Glam Slam: Makeup Mondays — Meeting Bobbi Brown!

I got to meet one of my all-time faves last week: the awesome makeup maven Bobbi Brown!

I told her I was nervous to meet her and she said “Well, that’s why I wrote the book,” referring to her newest book called “Pretty Powerful.” There are a few celebs like Alexa Ray Joel, Gabourey Sidibe and Blythe Danner in the book, but mostly it concentrates on “real people” like you and I. There are makeup tips, but also empowering stories as well.

I laughed as I told Bobbi not to look at my makeup (or should I say, lack thereof). I asked her if she automatically looks at and critiques people’s makeup. She said, no, mostly she doesn’t, and she actually likes people without makeup. Phew! I’m at work every day at 5 AM every day… so it’s no surprise that any makeup I manage to slap on is very, very minimal.

Bobbi demonstrated two looks on our show, Access Hollywood Live. “Pretty Natural” was exactly that, and I loved the super flattering lip gloss shade (Sailor) that could be worn on just about anyone. For the “Pretty Bold” look, I was loving Bobbi’s shimmery eyes, thanks to her Sparkle Shadow in “Bone.”

I was also invited to a special luncheon honoring Bobbi and her new book… her seventh book, by the way! The lunch was held in a private room at the SoHo House with gorgeous views of the city and filled with gorgeous ladies, no less. There were all kinds of power players there, impeccably dressed. I was drooling over a fab leopard print blazer worn by Sprinkles’ Cupcake Queen Candace Nelson. (It was Celine). I also introduced myself to the very tall, even-more-beautiful-in-person Maggie Grace, who had just been on Access Hollywood Live.

There was a delicious lunch and some of Bobbi’s makeup artists on hand to do makeup for the guests. As one woman was getting her makeup done, Bobbi said, “Play up the cheeks, always play up the cheeks. No one ever gets wrinkles on their cheeks, so play them up!” I never thought about it, but she’s absolutely right!

The full title of Bobbi’s book is “Pretty Powerful: Beauty Stories to Inspire Confidence” and that’s what I love most about her — she’s a champion for all women and wants us to be as beautiful inside as out. No wonder she has such a devoted following.

— Ryan Patterson