CEO

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Children: Dylan, 20; Dakota, 19; Duke, 13

Bobbi Brown graduated from Emerson College in Boston with a degree in theatrical makeup. After moving to New York to pursue a career as a freelance makeup artist, Brown couldn't find makeup shades or textures that worked on a variety of complexions. Deciding to do something about it she started with a collection of ten lipsticks in 1991 and the line grew from there. Bought by cosmetic powerhouse Estée Lauder in 1995 (though Brown still leads the brand), the line is now available in 45 markets and through 450 retailers. Brown ushered in a new wave in beauty that involves looking natural and like you aren't wearing makeup at all, which is how Brown made her mark on pop culture. Brown often says, "Women want to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident." Besides running her namesake company, Brown is the Beauty Editor of NBC' s Today Show, a best-selling author of several books on beauty and continues to work regularly behind the scenes during New York fashion week and on photoshoots. 

Brown's secret to staying sane? She told Inc. magazine, "My time is in the morning, before my family wakes up. That's when I usually exercise. It clears my head. I can be so stressed out about work that my judgment becomes clouded, and then I'll take a spin class and feel completely refocused."

Find Bobbi Brown on Twitter @AskBobbiBrown