Bobbi Brown Talks 25 Years In The Biz

She hates contouring and loves diversity, and we adore her for it. Bobbi Brown talks 25 years in the biz with Mamta Mody.

- Mamta Mody

Given her background in theatrical make-up, it’s surprising what launched a young Bobbi Brown into the big league: the idea that beauty should be fresh and natural. In the late ’80s, when the trending look was overthe-top and excessive, Brown did fashion editorials that stood out for their bare faces and unusual subtlety. She learned to disregard trends early on and followed her instincts, especially when she decided to go from artist to entrepreneur. She launched a line of 10 eminently wearable lipsticks in 1991. It caught the popular imagination, defined the look of the ’90s (brown lips, nude skin, matte everything) and set her little business idea on fire. Twenty-five years later, it’s a global empire. Through it all, Brown has kept her reputation for being grounded (you’ll mostly see her in sneakers) and very hands-on with everything from developing new products at her New Jersey studio, to designing looks at New York Fashion Week.

Her mission to create makeup that’s quietly flattering hasn’t changed. She’s fond of saying that every woman is pretty and with the right tools and make-up, she can be confident too. That means instead of handing out contouring tips (she hates them) or making skinlightening creams, the 59-year-old champions inclusivity at her makeup counters. Her products have always had shades beyond the usual ‘peach’ and ‘beige’, to suit women of diverse ethnicities. All her major campaigns have featured models of colour, with the most recent being Bhumika Arora, who stars alongside 39 other women from various backgrounds.

As the brand celebrates its 25th anniversary and other milestones along the way (like Kate Middleton wearing Bobbi Brown on her wedding day), Brown remains as keen today as she was all those years ago to prove that make-up can be a powerful tool of empowerment.