Lesson 1
Prepare your skin
"Proper skincare is necessary in order for makeup to look its best. Achieving healthy, glowing skin isn't just about using the right products. Beautiful skin begins with a healthy lifestyle. Basics include eating the right foods, drinking plenty of water, exercising, getting enough sleep, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, as well as limiting your intake of caffeine."
Lesson 2
Moisturise
"All skin types - even oily ones - benefit from the use of some type of moisturiser. Dry skin needs heavier, oil-based moisturisers, while oily and combination skin benefits most from oil-free, water-based moisturisers. If you have mature skin, or skin that becomes extremely dry in the winter months, a nourishing oil, dense cream or balm might be necessary. These products help to temporarily plump up the skin, making it appear smoother and reducing the appearance of fine lines. And of course, never forget to apply SPF. Whether it's part of your regular moisturiser or a separate sunscreen, SPF is absolutely essential for getting healthy, glowing skin."
Lesson 3
Make the most of your products
"Don't toss leftovers unless the makeup is more than 18 months old. When that lipstick or cream blush gets near the end, scoop the remainder into small, covered, compartmentalised boxes (palettes) that are available at art and beauty supply stores. Label the back of the palette with the colour name for reference when you need to restock."
Lesson 4
Choose the right colours
"I believe that makeup is about options, not rules. Women have different personal styles and that can certainly be reflected in colour makeup. That having been said, there are certain colours that complement women's natural skin tones and eye colours. If you have blue eyes, I usually recommend light eye colour - like a taupe, grey or pale heather. For green eyes, moss, slate and camel look great. And I love rich tones like sable, mocha or stone on brown eyes."
Lesson 5
Conceal
"A good concealer can make the most immediate and dramatic difference in how you look. It lightens up dark circles, brightens up your face, and makes you look well rested. Look for a creamy formula that's yellow-based and one shade lighter than your skin tone."
Lesson 6
Follow your own style
"My philosophy is that makeup should be a way for women to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident. Beauty means something different to everyone - for some women it's about having a natural, subtle look, while for others it means something more bold and dramatic."
Lesson 7
Don't break the bank
"It's definitely not necessary to spend lots of money to look and feel your best. ‘Simplicity' has always been my mantra, but these times call for it more than ever. We're seeing customers spending more on practical basics. They're buying the products that they know they'll use until the very last drop, like concealer or lipstick. When customers shop at Bobbi Brown, they get the added value of expert advice. Rather than offering ‘makeovers', we offer makeup lessons because we believe in empowering women with the knowledge they need to be their own makeup artists."
Has your makeup expired?
And no, we're not talking in trend terms. Follow Bobbi's guidelines on how long your products should really last.
- Foundation 2 years
- Concealer 2 years
- Powder 2 years
- Mascara 6 months
- Lip and eye pencils 18 months
- Eyeshadow 2 years
- Powder blush 2 years
- Cream blush 2 years
- Moisturiser 2 years
- Eye cream 6 months
- Sunscreen 2 years
Bobbi's Life Lessons
"Be who you are. This means everything from learning to love your lines to appreciating your unique features. There's something incredibly beautiful about a woman with lines in her face and I think we should start using the phrase ‘living' instead of ‘ageing'. Lines are proof that we've lived life. We get them when we show emotion, when we laugh, and when we express ourselves."
"Take charge of yourself. Instead of fighting the body you have to accept it and make the most out of it. Focus on being healthy, strong, and fit. Commit to making smart food choices and exercise regularly. This requires work and it's not a quick fix, but you'll look and feel better over the long-term."
"Live in the present. We spend a lot of energy feeling bad that we don't look like we used to, instead of appreciating what we do look like. I hated my arms when I was a teenager and often wore long-sleeved shirts. Now I look back at pictures from those days and I think that my arms looked fine. I would have saved myself a lot of adolescent angst if I had made the best of what I had at the time. So start appreciating yourself now."
"I try to keep everything in my life balanced, simple and organised. Sometimes things get hectic with so many commitments, but I am always clear about the fact that my family comes first. Spending quality time with my husband and sons always helps me relax and recharge."
"I believe that every woman is beautiful. The key to bringing out that beauty is confidence. Unfortunately, many women have trouble tapping into their own confidence. While makeup shouldn't be considered a one-step prescription for self-confidence (that has to come from within and be developed over time) - I believe that with the right tools and knowledge, makeup can help all women achieve that little ‘boost' for looking and feeling our best."
My 5 makeup bag essentials
Tinted moisturiser: "Hydrates face and evens out skin."
Blush: "A pop of colour on cheeks makes anyonelook prettier."
Balm: "Use it to moisturise lips and cuticles. Pat some on cheeks after applying makeup to give yourself a soft glow. Smooth it on brows to keep them in place."
Foundation stick: "A great double-duty product. You can use to even out skin tone and cover blemishes."
Tweezers: "Groomed brows instantly add polish to your face, even when you're not wearing any other makeup."
5 minutes to looking Fabulous
"Start by applying concealer under the eyes to cover dark circles," says Bobbi. "I believe that a good concealer is the secret to the beauty universe because it instantly makes you look more awake and brightens your face.
"Then use your fingers to apply foundation where skin needs to be evened out, usually around the nose and the mouth. I recommend a stick foundation, as it's portable and easy to apply. Add a pop of colour to your face with cream blush on the apples of your cheeks - it gives you instant lift and a healthy glow.
Swipe on a coat of lipstick or gloss in a shade that mimics your natural lip colour, and finish by defining the eyes with two coats of black mascara. You're ready to get out the door!"
