Last night I carved out some time to hear Bobbi Brown of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics speak at Montclair State University about her career path. Bobbi has lived in Montclair for many, many years. Her talk was fantastic. She began with pictures of herself as a child. She shared her metamorphosis from girl to teen to college student to freelance makeup artist to wife, mother and businesswoman. She shared with us how she started with one lipstick -- a nude color called 'Brown' -- later adding nine more shades. Bobbi -- as she prefers to be called -- is very casual. She walked in wearing a dark wash skinny jean and a denim top with her signature glasses. Her hair was long and straight. At just 5-feet tall, she's a pint-size powerhouse. "I'd rather be taller than younger," she said. I've always loved Bobbi's fresh approach to makeup, as she says, "the skin has to look like you’re not wearing any." Bobbi Brown celebrates the natural woman, "when I look at a woman, I don’t see what’s wrong with her. I see what’s right.” Amen.
You can buy her products in department stores like Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom, online and at her new pop-up store in Grand Central Station. You can also shop at her studio in Montclair, NJ.
Bobbi and her company are big into philanthropy. One of my favorite moments last night came when she said she wants to make a lot of money so she can "give it all away."
Bobbi took a lot of questions last night. She was very generous with her time. She also laid out her rules for success and happiness, which I've copied here. If you want more on Bobbi, you can read her blog. I do.
- Always Be on time
- Look people in eye
- Tell the truth
- Don’t smoke
- Drink lots of water
- Exercise
- Eat healthy
- Read
- Be nice
- Never give up
