In the late 1990’s make-up artist Bobbi Brown released her first beauty manual, Bobbi Brown Beauty. I remember my eldest sister buying this book and reading it with great interest. Even now I remember some of Bobbi’s advice in her book, such as keeping your brows as natural as possible or focusing on make-up shades that suit your colouring. Bobbi Brown Beauty was my first introduction to understanding make-up and beauty.
“Bobbi Brown Beauty was my first introduction to understanding make-up and beauty.”
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics was created by professional makeup artist, bestselling author and entrepreneur Bobbi Brown. When she started her company in 1990, her style of moderate and natural tones was a stark contrast to the bright colours used at the time. Whilst she left the company in 2016, her philosophy of enhancing your beauty remains at the brand.
“When she started her company in 1990, her style of moderate and natural tones was a stark contrast to the bright colours used at the time.”
Bobbi Brown is one of the first make-up brands I ever used and one I associate with high quality and enhancing your natural features rather than following unflattering trends. I have mostly always stuck to neutral flattering colours and focused on achieving a polished look. Below I go through some of my all time favourites from the Bobbi Brown range, including some newer introductions into the line.
“Bobbi Brown is one of the first make-up brands I ever used and one I associate with high quality and enhancing your natural features rather than following unflattering trends.”
Soothing Cleansing Oil
This is a top selling product and I really recommend trying it, the Soothing Cleansing Oil is infused with a blend of botanical oils to gently dissolve surface impurities and remove long-wearing eye makeup. I wear liquid eyeliner every day which is always hard to remove, this Soothing Cleansing Oil really helps to remove it efficiently. The white water lily and while jasmine flower also help to soothe and calm skin.
How to use: Smooth onto dry skin, splash with warm water and massage off make-up. Rinse with warm water to leave clean skin.
Vitamin Enriched Face Base
A bestseller for a reason, the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is a wonderful product. I am always a little sceptical of skincare products created by make-up brands but there has recently been a shift in the market and some of these products are exceptional. Comprising skin nourishing ingredients; vitamin B5, vitamin C, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid this is a combined primer and moisturiser which gives a really great smooth base for make-up application.
How to use: Use as you would a primer before applying make-up.
“I am always a little sceptical of skincare products created by make-up brands but there has recently been a shift in the market and some of these products are exceptional.”
Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks (Powder Pink)
Another bestselling product, this multitasking cream colour for lips and cheeks comes in a mirrored flip-top compact for on-the-go application. I generally don’t like two in one products however this is a really useful product to have in your make-up bag and I use it equally both for lips and cheeks. As a blush it gives a natural flushed look and on the lips it gives a really natural stained look, pair with a lip pencil for stronger colour.
How to use: Blend it on the apples of your cheeks for a just-pinched look, or blot it on your lips for a soft, stained finish.
“I generally don’t like two in one products however this is a really useful product to have in your make-up bag and I use it equally both for lips and cheeks.”
Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick (Pink Sparkle)
This Shadow Stick is so fun and a perfect product for a polished look that is quick with minimal efforts required. This is a long-lasting, do-it-all eye shadow that allows you to just swipe and go. It stays in place for most of the day. On days when I don’t have much time I will have a swipe of this Cream Shadow Stick along with a little mascara. The only downside is that it is quite difficult to remove.
How to use: Swipe across lids and blend with fingertips
Smokey Eye Mascara (Black)
I love a heavily pigmented mascara, the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara is a perfect complement to a smokey eye look. It is a kohl-pigmented mascara which delivers high drama by creating extremely black, stretched-out lashes in an instant and has a long-wearing formula which doesn’t smudge even in humid conditions.
Crushed Lip Colour (Sazan Nude)
This is a wonderful mix between a lipstick and a lip balm if you like a natural make-up look. The formula is rich in vitamins E and C and the formula glides on comfortably with a satin matte finish. The colour is buildable so a few layers will give a stronger look. I love a natural nude look and Sazan Nude is a beautiful soft pink nude which is like your natural lips but better.
“I love a natural nude look and Sazan Nude is a beautiful soft pink nude.”
Shimmer Brick Compact (Rose)
One of Bobbi Brown's best-selling icons—this shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft, rosy glow. It is something which I have had in my make-up for years and I never tire of this mix of 5 shades. A sweep of this blush gives a beautiful pink shimmer on the cheekbones.
“It is something which I have had in my make-up for years and I never tire of this mix of 5 shades.”
Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil (Espresso)
Bobbi Brown’s brow products are some of the best in my opinion and I have been using them for many years. I used to use their brow kit which comes with two complementary shades and a small brush until I recently discovered their Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil. This product is an automatic brow pencil with a slant-tip. The pencil helps to create definition, its wax formula helps to keep brows in place and doesn’t smudge.
Pretty Powerful x Needle & Thread
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has partnered with fashion brand Needle & Thread to create the Pretty Powerful Set, where 100% of the proceeds are donated to UK Charity Smart Works. I love this limited edition embroidered pouch which also makes a wonderful gift featuring Bobbi Brown’s most-loved, quick and easy-to-apply beauty essentials for an everyday, fresh-faced look.
You can find out more about Bobbi Brown by visiting a retailer or at https://www.bobbibrown.co.uk
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Note: All products were gifted