Estée Lauder's life serves as a valuable lesson to all of us: If you have a vision and see it through, you're destined for success. Born Josephine Esther Mentzer in Queens, New York, the entrepreneur got her start helping her chemist uncle sell face creams and fragrances. Lauder went on to market her own "jars of hope," and years later, she founded an eponymous cosmetics company with her husband, Joseph Lauder.
Lauder's strong ambition, captivating ad campaigns and belief that every woman could be beautiful are what attracted so many consumers to her iconic products. And this passion has been passed on to her granddaughter Aerin Lauder, who has made a name for herself at the makeup counter with her own beauty line.
In celebration of what would have been Estée Lauder's 107th birthday today (July 1), we've chosen six of the late cosmetics legend's best quotes. These words of wisdom represent the building blocks of a beauty empire that's stood strong for over 60 years.
"If you don't sell, it's not the product that's wrong, it's you."
"Touch a face. Touch a hand. Say, 'This is for you, this is what I want you to wear.'"
"When you stop talking, you've lost your customer. When you turn your back, you've lost her."
"Look for a sweet person. Forget rich."
"I didn't get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it."
"If you put the product into the customer's hands, it will speak for itself if it's something of quality." Estée Lauder had impeccable fashion sense, too:
Estée Lauder's Style
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