Estee: A Success Story

I have tried many Lauder products, and I cannot say I am aware of just ONE that is able to give someone immediate results--although compared to what was available in 1950, I guess it is possible. In general, a product needs to be used for at least a few weeks to begin to make a difference in one's skin. To hear Mrs. Lauder's account of these incidents, she would have you believe that her products are Godsends that work miracles. If that was the case, by now (50+ years into the business), the entire world would know--and there would be no need for the existence of the myriad other cosmetics companies in the world. Plus, if Estee's products are so wonderful--and do as they are claimed--then why is there the need to launch a new wrinkle cream every year? (If the other ones worked, why continue coming up with something new?)

Also, a large portion of this book is filled with so much self-love, as to be sickening at times. Every other page, Estee is talking about her precious oriental rugs, vases, her ability to decorate, to know exactly what to say, which ingredients to include in a formula, etc. The last third of the book is nothing more than her bragging about the many homes she owns all over the world, all of the wonderful views, and what a wonderful "good life" she is living. She has the audacity to talk about the proper way to give parties (making sure you have beautiful women to seat your guests), how she bought up every pink (out-of-season flower in Paris) to make sure she had just the right shade of pink for launching Beautiful, having napkins dyed just the right shade of color, per Pablo Picasso's paintings--for a museum party. All the "little" things are so important, you know....

I do have utmost respect for Ms. Lauder, but after having read this book, I do believe that she loves herself more than the rest of the world. (And I thought Madonna was narcissistic.) Estee even rationalizes why her cosmetics are so expensive: To sell them at cheaper prices would make the customer lose confidence in her quality. Which means, her cosmetics could be sold more cheaply than they are, but Estee would not want the customer to suspect low quality. (How thoughtful of you, Ms. Lauder, to consider the customer's feelings, rather than her pocketbook.)

I have used Lauder products on occasion, but I definitely view the company in a different light after having read this book. Contrary to her belief, Lauder does not make the finest cosmetics in the world. Yes, the quality is high (at least for some of the products), but there are many products in existence that are of equal (and in many cases, higher) quality.

Likewise, I take issue with her claim that her employees are the most knowledgable and best-trained in the field. Perhaps when she held the reins of the company--and when the book was written (1985)--that was the case. But I have visited Lauder counters on more than one occasion--and have found that often, I know more about the product than the salesperson does. Apparently, training of Lauder salespeople is not exactly at the standards it once was.

Bottom line: This book makes for a fascinating read, but keep an antacid nearby. Your stomach will need it.


Is this the same book as "A Success Story"?   January 5, 2004
Rod Reviewer (VA USA)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Based on the information the previous reviewer wrote, I am wondering if this is the same book as the one previously written by Mrs. Lauder, called "A Success Story". All of the vignettes cited by the previous reviewer (the launching of Youth Dew, the kicking-off-of-shoes incident, etc.) are included in that book, as well.

I give this book 5 stars for its entertainment value, although I do take a lot of what Mrs. Lauder writes with a grain of salt. It is clear by the circumstances and incidents covered in this book, that Estee is absolutely a believer in her products--and is an excellent salesperson who WILL NOT TAKE NO for an answer. However, some of the incidents she includes, where she forces potential clients to sample her creams--and they all obtain immediate, miraculous, unbelievable results--are hard to swallow.

I have tried many Lauder products, and I cannot say I am aware of just ONE that is able to give someone immediate results--although compared to what was available in 1950, I guess it is possible. In general, a product needs to be used for at least a few weeks to begin to make a difference in one's skin. To hear Mrs. Lauder's account of these incidents, she would have you believe that her products are Godsends that work miracles. If that was the case, by now (50+ years into the business), the entire world would know--and there would be no need for the existence of the myriad other cosmetics companies in the world. Plus, if Estee's products are so wonderful--and do as they are claimed--then why is there the need to launch a new wrinkle cream every year? (If the other ones worked, why continue coming up with something new?)

Also, a large portion of this book is filled with so much self-love, as to be sickening at times. Every other page, Estee is talking about her precious oriental rugs, vases, her ability to decorate, to know exactly what to say, which ingredients to include in a formula, etc. The last third of the book is nothing more than her bragging about the many homes she owns all over the world, all of the wonderful views, and what a wonderful "good life" she is living. She has the audacity to talk about the proper way to give parties (making sure you have beautiful women to seat your guests), how she bought up every pink (out-of-season flower in Paris) to make sure she had just the right shade of pink for launching Beautiful, having napkins dyed just the right shade of color, per Pablo Picasso's paintings--for a museum party. All the "little" things are so important, you know....

I do have utmost respect for Ms. Lauder, but after having read this book, I do believe that she loves herself more than the rest of the world. (And I thought Madonna was narcissistic.) Estee even rationalizes why her cosmetics are so expensive: To sell them at cheaper prices would make the customer lose confidence in her quality. Which means, her cosmetics could be sold more cheaply than they are, but Estee would not want the customer to suspect low quality. (How thoughtful of you, Ms. Lauder, to consider the customer's feelings, rather than her pocketbook.)

I have used Lauder products on occasion, but I definitely view the company in a different light after having read this book. Contrary to her belief, Lauder does not make the finest cosmetics in the world. Yes, the quality is high (at least for some of the products), but there are many products in existence that are of equal (and in many cases, higher) quality.

Likewise, I take issue with her claim that her employees are the most knowledgable and best-trained in the field. Perhaps when she held the reins of the company--and when the book was written (1985)--that was the case. But I have visited Lauder counters on more than one occasion--and have found that often, I know more about the product than the salesperson does. Apparently, training of Lauder salespeople is not exactly at the standards it once was.

Bottom line: This book makes for a fascinating read, but keep an antacid nearby. Your stomach will need it.


How Josephine Esther became the Queen of Cosmetics   May 5, 2003
Wendy-Marie Chabot (Central CT)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Like the Empress and Queen who names she bears, Estee Lauder (born Josephine Esther Menzter) reigns supreme with a firm and strong hand. Her rise from unknown to Queen of Cosmetics is told in a lively fashion with her youthful fascination with beauty to her first forays in beauty salons to her acceptance by the major department stores. It seems that through the sheer force of her personality and handful of potions, Estee Lauder would convert even the most stubborn persons to ardent Estee Lauder devotees wether it was in rhe beauty salon, office or evalator.

A favorite story is Estee slipping off her heels after an extremely busy sales day at a department store and going over the accounts. Realizing she is two dollars short of her $1000 sales goal and with a few moments before the store officially closes, Estee slips back on her shoes and springs into action, selling enough product to bring her total day's sales to the desired $1000.

One shortcoming of the book is Estee Lauder's decision to not give dates of events unless absolutely necessary. We know when Youth Dew is introduced and the official founding of Estee Lauder but otherwise Estee remains mum. She does mention in the introduction to the book the debate over her age but does not settle the matter one way or another. One can understand her desire to be an ageless woman. The image of a cosmetics queen is one of eternal youth and beauty. Her fellow Cosmetic Queen Mary Kay Ash also did a little dance around her true age with her memoirs.

For the Estee Lauder devotee or even a student of fashion and cosmetics "Estee: A Success Story" is a must read.