Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown is an American professional makeup artist, author, and founder of Jones Road Beauty, a clean brand launched in 2020. She previously founded Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 1991, selling it to Estee Lauder in 1995 while retaining creative control until her 2016 departure.
Bobbi Brown's Bio
Bobbi Brown is an American professional makeup artist, author, and founder of Jones Road Beauty, a clean brand launched in 2020. She previously founded Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 1991, selling it to Estee Lauder in 1995 while retaining creative control until her 2016 departure.
Born in 1957 in Wilmette, Illinois, Brown graduated from Emerson College and moved to New York City in 1980. She pioneered natural makeup with ten lipstick shades that revolutionized the industry. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics expanded to thirty stores worldwide and represented nearly ten percent of Estee Lauder's sales by 2012.
After stepping down, Brown founded the wellness line Evolution_18 in 2019 and launched Jones Road Beauty in October 2020 after a 25-year non-compete. The brand earned $20 million in its first year and neared $150 million with a $1 billion valuation by 2024. She also renovated The George Hotel in Montclair, New Jersey, opened in 2018.
Brown has authored ten books, served as Yahoo Beauty's Editor-in-Chief (2014-2016), spent twelve years as a beauty consultant on NBC's Today show, and currently serves as Beauty & Lifestyle Editor of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. Her honors include Glamour Woman of the Year, appointment by President Obama to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation, induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and being named to Time's 100 most influential people in 2025.
Career Timeline
1980 — Began career as professional makeup artist in New York City
Moved to NYC after graduating from Emerson College and started working as a professional makeup artist, developing her signature natural style.
1991 — Founded Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
Launched Bobbi Brown Essentials with her husband and another couple at Bergdorf Goodman, selling 100 lipsticks in the first day.
1995 — Bobbi Brown Cosmetics acquired by Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder purchased the company but retained Brown as an employee with full creative control of the makeup line.
2011 — First freestanding Bobbi Brown store opened at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
Expanded beyond department store counters with the opening of a retail store in Auckland, New Zealand, featuring an in-store makeup school.
2016 — Stepped down from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics
Announced her departure from the company she founded, ending her 25-year tenure to pursue new ventures.
2019 — Founded Evolution_18 wellness line
Launched a lifestyle-inspired wellness line offering supplements, collagen, and effervescent tablets sold at retailers including Walmart.
2020 — Launched Jones Road Beauty
Introduced her second beauty brand after a 25-year non-compete expired; positioned as a clean beauty alternative with curated makeup and skincare.
Books by Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown Beauty: The Ultimate Resource
the ultimate beauty resource
1995
Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty: Everything You Need to Look Pretty, Natural, Sexy and Awesome
everything you need to look pretty, natural, sexy & awesome
2000
Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty
A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty
2003
Bobbi Brown Living Beauty
Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro
for every woman from beginner to pro
2008
Bobbi Brown Beauty Rules
fabulous looks, beauty essentials, and life lessons for loving your teens and twenties
2010
Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful with Sara Bliss
2012
Everything Eyes with Sara Bliss
2014
Beauty from the Inside Out
2017
Still Bobbi
2025
