Kim Kardashian, Before and After

Love her or loathe her, Kim Kardashian is an example of the lengths some celebrities go to in order to "improve" their appearance.

We may not all agree on whether Scarlett Johansson had a nose job, or if Blake Lively had eyelid surgery—but looking at Kim, there's no question that she's undergone cosmetic enhancement. Multiple times!

It's just a matter of what, where and when. Let's take a closer look at her beauty transformation, shall we?

Kim in 2006

In 2006, Kim was 26 and just starting to hit the paparazzi circuit alongside her then-BFF Paris Hilton. She did learn from the best! Notice her hairline, which had a lot of baby hairs, and her natural skin finish (before she learned to cover it in layers of makeup). Her nose is already quite petite, so I think it's possible that she had a rhinoplasty done even before this!

Also from 2006, her makeup is way more subtle and natural than the way she wears it today. But I do think she may have already been getting lip injections at this point.

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Kim in 2007

Before nude lipstick and contouring became Kim's signature, she experimented with a totally different look: long, curly hair, glossy red lipstick and kohl-rimmed eyes with extra-long lashes.

Kim in 2008

She still hadn’t found her signature look in 2008, when she wore red lipstick to the Teen Choice Awards. I’m just not used to seeing Kim in colour!

Kim in 2009

In 2009, Kim's popularity soared, and this became her go-to look. Long, straight, dark hair; pillowy lips; and spidery lashes. Oh and contouring—lots of contouring.

Kim in 2010

A year later, Kim looked eerily similar to Jocelyn Wildenstein (a.k.a. "Catwoman")! The cheeks are what is making this look so extreme. They appear to be over-filled, to the point where it’s making her eyes seem smaller. Maybe there’s some Botox involved as well, since her forehead is super-smooth.

Kim in 2011

Thankfully, things calmed down by 2011 (Kim was 31 here). But this shot shows how much her hairline has changed. It's been pushed back and is more straight-across now, plus all the baby hairs are gone. This is the result of laser hair removal. (Apparently it's an old time Hollywood secret—stars have been using that or electrolysis to change their hairlines for decades!)

Kim in 2012

See what I mean about her hairline? Totally different now. Once again, we can see what appears to be filler in Kim's cheeks and lips. Also, she has two different skin finishes—her forehead is natural, but the rest of her face is light and matte.

Kim in 2013

In 2013, Kim experimented with blonde highlights, which she manages to pull off because she kept her root area dark. The old Hollywood waves and makeup are also a departure for her, and more sophisticated than anything she's worn before. Notice how much her cheeks just out when she smiles!

Update: Kim in 2014

In 2014, Kim returned to black hair and her signature makeup look, including an under-eye area that looks very "baked." It’s a lot of makeup, but she looks great here. It also helps that her lips have more natural proportions (the upper one is half the size of the lower one).

Update: Kim in 2015

This is one of my favourite looks, just because it’s so pared-back (well, pared-back for a Kardashian). The lashes are the main statement, paired with sheer peachy-pink lipstick and a sleek ponytail.

Update: Kim in 2016

At 36, Kim returned to a more natural look, with her own hair colour and less makeup. It's funny—her cheeks look like they've deflated a bit, but her lips are as big as ever! The highlight down and on the tip of her nose gives it a "ski jump" look.

Update: Kim in 2017

The natural vibes continued in 2017. I have to say, this is the best I've seen Kim look in many years! She has a spray tan, but there isn't a lot of makeup, except for her favourite lashes and the tawny tones on her lips, cheeks and lids. I also love this straight, blunt lob (probably a wig). But best of all, she seems to have eased up on the injections!

Alas, it didn't last! Kim showed up next with a new silver hue for her hair, and more obviously enhanced facial features. Apparently, this is her real hair, but I think she might also have extensions in. 

Conclusion

Nobody can argue that Kim hasn't had work done—even Kim herself!

She does admit to using injectables. "Everyone always thinks I've had my nose done or my lips done or just anything to my face like besides Botox, which to me isn't plastic surgery," she told Harper's Baazar in 2012. 

She is also open about lasering her hairline. “I lasered my baby hairs off years ago, because my forehead had all these little baby hairs, and I would always break out because of them,” she has written on her website.

It's obvious Kim also makes great use of lash extensions, wigs, hair dye, and lots of makeup. She says the latter accounts for the changing shape of her nose. "People always say I've had a nose job and they'll use before and after pictures but the after picture is really taken before," she told ABC News. "It's so funny, it just depends on how your nose is contoured. My nose in my biggest insecurity. The doctor showed me what it would look like. And it just didn't—I wouldn't look the same."

That was back in 2010, but she may have changed her mind since. "I do believe she may have gone under the knife for anose job, thinning out and straightening her nose, making it look more glamorous," Dr. Anthony Youn told Radar Online.

"I believe she's undergone Botox injections to smooth the wrinkles of her forehead and her frown lines," he adds. “Although I doubt she's had a surgical brow lift, she looks like she's had a Botox brow lift, where Botox is injected in a pattern to raise and arch the brows. Her lips appear to have been plumped with fillers."

It all adds up to a look that's more plastic than ever!