A history: Estée Lauder
- Emily Orourke
- Oct 3, 2024
- 2 min read
From Kitchen Creams to Global Glamour
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” —Estée Lauder"
In the Beginning...
Let's try to, picture this: its New York City, 1946 and Estée Lauder (born Josephine Esther Mentzer) was a force of nature. She was raised in Queens by her Hungarian mom, Rose, and Czech dad, Max. And like me Estée’s fascination with beauty began early. But it wasn’t until her Hungarian uncle started whipping up skin creams in their kitchen that the magic truly ignited. Soon Estée learned the art of "potion-making" and how to apply those velvety creams to women’s faces.
Next, let's fast-forward to Estée and Joseph Lauter (later Lauder) standing at the crux of something extraordinary. Armed with only four beauty products and an unwavering belief, they launched Estée Lauder, Inc. which included these skincare essentials:
Cleansing Oil
Skin Lotion
Super Rich All-purpose Crème
Creme Pack:
However...When they tried to get the attention of established ad agencies, they turned up their noses from the skincare dup, so the Lauders went rogue. They decided that the best tactic for them would to begin handing out samples at fashion shows and in mailings. With a stroke of luck, Saks Fifth Avenue noticed and placed their first major order—$800 worth of Estée Lauder products. Thus, the world was about to get a makeover.
Some say that Estée had a sixth sense for what women craved. She was the OG influencer you might say. Her secret? Personal connection. She would demo her products on women while they sat under hair dryers in high-end salons. Then came the brands iconic turquoise jars, which Estée chose in that color because in her eye for detail, she seemed to think that the color would seem luxurious and would also match any bathroom décor.
Now, let’s talk about the Icons:
Youth-Dew: Originally a bath oil that doubled as a perfume, it became an instant classic in the early '50s. The scent? Spicy, mysterious, and utterly irresistible. Spritz it on, and suddenly you’re Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Aramis: Launched in 1964, this men’s line spoke to sophistication. Picture the likes of Don Draper and James Bond wearing this.
Clinique: Allergy-tested, dermatologist-approved! Estée was way ahead of the curve. Clinique hit the scene in 1968, and is still an icon in the skincare market today!
Origins: Natural, earthy, and catering to the rising bo-ho aesthetic of the 90s. Estée introduced it in 1990.
Finally: The Global Takeover
Estée Lauder, Inc., jet-setted across the globe. From New York to Paris, their products graced vanities in over 140 countries. Net sales? $8 billion annually. And they didn’t stop there. They acquired beauty brands left and right—Bobbi Brown, Aveda, M∙A∙C, and many, many more!
So, next time you dab on that Youth-Dew or admire those turquoise jars, we can all thank Estee Lauder for being a trail blazer and perhaps the OG Skincare Influencer!
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