Makeup Guru

As far as beauty moguls go, Bobbi Brown is one of our favorites. As one of the most straight-talking artists in the biz, she’s preparing for the launch of her supremely useful new book, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. “It’s really a textbook,” Brown told Chic Report at this morning’s breakfast at Bond 33 Gallery. “We’re opening up an academy next year, and our courses are already being taught at Montclair State, where I live, and Emerson College in Boston.” (That’s Brown’s alma mater; she also serves on the Board of Trustees.) Editors munched on mini muffins and fruit skewers while admiring blow-ups of Brown’s beautifully designed pages, hung gallery-like on the walls. And naturally, there was new product to discuss. The collector’s edition Bobbi Brights palette (seen above) is inspired by the “fun kit” Brown uses during Fashion Week. It features 35 soft matte shades like shamrock, wisteria, blue irisand gum drop. But the real chatter centered on the new Skin Foundation SPF 15, a long-lasting hydrating foundation that could charm even those adverse to the stuff. Sorry, chicsters, you must wait ’til January–but the book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.