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Bobbi Brown

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Bobbi Brown is an influential American makeup artist, author, and entrepreneur. She is widely credited with changing the beauty industry through her focus on natural tones. For many years, most makeup used very bright and bold colors. Brown preferred moderate shades that looked more like real skin. This approach earned her the title of "patron saint of natural makeup" from Allure magazine. Her impact is recognized globally, including by Time magazine in 2025. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The creation of her products follows a precise, professional process. In 1990, Brown collaborated with a chemist to develop her first major innovation. They worked together to create ten specific lipstick shades based on natural colors. This was a major shift from the colorful trends of that era. In 1991, she launched the Bobbi Brown Essentials brand with her husband. The brand debuted at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. While she expected to sell 100 units in a month, she actually sold 100 in a single day. Later, she expanded her product range by releasing foundation sticks with yellow tones.

Brown's career includes several distinct stages and business models. Her first major venture, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, was sold to Estée Lauder in 1995. She remained with the company and kept creative control of her lines. By 2012, her cosmetics represented about ten percent of total Estée Lauder sales. In 2011, she opened the first freestanding retail store in Auckland, New Zealand. This location even included a makeup school in the back. After leaving the company in 2016, she started new projects. These included the wellness line Evolution 18 and her second beauty brand, Jones Road.

Her second beauty brand, Jones Road, launched in late October 2020. This launch happened after a 25-year non-compete agreement with Estée Lauder ended. Jones Road is described as a "clean beauty" brand. This means it offers a curated selection of products that do not overwhelm the user. The line includes balms, moisturizing cream colors, mascaras, and eye pencils. It also features glosses, washes, and eye shadows. These items can be purchased as individual products or in a start-up kit.

Brown's business success is supported by significant financial growth. In its first year, the Jones Road brand earned $20 million in revenue. By the current financial year, revenue is expected to exceed $150 million. The brand's valuation is currently approaching $1 billion. Beyond makeup, she has expanded into many other professional areas. She founded Evolution 18 in 2019 to sell wellness products like supplements and collagen. These items are sold in large outlets such as Walmart. She also co-founded 18 Label, a film and television studio in New Jersey.

Writing and media are also central to her professional identity. Brown has authored ten books regarding beauty and wellness. One of her books, Teenage Beauty, became a New York Times Best Seller. She also served as the Editor-in-Chief for Yahoo Beauty from 2014 to 2016. For twelve years, she worked as a regular beauty consultant on NBC's Today show. Her expertise extends to various editorial roles, such as Beauty & Lifestyle Editor for Elvis Duran. She has also written columns for publications like PureWow and Naturally.

Brown's influence reaches into social causes and community development. In 2013, she launched the Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women & Girls. This initiative supports organizations that provide job skills training to women. It also helps girls through various education programs. Some of the groups that have benefited include Dress for Success and the Girl Rising Fund. Additionally, she and her husband, Steven Plofker, manage The George Hotel. This is a 32-room boutique hotel in Montclair, New Jersey. They renovated the historic property, which was originally built in 1902.

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