WWD: Keeping Up with the Changing Landscape of Beauty
I decided to renew my subscription to Women’s Wear Daily. They were running a special, and honestly, I missed being in the know about the beauty and glam industry. WWD is one of those subscriptions that’s totally worth it. You’ll find stories there that you just don’t see anywhere else—true insider stuff when it comes to all things glamorous.
Today, I came across some really intriguing updates: two major executives are leaving two big-name brands. And I can’t help but wonder—what’s behind the shake-up? Is it because we’ve finally got some sanity back in America since November 5, 2024? Is it just a coincidence? Or maybe it means absolutely nothing at all.
Estee Lauder
First, we have Peter Jueptner leaving Estee Lauder.
Peter Jueptner, Estée Lauder Group President, International, is Leaving the Company https://t.co/eh3sa7Yakj
— WWD (@wwd) January 24, 2025
From 2014 to 2017, I worked for Estée Lauder in retail, specifically for the Jo Malone London brand—and I absolutely loved it. If I didn’t already have a solid job, I’d seriously consider going back, though this time I’d love to work for the makeup line. Then again, I might be getting a little too old for the makeup counter life.
I mention all of this to say: yes, I worked directly for Estée Lauder at one point, and it was a fantastic company to be part of. But pay attention to those dates—2014 to 2017. A lot has changed since then. I even had the chance to meet one of the Lauders when they toured our Jo Malone London store, which says a lot about how hands-on they were at the time.
Changes
Since those days, the company has been through a ton of changes—restructuring, shakeups, and the inevitable realignments that come with being a massive corporation. And, of course, the pandemic only added to the upheaval. I recently bumped into a former coworker, and she shared that her position had been completely cut. It’s a reminder of just how much has shifted in the industry since I was there.
During my time at Estée Lauder, the beauty industry was evolving, but some of the more polarizing debates we see today weren’t as prominent. For example, the current discussions around gender identity and its implications in various spaces—beauty included—have certainly stirred up strong opinions.
Now, men wearing makeup is nothing new. It didn’t bother me then, and it doesn’t bother me now. The beauty industry has always had space for men, especially talented male makeup artists and hairstylists—many of whom have been trailblazers in their fields. That’s fine with me.
What I find challenging is the broader cultural shift where some conversations feel more like demands to redefine foundational concepts like gender. While I support inclusivity and respect for everyone, I also believe it’s okay to hold personal perspectives on these complex issues.
So since the election and we are shifting back to normalcy, it makes me wonder if these beauty execs are stepping down for that reason or just something else altogether. Who knows.
“In the face of considerable headwinds, Peter began the crucial transformation of the global commercial organization that continues today, as we evolve into a more agile organization able to respond with focus and precision to consumer needs across geographies and channels,” the company said. “Throughout his career with the company, Peter has been deeply committed to fostering talent and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusivity and equity… An energetic and inspiring leader, Peter’s team-building abilities and close partnerships with executives across the enterprise have fueled the success of the company’s international business.” – WWD
Ulta
Another top executive on their way out is from Ulta. Remember them? They were behind the whole Dylan Mulvaney “100 Days of Girlhood” campaign that caused quite a stir. When I first heard about it, I honestly thought it had to be a joke—but no, it was very real.
I later found out that Mulvaney was even promoting this on a podcast owned by Ulta. Interestingly, I just learned that the podcast hasn’t released any new episodes since June 2023. Makes you wonder what happened there, doesn’t it?
After the surprise stepping down of then-chief executive officer Dave Kimbell — and ensuing elevation of president and chief operating officer Kecia Steelman to the top job — the largest beauty retailer in the U.S. has parted ways with its chief marketing officer, Michelle Crossan-Matos, who held the role since 2023. – WWD
Maybe the beauty industry is starting to get the message about all this DEI-woke nonsense—but let’s be honest, we’re unlikely to see any real change. We’ll still be buying our favorite lip stains, glosses, bronzers, and highlighters regardless.
As for boycotts, I typically don’t support them for two reasons:
- I don’t believe they drive significant, lasting change.
- If you were truly committed to boycotting every company you disagreed with, you’d probably never be able to buy anything again.
That said, I’ll admit I made an exception in 2023. After learning about Dylan Mulvaney’s involvement with Ulta, I cut up my Ulta charge card and haven’t shopped there since.
I really should set up my referral page on Amazon for all the makeup and beauty products I shop for there—it’s long overdue! Speaking of which, have you heard about the story of Michelle Mack? I just came across it today, and it’s wild. I’ll be writing something up on it very soon, so stay tuned!
Feature Image: Created in Canva Pro
