Makeup mogul and Emerson alum Bobbi Brown ‘79 brought humor, career insights, and life lessons to a crowded audience in the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym, named in her honor, during her “Still Bobbi” book tour on Oct. 27.
“An Evening with Bobbi Brown” was co-hosted by fellow Emerson alum Maggie Baxter ‘89, who now serves as the vice president of programming at NBC10 Boston, NECN, and Telemundo Boston.
The conversation followed Brown’s career, personal challenges, and how authenticity kept her going through it all.
The event, open to all, welcomed alumni, fans, and students. Each ticket came with a complimentary copy of “Still Bobbi.” VIP ticket holders had access to an exclusive post-conversation book signing, meet-and-greet, and photo-op.
Earlier in the day, a Master Class was offered free of charge to students, giving them a chance to engage with Brown, her life, and entrepreneurial expertise.
Brown is an entrepreneur, makeup artist, and New York Times best-selling author, best known for her eponymous beauty brand and company Jones Road Beauty. After graduating from Emerson with a degree in theatrical makeup and photography, Brown made her way up in the industry. She was named one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in 2021 and 2022, and one of Forbes “50 Over 50” Most Influential Women.
In contrast to Brown’s previous books, which more often feature “how to” and lifestyle themes, “Still Bobbi” is her first true memoir that takes the reader through the timeline of her career and even includes her time at Emerson.
“What an eyes-wide-open experience it was,” Brown writes in “Still Bobbi.” “The other students were just like me: creative, excitable, and different.”
During her candid conversation with Baxter, Brown also highlighted the pivotal role Emerson played in helping her build self-confidence.
“When I got to Emerson, I found myself, because here I was, a kid that never thought I was smart enough,” said Brown. “ I realized that there’s other ways of learning, that I’m a visual learner. It’s taken me a long time to realize I’m way smarter than most people I know. But not in the same way. My own way.”
Another theme emphasized throughout the talk was the power of authenticity. When Brown graduated and first entered the field, it wasn’t quite what she expected.
“So many times in life, I tried to be what I thought I should be, when I first became a corporate woman, and, you know, put my shoulder pads on,” Brown said to the crowd. “That didn’t work. I just kept trying things until I realized, I just got to be myself.”
Brown’s value of authenticity also came into play when deciding to step away from a 25-year, non-compete clause with Esteé Lauder, reinventing herself and her brand at age 62 with the launch of a new beauty brand. Frustrated with her namesake brand moving away from her minimalist, natural makeup vision, Brown felt she had to part ways and stay true to her roots.
“For 15, 16 years, it was glorious, and then it got tougher and tougher until the very end, it was impossible,” Brown said. “[Esteé Lauder] wanted me to stay and be the face of the brand, but not give my opinion. That’s not gonna work for me.”
The road to her new beauty brand wasn’t an easy one. With four and a half years left on her non-compete contract, Brown was restricted from launching a competing cosmetics company or using her name for a new brand.
“When I left Bobbi Brown [Cosmetics] and Esteé Lauder, I had no idea what I was gonna do,” said Brown. “Could you imagine having a calendar that is, like, six to eight months booked every second, and trips, and all sorts of things, and then having nothing on it? I mean, it was just weird.”
When her non-compete ended, Brown explored new ventures, from founding a wellness brand to designing a new hotel. But the pull of her first passion proved stronger.
“I started doing a lot of things, and then I realized, into the first year, I really missed makeup,” said Brown. “I still had something to teach. I wasn’t done.”
In 2020, on the day her non-compete expired, Brown launched her new beauty brand, Jones Road, a line of makeup and skincare products with a “no-makeup makeup” philosophy—something Brown has carried with her throughout her entire career.
“I like makeup that actually makes you look better,” Brown said to the audience.“Isn’t that brilliant? No, it’s common sense.”
When asked what advice she would offer to women also considering a second act in their lives, Brown’s response was simple.
“It’s not about what’s gonna make me rich,” said Brown. “It’s about, what am I going to enjoy? And then you could figure out how to make money.”
Brown gave empowering advice throughout the conversation, including during the Q&A session toward the end.
One member of the audience, a hairstylist, brought up her struggle with imposter syndrome in her career and asked Brown for advice.
“People have always asked me if I ever felt like an imposter,” Brown said. “I never felt that I didn’t belong, but sometimes I felt uncomfortable or insecure about it. I’d go to the Met Gala and see all these beautiful models and famous people in amazing outfits, and I’d be coming in just being myself.”
Over time, Brown said, she learned to shift her mindset.
“One day I realized I’m going to have a good time and not worry about anything except having a good time,” Brown said. “You just have to realize you’re good at what you’re doing.”
Other attendees, such as Emerson alumna Weisa Sadowski ’93, found Brown’s reinvention of herself and her career advice empowering.
“One thing I learned is, now, going into being older and kind of toward the end of my career, but not quite, just thinking about taking chances,” Sadowski said. “[Brown] talked about making those leaps, which are a little scary, but she just has such an inspiring way of talking about that. Like, who cares? Go for it.”
The event offered a unique glimpse into Brown’s journey, emphasizing resilience, staying true to oneself and the value of taking bold steps in both career and life. Attendees left inspired, equipped with practical advice and encouragement to pursue their own paths with confidence.