The woman behind the successful Bobbi Brown cosmetic brand shares with Malaysia Tatler her secret to success and staying youthful.
Bobbi Brown, the founder of her eponymous cosmetic brand, has come a long way from her days playing a young makeup artist to the stars.
EDIT: Bobbi Brown stepped down from the company she founded in 2016. It continues to thrive under the Estée Lauder Companies Inc's banner.
She’s the soul of a thriving cosmetic empire and strongly believes in staying true to herself. She’s often asked for advice on starting a business. Her answer is always the same, you need to be passionate, willing to work hard and most importantly, you need to trust your gut.
"The reason I do what I do is the empower women." - Bobbi Brown
“I’ve listened to my gut from the very start and I that’s why we have maintained our integrity as a company. Our product launches have always been driven by women’s need and not by market research,” she says in an email interview with Malaysia Tatler.
Judging by her cosmetic line, you’d immediately identify the nude tone that dominate the collection season after season. It’s her way of spreading the message of staying true to yourself while enhancing your best features.
My mother inspires me, states Bobbi. “She taught me that being beautiful isn’t about being flawless. It’s about having self-confidence and playing up the qualities that make you unique.” And that’s also why her Pretty Powerful campaign showcases real women, as well celebrities and athletes. She’s determined to drive the point that there isn’t just one definition of beauty.
“I try to focus on the all the women that have and continue to inspire me. The reason I do what I do is to empower women. I believe that makeup is a way to help women look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident.”
Her secret to a balanced life? Prioritise.
Bobbi looks amazing for someone who is 58 years old. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that beauty is a way of living that encompasses healthy eating, regular exercise, fashion style, and a makeup routine that’s quick and easy,” she explains.
One of her favourite chapters in her book, Living Beauty is called the Makeup Face-Lift and it’s about what you can do to look fresher and better without going under the knife.
Family will always be her priority.
Spending time with her family makes her feel good, happy and confident too. “It’s my family that has made the biggest difference in my life, they make me feel pretty powerful everyday. My family is the most important thing to me and I fit everything else around them.”
How does she straddle between running a business and managing her family?
“I’m often asked how I do it all—how I balance running a company, raising three kids and a happy marriage. The secret lies in one word: prioritise. If you know what’s most important to you, you will always make the right decisions.”
She wouldn't dream of leaving home without a concealer.
When asked the one makeup item she simply can’t do without, she has this to say: “Concealer is my ‘desert island’ cosmetic. I wouldn’t dream of leaving home without it. When applied correctly, it instantly makes you appear awake and refreshed, no matter what’s going on in the outside world.”
Bobbi’s advice to women is to always be who you are. “This means everything from learning to love your lines to appreciating your unique features. There’s something incredibly beautiful about a woman with lines in her face and I think we should start using the phrase ‘living’ instead of ‘aging’,” she concludes.
(Photos: Bobbi Brown)
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