rest of her makeup was subtle. As of late, she’s gone back to that same minimalistic look.
2December 2006
Kim opted for a smoky eye and nude lip. Even though she took her makeup up a notch, she still kept her foundation, contour, blush, and highlight natural.
3December 2007
The reality star typically wore straight hair in the early 2000s, but for the 7th annual Hollywood Life Breakthrough of the Year Awards she added loose curls and a side part.
4December 2008
Kim stunned on the red carpet with her baby bangs and loose curls at Flaunt Magazine‘s 10th anniversary. As for her makeup, she amped up the glam factor with a smoky eye, rosy cheeks, and glossy lip.
5October 2010
At Heidi Klum’s 2010 Halloween Party, the reality star opted for long beachy waves and a contoured makeup look to match her Little Red Riding Hood costume. This would soon become her signature beauty style.
6December 2010
Do you guys remember when Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé all rocked the Kardashian-famous center part? Oh, the good ole days.
7December 2010
Before Kim played with color and cuts, her go-to hairstyle was long, dark waves. For this event, however, she gave us old-Hollywood glam with her big curls.
8December 2010
She opted for a deep side part, big Hollywood curls, and ultra-glam makeup for the New Year’s Eve at TAO Las Vegas event.
9February 2011
Kim’s subtle highlights, voluminous curls, and glowing skin had her looking like a goddess at the Grammy Awards.
10February 2011
Kim made this fabulous retro updo look chic and casual at the same time. With her loose bangs and sleek beehive ‘do, she looked like a modern-day Jackie O.
11May 2011
We rarely see the reality star wear her hair in a sleek bun. Of course, she pulled off the look at the Midori Melon Liqueur Trunk Show.
12August 2011
Kim knows how to effortlessly work a red carpet. At the Do Something Awards, she wore her hair in a sleek middle-parted ponytail. As for her makeup, she kept it natural, except for her long, spidery lashes.
13September 2011
Kim was clearly a fan of the Snooki pouf trend. She added her bump to her high pony, and threw on a gold chain accessory.
14December 2011
Kim brought bang her baby bangs and straight hair back at the New Year’s Eve Party at TAO Nightclub. For her makeup, she wore a Barbie pink lip and fluttery lashes.
15December 2013
This was one of the first times we saw Kim play around with blonde hair and her makeup. She wore a berry, brown lip and loose, old-Hollywood curls at The Hollywood Reporter‘s Women in Entertainment breakfast.
16November 2014
Kim had long hair for a while, but she cut it shoulder-length in 2014. Her makeup also matched her outfit, as she kept her cheeks and lips baby pink.
17March 2015
Kim has done blonde in the past, but this platinum blonde was game-changer. As a blonde bombshell, she is a force to reckoned with.
18August 2015
The “wet look” became Kim’s signature in 2015. At the 2015 VMAs, Kim posed with her hubby Kanye with her hair slicked back, skin bronzed and an illuminating pregnancy glow.
19November 2015
At the 2015 LACMA Art & Film Gala, a very pregnant KKW wore her hair in a slicked back, low bun with a bold berry lip.
20May 2016
Kim usually has pretty dark eyebrows, but at the 2016 Met Gala she flaunted noticeably lighter brows and smokey brown eyeshadow.
21May 2016
Kim brought the drama to The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival via her dramatic black liner. The contrast between her dark liner and brown eyes are a match made in makeup heaven.
22August 2016
For the 2016 VMAs, KKW revived the wet hair look but this time had it swept to the side. It almost looks like she rolled out of bed looking fabulous.
23August 2016
Anytime Kim sports a cut like this blunt bob that she wore to the 2016 #BlogHerConference, she looks more stunning than ever. Her super clean brows and dark liner were the finishing touches for this killer look.
24October 2017
During Paris Fashion week, Kim was channeling her early 2000s self rocking waist length, center-parted hair. Let’s not forget the very nostalgic Juicy sweatsuit.
25March 2018
At the KKW Beauty x Mario Dedivanovic dinner, Kim played with color on her lids. She ended up having a total twinning moment with her mom, with both of them rocking royal blue smokey eyes.
26May 2018
There has yet to be a time when Kim Kardashian West didn’t slay the Met Gala red carpet. At the 2018 event, Kim brought back the smokey liner and a half-up, half-down ‘do. Can we also acknowledge how well put together she looks without earrings? How does she do it?
27August 2018
Kim has come far out of her comfort zone with her looks over the years, especially as it pertains to her hair. It takes a bold woman to confidently sport short hair and KKW does it effortlessly.