Self-esteem booster

For a force in the beauty industry, Bobbi Brown's philosophy is well-grounded, as shown in her new book, writes Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan

TWO years ago when make-up artist and businesswoman Bobbi Brown launched her Pretty Powerful campaign, she invited women to send in their videos on what those two words mean.

The winning entry was sent by wheelchair-bound Becca Goeckeritz who showed make-up steps and said that “with my physical disability, it’s important for me to feel good and beautiful”.

It is both an uplifting and inspiring video of how, with a little effort, every woman can put her best face forward and that physical disability is not a hindrance to looking beautiful.

That make-up has gone from more than just facial enhancers to something that boosts confidence and self-esteem is a given. Take for example, British Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis who says she never competes without make-up and we have seen how the luminous glow on her face matched that of the medal she won.

And the number of patriotic nail colours on display during the recent Games is also a testament that beauty and sporting prowess can exist hand in hand.

“The most crucial part of make-up is confidence, and that comes from within,” says Bobbi Brown education manager Carina Choo. “Make-up is not a must. A healthy life, positive mind set and good skincare habits give glow to the skin but make-up will make you look even more powerful.”

While almost all beauty brands aim to give that long-lasting dewy look and dramatic glamour, Bobbi Brown has kept its philosophy simple, minus the gloss and glamour.

Make-up should enhance your looks, not cover who you are and mask you as someone else.

“There may be trendsetters when it comes to make-up, but most women have had the same make-up style over the years. The masses don't really follow trends. They just use what they are comfortable with.”

SELF-ESTEEM BOOST
For some women, make-up is so much a part of their self-worth that they do not step out of the house without it.

“Like dressing up, make-up is a way women convey respect to the people they meet as well as say that they make it a point to look good and professional,” says Choo. “It’s the same with wearing suitable clothes to work or dressing up for an important event.”

But to say that those who wear make-up need it to boost self-esteem and that those who don’t are full of self-confidence is simply untrue.

“Some women just like wearing make-up. It makes them look good. They enjoy doing it and it’s part of who they are and there is nothing wrong with that,” says Choo. “I like to use make-up, but that doesn’t mean when I wake up and look in the mirror, I don’t like who I see. I am still confident.”

She adds: “Make-up empowers women to look even better. It enhances their features without hiding who they are.”

Bobbi Brown has released a new book, her seventh, titled Pretty Powerful: Beauty Stories To Inspire Confidence in which she uses her make-up skills on women of all ages, shapes, styles and looks to enhance their natural beauty.

It enforces the idea that every woman is beautiful and no one needs to mould herself into a cookie-cutter image of beauty just to look pretty.

Now that’s pretty powerful.

Tips for those with darker skin tone
CARINA Choo (left) of Bobbi Brown offers tips for those with a darker complexion.

•     If there is one colour that you have to get right, it is the foundation. It should make skin look like skin, not cement.
•     Warm skin usually has discoloration around the forehead and chin which needs to be corrected with bronzing powder. There is no need to use two foundation colours.
•     Use two eyeshadow colours, one as a base for the eyelids like Bobbi Brown‘s Long Wearing Cream Shadow in Cool Lilac and another, a deeper shade like Berry Noir, to give the outer lids some dimension.
•    Use a purple shade eyeliner for a pared-down smokey look. Smokey eyes don‘t have to be only in black or midnight blue.
•    Top with blush on the apple of the cheeks.
•    Swipe with moisturising lipstick which has moisturising properties to keep lips soft and supple.

Beauty read
In Pretty Powerful: Beauty Stories To Inspire Confidence, Bobbi Brown talks to real women, celebrities and athletes on what beauty means to them. These include actress Gabourey Sidibe, boxer Keisher McLeod-Wells, model Nancy Donahue and singer Estelle. The book retails at RM90.

“Like dressing up, make-up is a way women convey respect to the people they meet as well as say that they make it a point to look good.” - Carina Choo

Pretty Powerful: Beauty Stories to Inspire Confidence captures the beauty of women of different ages, skin tones and facial features

 

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