Kim Kardashian's new beauty line KKW is set to drop on June 21st and it's already causing a stir in a not-so-good way. The reality star dropped a promo poster for the line and fans are accusing her of darkening her skin. Kim doesn't even look like herself in the photo. She hasn't responded to the allegations, but the photo says it all and it's disturbing.
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Kim's first item from her line will be a creme contour and highlight kit, which she promoted with the photo above. Many fans took notice of her way darker skin tone and accused her of doing black face.
One follower wrote, "Black women get told to lighten meanwhile Kim spends her entire career in perpetual Black face and is lauded for her beauty." Another fan sarcastically shared, "Wow Kim! You're so beautiful even in black face!"
Now, can this actually be considered black face? Let's break down the exact definition. According to the dictionary, it's "makeup applied to a performer playing a black person especially in a minstrel show; also: a performer wearing such makeup."
This doesn't seem to be the case here. Did she darken her skin for marketing purposes? Yes. Is it annoying and unauthentic? Yes. Does it follow the marketing trends of the Kardashians? Yes. Why is everyone so shocked? If you don't like the product or the brand she's building, then you don't have to buy into it.
Also, in a world where most celebs are photoshopped to be lighter on ads and magazine covers, Kim is actually flipping the script here. Is that necessarily a bad thing? I don't think so, especially when she's half Armenian.
What does feel weird about the entire venture is the conflict of interest with her sister Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics line. The 19-year-old has built an empire off of makeup, which ranges from lip kits to eye shadows and highlight kits.
I think there's room for both ladies to strive, but Kim should've tapped into the beauty market in a different way. I think she could've launched a skin care line focused on anti-aging. That would've been on brand and more unique.
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Kim shared a preview with fans on fragrances she has coming out too. That's something Kylie hasn't dropped yet! The star is using the same manufacturer as her sister called Seed Beauty.
"After 10 years of getting my makeup done every single day, I've really put that knowledge into action and production," she told Forbes. Will it be as successful? Well, she has people talking and the line isn't even out yet.
Mission accomplished.
Image via Kim Kardashian/Instagram
