Not only is Kim Kardashian one of the most beautiful women in the world, she is one of the most high-profile too.
This month, she returned to social media for the first time since she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris on October 3.
With the eyes of the world’s media on her, and determined to make a fresh start after a traumatic year, Kardashian made her career comeback in Dubai this weekend.
The robbery — for which 10 suspects have been charged in the past few days — forced her to reschedule a Dubai masterclass with her make-up artist, Mario Dedivanovic, from October to January 13. She was also due to visit the Rashid Centre for Disabled on Sunday and spend time meeting children there.
Despite putting on a brave face at her masterclass, Kardashian’s latest trip to the UAE was noticeably more subdued than previous visits. Whereas in 2014, she revelled in soaking up the spotlight — partying VIP-style at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-party, on the town in Dubai at Nobu’s and on a desert safari with her girlfriends — this time she kept more of a low profile.
The Keeping up the Kardashians star flew into Dubai from LA on January 12, accompanied not by her husband Kanye West or children, Saint and North, but by her sister Kourtney's former partner Scott Disick (who was in Dubai to open American Brasserie and confectionery store the Sugar Factory in Dubai Festival City), and her Beverly Hills plastic surgeon/cosmetic dermatologist, Dr Simon Ourian.
Sporting a large pair of laser-treatment goggles, Kardashian snapchatted to her fans from the airport: “Most people think that I just have good genes, so I want to introduce you to my good genes, Dr Oureon … ain’t no shame in my game! LasersOnThePlane”.
The stars were staying at Atlantis the Palm, and Disick shared a picture of an underwater diver in one of the hotel’s aquarium tanks, holding a “Welcome Scott” message. “Normal,” he wrote.
Make-up artist Dedivanovic had a more low-key journey to Dubai, accompanied by his mum. He posted a photo of her enjoying the high life with a glass of bubbly, with the caption: "On my way to Dubai with mama Mario — I can't deal with her cuteness, literally no greater feeling in life then being able to show her the world. See you soon at @themasterclass #TheMasterClass @etihadairways.'
The following morning, hundreds of women — who had each paid up to Dh6,127 per ticket — queued up for the masterclass, at Dubai’s Zabeel Saray Hotel MusicHall, where they got a first-hand look at Kardashian’s beauty transformation.
Last week, she had revealed anxieties over the state of her skin, tweeting: “Wait, why am I now getting psoriasis on my face?”
Psoriasis is a skin condition that can be triggered by stress, and Kardashian has had plenty of that in the past few months. But it was a clear-skinned Kardashian who stepped onto the stage in a white vest and ripped jeans to a chorus of cheers, with a sea of mobiles held high to film her every move.
“I’m so excited to be here,” she told the audience. “Lets hope Mario does a good job.”
Kardashian smiled awkwardly as she objected to the bright light she was sitting under.
“You look flawless to me,” Dedivanovic reassured her.
As the make up maestro proceeded to paint Kardashian’s face with a multitude of products, he asked the audience to feel free to ask questions. But, he added, “try to make it just make-up and beauty questions, nothing personal for myself or Mrs West”.
Dedivanovic gave more details of some of his techniques as he worked.
“These [brushes] are 15 to 17 years old because I like older brushes,” he said. “I’ve trained them to do what I want them to do.”
He also said that “I always apply three or four layers of highlighter” and “eyebrows should be sisters, not twins”.
Kardashian revealed that her love of make-up has rubbed off on 3-year-old daughter North.
“I own so many make-up brushes and just so much make-up, I love make-up, and now my daughter loves make-up, so she has her own set,” she said.
She also confessed to using “a lot of different products”, adding: “I just try to do what I can to keep my skin hydrated and just clear.”
Dedivanovic added: “I mean, she’s not lazy when it comes to taking care of herself.”
After the tutorial, Kardashian’s fans got a chance to have their photographs taken with her.
One of those in the audience was singer and vlogger Bibi Luna Music. She later tweeted: “@KimKardashian you were amazing! Stunningly beautiful and so sweet. Don’t know how you guys didn’t loose your patience with all these people asking the same questions 100 times.”
Another American star who has been keeping a low profile in Dubai lately is Lindsay Lohan, who deleted all her social media accounts this week.
Before she became famous herself in 2004, Kardashian is said to have worked as Lohan’s stylist, so it is possible the pair have arranged a meetup for this weekend in Dubai.
“@KimKardashian Legend of Dubai, go say hi to Lindsay Lohan for me really quick,” tweeted one of Kardashian’s social media followers, Joey Minaj, on Friday.
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