Meet the CEO Who Changed the Way Millions of People Apply Their Makeup

Rea Ann Silva Second Life podcast

Photo:

Second Life

Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who've made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode will give you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on iTunes, and stay tuned.

Before Rea Ann Silva revolutionalized the way we apply makeup, we pretty much just had brushes and our fingers. And if you're not a professional makeup artist like Silva is, getting that coveted airbrushed look can be a challenge. In 2007, that all changed with Silva's invention of the Beautyblender, now the number one makeup tool in the U.S. Today, the company boasts over 20 products and is projected to do over 200 million in global sales this year, which is even more impressive considering Silva has funded the company herself from the beginning.

So how does a makeup artist become the founder and CEO of a brand that's changed the beauty industry for good? Silva had a unique experience in that she was the head makeup artist for the very first TV show to be shot in high definition. She needed a sponge that helped achieve an airbrushed look, so she fashioned one herself with a makeup sponge and a pair of scissors, which evolved into her idea for the OG egg-shaped Beautyblender sponge. 

Head to iTunes to subscribe to Second Life, and listen to this brand-new episode to hear more about Silva's transition from makeup artist to founder and CEO of the wildly popular Beautyblender. And keep scrolling to shop some of the genius products that people can't live without.