The Kardashian Beauty Experience

An invite arrived with some fanfare in my email box a few weeks ago. It was to the launch of Kardashian Beauty by Farouk Systems and the invite revealed that both Kim and Khloe were going to be there to meet the press. I JUST HAD TO GO!

I accepted the invite as much to meet them as to learn about the product. The event took place right before fashion week and was held at the Academy Mansion, just off Fifth Avenue in NYC, a mansion truly fit for queens. There were five different intimate, 20-minute sessions with Kim and Khloe, and I chose to go to the last one. The PR team made something very clear:  “No video, and beauty-related questions only.” Too bad. There were so many other things (in addition to the line) I wanted to chat about!

After the session, editors were invited to stop in the Kardashian “Pop Up” Salon, a room just outside our meeting room.  I always poke my head in to these make-shift areas just to see how they are set up. Imagine my surprise (shock really) to see the hair artists there to dry-style editors. It was a truly a cast of beauty professional “Who’s Who.” 

Kevin Ryan was there! He is one of my fave hairdressers of all time and the guy responsible for some of the best hair seen in ads, on runways and on celebs. He is one of those “under-the-radar” guys and genuine artist. He introduced me to superstar celeb stylist Renato Comparo and then Scotty (one of Kim’s favorite hairdressers). Although I had zero intention of getting coiffed, I jumped in Kevin’s chair and let him play with the products and tools on my hair. Scotty decided to help out and then Comparo came over and joined in. It was a beauty party. I am so glad I stayed.

So, everyone asks:

HOW THEY LOOKED: Up-close and personal they are gorgeous. Kim was not overdone. Her hair and make up were quite simple. Khloe wore lots of makeup and had great lashes (but all looked good and appropriate), and both had hair styled with gentle movement. When asked about her recent haircut, Kim (who referred to her hair now as short) said she is thrilled with how much more she can do with this length. Kim comes off tinier than she appears on TV. She is 5’3”, and is, as everyone knows, quite curvy.  Khloe is 5’10” and a beautiful woman.

WHAT THEY WORE: Again, beautiful. Their light-colored, snug outfits totally contrasted with “editor black." They had bare legs (Brrrrr…it was 14 degrees) and lightweight overcoats (Khloe took hers off for the photo). They both wore super-high heels, which made me regret wearing flat boots at photo-op time.

HOW THEY PRESENTED: This is what killed me the most. I did not know what to expect since I do not follow them or watch the show. Anticipating them to be bored or self-centered, I was pleasantly surprised. They were charming, eloquent and engaged ladies. They were smart and interested, and really perked up with broad smiles when I asked about who they really go to for color and cut (so many claim to be their stylists)!

THEIR HAIR: When I pointed out that many people take credit for their hair, both laughed. I asked who they wanted to give credit to for their cut and color, they both jumped in with “Tracey Cunningham for color!” but Kim added “I really don’t color my hair that much. Tracey has to put on a gloss once in a while because my old blonde keeps coming through.”

Khloe then said Jen Atkin does her cut and shape. Kim offered more details about her “short” hair by Gregory Russell. On her big chop, Kim said, “I thought about it three days before, and I am so happy I cut it. It’s a good change. I find that it goes with more. I can easily wear more things, and it’s not a distraction. Before, my glam was my first priority and then the outfit. Now it’s about the outfit and then the hair.” Both Atkin and Russell are based at Andy Lecompte Salon, West Hollywood, California. Tracey Cunningham owns Meche Salon, Los Angeles.

THE PRODUCTS AND TOOLS:  “We were involved every step of the way,” said Khloe. The line, in partnership with Farouk Systems, took more than one year to finalize and the biggest hold-up was the scent and formulation. “We just wanted to have something we could be proud of,” said Kim. Each spent time on her favorite product, making sure it worked. Kim, who washes her hair every four days was most concerned about the Dry Shampoo and the Dry Conditioner. “We had to get the formula perfect,” she said.

“They really work,” said Kevin Ryan as he sprayed some dry conditioner into my hair before adding a gentle bend with the Kardashian Beauty 1-inch Ceramic Hairstyling Iron. “These products do what they are supposed to do, have a great scent and are packaged beautifully. I am thrilled for them.” (NOTE: The line, irons and styling liquids, are available in Ulta and select salons, and the appliances eventually in Target.)

HIGHLIGHTS:  There were 3 highlights for me:

Highlight 1: As we stepped up to the “step and repeat” for a photo, I caught Kim starting at my ponytail. “Is that really all your hair?” she asked. When I answered yes, she said, “It is really beautiful and amazing. Wow.” Thanks, Kim.

Highlight 2: Kim and Khloe’s reaction when I asked about who does their hair. They really brightened up and were thrilled to share their beauty team. It was when they were both most animated, and I could tell they have great admiration and respect for their beauty pros.

Highlight 3: Kevin Ryan introduced me to Renato Campora as “One of us.” That is truly one of the nicest introductions and biggest compliment I have ever received. Thanks, Ryan.

The paparazzi were swarming when I left. They were staked outside the mansion and were so desperate to get something that a few actually took a picture of me! It made me think how tough it must be for the Kardashian crew (or should I say Krew) to have to look great all the time. It looks like they have made it easier for themselves with Kardashian Beauty.