Describe yourself in 3 words...
Nice, Quick, and Passionate.
How have your 3 children inspired you in your career?
They have inspired me in so many ways. My oldest son Dylan created the website for the George Hotel that my husband and I just opened, and he is very analytical. My middle son Dakota named the Extra line from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics when he was 8-years-old. He now is the strategic marketing genius. My youngest Duke is the visual one, who has published photos that were used at Yahoo Beauty, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and now my new company Beauty Evolution.
How did you decide to launch your beauty brand? Please share your start-up story...
I never intended to have a big beauty brand. I started as make-up artist with a simple style and philosophy that women should look like themselves. I couldn’t buy any products off the rack that didn’t need to be blended or fixed. I made natural looking lipsticks and they hit a nerve, changing makeup that was popular at the time.
What differentiates you in the beauty business and how do you feel about the new wave of natural, non-toxic beauty?
Since leaving the brand, I have transitioned almost exclusively to non-toxic beauty. There are some great options out there.
You are an author many times over, a beauty editor, and founded your own wildly successful beauty brand, not to mention a Mother of 3. How do you balance all of it? How do you carve out time for yourself and how do you spend that time?
Who said I balanced anything ever? Not possible. My husband is my partner in everything, and has been my mentor and biggest supporter.
Pay it forward and name 3 mentors in your field whom you admire...
Mickey Drexler, Leonard Lauder and Bonnie Maller.
What’s the next step for you in your career? Will you create more beauty brands? Write more books? Go into a new field?
I started a lifestyle brand name Beauty Evolution, which includes a hotel named The George in Montclair, New Jersey, a wellness line named EVOLUTION_18, and I’ve created a editorial website justBobbi.com for all things wellness, beauty, travel and everything in between. I have alas reignited my makeup artist career by going back into the studio. I never say never to anything.
What is your personal beauty regimen?
I am so low maintenance. I color my hair every two weeks, and get a quick blow out for shoots and events. The rest of the time it is ponytails and I have an unmade face with just a bit of concealer and blush. I do get lasers on occasion, which helps to even out my skin. I’m all about eating a healthy diet as I believe beauty starts from the inside out.
What are your favorite family activities to do with your kids in NYC?
Now that they are grown up and all of them foodies, we meet often for dinner and drinks.
What values do you hope to instill in your children?
Goodness, family, hard work, compassion, passion and fun.