All Roads lead to Jones Road

(Jones Road Logo)

When I was eight years old, my parents bought me the makeup mogul Bobbi Brown's Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty for Chanukah. The book introduced many people to the world of natural makeup. When I was in my teens, this book provided me with the confidence to know that a natural look was more attractive than overstated makeup (which many of my peers did not realize). As I read through the pages, I learned how to see makeup, not as a way to cover up imperfections; instead as an enhancement to your everyday..

(Cover of the Bobbi Brown Teen Beauty Book)

This past month I had the honor to speak with Jeanne Baynes, the product development associate at Bobbi Brown's new company Jones Road. Jones Road differentiates itself from its competitors through "Clean, strategic, high-grade formulations" that work on every skin type and tone. Jones Road does not use phthalates, sulfates, petrolatum, PEGs, cyclic silicones, EDTA, or BPA. (among many others.)" The organization follows guidelines even more stringent than those of the E.U. to eliminate over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients from their formulas (Jones Road Website). In addition, Jones Road is cruelty-free and gluten-free (but is produced in non-gluten-free manufacture) (Jones Road Website.)"

(A picture of Baynes from the Jones Road Instagram)

Here is my interview with Jeanne Baynes

RH: What is your role at Jones Beauty?

JB: I work on the product development team. I was the second hire on the team in 2019. I manage new development, brief new product ideas to vendors, and ensure that logistically things get to our warehouse on time and help to strategize the launch calendar. When Jones Road creates a product, I work directly with founder Bobbi Brown to ensure that the formula and packaging are precisely what she wants. On the more creative end, I also generate briefs for our graphic designer for product packaging, help with customer service and currently help the marketing department with product language copy. Last but not last, I am also a makeup artist and assist Bobbi on all photo shoot for Jones Road and any other photo shoot she works on.

(Image courtesy of http://www.sinobusiness.dk/product-development/)

RH: What inspired you to enter the cosmetics field?

JB: For my sixteenth birthday, my mother gifted me I got the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. Bobbi was my inspiration to become a makeup artist. I love her philosophy on natural and healthy looking makeup. I reached out to Bobbi when I was living in Boston, where I worked as a makeup artist at clean beauty retailer Credo Beauty, while going to grad school for Digital Marketing and Data Analytics at Emerson College in Boston, MA, Bobbi's alma mater. I direct messaged her on Instagram, and explained to her how she was my inspiration in makeup and business and that I would love to work for her. I was amazed when she responded and told me to send her my resume. Soon afterwards, I was ecstatic when I learned I would be hired as a product development intern.

( Image courtesy of https://www.fus.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/emerson-college-partnership)

RH: What does "Clean Beauty" mean to you?

JB: Clean Beauty is an objective term but to me it means that the products do not have any ingredients that have been scientifically proven ingredients to be harmful or disruptive to the body. Although we are not distributed in the E.U. yet, we are E.U. level clean and are working towards the E.U. level certification.

(Image courtesy of https://jonesroadbeauty.com/pages/about )

RH: What does Natural Beauty mean to you?

JB: Natural Beauty can have a few meanings. First, it can refer to the formula itself. Secondly, it can refer to the "natural beauty" makeup look.

(Image courtesy of https://jonesroadbeauty.com/pages/about )

RH: What is the Natural Beauty Makeup look?

JB: It means that it's an enhanced version of you. You still look like yourself, but better.

(Image courtesy of Jones Road Instagram )

RH: How is Jones Road promoting environmental sustainability?

JB: Our unit cartons are F.S.C certified which means that they are made from 100% recycled material. When it comes to the formulas we work with, we only work with vendors that use sustainable and ethically sourced materials.

(Gif courtesy of wix.com)

RH: How does Jones Road incorporate Diversity and Inclusion?

JB: Bobbi is adamant about having diversity and inclusivity in our art direction. When choosing models, we always evaluate to make sure every ethnicity and skin tone is represented. When developing our face pencil, Bobbi spent almost two years developing all the shades. She would have friends and models come into our office and make sure that everyone was covered in terms of having a shade for their skin tone. This process happens for any product we create. We make sure that we have options for every skin tone.

(Image courtesy of Jones Road Instagram)

(Image courtesy of Jones Road Instagram the application of the face stick on different skin tones)

One of the biggest things I learned in graduate school is to apply the lessons students learn in the classroom to everyday life. I took a chance and used social media to my advantage as I direct messaged Jones Road for the opportunity to talk about their products. One simple message turned into a meaningful life experience. Thank you to UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media for giving students the skills necessary to be an effective communicator. Thank you, Jeanne Baynes and the Jones Road team, for taking time out of your busy schedules to work with me on this assignment.

*edited for length and clarity

** not a promoted post