October 17, 2024, 1:52 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
If you’re into natural make-up, you can’t ignore her: Bobbi Brown. But the 67-year-old is not just a make-up artist; she is also an author, entrepreneur, and pioneer in the field of self-love. Carmen Dörfler introduces you to her.
In a world where make-up is often used as a mask to hide what lies beneath, Bobbi Brown has created something revolutionary: she has encouraged women to celebrate their natural beauty and not hide it. But how did Bobbi Brown become the icon she is today?
Bobbi Brown started her career in the eighties
Bobbi Brown was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1957 and grew up in a family that valued art and creativity. She discovered her passion for make-up as a young girl. What other girls might have seen as a game became a serious pursuit for Bobbi Brown. “I was always fascinated by beauty, but not in the way it was portrayed in the media. I saw beauty in the uniqueness and individuality of each woman.”
After graduating from Emerson College in Boston, where she developed her artistic skills in theatrical make-up, she moved to New York City to begin her career as a make-up artist. However, New York in the 1980s was a place of exaggerated looks: bright colors, dramatic contours, and bold experimentation were the norm. Bobbi Brown, on the other hand, felt a longing for something different. “I wanted to create something that supported women instead of covering them up. Something that makes them feel like the best version of themselves.”
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics started with ten lipsticks
Bobbi Brown’s breakthrough came when she launched her own line of ten lipsticks in 1991. These lipsticks caused a revolution in the then-extravagant beauty world – they reflected natural tones and were a far cry from the garish colors that were fashionable at the time. “I wanted colors that looked like lips, only better,” Brown is often quoted as saying. The collection was an instant success. Women finally felt understood; they found products that subtly emphasized their natural beauty instead of masking it.
In 1995, her make-up and skincare brand was acquired by Estée Lauder, but Bobbi Brown retained creative control and remained the face and heart of her brand. Under her leadership, the brand expanded worldwide and launched countless new products, always staying true to the principle: “Beauty shouldn’t be complicated. It should be simple and realistic.”
Make-up artist, author, family woman
Despite her enormous success, Bobbi Brown has managed to stay true to herself and her values. In her private life, she lives with her husband, Steven Plofker, and their three sons in Montclair, New Jersey, where she leads a modest but fulfilling life. She repeatedly emphasizes the importance of balance and mindfulness in her life. “My success would be worth nothing if I didn’t have the time to be with my family and enjoy life.”
In addition to her career as a make-up artist and entrepreneur, Bobbi Brown is also the author of several books in which she shares her philosophy, including “Beauty from the Inside Out, Bobbi Brown Make-up Manual, and Pretty Powerful. In these books, she not only gives practical tips but also encourages women to love and accept themselves. “Beauty starts on the inside. It’s about who you are and how you feel. No make-up product in the world can replace that.”
She couldn’t do without this product
Although she has developed a whole line of make-up products, there is one product that Bobbi Brown herself could not do without: Concealer. “A good concealer is like eight hours of sleep in a small jar. It can brighten the face and give you an instant fresh look.” This approach also reflects Bobbi Brown’s philosophy: “Women want to look and feel like themselves, only more beautiful and confident.”
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Bobbi Brown has revolutionized the beauty industry
Bobbi Brown not only created a brand; she initiated a movement that has permanently changed the understanding of beauty. She has encouraged women worldwide to embrace their natural beauty and be proud of who they are. Her philosophy has not only revolutionized the beauty industry but has also positively influenced the self-image of many women.
In an age that is often about achieving perfection, Bobbi Brown has shown that true beauty lies in imperfection – in the small, unique details that make us who we are. “It’s not about being someone else; it’s about being the best version of yourself.” And that’s exactly what she has always embodied in her career and life. So the next time you look in the mirror and think about what make-up to wear, perhaps think of Bobbi Brown: it’s not about transforming yourself; it’s about enhancing your natural beauty – just as you are.