Bobbi Brown

While on set with Bobbi Brown during our Beauty Trend Show video shoot, Laksmi Sam, one of our beauty directors, sat down with the woman behind the brand to ask a handful of your burning @NordstromBeauty Twitter questions.

If I’m new to Bobbi Brown makeup, where do I start?
Bobbi Brown: You can start with skincare, because great makeup starts with great skin—or with foundation. I have always been proud of the fact that we offer yellow-toned foundations for every skin tone that even out the skin flawlessly but still leave the skin looking radiant.

What’s the best way for a 20-something to take care of his or her skin?
Bobbi Brown: First, don’t smoke. Take your makeup off every night, or at least 95 percent of the time! Wear sunscreen and eat properly. If you have a cocktail, have a glass of water too. It’s all about balance.

What can we look forward to in your upcoming collections?
Bobbi Brown: Bold colors that are still extremely wearable. I never want to fall into a trend that you can’t wear every day. For spring, it’s about beautiful shades of lilac and rose-colored pinks. Summer is about nudes and bronze shades. I also love pink and red worn together, which is why I launched the Pink & Red Collection.

What’s the most common makeup mistake you see women make?
Bobbi Brown: A common beauty mistake is when a woman piles on foundation in the wrong shade to give herself an entirely new complexion. Foundation should be yellow-based, and the right one should make you look like you’re not wearing any at all.

Do you have any tips for creating a smoky eye look on a mature eye?
Bobbi Brown: It’s important to layer colors from light to dark—starting with soft grays and working up to black. Keep the most intense color on the eyelid. Don’t use colors with a heavy shimmer, and finish off with lots of black mascara, ideally four or five coats of a non-flaking formula that’s easy to layer.

What’s your favorite application technique?
Bobbi Brown: Nothing makes a woman look prettier than a pop of blush. My favorite technique is using two different shades to create a healthy, pretty look. I would first apply a shade that is the color of your cheeks when you are naturally flushed, followed by a pop of a brighter color on top. This layering technique offers natural brightness.

What’s the one item every woman should have in her makeup bag?
Bobbi Brown: Corrector and concealer. Combined, they’re the secret of the universe—they instantly lift and brighten, making you look like you’ve had eight hours of sleep when you’ve only had four.

When you’re not on the road working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
Bobbi Brown: On my days off, I like to spend time at home with my family and friends, and I love exercising. On the rare occasions when there’s no one else at home, I get in bed with the TV remote control and a stack of magazines.

For more from Bobbi, visit her blog, EverythingBobbi.