Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup has a large and devoted following, so, when I got the chance to talk with Ms. Leslie Blodgett, the President of the company, I jumped at it. Beauty Buzz would like to thank Ms. Blodgett for her time and Ms. Melissa Garber at QVC for arranging for the interview.

Beauty Buzz: Ms. Blodgett, on behalf of Beauty Buzz may I say, "Welcome" and thank you for your time. It's very nice of you to join us, today. I know how busy you must be.
Leslie Blodgett: Thank you for having me. I truly want to be accessible to my customers, and this is one way that I get the chance to do it.

BB:So, tell us about Bare Escentuals, and especially your i.d. cosmetic line. What's the inspiration behind your products?
LB: Well, the i.d. by Bare Escentuals line of cosmetics is completely natural and mineral based. Our bareMinerals foundation has been around since 1976, which is part of the company that I actually inherited when I came on board in 1994. I came in, changed the name, and updated the foundations and other colors when I took over the company. The other products I've developed are really inspired by different experiences in my life. For example, "Peace & Quiet" is an aromatherapy product that started as an idea for a Mother's Day gift for my mother. When my brother and sister and I were younger, my mother was always asking us for "a little peace and quiet!" So, I gave it to her. (LOL) Now it's one of my best sellers!

BB:That must be very gratifying. I guess a lot of us need "Peace and Quiet." (LOL) And, the i.d. cosmetics line?
LB: The idea behind the i.d. line is basically about being true to oneself and to one's own identity. When I was working behind the counters at Macy's and Bloomingdale's, I was always uncomfortable with how Makeup Artists and Sales Associates would tell customers exactly what they should buy and how they should wear it. The i.d. line is designed to empower our customers, let them make their own choices and wear whatever makes them feel good.

BB:Like the rose geranium scent to your lipsticks?
LB:Exactly. We are so hard on ourselves, especially when it comes to beauty. The rose geranium in our lipstick is actually an aromatherapy extract that is not only great for your skin, but helps you to be centered and relaxed, and feel good about yourself.

BB:What a nice philosophy. I'll never be able to wear my "Hello" lipstick the same way again.
LB: I want to create products for people, who like myself, care for the environment and those around them. And, I don't mean just the outer environment, but their inner environment as well.

BB:Can you explain that to me?
LB: Sure. I want to convey positive images with my products, positive self-images. For instance, our Cush line includes not only skincare, but products for the home as well. The concept behind this line is to "feel comfortable in your own skin" and spread that comfort around throughout your home and your life. I really do care about creating positive images with my products. If I didn't care, I wouldn't offer the best. Really, the whole line is just stuff I love every day. Scenting my surroundings and caring for my family and myself.

BB:So, you're very environmentally conscious?
LB: Oh, absolutely. In fact, in my boutiques, you can bring in an empty bottle, any brand name, and we will refill them with any of our refillable products, and only charge the customer by the ounce. We estimate that we have kept at least 300,000 bottles from ending up in landfills this way. We were one of the first companies to offer this service.

BB: Wow, I didn't even know that you guys did this! How do you manage personally day to day? I know that you have to do a great deal of traveling?
LB: Well, first of all, I do have to give a lot of credit to my husband who is very loving and very supportive. He is a "stay at home" dad, so when I have to travel, I don't have to worry about my son being put into weird situations. I'm very lucky to be able to get up and go. Also, my staff is very dedicated, very creative and very highly motivated. They keep things going while I'm away and are the mainstay behind my business. I can't stress enough how important it is to have good people behind you, not just in this business, but any business.

BB: I've seen you on QVC, so I know that you're a makeup artist.
LB: Yes, I am a makeup artist and I have been for quite some time. However, my real role in the company is more product development. I assist in formula development, keeping our colors and products updated and designing new products. I actually went to school at FIT in New York and specialized in cosmetic marketing. Being a makeup artist, being very familiar with and actually using the products really helps me when I'm working on new colors and formulas.

BB: How do you know what the market wants?
LB: Well, we really rely on our customers. I read the mail and e-mail from our customers regularly, and I have to say that we get some of our best ideas from our loyal customers. Bare Escentuals customers are really great people!

BB: How do you test your products?
LB:Our products are people tested. We have a mailing list of customers who try our products and assist us when we really need to "tweak" something to make it just right. We have people in 50 states in all age groups that help us by evaluating our products and giving us honest and straightforward feedback on them. In fact, let your Buzzers know that a good way to get on this list is to send me an e-mail at leslie@bareescentuals.com tell me that you read the article at Beauty Buzz and that they'd like to join our product testing list. If they already use Bare Escentuals, then have them tell me what they think about the products, give me any suggestions they have for improvement, or even just tell me what they love about the products. If you can have them send me their phone number, too. Sometimes I try to call people personally for more detailed input on great suggestions, or if someone doesn't like something. I find that the phone can be easier than emailing back and forth.

BB:That's a really big investment. Your testing list must be very important to you.
LB: It is. We want to make sure that our products work effectively for different age groups, in different climates, and across the board. As I said, we try to give our customers the best product we possibly can.

BB:So, why did you start to sell your line on QVC? Your products already have a huge following, and you have boutiques all over the United States.
LB:It started out with me actually being a QVC customer. In the fall of 1996, I was having a terrible time with insomnia, and started watching QVC when I couldn't sleep. Finally it dawned on me after the holiday season that I have a really great products, and I could use this as a way of letting people know that my products were available. QVC also has a very high-end format. I filled out their application, and the rest is history.

BB:Any words of wisdom to any entrepreneurs out there?
LB:I'd really like to see more women in this business. We have more of an understanding of the products, after all we use them. Men, however, dominate this industry. As for words of wisdom, the only thing that I can really say is to be fair, be honest, go with your gut feelings on any decision you have to make and most importantly, always think about the customer. I call our clients personally, because I like to have that contact and be able to really connect with my customers.

BB:Do you have the time to think of any thing new? (LOL) Are there any new products on the horizon?
LB:Oh absolutely. In fact, we have the Beach 2000 color collection coming out on July 6th. Also, we are launching 4 new eye shadow shades named after four very dedicated Bare Escentuals customers. They call themselves the Queens of Bare Escentuals, so we called the collection the "Your Highness" Collection. And these will be available in September. In fact, we have a very big event scheduled with QVC in September, so let you're readers know to keep their eyes peeled!

BB:I know that you recently scored a tremendous coup. Your products are the exclusive line being used for the Elite Model Search 2000. How do you feel about this?
LB:Oh I think that its terrific. It is a tremendous honor. What's really nice is that while I'm applying makeup to these young 14-16 years olds, with their mothers standing by, I'm showing them how beautiful their daughters are without making them look like prostitutes. Then, I get the chance to show their mothers how great the products work on 30+ skin as well.

BB:You sound like you are having a tremendous amount of fun!
LB:I am. I love what I do. I spend my day surrounded by brushes and makeup and I just love it!

BB:Speaking of your brushes, your brushes have been ranked as some of the best in the business by well-known cosmetics critic, Paula Begoun. How do you feel about this?
LB:Wow! I didn't even know that. I know that there are people out there that write reviews of our products, but I don't really look at them. I get too "butterflyey." It makes me feel like I'm taking a test. Our brushes are natural bristles, and are cruelty free. The animals just get a haircut. They are good quality brushes. However, we don't offer brushes individually on QVC, but customers can buy our brushes either through the boutiques or through the mail order catalogue.

BB: I know that our time is getting a little short. It's been really nice of you to take out so much time to talk with us today. And, again, on behalf of Beauty Buzz, I'd like to say, thank you very much. Was there anything else you'd like to add?
LB:Well, Bare Escentuals was created for people with skin sensitivities and people who care about themselves and the environment. However, my philosophy is if it is a good line for people with sensitivities, it should be a great line for everyone else. I hope your readers like my products.