Whoa, talk about a real GIRL POWER episode! This week we interview not just one, but TWO incredible super mamas: Rea Ann Silva, creator & founder of Beautyblender and her daughter, Erica Dickerson, Global Beauty Director of Beautyblender and podcast host of Good Moms, Bad Choices. The two have worked together basically since the conception of Beautyblender (when Erica started assembling products in the family garage!) and have since grown the business and their personal relationship. We talk to the duo about managing mom guilt, single motherhood, encouraging your children to follow their heart, and so much more. And of course, there is no shortage of beauty tips from these gorgeous ladies. We are obsessed with these two and the relationship they’ve created both at work and at home!
More about Rea Ann: Rea Ann Silva is a professional makeup artist and the creator and founder of Beautyblender. Her experience spans a nearly 30-year journey as one of the most sought-after Hollywood makeup artists in the industry. As the creative force behind Beautyblender, she single-handedly changed the beauty game. The Beautyblender concept came to Rea Ann while she was the Department Head of one of the first TV shows shot in hi-definition. Rea Ann handled the constant touch-ups with her hand-cut, edgeless sponges to mimic the seamless look of airbrushing. Soon, every celebrity that sat in Rea Ann’s chair wanted their own hand-cut sponge; thus creating the original edgeless sponge. Beautyblender quickly became the secret on set that had every pro talking.
Today, the category-creator holds countless beauty awards and is beloved by both makeup aficionados and newbies as the go-to tool for achieving a perfectly blended complexion. As Beautyblender expands, we continue to innovate easy-to-use products that require minimal efforts yet offer maximum results. In November 2020, Rea Ann was honored at the Smithsonian American Museum of Natural History in the “Only One in The Room” exhibit, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
More about Erica: Erica Dickerson is the Global Beauty Director of Beautyblender, host of the podcast Good Moms, Bad Choices and a content creator. Her history with Beautyblender began at conception...literally. As the daughter of Founder and CEO Rea Ann Silva, Erica was the brand’s “first-ever product assembler” back when Beautyblender began out of her mother’s garage in Los Angeles. Little did she know that her mom’s side project would turn into the most popular makeup tool in the world.
Before becoming Beautyblender’s Global Beauty Director, Erica pursued acting where she landed a handful of national commercials and major roles on shows like “Bones” on Fox and “Insecure” on HBO.
When she turned 18, Erica left Los Angeles to attend college at Marymount in New York City. After completing her first year, an opportunity arose to assist and road manage Grammy-winning artist, Macy Gray. Yearning to travel and get real work experience, she took the job and worked closely with Macy for three years while she toured the globe.
In 2010, as Beautyblender began expanding into consumer retail outlets like Sephora and the ever- growing social media landscape rapidly changing she became heavily involved in growing the digital side of the brand.
Conceptualizing, producing, and creating the brand voice for Instagram, Youtube, and Sephora’s education team, Erica has played a major role in Beautyblenders massive cult following. With the company’s rapid growth, she was tapped to help grow their Broadcast business where she currently appears on the HSN and QVC. She also works closely in product development creating many of the products that grace the shelves of Sephora and Beautyblender’s other global partners.
Aside from her full-time career in beauty, she is also the host of popular podcast, Good Moms Bad Choices. Over the last three years, she has helped develop a platform and safe space for mothers and women to share, listen and learn about all things related to parenthood, sex, culture, and mental health. Good Moms Bad Choices is rated in the top 5% of podcasts globally and continues to change the landscape of what is acceptable for mothers and WOC to seek, accept and discuss.
Through the success of her Podcast, she just signed a major book deal with Harper Collins based on GMBC and her experience navigating single motherhood slated to release in 2022. She has been featured in Vogue, BET, Good Housekeeping, XO Necole, and recently was honored by Create and Cultivate as one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs of 2021.
Erica currently resides in Los Angeles with her daughter Irie Jane.
Our conversation with Rea Ann and Erica
Who are Rea Ann & Erica?
The Creation of Beautyblender
Erica’s start at Beautyblender
“A lot of our bad choices are actually good choices. It just depends who you ask and who’s listening.” - Erica
Parenting a 7 year old
The differences in their parenting styles
Being a working single mom
Working together as mother & daughter
The concept of time
Does mom guilt ever go away?
The evolution of women supporting women
Building a community
Tips for Flawless Skin
Drink lots of water & apply sunscreen - Rea Ann
WET YOUR BEAUTYBLENDER - Erica
Links
Follow Rea Ann and Erica on Instagram - @reaannsilva and @watcherica
Follow @beautyblender, the original edgeless egg-shaped sponge, on Instagram
Follow @goodmoms_badchoices and listen to their podcast here
Check out some of Beautyblenders’ latest products! Shop the newest Papaya sponge and sign up for the waitlist for the new BOUNCE™ Magic Fit Creamy Bronzer & Highlighter Duo
