A Friend Stopped By | 01/29/2009 7:00 am

6 Beauty Tips You Can't Live Without, by Bobbi Brown

By Bobbi Brown

Editor’s Note: Internationally renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown is the author of the just-published beauty bible Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. Her eponymous line of cosmetic products is sold in more than 400 stores and 20 countries worldwide.

If the word "investing’" sends shivers down your spine right now, I understand. We’re living in uncertain times. But the kind of investing I’m about to suggest has little to do with money — it’s about investing in yourself. Put your energy into making the most of your appearance and caring for your body — two things you can control — and I promise you’ll feel more capable when dealing with the challenges we’re all facing today. Investing in your well-being doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Follow these tips, and expect big returns — in the short and long term.

wowOwow: What’s the one cosmetic a woman should never do without?

Bobbi Brown: Concealer. It’s the secret of the universe. It can make you look like you’ve had eight hours sleep when you’ve only had five.

WOW: What’s the beauty issue women complain most about?

BOBBI: Women are always saying that they "always look so fatigued." They want to know how they can freshen up their appearance and look healthy and vibrant again.

WOW: And what do you recommend?

BOBBI: The best way to instantly make skin look younger is to layer two moisturizers. Start with a light hydrating lotion to plump skin and make fine lines and wrinkles less visible. Apply a richer balm on top to lock in moisture.

WOW: Which of your own beauty strategies do you rely on?

BOBBI: I try not to be a slave to every makeup trend. The best path is to find what works for you and update it as needed.

WOW: What product are you turning to the most these days?

BOBBI: Sheer foundation. It used to be that women who wanted lightweight foundation had to sacrifice coverage, since many formulas are very translucent. Fortunately, technology’s improved. It’s allowed me to launch Skin Foundation SPF 15, a sheer foundation that provides natural-looking coverage. It’s taken a long time, but it was worth the wait.

WOW: Any bargain products you can’t live without?

BOBBI: Blistex and Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap.

Read more about: A Friend Stopped By, Aging, Beauty, Bobbi Brown, Makeup, Q & A, Skincare

10 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Thank God for concealer!! Blessing to the people that improve on that product.

By Brooklyn Gal on 01/29/2009 8:22 am

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I Can’t Say Enough Good Things About Bobbi Brown! Ladies, if you have never had a makeup consultation with Bobbi Brown herself, or one of her makeup “team” members, and you want a “natural” look instead of a I’m-on-my-way-to-a-Halloween-party look, get thee to a Bobbi Brown counter! I’ll give you the info below. When Bobbi Brown started her makeup line, the models of the time were blond. Cheryl Tiegs and Christie Brinkley. Well, Bobbi Brown has dark hair. She was inspired by Ali McGraw in Love Story. Growing up, Bobbi Brown had wanted to be told she was pretty, but not that she was wearing a lot of makeup. So when she saw Ali in Love Story, it really inspired her to do a “natural” makeup line. Bobbi’s philosophy is about finding balance in one’s life. Eating healthy, exercising, drinking lots of water. She helps women look like themselves, only “better” than without makeup. Her makeup is all about confidence. And her sales clerks don’t “push” products. Bobbi doesn’t take a 50 year old and try to make them look 30 or 40. She just makes them look their Best. To find a Bobbi Brown event near you, just key in Bobbi Brown events in your search bar. A screen will come up with Store, City and State. Key in the stores you want it to check. In your search Results, look for a “Featured Artist” event. If you don’t see one when using a specific store, go back and click on All Stores. Bobbi will be in Chicago on Feb. 6th at Macy’s, Feb. 19 at Bloomingdale’s, and March 6th at Saks. And for those of you living in New York, I am so jealous, as Bobbi will Personally be at Saks on March 5 - March 7th. About 17 or 18 years ago, Bobbi Brown personally came to the Nordstrom store in Costa Mesa, CA. I signed up. Expecting to have the usually 30 minutes or more for a consultation, I arrived early with my shoebox full of makeup. Stood in line with the other many women. We were told that Bobbi Brown had a family emergency. Her son was ill, and we would only have about two minutes each with her. Still, no one moved from the line. As I waited, I ran through the questions I thought she would ask me. What is my lifestyle, what type of work do I do, what colors of clothing do I dress in, etc. None of that happened. When my turn came, I walked up to her, took off the lid of my box, and exposed the Chanel, Lancome, L’Oreal, etc. I thought she’d say Keep this, Toss this, etc. No. She just said something like, “Hi, I’m Bobbi Borwn; It’s nice to meet you” and then she proceeded to write on a form, as she looked up at my face, then back to the form. A few quick questions about skin care and color products, a Day look and an Evening look, and I was off to her assistant’s chair for the makeup application. It was the most natural and simple and beautiful makeover I had ever experienced. And I still have the paper that Bobbi Brown wrote on and gave to me. From that day forward, I have been loyal to Bobbi Brown. I go in once a year, maybe twice a year, for an update. I can apply only moisturizer, concealer, a little blush and lipstick, and look and feel like a million dollars. The right color products make you look refreshed and pretty. It’s all about good skin care, and the right shades for you.

By N P on 01/29/2009 8:56 am

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Bobbi Brown is great! I love her make up line and products.

By Belinda Joy on 01/29/2009 9:14 am

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Concealer is the greatest thing ever invented. I have hereditary “luggage” under my eyes, and a little concealer goes a long way! I also can’t live without moisturizer. I’ve never layered two though - I’ll have to give that a try!

By Lorraine Bates on 01/29/2009 10:18 am

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I’m a Laura Mercier girl…..But bobbi, I must say you’ve got a real good moisturizer!

By HA BIBI on 01/30/2009 1:28 pm

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I have a lot of trouble finding a good foundation. for my skin type. I am looking forward to the launch of her Skin Foundation SPF 15. It sounds very good.

By Lizzie R. on 01/30/2009 9:58 pm

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I’m thisclose to being my natural hair colour, complete with lots of grey, and I want to go get proper new make-up colours. Definitely will go to Bobbi Brown.

By Vivvy Stewart on 02/01/2009 12:39 pm

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I think she should stop by more often.

By cmk55 kolen on 02/02/2009 11:19 am

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I’ve never figured out how to use concealer. It always shows and ends up looking as bad as what I’m trying to conceal.

By Sherrie Crews on 02/04/2009 8:23 am

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Hi Sherrie, I have felt this same way. I think it takes finding the right products/colors, and practice. Hope you don’t mind me offering a tip. The Bobbi Brown website has a good “how-to” video on concealer. When you go to the Bobbi Brown website, click on Looks & TIps, then click on 10-Step Beauty Guide. And then click on the Concealer How-To Video. It’s very informative. She explains as she goes. Talks about using a nice eye cream. Letting it absorb. Talks about a corrector to go under the concealer. Choosing the right colors. I believe that less is more. I use as little concealer as I can get away with, and I blend, blend, blend. Also, one time I went to a dept. store and had one of the ladies at the BB counter apply concealer to my left eye. I had her give me a mirror to hold, so I could watch just how she did it. Then I had her watch me while I did my right eye. I wanted to make sure I “got” it. Also, I go in at least once a year just to have my colors checked. And to look at any new product formulations, etc. Hope this helps!

By N P on 02/04/2009 9:52 am