Kim Kardashian’s skin tone is noticeably darker in her new beauty ad for KKW — so much so that some critics are accusing the reality television star of wearing blackface.
Kardashian announced her new KKW beauty line earlier this week, but it wasn’t until she tweeted out a photo from the campaign on Wednesday when the negative criticisms caught on. The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star is wearing a heavy coat of contour and highlighter in the photo that has now become the subject of negative tweets toward the social media sensation.
#KKWBEAUTY Creme Contour & Highlight Kit 6.21.17 https://t.co/PoBZ3bhjs8 pic.twitter.com/hXLa3XHuVB
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2017
“Black women get told to lighten. Meanwhile, Kim spends her entire career in perpetual blackface and is lauded for her beauty,” one critic tweeted.
You dont have to do blackface pic.twitter.com/MLcJ5Hbg9R
— Wynters (@Sacha_Wynters) June 14, 2017
“I love Kim, but that’s def blackface in the form of makeup she is nowhere near that dark,” another observer wrote.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 16, 2017
“Wow Kim! You’re so beautiful even in blackface!” another sarcastically tweeted. “For reparations can you plz send me zeebra Yeezys in sz 13. Love you!!!!”
Wow Kim! You’re so beautiful even in blackface! For reparations can you plz send me zebra Yeezys in sz 13. Love you!!!!
— Popozão Papi (@LanePiffin) June 14, 2017
While many criticized Kardashian for the photo, others came to her defense pointing out that those referring to Kim’s makeup as blackface were making a bit of a stretch.
“Kim Kardashian is not committing blackface, & if you can’t tell the difference between promoting makeup for the tanned and blackface then…” someone tweeted in defense of Kardashian.
Kim kardashian is not committing blackface, & if you can’t tell the difference between promoting makeup for the tanned and blackface then… pic.twitter.com/rn9CqKPm2u
— 4:44 (@Chanceyonce) June 15, 2017
“THE REACH for people saying this is blackface.. y’all really just want to hate,” another added.
THE REACH for people saying this is blackface.. y’all really just want to hate her.
— Francisca rogel (@chescababe) June 16, 2017
Who knew a heavy coat of makeup could cause such a commotion.