Bobbi Brown, is 65 years young and lives in Montclair, NJ, where along with her husband, a real estate developer, they raised 3 sons. Bobbi has been a freelance makeup artist for over 30 years, is the Founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and remained the CCO there until October of 2016. She has written 9 best-selling books, and was Beauty Editor of the Today show and EIC of Yahoo Beauty. Bobbi is the perfect combination of determined and calm, and recently launched her new beauty line Jones Road.
The line is reflective of her ‘less is more’ attitude when it comes to beauty, with multi-use products like Miracle Balm and Face Pencil. And of course, I never leave the house without a little bit of mascara and lip gloss. The Eye Pencil is perfect for a clean line every time.Each product is better than the next it is hard to pick a favorite. But I do have to say I am obsessed with the Miracle Balm and the mascara. Read on to hear my interview with Bobbi below.
Tell us a little bit about what you’re doing now.
I am the Founder and CCO of JONES ROAD, The George, 18 Label Studios, and justbobbi.com. I’m also the Host of Beyond The Beauty, my podcast on I Heart Radio.
What were some of the biggest learnings you took from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and applied to the creation of your newest beauty venture, JONES ROAD?
Working at the brand for as long as I did was the best on-the-job training I could have gotten. I learned everything from product development and distribution, to pr and marketing. It was like getting an MBA. Now, business is done differently because of the rise of social media and e-commerce. JONES ROAD is a scrappy start up. We have a small team. We’re using social as a major part of our marketing strategy and we’re selling DTC. That’s the modern way to launch a business now.
When did you start learning about wellness? What do you do that makes you feel good?
In 2017, I wrote my 9th book, Beauty From the Inside Out, which was really more about nutrition and wellness than it was about beauty. Promoting that book is really what put me on my new entrepreneurial path, and wellness was a big part of that. First, I went back to school at IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) to become a certified health coach. Then, I launched EVOLUTION_18, a line of wellness and ingestible products.
All of that was a natural extension of my lifestyle, I’ve always said I don’t look good until I exercise. I wrote about my routine on justBobbi.com, and broke down my favorite workouts, which I rotate often: walking (I usually get about 10,000 steps walking around the neighborhood) free weights, running, HIIT TRAINING, Pilates, barre and cycling. Any of those activities make me feel good. I’m also obsessed with my Peloton right now and love spin with Alex Toussaint and bootcamp with Adrian Williams.
What does your current skincare + beauty regimen look like? Has your outlook on beauty changed at all as you’ve gotten older?
I’m 63-years-old and I keep my approach to beauty very simple. First, I’m not wearing a lot of makeup these days so that really helps. At night, I wash my face with either coconut oil or a natural cleanser that I’m working on right now for JONES ROAD. I then apply my new eye cream and finally, my go-to product: Miracle Cream. I just break the seal on the top of the cream, warm it up in my hands and then generously apply it to my face at night. It works like an intense overnight moisture mask.
I also believe that following a regular wellness routine of drinking lots of water, eating well and incorporating good fats into your diet throughout the day makes a huge difference in the health of your skin.
With JONES ROAD, I created a collection of products that I wanted for myself that I couldn’t find anywhere else. I’m wearing less makeup today than I ever did, and so are the models who I’m making up in my chair. That was the inspiration: That transparent, naturally beautiful look feels more modern right now than a full face of makeup.
Any secret weapons we absolutely need to know about?
Miracle Balm is absolutely a secret weapon. I’m obsessed with it. It adds a wash of soft-focus moisture to enhance your skin. It reflects light so it adds a hint of glow wherever you need it – cheeks, eyelids or lips. It also comes in four different shades so you can wear it alone, or layer it on top of your foundation. It’s made with jojoba seed oil, argan oil and Vitamin E so it also nourishes your skin. It’s high-performing, multi-purpose and is full of amazing, “good-for-you” ingredients, all in one.
Are there any beauty trends right now you love? Any you don’t understand?
Working from home and living through this pandemic has taught us all how live with less and to accept things as they are, including the way we look. If you’re eating well and taking care of yourself, you don’t need a lot of makeup to look and feel good. That’s always been my philosophy, JONES ROAD celebrates it, and that feels especially appropriate right now.
I also believe that beauty is an individual choice and there’s room for all of us in it. I don’t believe in competing – I believe in collaborating and sharing information. I love many of the new brands like Makeup by Mario and Westman Atelier. I’m also obsessed with the Cream by Augustinus Bader. Who isn’t?
What advice do you have for women who want to start their next act, but are too afraid or nervous to just do it?
One lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that if you wait for the “perfect time” to do anything, nothing happens. I don’t wait. I create. I would give that advice to anyone, especially if they’re afraid or nervous to make a change.
Your TikTok is a sensation. Your videos have been viewed over 2 million times! What’s it like going viral as a woman our age?
What I’m saying on TikTok is what I’ve been preaching my whole career—there is a lot of negative content on social media that’s about covering up your flaws and always looking perfect, whatever the cost. That’s just not my philosophy. People want content that feels authentic—I don’t over-produce my content, I don’t write a script, I just turn on the camera and be myself.
Culturally, aging is viewed as this sad thing. In reality, I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t feel bad or sad. I feel better than ever. How do you think we can change the conversation around aging?
I’ve been in beauty for 40 years, and when you look back at the industry when I created my original brand and then fast-forward to now, a whole new business is emerging. Women today shop differently; they have a new definition of what beauty is. Imperfect is beautiful. Your imperfections are who you are. This is a whole new concept and it’s completely challenging how beauty was previously defined and that’s exciting. I created JONES ROAD with that in mind—it’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To turn back time. If I could go back, I would tell myself to do things that would help take life down a notch. For example, I wish I had practiced yoga and learned how to meditate so I didn’t get so caught up in the craziness of my mind. I’m working on that now. I definitely know how to build and grow a brand but I am still learning to manage my own busy mind.
Words to live by?
This is my mantra. It hangs in my office.
What would you add to our menopause registry?
A full-time tech expert who is on call at all times.
What’s the best thing you’ve read lately?
Michelle Obama’s book – Becoming
What’s your go-to hostess gift?
Casamigos Tequila
Do you have any family traditions?
Many – We celebrate all holidays with the family, and with at least one good game of beer (or vodka) pong.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten?
Pictures of my babies in silver frames from my hubby.
Do you have any seasonal traditions? Summer? Holidays?
Holidays are either cold – Telluride, or warm- Bahamas. Summers are spent at the beach – Hamptons. As long as we are together.
Your biggest splurge lately?
Louis Vuitton High tops
If you had a warning label, what would it say?
Don’t ask me for the truth unless you want it.
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