Beauty guru Bobbi Brown steps down from her $1billion cosmetics empire after 25 years (after hinting she is eyeing up a 'new venture')

  • Bobbi Brown, 59, set up her business from her home 25 years ago  
  • She now sells in stores all over the world and has written eight books
  • Duchess of Cambridge used Bobbi's products on her 2011 wedding day 
  • Brand was bought by Estée Lauder in 1995, but Bobbi is stepping down 

By Unity Blott For Mailonline

Published: 08:12 EST, 20 December 2016 | Updated: 08:13 EST, 20 December 2016

Bobbi Brown has stepped down from her eponymous beauty brand.

The make-up artist and entrepreneur – who founded her namesake cosmetics company in 1990 – has announced she has decided to leave Bobbi Brown Cosmetics after 25 years to embark on a new adventure.

The 59-year-old mogul, from New Jersey, said she was 'proud' of her successful brand and the products she had  created, while hinting that she was considering a 'new venture'.

Beauty mogul Bobbi Brown, who launched her beauty empires from her home, has announced she is leaving Bobbi Brown Cosmetics after 25 years to embark on a new adventure

Speaking in a statement about her departure, Bobbi said: 'I am thankful for the extraordinary people that I've had the privilege to work with over the years and proud of the creative endeavours and innovative products we've created together.'

Bobbi founded her beauty empire from her own home a quarter of a century ago, with her debut line consisting of just ten lipsticks designed to flatter all skin tones - which she later called 'lipstick that looked like lips'.

The mother-of-three has since written eight books about makeup and beauty, had her work featured on the cover of Vogue, and sells her products in stores all over the world including 75 freestanding stores.

She is largely credited with sparking the ongoing trend for natural beauty, championing nude lips and neutral tones, while her brand is now worth an estimated $1 billion (£800 million). 

Friends in high places: Bobbi Brown and Prince Harry's girlfriend, Suits actress Meghan Markle, team up for an on-the-go makeup masterclass in the back of a taxi in September 2016

Bobbi has written eight books about makeup and beauty, had her work featured on the cover of Vogue, and sells her products in stores all over the world including 75 freestanding stores

Celebrity fans include Prince Harry's girlfriend Meghan Markle and actress Meg Ryanb, while the Duchess of Cambridge and her bridesmaid Pippa Middleton famously used Bobbi Brown products on the royal wedding day in 2011.

The entrepreneur – whose brand was bought by the cosmetics giant Estée Lauder in 1995 – has also thanked her 'Lauder family' for the opportunities they have given her.

She continued: 'And the Lauder family, for the many opportunities they gave me.'

BOBBI'S A-LIST CLIENTELE

. Kate Upton

. Meg Ryan 

. Katie Holmes 

. Sienna Miller

. Susan Sarandon 

The statement also confirmed that the global brand president Peter Lichtenthal will continue to oversee the business. 

Bobbi has in the past admitted that celebrating the brands 25th anniversary in the business was what made her decide to quit the beauty house. 

Speaking previously, she said: '[It] made me realise it was time to start a new chapter and move on to new ventures.'

Although Bobbi has hinted she will begin a new venture in the future, she has decided to keep her future plans close to her chest, although she is rumoured to be revealing all of the details next year.

Meanwhile, Bobbi has admitted she never thought she would be a successful businesswoman or even be a recognised person in the public eye.

She explained: 'I have never ever thought about being a businesswoman, being someone in the public eye - and certainly not with such a giant business. If there was a crystal ball I'd have run the other way.

'But what I love is being able to bring something to the market that actually changes women's lives - and then people get to buy it and I get to make more things.'

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