04.12.16
After over 20 years of service to Bare Escentuals, Leslie Blodgett, former CEO and creator of bareMinerals, has decided to step down from her current advisory role with the company, effective April 15, 2016, in order to focus her time on outside interests and explore other personal projects.
Following her departure, Blodgett will still serve as a key member of the recently created Shiseido Americas Creative Center helmed by Marc Rey, President and CEO of Shiseido Americas.
“Bare Escentuals is much more than a business to me and it represents much more than a brand to our customers. Over the past 22 years, I have made some of my best friends—both with colleagues and customers—through the bareMinerals and Buxom brands and I want to thank everyone who was part of this amazing journey with me. I am incredibly grateful for these relationships and for these two iconic brands we built together,” said Blodgett. “While I look forward to embarking on my next chapter, I leave with an incredible sense of pride around what the company has achieved—including the community we have built—and at the same time an amazing sense of purpose. I will remain connected to Bare Escentuals through my role as an advisor to Shiseido Americas, and I look forward to seeing the new ways in which the brand will continue to inspire and connect women around the world.”
“Leslie is a true visionary, and her impact on the beauty industry cannot be overstated,” said Simon Cowell, CEO of Bare Escentuals. “Leslie not only transformed the way women think about makeup by pioneering the use of mineral cosmetics, she created an entirely new business model. Leslie’s innate passion for the customer has resulted in a true community brand, at the heart of which is an authentic intimate connection. We are grateful for the guidance and motivation she has continued to provide over the past few years as a strategic advisor, and we remain dedicated to building on her original vision.”
Marc Rey, President and CEO of Shiseido Americas, added: “Leslie infused a spirit and warmth into cosmetics that Bare Escentuals will always be identified with. The Shiseido Americas family is stronger thanks to Leslie and Bare Escentuals, and she leaves an enduring legacy. I am very excited to partner with Leslie on generating breakthrough innovations for the Americas region.”
Most recently serving in an advisory capacity, Blodgett became Bare Escentuals’ Executive Chairman in 2010, after 16 years as Chief Executive Officer and taking the company public in 2006. She revolutionized the makeup industry by popularizing mineral-based cosmetics with the launch of bareMinerals in 1995, and after the company joined the Shiseido Co. family of brands in March 2010, she was able to introduce bareMinerals’ innovative and beloved line to countless women worldwide, with products now available in 35 countries.
Acknowledged for her singular leadership style—including spearheading beauty’s first community brand, leveraging unconventional marketing tactics, and establishing a diverse distribution model—Blodgett has played an influential role in the beauty industry, and in 2014 was recognized by WWD Beauty Inc. as the first female recipient of their “Visionary of the Year” award, further cementing her legacy as one of the most renowned leaders in beauty. Blodgett continues to serve on the board of Every Mother Counts and Stella & Dot, and on the advisory board of Spanx, in addition to advising other emerging brands.
Following her departure, Blodgett will still serve as a key member of the recently created Shiseido Americas Creative Center helmed by Marc Rey, President and CEO of Shiseido Americas.
“Bare Escentuals is much more than a business to me and it represents much more than a brand to our customers. Over the past 22 years, I have made some of my best friends—both with colleagues and customers—through the bareMinerals and Buxom brands and I want to thank everyone who was part of this amazing journey with me. I am incredibly grateful for these relationships and for these two iconic brands we built together,” said Blodgett. “While I look forward to embarking on my next chapter, I leave with an incredible sense of pride around what the company has achieved—including the community we have built—and at the same time an amazing sense of purpose. I will remain connected to Bare Escentuals through my role as an advisor to Shiseido Americas, and I look forward to seeing the new ways in which the brand will continue to inspire and connect women around the world.”
“Leslie is a true visionary, and her impact on the beauty industry cannot be overstated,” said Simon Cowell, CEO of Bare Escentuals. “Leslie not only transformed the way women think about makeup by pioneering the use of mineral cosmetics, she created an entirely new business model. Leslie’s innate passion for the customer has resulted in a true community brand, at the heart of which is an authentic intimate connection. We are grateful for the guidance and motivation she has continued to provide over the past few years as a strategic advisor, and we remain dedicated to building on her original vision.”
Marc Rey, President and CEO of Shiseido Americas, added: “Leslie infused a spirit and warmth into cosmetics that Bare Escentuals will always be identified with. The Shiseido Americas family is stronger thanks to Leslie and Bare Escentuals, and she leaves an enduring legacy. I am very excited to partner with Leslie on generating breakthrough innovations for the Americas region.”
Most recently serving in an advisory capacity, Blodgett became Bare Escentuals’ Executive Chairman in 2010, after 16 years as Chief Executive Officer and taking the company public in 2006. She revolutionized the makeup industry by popularizing mineral-based cosmetics with the launch of bareMinerals in 1995, and after the company joined the Shiseido Co. family of brands in March 2010, she was able to introduce bareMinerals’ innovative and beloved line to countless women worldwide, with products now available in 35 countries.
Acknowledged for her singular leadership style—including spearheading beauty’s first community brand, leveraging unconventional marketing tactics, and establishing a diverse distribution model—Blodgett has played an influential role in the beauty industry, and in 2014 was recognized by WWD Beauty Inc. as the first female recipient of their “Visionary of the Year” award, further cementing her legacy as one of the most renowned leaders in beauty. Blodgett continues to serve on the board of Every Mother Counts and Stella & Dot, and on the advisory board of Spanx, in addition to advising other emerging brands.