Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family, recently shared insights into the origins of Kylie Jenner’s successful cosmetics line, Kylie Cosmetics. During her appearance on the SmartLess podcast, the 70-year-old mother reflected on the initial concerns she had when her youngest daughter expressed her desire to pursue a career in the beauty industry.
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In 2015, Kylie, then just 17 years old, approached Kris with a clear vision for her future. “Mom, I know what I want to do for the rest of my life, and it’s beauty,” she declared, expressing her ambition to launch a product called the Lip Kit. This revelation led to an official collaboration between mother and daughter to transform Kylie’s dream into reality.
Kris vividly recounted how she initially felt apprehensive about the venture. “You just spent every dime you’ve ever made on Keeping Up with the Kardashians to start your own brand by yourself with your own money,” she recalled feeling at the time. Despite her worries about Kylie’s readiness, the confident teen reassured her mother that she had everything under control. “Are we okay, mum? I know what I’m doing. Just relax,” Kylie insisted.
Determined to support her daughter, Kris began reaching out to industry experts to help bring Kylie’s vision to life. She also encouraged Kylie to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote the upcoming brand. “We need an ad in PEOPLE Magazine, and we need to have a billboard,” Kris advised during their discussions, retaining her role as an engaged and supportive mother.
The turning point arrived on the momentous day of the Lip Kit’s launch. Kris recalled the excitement and anxiety when Kylie pressed ‘send’ to make the product available online. The response was astonishing; within seconds, the entire stock sold out, leaving the team fearing that the website had crashed due to traffic. “I think it was four seconds, and we thought the site crashed because we had to launch. Then it was on,” Kris remembered, highlighting the immediate success that followed.
Kylie Cosmetics rapidly became a significant player in the beauty industry. Reports indicated that Kylie, by 2017, was on the path to becoming a billionaire by age 25, with her brand estimated to be worth around $900 million just a year later. In 2019, she sold a majority stake in the company for $600 million, solidifying her status as a formidable entrepreneur.
Despite Kylie’s success, she remains deeply involved in the brand’s ongoing evolution. In celebration of its tenth anniversary, she revisited her “King Kylie” persona for a special launch event in 2025. Kylie enthusiastically discussed her future plans during an interview with Beauty Inc, expressing her continued passion for creating new products and innovations.
“I would love for this to be a legacy brand, and I’m working hard every day to set up that future,” Kylie stated, hinting at her vision of passing down the brand to her eight-year-old daughter, Stormi Webster. This desire reflects not only a commitment to her business but also a heartfelt wish to create a lasting family legacy within the beauty industry.
The journey from a teenager with a dream to a global beauty mogul is a testament to Kylie Jenner’s determination and entrepreneurial spirit, a pathway paved with the support and guidance of her mother, Kris. Their story exemplifies the powerful combination of ambition, family collaboration, and strategic business acumen in achieving success. As Kylie continues to innovate and expand her brand’s reach, the future of Kylie Cosmetics remains bright, with potential generations carrying on the legacy that started with a simple lip kit idea.