This interview is part of the My Ritual series from Homes & Gardens, which explores the ways that leading tastemakers find calm and connection in their busy lives. Part of our wellbeing and sanctuary content, you'll find plenty of tips and nuggets of wisdom as well as product recommendations to help you create your own daily wellness rituals, for a healthy body and calm mind.
Bobbi Brown needs very little introduction as a globally recognized name and face of the beauty industry, thanks to a career in makeup artistry that spans four decades. Bobbi has worked with a glittering array of Hollywood and catwalk stars, while building two globally best-selling cosmetic lines (first her eponymous brand, and then in 2024, she launched Jones Road Beauty). A pioneering champion of natural beauty and clean cosmetics, she has authored no fewer than 10 books on the subject.
Not content with building billion-dollar brands, Bobbi has also turned her creative hand to transforming a historic Georgian Inn into a boutique hotel, The George Montclair in New Jersey, with her husband, Steven Plofker and writing her new memoir, Still Bobbi. I caught up with the irrepressible entrepreneur to find out exactly what inspires her to keep thriving and what essential daily rituals she relies on to keep balanced, focused, and driven.
The rituals that bring Bobbi Brown purpose and peace
Bobbi Brown (left) and her best-selling Jones Road Miracle Balms
Tell us a little about how you started creating beauty products and the journey to Jones Road...
It started with curiosity. When I first started as a make-up artist in the 1980s, I was making formulas for my own kit; in 1990 I launched ten natural lipstick shades, which I thought I'd sell 100 a month of, but instead sold 100 a day! After I left my first brand, Bobbi Brown, in 2016 (now owned by Estée Lauder), I could see there was a gap between what was already 'out there' and what I knew could exist in makeup. I kept asking myself 'why can’t makeup be both clean and high-performance?' So I created Jones Road to fit that vision. It really is my lifetime of beauty knowledge put into what are now my daily essentials: sunscreen, moisturizer, face pencils, bronzer, and a touch of miracle balm.
You’ve launched two globally successful beauty brands, written ten books, and re-designed a hotel. What makes you so entrepreneurial?
It comes down to self-belief and never being afraid to make mistakes. I see them as lessons because they teach you how to do it better next time. I didn’t have a business background in the beginning, but I learned as I went and kept adapting, trusting my gut and loving what I do. I’ve always believed in empowering women, especially through beauty. Jones Road is a collection designed for all ages, skin tones, and skin types that let you look and feel like yourself, just a little bit better.
What keeps you working?
I could have retired after Bobbi Brown, but what would the fun have been in that? Work has never really felt like 'work'. I’m always looking for the next project or idea (even if my to-do list is begging me to slow down). I’m not going to lie – the thought of creating another beauty brand was scary. Was I a one-hit wonder? But I put all my heart and soul into it.
The Jones Road Makeup Travel Kit (left); Bobbi's new memoir, Still Bobbi (right)
What does home mean to you?
Home is anywhere my family is. My three boys – Dylan, Cody and Duke – grew up with my husband Steven and me in our big Montclair house in New Jersey, with seven bedrooms, lots of English character, a little Scandinavian influence, moldings, old portraits of dogs and presidents, and, honestly, a lot of stuff. It was cozy and full of life, always bustling with kids coming and going.
How has your home environment evolved in recent years?
After Covid, Steven and I renovated another home across town. It’s the complete opposite – Scandinavian-inspired, calm, soothing colors in every room, and much less clutter. It’s quieter, more peaceful, and feels like exactly what we need at this stage of life, but also warm and characterful, and it’s always the place everyone wants to come back to.
What brings balance to your daily life?
Comfort comes from routine and togetherness. By 9 or 9.30pm the kitchen is clean, dinner is done, and everyone is winding down. Sometimes we sit together with the dogs on the couch watching a show, or I’ll go upstairs and watch something on my own. I love Hacks and Shrinking, or a great documentary. And I just listened to Keith McNally’s memoir I Regret Almost Everything, which was fascinating
Describe your typical day…
I wake up every day around 6am, start with a scoop of AG1 greens and an espresso, and do some kind of workout. After a busy day of meetings or press, I hop in the car to see my grandkids. That’s honestly my favorite part of the day. It makes it all worthwhile. Later, I head home, have dinner with my husband, slip into a fluffy bathrobe, watch some shows, and then head to bed, ready to do it all over again the next day.
How important is family to you?
I’ve always brought the family into my world whenever I could. When the boys were little, I’d bring them to the office, and now I do that with my grandchildren too (just not for full days – let’s be honest, kids are a handful!). My granddaughter Lily currently stars with me in our ‘Beauty Stories’ campaign, revolving around people’s first makeup memories. My son Cody is my CEO, his wife Payal is the Senior Director of Brand Marketing). From book launches to events, my husband, my father, my sons and wives, my sister and sister-in-law are always there.
Bobbi and her husband Steven at their hotel, The George Montclair (left); Bobbi and her granddaughter (right)
How do you look after yourself?
It’s all about good, simple skincare, plenty of water – it keeps me hydrated and alert – and clean makeup. I’ve done Sofwave ultrasound facial stimulation treatments, but no Botox or fillers. I focus on clean eating – my go-to quick lunch is fresh turkey on a rice cake, with a slice of tomato, mustard and cheddar cheese; for dinner, I love zucchini pasta with red sauce, Italian tuna and fresh parmigiana.
Is daily movement essential to how you look and feel?
Exercise is the best way to stay vibrant. Dancing is a serious joy for me. One day I thought that I worked too much and didn’t have a hobby, so I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do for fun and then it hit me. I wanted to take hip-hop lessons. It brings me great joy and I torch a bunch of calories. It’s my escape.
How do you feel about aging?
I definitely don’t look the way I did at 20, and that’s okay because aging looks a lot like living, and I’m still me, Bobbi. It’s important to remember that aging is a privilege. And while it’s not always easy, it’s something I’ll never take for granted.
What does 'luxury' mean to you in life?
Luxury, to me, is sitting in a lounge chair with a beach towel or cozying up in my massage chair with a soft Hermès blanket, and a good memoir. My guilty pleasure is Russ & Daughters caviar paired with Cape Cod Chips.
What are the most important things in life?
My family, my health, and having a purpose… as well as being by the sea or in water, walking in nature, going to the movies, and sharing a daily silly text with a friend.
If you could give your younger self any piece of advice in how to live a good life…
Don't drop out of typing. Do weightlifting, not just cardio. Get a math tutor. Give yourself permission to do nothing. It's okay to be exactly who you are. Master the at-home blowout. You're way cuter than you think you are. Make your bed. And chill out (I’m still working on this one).
Lean into Bobbi's rituals with these buys
Bobbi's lastest book is her first memoir about her four-decade career in the beauty industry. It's the perfect coffee table addition or one to add to your gifting wishlist.
Bobbi swears but this greens supplement which combines multivitamin, pre- and probiotics, superfoods, and antioxidants in a powder that can be mixed into water and smoothies. It's only available on a monthly subscription though.
Bobbi's favorite foodie ritual is enjoying Russ & Daughters' caviar with chips. This set includes a 50-gram tin of Hackleback caviar, an 8 oz container of crème fraîche, and five potato latkes for an indulgent treat.
Capturing Bobbi's mantra for making you 'feel like you, but better', this kit contains two of her bestselling Mini Miracle Balms, an eye pencil, mascara and Eye Cream for that naturally beautiful look.
'My Splits59 Leggings are great for daily workouts as well as taking me to casual dinners,' says Bobbi. We're loving this cherry red shade for fall.
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