We are the global leader in prestige beauty — delighting consumers with transformative products and experiences, inspiring them to express their individual beauty. We are the only company focused solely on prestige makeup, skin care, fragrance, and hair care with a diverse portfolio of 25+ brands sold in approximately 150 countries and territories. Infused throughout our organization is a passion for creativity and innovation — a desire to push the boundaries and invent the unexpected — as we continue the bold work of our founder Estée Lauder.
At The Estée Lauder Companies we are committed to advancing women both within our organization and around the world. At ELC, we now see a global workforce of 84 percent women with over 50 percent of women at leadership levels. Almost half of our Board of Directors are women. We believe all genders should have equal access to job opportunities and positions of leadership, including access to the tools and support to help them achieve their goals, and believe that all genders deserve equal access to health, education, and economic participation, and should be presented an equal playing field. We are committed to giving women and girls access to the proper tools and skills needed to become successful and create lasting change.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Michael Kors, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna, AERIN, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced and Dr. Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD.
We are a values-driven organization. Our actions are rooted in the Lauder Family values of respect for the individual, uncompromising ethics and integrity, generosity of spirit and fearless persistence. Building on these core values we also abide by the following principles:
Unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. From exceptional and breakthrough products to High-Touch services and experiences delivered by our prestige brands.
Infusing creativity and innovation throughout all aspects of the business, from product development to packaging, sampling to selling, marketing to merchandising.
Nurturing and developing world-class talent. We look for ways to identify and harness the strengths of our talented employees. Continuous learning happens throughout the organization and “leadership from every chair” is expected and encouraged.
Cultivating an inclusive and diverse workplace reflects our belief that no one person, group or culture has all the knowledge, skills or information necessary for success. Embracing diversity helps sharpen our focus on cultural relevance — ensuring that our products, messaging and in-store experiences reflect the aspirations and desires of consumers in local markets.
Acting responsibly and caring for the communities we serve translates into sustainable sourcing practices, efficient operations, green chemistry and bringing awareness and resources to global causes around health, the environment and education.
The Estée Story
Our story begins with an ambitious, visionary woman and her belief that every woman can be beautiful. Estée Lauder and her husband, Joseph, founded the company in 1946 with four original beauty products and a drive for success that knew no boundaries. Ahead of her time in every way, Estée Lauder defied conventions, and her fearless persistence set the tone for the family business.
Estée Lauder, the founder of the company that bears her name, was a visionary and a role model. She was a challenger who proved that anything was possible — if you dared to dream it and had the guts and gumption to go for it. Ahead of her time in every way, she created and ran one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative companies while serving as a wife, mother, and a loyal friend to many. And she did it all with charm, humor, and exquisite style. She loved beauty with a passion and believed wholeheartedly in its power.
Mrs. Estée Lauder started her business with four skin care products and a simple premise: that every woman can be beautiful. Armed with that philosophy, plus perseverance, creativity, and passion, she changed the face of the cosmetics industry.
The Estée Lauder Companies is deeply committed to sustaining a culture of equity, inclusion and belonging within our company and our communities. To that end, we have developed defined Racial Equity goals, in collaboration with our employees, consumers and partner organizations to make meaningful, long-term change.
Rooted in our long-held values of respect for the individual, inclusion and equality, our Racial Equity commitments will help us in our continuous efforts to make equity a reality at The Estée Lauder Companies.
ELC believes its employee population should reflect its consumers, helping the company gain insights and a better understanding of consumer aspirations. ELC has also made it a priority to support women in tech by sponsoring programs such as the Grace Hopper Celebration, a gathering of more than 25,000 female technologist from around the world and the Lower East Side Girls Club, a community center that offers a safe haven with programs in the arts, sciences, leadership, entrepreneurship, and wellness for girls in middle and high school.
To that end, we are part of the United Nations Foundation’s Five for 5 Initiative and developed a set of commitments aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, centered around achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, with an end goal of 2025. Through the Five for 5 initiatives, we plan to address three specific goals: equality of leadership, equality of opportunity and equality of access to health and education. Additionally, we have centered our 2021 strategy around our new initiative “Opening Doors: Women’s Advancement and Gender Equality.” This initiative will allow ELC to not only honor our history but also level the playing field for all genders by furthering our strong culture rooted in inclusion and diversity, advocacy, flexibility, and engagement.
Read more about our commitment to equity here.
