Jeanine Lobell: The Beauty Innovator Behind Stila, Kevyn Aucoin, and Neen
Long before “clean beauty” and TikTok makeup trends dominated the conversation, Jeanine Lobell helped define an entire era of beauty. As the founder of Stila Cosmetics, and former creative director for Kevyn Aucoin, Lobell created products that translated runway glam into real-life makeup people actually wanted to wear.
From Stila to Kevyn Aucoin: A Legacy of Innovation
Jeanine Lobell’s career in the beauty industry spans over two decades. She is known for her work as a makeup artist for high-profile clients like Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, and Nicole Kidman, with her work appearing in publications such as Vogue, W, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar [CEW]. Lobell first gained prominence as the founder of Stila Cosmetics, where she fostered a sense of community and positivity, challenging conventional beauty standards by prioritizing individuality and fun [CEW].
In May 2010, Lobell joined Kevyn Aucoin Beauty as creative director [WWD]. She had admired the late Kevyn Aucoin, recalling how he was incredibly supportive when she first entered the business [WWD]. Lobell resigned from Kevyn Aucoin Beauty in August 2011 to pursue other endeavors, including working with celebrity clients and editorial projects [WWD]. At the time of her departure, Serin Capital remained involved with the brand, and Isadore Aucoin, Kevyn Aucoin’s father, was the brand’s largest individual shareholder [WWD].
Introducing Neen: A Sustainable Beauty Revolution
Lobell is now focused on her latest venture, Neen, a brand disrupting the beauty industry with a unique subscription card concept [Refinery29]. Each month, subscribers receive a card with five peel-back makeup swatches and five corresponding tutorial looks [Refinery29]. QR codes link to easy-to-follow tutorials, allowing users to experiment with the swatches and purchase full-size products they love [Refinery29]. Neen prioritizes sustainability with a refillable, recyclable silicone compact designed to minimize microplastic waste [Refinery29].
Makeup Longevity: Expert Tips from Jeanine Lobell
Lobell understands the demands of long-lasting makeup, having worked on sets and red carpets where makeup needs to endure hours under intense conditions. She emphasizes that if a makeup look can withstand the scrutiny of a red carpet event—including the time spent in transit—it can withstand almost anything.
Recent Activity
As of December 17, 2024, Jeanine Lobell was available for an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session on Reddit, discussing her 20+ years as a celebrity makeup artist and her brands, Stila, Kevyn Aucoin, and Neen [Reddit AMA]. She highlighted the Neen mascara and the Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder as standout products [Reddit AMA].