Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 14, 1957 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Makeup artist, author, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | Founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Jones Road |
| Notable work | Nine publications on beauty and health |
Bobbi Brown (born April 14, 1957) is a distinguished American makeup artist, author, and entrepreneur who founded Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. She developed a collection of ten lipsticks in natural hues, which Entrepreneur credits with transforming the beauty sector. Brown has written nine publications focusing on beauty and health. In 2025, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential individuals worldwide.
Following her exit from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 2016, she established Beauty Evolution, LLC, and earned certification as a health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Brown then introduced a line of wellness products inspired by beauty and launched a second cosmetics brand, Jones Road, in 2020. Additionally, she manages an editorial website and, alongside her husband Steven Plofker, undertook the redesign of The George, a boutique hotel located in Montclair, New Jersey.
Early life
Raised in Chicago, Illinois within a Jewish household, Brown completed her education at New Trier High School and later graduated from Emerson College in Boston, majoring in theatrical makeup and photography. In 1980, she relocated to New York City to pursue a career as a professional makeup artist. Brown became recognized for her approach emphasizing subtle, natural tones that contrasted with the bold colors prevalent during that period.
Bobbi Brown Essentials
In 1990, Brown partnered with a chemist to formulate ten lipstick shades inspired by natural tones. The following year, she and her husband joined forces with another couple to establish Bobbi Brown Essentials, which debuted at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. While initially anticipating monthly sales of 100 units, they sold that amount within a single day. In 1992, she launched foundation sticks featuring yellow undertones.
The company was acquired by Estée Lauder in 1995; Brown remained employed there with creative authority over the brand. The first standalone Bobbi Brown Cosmetics boutique opened in Auckland, New Zealand in 2011 and included a makeup academy. By 2012, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics contributed roughly 10% to Estée Lauder Companies’ overall revenue. As of January 2014, approximately thirty independent Bobbi Brown stores operated internationally.
Brown announced her departure from the brand in December 2016. Since then, she has introduced new beauty ventures and participated in industry initiatives including beauty-focused podcasts, a makeup MasterClass, and her platform JustBobbi.com.
Jones Road
In October 2020, marking a quarter-century since selling Bobbi Brown Cosmetics due to a non-compete clause with Estée Lauder, Brown unveiled her second cosmetics line: Jones Road. This brand emphasizes "clean beauty," offering a thoughtfully curated range of skincare and makeup products designed for simplicity and efficacy. Initial offerings encompassed balms, moisturizing cream colors, mascaras, glosses, washes, eyeshadows, and pencils frequently bundled into starter kits. In an interview with the Financial Times in September 2024, Jones Road revealed first-year revenues of $20 million and projected sales surpassing $150 million for the current fiscal year alongside an estimated valuation close to $1 billion.
Additional product ranges
Brown expanded her brand by introducing a fragrance line and, in 2013, collaborated with Safilo Group S.p.A. to develop an eyewear collection. She also holds the position of creative consultant for Lord & Taylor.
Evolution 18
In 2019, Brown launched Evolution_18, a wellness lifestyle brand offering items such as supplements, collagen products, and effervescent tablets. These goods were made available through prominent retailers like Walmart, allowing her to extend her presence beyond beauty products into the health and wellness industry.
The George Hotel
Together with her husband, Brown purchased a historic inn in Montclair, New Jersey, originally constructed in 1902 and known as the Georgian Inn since the 1940s. After extensive refurbishment, they reintroduced it as the George Hotel in 2018, featuring 32 guest rooms and marking Brown’s debut in the boutique hotel market.
18 Label
Brown is a cofounder of 18 Label, a film and television production studio located in New Jersey. The studio has hosted productions for networks including CNBC, BSTV, and the Food Network. It operates within The Annex—an 11,000 square-foot studio and event venue also co-established by Brown.
She has made appearances on Food Network shows such as The Kitchen.
Editorial contributions
Brown holds the role of Beauty & Lifestyle Editor for Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and partnered with Duran to develop an "Elvis Duran bronzer" for her makeup line. From 2014 to 2016, she was Editor-in-Chief at Yahoo Beauty and maintained a twelve-year tenure as a regular beauty advisor on NBC's Today. Additionally, Brown has written columns for PureWow, Naturally, and Danny Seo.
Publications
| Year | Title | ISBN |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Bobbi Brown Beauty: The Ultimate Resource | 0-446-58134-8 |
| 2000 | Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty: Everything You Need to Look Pretty, Natural, Sexy and Awesome with Annemarie Iverson, New York Times Best Seller | 0-06-095724-7 |
| 2002 | Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty | 0-06-008881-8 |
| 2007 | Bobbi Brown Living Beauty | 0-8212-5834-6 |
| 2008 | Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro | 0-446-58134-8 |
| 2010 | Bobbi Brown Beauty Rules | 0-811-87468-0 |
| 2012 | Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful with Sara Bliss | 0-811-87704-3 |
| 2014 | Everything Eyes with Sara Bliss | 978-1-4521-1961-8 |
| 2017 | Beauty from the Inside Out |
Philanthropic efforts
On International Women's Day in 2013, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics initiated the Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women & Girls. This project supports organizations dedicated to empowering women through vocational training and promoting education among girls. Notable recipients include Dress for Success (where Brown served on the board), Broome Street Academy High School, and the Girl Rising Fund.
Private life
Brown wed executive Steven Plofker on September 10, 1988. They have three sons and a daughter-in-law. The family lives in Montclair, New Jersey, while Brown spends part of her summers in Sag Harbor, the Hamptons, New York.
Recognition
Brown's work has been featured on the covers of prominent publications including Elle, Vogue, Self, and Town & Country. Her accolades include the Glamour Woman of the Year Award, the Beauty Award from The Fashion Group International Night of Stars, and the ROBIE Humanitarian Award presented by the Jackie Robinson Foundation. She was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation and has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Brown has received honorary doctorates from Montclair State University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Monmouth University, and Emerson College. Following the launch of her second cosmetics brand in 2020, Allure magazine honored her as the "world’s patron saint of 'natural makeup.'"
In 2015, she was recognized as one of the BBC 100 Women.