“The launch of Bobbi Brown Essentials at Bergdorf Goodman in 1991 was iconic for me and I remember it like it was yesterday. I sometimes still can’t believe how far the brand has come since that day,” Bobbi Brown says of her first retail experience at the department store, 20 years ago. That first day at Bergdorf spoke volumes about the success the entrepreneur was about to experience in the future as a delivery of  a one-month supply of her lipsticks ended up being sold out all on the same day.   The theatrical makeup major from Emerson College first decided to launch her line of 10 lipsticks when she became pregnant with her first child and decided she wanted to work a little closer to home. Continued success eventually led selling her brand to the Estee Lauder Companies in 1995. She recalls, “It was one of the best decisions I ever made, because I got to keep creative control of the brand but I also got access to amazing resources that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Thank you, Leonard Lauder.”

Today, the mother of three celebrates her milestone by releasing a limited edition 20th Anniversary Lip Palette (P3800) containing her ten original shades and ten newly released ones, a collection of colors that can be mixed and matched to customize color. “All the shades look great on their own, but they also blend together beautifully. For example, Beige is a flattering neutral shade by itself, but it can be mixed with a brighter color, like Orange or Red, to create a more muted ‘in-between’ shade. It has the same effect with the new super-saturated shades like Atomic Pink and Watermelon. This palette gives you countless lip color options, from neutral to bright, right at your fingertips.”

We celebrate Bobbi Brown’s 20th anniversary by giving you a rundown of the Top 10 Global Best Sellers. Click on the photo gallery to see the list.

Bobbi Brown cosmetics are available at Rustan's. Find a store >>