As a beauty entrepreneur, I love learning about beauty. Be it new technology, a new trend, a new way of applying makeup, or a new artificial intelligence algorithm to understand beauty. I subscribed to MasterClass partially because I was curious about Bobbi Brown MasterClass. How does it stack up? Is it worth taking? Read my Bobbi Brown MasterClass review!
Bobbi Brown is the founder of Bobbi Brown makeup, the queen of neutrals. The beauty brand Bobbi Brown is owned by Estee Lauder since 1995, and Ms. Bobbi Brown stepped down from the company in December 2016. She continues her work in the beauty field by creating a beauty podcast channel, a new beauty line, and a makeup and beauty MasterClass (which is the one we’re going to talk about now).
What Is Masterclass
From MasterClass FAQ
MasterClass is the streaming platform that makes it possible for anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by 85+ of the world’s best.
https://www.masterclass.com/
In short, MasterClass is an online learning platform. What differentiates it from other platforms is the instructors. Imagine being taught about writing by famous authors like Neil Gaiman, RL Stine, Dan Brown, and Margaret Atwood, cooking by chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Massimo Bottura, and fashion like Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg. And of course, makeup and beauty by Bobbi Brown.
Cost
200€ / year for unlimited classes. Last year there was a promotion of the same price (200€) but you can invite a friend to share it for free. Let’s hope there will be another one coming up!
Structure
The classes are around 20 video lessons that are 10-20 minutes long, with an accompanying workbook. I think you can already guess that finishing a course on MasterClass won’t get you to be a Master in a field. It’s also not the best medium for learning in-depth technical knowledge. Instead, it excels in giving an insight into how these masters became masters in their field and learn some starting skills in the process.
About Me (So you know where I’m coming from)
I consider myself knowledgeable when it comes to makeup and beauty (see my post on 100 days of beauty and my tedx talk on sustainable beauty). I am no Bobbi Brown but I know a lot about choosing a color that works for me and how to apply it for myself. On the other hand, I’m not a makeup artist, so I am not well versed in knowing which colors work for different skin tones (although I am always happy to learn and experiment). I’m open to learning about new techniques and tips about makeup and beauty.
My philosophy on makeup: Makeup is about expressing myself. It represents fun and playfulness, and I like to experiment with different colors and textures. On some days, I prefer to keep it quick and easy (hence the Bobbi Brown aesthetic appeals to me).
My expectation for taking this class is to pick up a technique or two that I haven’t thought about, especially for the famed natural look of Bobbi Brown.
MasterClass: Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup and Beauty
About the Class
Bobbi Brown’s philosophy is that makeup should be quick and natural, and it should enhance who you are. A beauty industry icon, Bobbi shares her expertise in step-by-step tutorials, using models with a range of skin tones. You’ll learn how to choose the right foundation, do a smoky eye and a statement lip, and take your look from day to night. But most of all, you’ll learn how to feel confident in your own skin.
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/bobbi-brown-teaches-makeup-and-beauty
The lesson plan covers skincare and foundation basics and techniques on eyes, brows, blush, bronzer, and lips. It also teaches what to keep on your makeup bag, how to do a 1-minute makeup, transitioning from day to night, smokey eyes, and editorial makeup (for makeup artists).
Class Length and Content
19 video lessons, 3h48m.
The lessons are nicely structured. It builds the skill from taking care of your skin (skincare), choosing the right foundation, how to pick and put colors on your face, how to do a quick makeup for work to an evening out, and if you want to be a makeup artist, how to do editorial makeup. Bobbi Brown often talks about her own experience, what she likes about makeup, and what it would be like to become a makeup artist.
The Bobbi Brown MasterClass Review
What I Like About the Class
Bobbi Brown started the lessons by saying, “Makeup is an individual way of making yourself feel better about how you look. I don’t believe in following the exact same rule on everyone, everyone is different.”
This is a great start. I believe that makeup can give us superpower, and I couldn’t agree more.
The lessons are so nicely laid out. Makeup beginners will feel empowered to start doing makeup (if they want to, that is!). If you are a veteran like me, you might still find things to try out (for me, it was simplifying my routine)
The use of models with different skin tones and age groups are also beneficial. Bobbi Brown is a great advocate in just loving the skin you’re in and celebrate it. She gives you tips to enhance your beauty versus hiding features to make you look more like a particular beauty type. The lessons will show you some great pointers. I wish she would give more tips for aging skin and use models that look like ordinary people (with imperfect skin or asymmetrical face, for example), but that’s just my preference.
What I Didn’t Like About the Class
Despite what Bobbi Brown said initially, she does seem to push her own belief of beauty throughout the class. It sounds like she absolutely hates mascaras that are not black, pale lipsticks on darker skin tones, dark brows, and red lipstick on herself. She also doesn’t know anyone who loves to spend a ton of time doing their makeup during the day (I think she needs to expand her friend circle). And if you dare to walk in front of her on the street wearing editorial style makeup (like a bright pink eyeshadow), she will blend you.
Honestly, those comments put me off Bobbi Brown’s class. If someone wants to do those things, they should do it (except putting red lipstick on Bobbi Brown’s lips because that’s her body). If you feel like wearing colored mascaras, why not? Editorial makeup when going grocery shopping? If that makes you feel good, go for it! Yes, there are some rules we need to master to achieve this natural but better. If it’s not for you, then break it. Makeup is self-expression, after all.
Would I Recommend The Class?
I am torn. The dislike points are kind of off-putting for me. However, I think a lot of makeup enthusiasts will learn a thing or two from this class. Just remember, in the end, you do you!
Price point wise, it would be too expensive for just this one class. But if you want to take more courses (fun learning during #stayathome!), then yes, definitely worth it to get a subscription.
Have you taken this class? Are you planning to? Do tell in the comments!
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
Great review! I will check it out as well. I took Tan France’s Masterclass. It was a bit vague to me. I would love to hear what your thoughts are on his Masterclass!
Thank you Queen Diva :). I just finished Tan France’s class. Definitely like how he acknowledges different styles, but for me it doesn’t bring much either. On the other hand, the class helps my husband see how he can incorporate some new styles into his wardrobe. So again, different start start creates a different result!
I saw in the MasterClass trailer that Ru Paul has a beauty tutorial in his|her class, very curious about the technique!
Yassss!! I did see that RuPaul had a Masterclass. I was thinking of watching it. She enjoyed it. She said it was more motivational than fashion. There is a few drag queens who show how they make full face. I was hoping that RuPaul would have showed how he goes full glam. I also want to look at Anna Wintour, Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Masterclass. Have you watched her’s? I was going to watch hers next.
RuPaul’s class is more motivational (at least as far as I’ve seen it). I haven’t gotten to the makeup part yet though. Really want to try drag makeup on me. No, I haven’t taken Anna Wintour’s class, but it’s also on my list. Do let me know if you like it!
I took Bobbi’s masterclass and I couldn’t agree with your review more (the high points and the not-so-high points). Great summation, thanks!
So I feel like this course is geared for people that don’t have a lot of experience with make up and are only interested in conservative looks. I have respect for this type of woman/man. It’s just not really my lane. I will wear glitter on a Wednesday until I am 98. It makes me happy.
It seems to me that this is mostly for people who only want no-make up, make-up, with the occasional smoky eye or bold lip. But I kind of knew that was Bobby Brown style before I started watching. But I wanted really wanted was tips. And I did get tips. Like…you don’t need an eyelash curler, just bend your eyelashes with your fingers as the your mascara starts to dry.
But I was also disappointed by some of her tips, like for example, I wanted to see how she concealed spots age spots, But she seems to not cover age spots at all on her older model at all. However her under eye advice is pretty darn good.
Overall I thought this was worthwhile. Honestly I see Wayne Goss as sort of in the same category in terms of taste, skill, and application as Bobbi Brown. But, cringe cringe, I just think his free YouTube channel is probably a tad more informative.