Estée Lauder Companies

L’Oréal’s dermatological beauty division is usually a blockbuster, but the impact of increased competition and the decline of drugstore distributors on its recent earnings show the company can’t rest on its laurels.

In Paris, leaders in talent acquisition from Chanel, Christian Dior Couture, Coty, Kering, Louis Vuitton, Rimowa and Saint Laurent among many others, attended an exclusive presentation and networking event at Hôtel Plaza Athénée.

The niche brand, founded by former fashion buyer Yasmin Sewell, has closed its second round of funding with Manzanita Capital and Estée Lauder’s corporate venture capital arm also participating.

Whoever steps into Fabrizio Freda’s Italian loafers in June 2025 has a big job on their hands, as the American beauty conglomerate battles softened demand internationally and on its home turf. Kickstarting meaningful growth will mean a fresh China strategy, channel and category overhauls, and generating some much needed buzz.

Scores of British women are taking leading cosmetic companies to court in the United States, claiming that they contracted mesothelioma through the presence of talcum powder in their beauty products.

The Estée Lauder-owned premium fragrance house has signed a two-year deal with the actor in a bet to seize more of the men’s market.

Puig and Space NK are cashing in on their ability to tap the growth of hot new products, while L’Occitane, Olaplex and The Estée Lauder Companies are discovering how quickly the shine can come off even the biggest brands.

The company reported a long-awaited lift in net sales in its third quarter results, with increases from skincare leading the way, but clouds persist over its China recovery.

Going public is usually a pivotal moment in a company’s history, cementing its heavyweight status and setting it up for expansion. In L’Occitane’s case, delisting might be a bigger conduit for growth.

Prestige makeup is fashion’s category expansion du jour. But even the market’s most powerful players could learn a thing or two from its celebrity-backed competition.