Bobbi Brown gets inspiration for new shades and products from the most obvious, yet unlikeliest, of places.
After Bobbi’s son and nephews returned from a day of skiing, their cheeks were flushed from the sun and wind. Bobbi took one look at their complexions and immediately imagined new makeup colors. Before long, a blush, aptly named Slopes, was added to the collection. On another occasion, Bobbi was doing her own makeup for a photo shoot when she discovered she only had waterproof mascara and blush. Ever the inventor, she used a Q-tip to line her eyes with the mascara. When the liner was still in place the next day, she got the idea to create a long-lasting gel eyeliner. She even designed the jar, inspired by an antique glass inkwell sitting on her desk. Today, Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner is a bestseller.
Bobbi launched her brand in much the same way, envisioning simple, flattering, wearable makeup that didn’t exist. She arrived on the beauty scene in 1991, debuting 10 natural-looking, brown-based lipsticks at Bergdorf Goodman. Bobbi’s lipsticks were an instant hit; she had hoped to sell 100 in a month, but it only took one day.
Four years later she sold her color cosmetics company to The Estée Lauder Companies and since then has stayed true to her original vision – to create products of the highest quality that make women look and feel their best. “All women are pretty without makeup, but with the right makeup and knowledge can be pretty powerful,” she says. In keeping with Bobbi’s vision, the brand teaches and empowers women to be their own makeup artists.
Today, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics offers a full range of makeup, skin care, brushes, accessories and fragrance. Bobbi offers a holistic approach to beauty; she also encourages a healthy lifestyle that includes a wholesome diet and regular exercise. Her beauty philosophy is embraced by women worldwide, from consumers and professional makeup artists to celebrities and style makers.
A mother of three sons, Bobbi has boundless energy. She’s a bestselling author, the beauty editor for the Today Show, contributing beauty editor of Health magazine and a fixture backstage at New York Fashion Week. However, her impact extends well beyond the beauty and fashion industries. Committed to empowering women of all ages, Bobbi supports Dress for Success and the Jane Addams High School for Academic Careers in the Bronx, N.Y., by providing generous financial and in-kind support year-round.
She sits on the boards of Dress for Success and her alma mater, Emerson College, where she created Bobbi Brown University, a series of workshops for aspiring makeup artists. In 2010, Bobbi was appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, and was invited by Michelle Obama to participate in the White House’s Leadership & Mentoring Program for young women. Bobbi also is spreading the message of the importance of exercise and good health inspired by the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” wellness campaign, a fitting challenge since she is a partner in a fitness studio in her New Jersey hometown.
In April 2011, Allure magazine named Bobbi one of the five most successful and influential leaders in American beauty, along with her role model, Estée Lauder. In many ways, Bobbi is a 21st century version of The Estée Lauder Companies’ founder. Both women pursued their passions, built global beauty empires from a handful of products, empowered millions of consumers to use cosmetics to polish their self esteem and never let go of their dreams – all while putting family first.
The DNA of the Bobbi Brown brand is best summed up in its “Pretty Powerful” campaign. The same could be said for Bobbi herself.