SUPER-BRAND FOUR: Bobbi Brown

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“Artistic Creativity + Business Acumen = A Successful Enterprise Story”.

This particular story is a very short one, but even more inspiring and captivating. And what makes it doubly-enthralling is that this is one story that’s constantly evolving, it is being re-written even as you read this article because the woman of whom I speak is at this moment creating beauty with her brushes.

The story of this incredibly successful woman is so simple, yet so inspiring that for the last one year (since I googled her up), I always re-read it at least once a week. So, finally I decided it must be shared with you all.

Just what is it about this story that’s so catching? And why does she appear on our Super-Brand Series? Personally, I became enthralled about the Bobbi Brown story for the following reasons: The simplicity of her beauty philosophy, her contagious passion for her work, plus her ability to look at an old problem and create a new solution – one that continues to positively touch the lives of women all around the world.

Read on and find your own reasons, and don’t forget to share your findings with others on our comment section.

Happy Reading!!!

Redefining Beauty:

What is Beauty?

"A strong brow, bedroom eyes, a bump on the nose; Beauty is not about looking perfect. It's about looking and feeling like yourself, only in a prettier and more confident way."

In the Beginning:

As a young girl, Bobbi was enthralled by makeup and its effects on a person’s face. Starting out at a small cosmetics store as a teenager, the wheels were set in motion for this incredibly talented artist. Years later she earned a B.F.A. in theatrical makeup at Boston's Emerson College and upon graduation, she moved to New York City to make it as a professional makeup artist.

From the very start, Bobbi's talent and drive (I like to call it Passion) earned her coveted gigs with International Magazines such as the American Vogue and Self. She worked with ace photographers like Bruce Weber and Arthur Elgort. Soon she became the favorite of all the top models including Naomi Campbell and Tatiana Patitz.

Old Problem – New Solution

Growing up around five big sisters, I noticed their lipsticks had a peculiar smell and feel, similar to my color crayons. So, whenever I felt the ‘urge’ to paint my face and my older sisters were being a kill-joy (they never wanted me to ‘waste their lip colors’), I just used my crayons.

Rewind 20 years into the beauty industry – that’s how ‘bad’ the lipsticks used to be. They were either too dry or too greasy and their smell was nothing to be desired.

Thanks to Bobbi’s ability to see an old problem with a pair of new eyes, the story’s indeed different today. Ten years into her career as a makeup artist, Bobbi began developing a lipstick that "didn't smell, that wasn't dry or greasy, and looked like lips, only in a better way”.

In 1991, her 10 lipsticks debuted at the Bergdorf Goodman under the name “Bobbi Brown Essentials”. She had forecasted sales of 100 pieces in a month; however, she sold the same 100 within the first day.

The Birth of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

As every true-blood successful beauty entrepreneur will tell you, Success always begets Success.

After the successful launch of her lipstick line, Bobbi expanded her collection beyond lipsticks; she created yellow-based foundations, revolutionizing face makeup as we know it today.

This change in the beauty market caught the attention of cosmetics empire Estée Lauder, who bought Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 1995, just four years after the company's inception.

Remember, “Artistic Creativity + Business Acumen = A Successful Enterprise Story”.

Today, Bobbi Brown retains creative control of the brand.                                                      

Bobbi Today

Ever a creative artist, Bobbi continues to pursue her craft today by creating the runway looks for New York Fashion Week, working with celebrated designers including Rachel Roy, J. Mendel, Erin Fetherston, Tory Burch and Cynthia Rowley.

Bobbi frequently appears on The Today Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show, and her advice can be found in syndicated columns and magazine features around the world.

Of course, you will always find Bobbi where she began - on the set. Bobbi is still a coveted makeup artist for A-list Personalities and Fashion Magazines the world over.

The Legacy Continues

A New York Times bestselling author, Bobbi has written five beauty and lifestyle books through which she shares her passion and creative leanings with generations of makeup artists and beautiful women around the world.

If you simply want to take control of your own beauty (as a teenager or grown woman) or you are an artist coveting an opportunity to learn from the Master MUA herself, all you need is one (or all) of these books:

Bobbi Brown Beauty

Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty

Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution

Bobbi Brown Living Beauty

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

I personally have my copies of the last two books, what about you?  I await your responses…