Bobbi Brown Takes Us Inside Her Makeup Bag

Nobody has built a beauty empire quite like Bobbi Brown. A mega name in the world of makeup, Brown has decades of experience in the industry under her belt – and remains one of the go-to makeup artists of her generation. She’s also the woman behind some of the most coveted makeup products of the last three decades, through her first self-titled beauty brand and her latest venture, Jones Road Beauty.

But there’s one thing that has remained unshakable throughout Brown’s career: her advocacy for ‘natural’ makeup. The MUA has always been vocal about enhancing the features we already have, rather than covering them up. ‘My personal beauty philosophy has always been about confidence,’ she tells C&TH, ‘and just loving what’s on your face, whether it’s lines or marks or whatever. Just go with it; it’s easier.’

Below, Bobbi Brown takes us through her makeup bag, daily routine and the best piece of beauty advice she’s ever been given.

What’s Inside My Makeup Bag? With Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown (c) Mark Mann

Let’s start with the bag itself – describe it for us.

I have a ton of makeup bags in various sizes. My go-to daily bag is a brown Jones Road Beauty Tyvek bag, but I have a smaller version for quick touch-ups and a larger, more traditional dopp kit for travel. If you peek inside my daily bag you’ll find a lot of lab samples which is my testing ground.

What’s your pre‑makeup beauty ritual?

Sunscreen and moisturiser. It’s the best thing you can do for your skin, and it makes every bit of makeup go on better.

Let’s break down your makeup routine – prep?

I start my makeup with a touch of eye cream and a light moisturizer.

Face? 

Next I go in with my face pencils and neutralisers for brightening and spot coverage. Then I’ll use a dusty rose bronzer to add some colour back to my face.

Eyes? 

I use a smokey brown shadow, or a dark brown for days when I need more. It’s either powder or an eyeshadow stick (we’re launching one soon). Then I follow with a brown or black liner pencil and a few coats of mascara.

Lips? 

Lately I’ve been loving my Nudist Classic Lip. It pulls the whole look together and lasts all night. Sometimes I use it with a matching liner for longevity and sometimes a bit of gloss for shine.

Finishing touches?

I like to top off the look with a little glow, either Miracle Balm or Shimmer Face Oil, wherever I need it.

To set?

I don’t always set, but when I do I usually use medium or rose face powder.

Brushes and sponges?

I always use an Eye Fluffy Brush, a Bronzer Brush, a Skin Brush and an Everything Brush.

Is there an item you always carry in your handbag?

I always carry mascara, a face pencil and Miracle Balm – my power trio. If I need to film something quickly or make last minute dinner plans, I just pull out these three, dab a little on my face, coat my lashes and I’m ready to go.

What about the hero product you can’t live without and have used for years?

It has to be my Miracle Balm. I’ve been using it since we launched it. It’s multi-purpose, so I can use it on my lips, cheeks, and even to give my skin a little glow. It’s simple, easy, and really makes you look like yourself but better.

Tell us about a beauty trend you’re loving right now.

I love the trend of fresh, glowing skin. Even though it’s not just a trend. Makeup should enhance, not cover up. Seeing people embrace natural, healthy-looking skin is so exciting.

What’s something you did beauty-wise in your youth that you’d never do again?

I used to over-tweeze my brows, like everyone did back then. I’d definitely never do that again.

The best piece of beauty advice you’ve been given?

‘Don’t contour’. I never liked contouring. To me, it looks fake, and I don’t like fake. I always teach women they are beautiful as they are.

What’s your beauty philosophy?

Confidence – and just loving what’s on your face, whether it’s lines or marks or whatever. Just go with it, it’s easier.

What do you think should be in every makeup bag?

Every bag should have a moisturiser, a brow product (gel or pencil), a Miracle Balm, a lip product, a mascara, and a really good eye pencil.

Makeup: touch‑up tool or self‑expression?

Honestly, it’s both. Some days makeup’s just a quick touch-up to make you look a little more awake. Other days, it might be about self-expression and having fun with it. But it should never be about covering up who you are. Makeup, for me, is about feeling good in your skin.

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