Beauty Boss: Robin Evans, Brow Expert and Founder of LEVANS BEAUTY
Robin Evans.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Robin Evans, a renowned brow expert and Founder of LÉVANS BEAUTY—a collection of clear brow gels with different holds, textures, and strengths. After attending aesthetics school in Boston, she relocated to New York City where she worked at a prestigious spa on Park Avenue. During that time Evans recognized the potential for specializing in brows and eventually opened her own facial brow studio in NYC.
Evans is a highly sought-after individual in the beauty industry and has been featured in top publications. She has received numerous accolades such as Best Brows by Allure and earned a spot in Lucky magazine’s prestigious list of Best Brow Places in NYC.
After LÉVANS BEAUTY launched, it quickly secured distribution at Free People. It’s the first cosmetics line exclusively dedicated to clear brow gels that offer diverse textures and holds, and all of the products are clean, vegan, and cruelty-free. We chatted with Evans who shared her favorite wellness tips, secrets for success, best advice, and much more.
When was LÉVANS BEAUTY founded and what does the name mean?
LÉVANS BEAUTY was founded in 2023. However, the concept and idea was conceived in 2019. I soft launched LÉVANS BEAUTY to my clientele at my brow studios (Manhattan and New London, CT) in March 2023, then publicly launched in September 2023 with two brow gels with a third in Spring 2024. The brand name is a play on my name, Robin L Evans.
What inspired the creation of the brand?
What initially inspired me to get serious about starting my own product line was my parents. As I walked down Broadway in Manhattan, the idea for the brand came to me. Their passing, just 10 days apart a couple of years ago, left a lasting impact on me. I wanted to create something in their memory, something they would be proud of.
While I always dreamed of starting a brow collection, it was the thought of naming it after them, Tony + Terry; that really sparked the passion to get me going. Although I eventually decided on a different name, incorporating part of our surname still felt like honoring them and kept my foot on the pedal to move forward.
After following my dreams and working on product concepts and finding a manufacturer, the pandemic hit, and production was paused. During this time, I was working with editors on beauty and brow stories, and I decided to create a pitch for eyebrow trends—past, present, and future. And it hit me, like truly hit me, my aha moment—clear brow gels were going to be the future of brows.
The traditional market of color brow cosmetics felt over saturated and I felt brow care and minimal makeup and styling were the direction of brows, and this was even before minimal beauty started trending. So I pivoted my original concept from a traditional line of tinted brow gel and pencils to an all-clear brow gel line with different textures, strengths, and holds, offering consumers a wider range of clear brow gels within one product line.
Tronque is a line of clean, high-performance body care products originating from New Zealand.
Does LÉVANS BEAUTY have a hero product?
In my opinion, because of the concept—three different brow gels with different holds—they are on an equal playing field. The hero is the consumer. They have the power to choose a very specific clear brow gel that fits them and their needs. I like to say you are either a Soft Hold girl, a Mega Hold girl or a Firm Hold girl. And of course, it’s an amazing brow product for everyone.
What are your favorite products from the brand?
I’m a Soft Hold girl. Soft Hold is me. I don’t like a lot of fuss or makeup, it’s super light feeling and looking. I like to call it an everyday brow gel, which it really feels like to me. Then if I want something “extra” I can use Firm or Mega if I’m going out at night.
Where are your products sold?
The full CULT BROW Collection is available on my website and additionally, Soft & Mega Hold can be found on Free People’s website.
Future plans for the brand?
Currently, I’m pretty happy with the intimate collection, but there are thoughts of another clear product for sure. I also hope to expand into other retail outlets this year, which I’m really excited about.
Evans is a renowned brow expert who owns a facial and brow studio in New York City.
Who inspires you?
So many people and so many things. It depends really on what we’re talking about. I’m very inspired by original fashion houses like Chanel and Gucci. I’m inspired by my clients and how truly happy good brows make them feel. I’m inspired by other really modern and forward-thinking beauty moguls like Laney Cromwell and Emily Weiss. Traditional Parisian interior design and 1970s vintage fashion inspire me. I’m in the right industry. I am someone that truly sees and appreciates beauty and aesthetics.
Secret to success?
Follow your gut. Your intuition is real. Then the more you start listening to it, the more successful you will be in every aspect of your life.
Beauty secrets?
I'm into taking care of my skin. As an aesthetician with so many years of experience, I have a lot of product knowledge and so much passion when it comes to healthy skin. Daily serums are a must for me and keeping my skin damp before a serum or moisturizer to get the full benefits. I also always opt for fragrance-free products for my face.
I love my nightly routine and I like to keep it pretty calming and nourishing. But also, at 55 years old I do the small extra things. In keeping with my natural minimalist lifestyle, I opt for baby Botox every now and then to stay fresh faced but not overdone at Sirena Medical Aesthetics in Connecticut. There is no need to get rid of every line or wrinkle—they are a sign you’ve laughed and lived.
I’m also a fan of lasers for upkeep over fillers personally—I have explored Halo, BBL, and Moxie. Next on the agenda is Sculptra at Connecticut Medical Aesthetics, which naturally builds collagen over time. I like the idea of this versus an immediate quick fix such as hyaluronic fillers for myself. So I do keep up with aesthetics, however, I find it’s hard to tell because of the procedures I opt for. My goal is always to keep it more natural-looking and conservative.
LÉVANS BEAUTY Cult Brow Firm Hold is an extra-strength brow gel in a medium to strong stiff hold.
Wellness tips?
Diet and gut health. That’s my biggest wellness tip. I’m not perfect and I like to eat everything so I still treat myself to things like pizza and cake—I mean, a girl’s gotta eat. But I eat a lot of plant-based meals to balance it all out. I love Daily Harvest and always have it in my freezer for an easy go-to when I’m not able to invest time in making a full healthy dinner.
Best advice?
Take risks, believe in yourself, and find what you love and do it!
Favorite way to relax?
I live on the water in Connecticut so I’ve created a life where I’m surrounded by peaceful things to do and nature, and a sort of vacation-like life when I’m not working, especially in the summer. I have an Urbano, which is a little American made Vespa-style bike that my fiancé and I love to cruise around on all summer, beach hopping or just taking a neighborhood cruise.
I started cold plunging across the street at the beach this past winter and I loved it so much that I bought an ice plunge barrel so I can now literally just step outside my door for a cold dip. I’m pretty Type A and literally open my eyes in the morning and start working so I like to have these built in things to do to slow me down and connect with myself.
For more information about LÉVANS BEAUTY, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @levansbeauty
[Images courtesy of LÉVANS BEAUTY]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk