Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and now, CEO of Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Jenner, are known for being the youngest self-made billionaires. Kylie Jenner, who has been in the public eye since the age of ten on the hit show, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” started her own cosmetics company in 2016. Jenner began her business by selling Lip Kits- a package including a liquid lipstick and a lip liner- which she revealed was the secret (along with fillers) to her iconic plump lips. Jenner was included on the “Forbes 30 Under 30 List” in 2017, and is ranked number 27 on the Forbes list of self-made women. She has sold 630 million dollars of makeup since the company’s start while owning 100 percent of her brand.
Kylie Cosmetics makeup is considered a high end brand of beauty products, each lip kit costing 29 dollars. Jenner’s brand has only been available online, but will be added to the popular beauty retailer, Ulta, for the upcoming holiday season. This could mean great things for Jenner’s company since her products are now more accessible to the general public. During the holidays, consumers will be able to see the products on the shelves, which makes the brand even more visible than it already is.
Ulta recently opened its first ever store in Manhattan on November 10, 2017, creating a perfect place for makeup lovers.
“I’m so excited to have an Ulta in Manhattan because I do all my hair gel shopping in my hometown in Pennsylvania,” said Gracie Flood, University freshman, “There is an Ulta there and they always have what I need.”
Seeing a product in real life could help consumers decide if they want to purchase Kylie Cosmetics, therefore the presence of the brand in Ulta, seems to be on the trend to increase sales.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “Changes in consumers’ shopping patterns and expectations, along with an upsurge in impulse buying, mean that the point of purchase is playing a more important role in consumers’ decision making than ever before.”
Kylie Jenner’s products have received mixed reviews from the general public and other makeup gurus. Jeffree Star, another famous social media and beauty mogul, has repeatedly criticized Kylie Cosmetics for being over-priced and low quality. Many beauty gurus have expressed their distaste for Jenner’s products including Manny Mua, Laura Lee, and James Charles.
Jessica Lane, University freshman, said, “Kylie’s makeup line is overpriced for its quality and it’s similarity to lower priced makeup brands such as Smashbox.”
Of course, many of Jenner’s famous friends are seen wearing her products and rave about them. Including, Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, and Christina Aguilera.
Clearly these negative reviews have yet to slow Jenner down. With the help of powerful friends, family, and a huge social media following, she has continued to grow her business. Whether Jenner is liked or not, it is impossible to deny her success as a business woman.
