We tried Kim Kardashian’s Skkn by Kim makeup, and here’s our honest review

Kim Kardashian’s back in the makeup biz.

More than two years after shuttering her KKW Beauty line, the mega-mogul launched color cosmetics under her Skkn by Kim brand in January, dropping a trio of products to start: the Classic Mattes Eyeshadow Palette ($50), Soft Matte Lip Color ($32) and Lip Liner ($22).

In true Kim Kardashian fashion, everything’s centered on neutral tones; as the star told Harper’s Bazaar, “This new brand, I want it to be like 100 percent authentically me. I didn’t want to do all of the purple shadows and red lips and all this stuff that I don’t personally wear.”

So how do the new products stack up against Kardashian’s OG KKW Beauty ones — not to mention the many other neutral makeup options on the market? Read on for our honest review of Skkn by Kim’s new nudes.


Skkn by Kim

Smoky eye enthusiasts, rejoice: Kardashian’s first Skkn by Kim palette features a dozen shades ranging from creamy beige (ideal for highlighting) to matte black (perfect for lining and/or adding drama to the outer corner of the eye).

Per the brand, it’s designed to “define, contour and sculpt the eyes” — a very Kardashian koncept — and there’s not a shimmery shade in the bunch. But those who love matte shadows will be pleased to find that these ones are highly pigmented, easily blendable and very versatile.


Kim Kardashian's makeup ads
Kim Kardashian relaunched her makeup line with fresh branding on Jan. 26. skkn/Instagram

On TikTok, many have pointed out how similar this product is to one sold by Mario Dedivanovic, Kardashian’s longtime makeup artist; the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette features 12 strikingly similar shades and is priced exactly the same at $50.

That said, it’s worth noting that Kardashian’s pushed neutral makeup looks for years and previously sold nude-toned palettes under her KKW Beauty brand. Considering she and Dedivanovic have worked together since 2008, it’s tough to tell who’s inspiring whom here.


Skkn by Kim Lip Liner
Skkn by Kim

Available in 15 nude shades — from light beige to deep chocolate — Skkn by Kim’s lip liner glides on like butter, unlike most pencil-style products. That uniquely velvety feel is no doubt thanks to the jojoba oil and squalane in the formula.

The pencil’s easy and comfortable to apply (none of that dreaded dragging!), blends beautifully and is surprisingly long-lasting. Whether you top it off with one of the brand’s lipsticks, a gloss or nothing at all, you really can’t go wrong.


Skkn by Kim Soft Matte Lip Color
Skkn by Kim

While KKW Beauty’s bullet-style lipsticks arrived in uber-modern clear tubes, the slimmer Skkn by Kim offerings come in minimalist greige ones that match the rest of the range’s packaging. And that’s not where the differences end; while the lip colors from Kardashian’s old brand offered a more moisturizing satin finish, these are true mattes.

However, they’re more velvety than most matte lipsticks; while you’ll definitely want to go in with a hydrated pout, they shouldn’t leave your lips feeling parched. As with the liners, they’re super pigmented.

There are 10 shades available in total, and while they’re meant to complement the lip liners, they can also be worn solo.


Kim Kardashian's makeup ads
Skkn by Kim launched with 10 lipstick shades and 15 lip liner hues. skkn/Instagram

For more Page Six Style …


Bottom line

A word of warning for those on a budget: Skkn by Kim’s prices are quite a bit higher than KKW Beauty’s. The lipsticks from Kardashian’s previous line retailed for around $18, about half of the cost of Skkn by Kim’s versions. Likewise, her old liners were priced at around $12, while her new ones retail for $22.

That said, Kardashian fans — and anyone who loves a matte eye and nude lip as much as the star herself does, for that matter — will likely be impressed by these products’ high quality and excellent color payoff.