How Bobbi Brown Became A ‘65-Year-Old TikTok Sensation’ And Reinvigorated Her Career | Forbes

In May, makeup mogul Bobbi Brown had a decision to make: should she clap back at the TikTok influencers who were misusing her newest product, a moisturizer-like foundation, or should she keep her mouth shut and avoid feeding the outrage cycle?
Brown split the difference. She recorded educational videos about how to properly use the foundation (sparingly, not in fistfuls, as some wayward TikTokers had done) and one joke reel that poked fun at the gobs of product the influencers were using. Naturally, the joke reel went viral, drawing north of 4 million views.
“I was like, ‘Uh oh, am I gonna get canceled?’” Brown said five months later. She mentioned the incident during a makeup master class for her new brand, Jones Road Beauty, in front of a live audience of some three dozen-wait for it-social media beauty influencers. She got laughs in response, because of course Brown was not canceled. “Foundation-gate,” as her son Cody Plofker refers to it, has only endeared Brown more to the social-media masses.
It’s a new chapter for Brown who, two years ago this month, launched Jones Road, a direct-to-consumer beauty line in Brown’s signature minimalist, “no-makeup makeup” style. Jones Road is the first cosmetics company Brown has been allowed to create since selling her first brand, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, to Estee Lauder for a reported $74.5 million in 1995. Then 38 years old, Brown signed a 25-year non-compete clause, figuring she’d be happy turning Bobbi Brown Cosmetics into a billion-dollar brand under the umbrella of a bigger company until it was time to retire in her 60s.
While Brown maintains that she doesn’t regret signing the 25-year non-compete-“I don’t believe in mistakes,” she said. “I believe in an opportunity to shift and fix things”-she nonetheless got an itch to leave Estee Lauder before the contract was up. She announced her departure at the end of 2016, and bought herself a necklace charm with the date when she’d be legally allowed to operate in the beauty space again: 1020, for October 2020.
0:00 Introducing Bobbi Brown & Jones Road
0:58 Brown's Early Career And Why She Signed A 25-Year Non-Compete Agreement
3:42 Becoming A Billion Dollar Brand: "I Won't Go Back [To The Way I Did Business]"
5:29 The Power Of Tik Tok And Social Media Marketing
8:55 How To View Yourself In A More Positive Light
10:20 Navigating The Perils Of Social Media On Mental Health
11:35 Reflecting On Career Accomplishments
12:18 How The Feeling Of Empowerment Came With Age
13:19 How Young People Can Slow Down Without Losing Career Momentum
14:47 "I Never Wanted To Give Up" - Business Lessons & Legacy
Read the full story on Forbes: www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemc...
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[@signaturechannel]

So inspired by her! At 50, sometimes one feels that it's the end of the road.. but listening to her just inspires older women to keep fighting for their dream!

[@yoitsahmad]

Her TikTok is so good. I'm literally taking notes! It works for all types of businesses. Thank you, Bobbi!

[@pratishadash946]

Very inspiring

[@user-vq1rc7mf5f]

My fav brand ever. LOVE HER!!

[@pains1956]

I met you here on youTube...and found u are so down to earth and simple..you are awesome...

[@Willettra1n]

Tik Tok is changing the world.

[@amaiyasukawa1083]

Was looking forward but slow interview and thin on content

[@SGpride]

she is my role model, i wanna age like bobbi brown

[@TrvisXXIII]

The only Bobby Brown I know made My Prerogative

[@SoloMotivation]

To Anyone Who See This You Are A Great Person

[@trevorowens7387]

No you’re not

[@pains1956]

I am your age and thank you..dont like it as it is hard to be hired and have no idea how to become independent..dont have any skill to sell

[@pains1956]

jajajaja same height same issue I wear heels...

[@trevorowens7387]

Wow he sure looks different these days. RIP Whitney! Lol

[@deepdude4719]

These Forbes videos from this journalist ARE SOOO BAD. Come on Forbes! You can do better!

[@DariaLuvsArafat]

Tik Tok Challenge who wants to knock out their favourite celebrity for a meal at Burger King?? 1%🧠💳✂️🍑🤤🏳️‍⚧️

[@DariaLuvsArafat]

Hey Street kids will know ur winning celebrities 💳✂️🍑,🇧🇩