Happy Women’s History Month! For the next 4 weeks (forever, really), we are celebrating the #ReflectBeauties that are changing the game– specifically, the founders of industry-disrupting, women-owned media and beauty brands!
First up- the creative, and CEO of the Original Beautyblender, Rea Ann Silva!
Rea Ann approaches her business through an artistic lens, appropriately! Her experience spans a 20+ year journey as one of the most sought-after makeup artists in Hollywood – known best for the flawless, glowing looks she created on-set and on the red carpet. She used that talent to revolutionize the makeup industry as the creative force behind the original Beautyblender, the multiple award-winning genius cosmetic sponge applicator that has taken the beauty world by storm.
#Funfact: Beautyblender was born in the makeup trailer of one of television’s first Hi-Definition shows, Girlfriends. So, not only did we get amazing hair, fashion, and life inspo from this revolutionary show, it birthed an industry-disrupting makeup tool! The constant touch-ups throughout the day required damp, hand-cut, edgeless sponges to mimic the look of skin. Soon, every celebrity that sat in Rea Ann’s chair wanted their own sponge. A lot of ingenuity and creativity later, the iconic pink sponge was born!
Minimal effort, maximum results – that’s Rea Ann’s mantra! She created an easy to use, versatile tool that the professional and everyday consumer could use anytime, anywhere, to achieve a beautiful, flawless complexion.
I had the pleasure of chatting with the innovator for our #ReflectBeauties Women’s History Month series.
On why she created The Original Beautyblender®
I was working on the makeup set for the show Girlfriends and it was shot in HD, so I needed something that made the actors and actresses look flawless on camera. I needed an airbrush look but I couldn’t use an airbrush machine, so I started to play around with some special effects tools and experimenting with wet sponges/cutting them into different shapes. When people started stealing them on set, I knew I was onto something. It was not my plan to choose pink, when the factory would send me foam samples, they would be in different colors, so it was easier to test the foam and communicate which one I liked best. The factory even told me to NOT pay attention to colors when I was looking at prototypes but when I opened the package and saw that bright pink sponge it just made me so happy and the foam was perfect, I knew that was the one.
On her vision for the Beautyblender®
My vision for the brand has changed from when I first introduced Beautyblender. Back then, my vision was to create and to modernize the make-up sponge into a product that was actually designed to apply make-up and not to fit into packaging. I wanted to give it the same value you give your brush and that was a universal idea. That was something for women and men from all different cultures around the world. Now my vision for the brand has elevated and grown into the category of make-up. My vision has evolved to create the perfect cosmetic products that work with the perfect cosmetic tools. To create a perfect synergy between the tool and the make-up. I haven’t seen that before.
On becoming the best version of herself
Self-confidence is a constant ever-changing work in progress. I’ve created a routine for myself for my mind, body, and soul which consists of weekly pilates, poolaties (pilates in the pool), weight training along with nature walks/hikes. I fast one day a week and try to limit alcohol to only 2-3 days a week. I also drink a lot of water. So this all sounds really great until my travel schedule hits. I undoubtedly get off schedule so as soon as I return home—the very next day I jump back into my routine for as long as possible until I have to leave again.
On her biggest lesson learned last year
The biggest lesson that I learned in 2019 is that change is good.
On her current read
I am currently reading Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson. I’m always in a hurry and I do not have a lot of time to read, but I’m really curious about astrophysics and I love Neil deGrasse Tyson.
If you’re like me, and I assume you are, #beautyjunkie, you absolutely own and regularly use a Beautyblender (or two!). Show Rea Ann some love in the comments section!
#5Minuteswith Rea Ann Silva of Beauty Blender
