Complain about a product or service

Estee Lauder - Women of Color

Estee Lauder • Allergic reactions • Pricing • Women of color

Paula of Droitwich, Worcestershire, UK (1/15/04):
It has taken me many year of making expensive mistakes with foundation before finding one that was the right colour. I began wearing it at age 20 - I'm now 40. I must have spent hundreds if not thousands of pounds on foundations that would get used once and "filed" because in the shop they looked the right colour but once I got them home and looked at my face in natural daylight, they were always too pink toned. I have yellow toned skin and what a great day it was when I found Estee Lauder's double wear in bone. But, no sooner found than discontinued. I am distraught. I have made yet more expensive mistakes as I cannot find anything like this colour in any other brand. Why oh why do companies do this? The rep told me it was one of her most popular colour too.

Nancy of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, writes:
My concern regards the discontinuation of products for women of color. I am 35 years old and only started wearing make-up 3 years ago. After some experiementation I found Estee Lauder's Spice-10 Double wear foundation. It is the perfect color... I went through the clay (redish) look, the muddy look and the plain horrible look of make-up from other companies and was relieved to finally find this product. It lifted my face.

In the Virgin Islands this specific product had been difficult to get because of the high demand. Yesterday I met my Estee Lauder rep in traffic and she tells me that that color has been discontinued! Why would they do such a thing and not bring a replacement?

I have gone as far as going to other islands to purchase the product but now they don't have any either. Is this an intentional determination on the part of corporate to move away from product for women of color? Today I am without make up ... the professional look that is required as a business woman is not as easy to achieve.

Jill of Cockeysville MD (9/21/02):
I had an experince that was quite similar to that of the young lady who was disheartened because this company discontinues high demand products for women of color. I too was new to the world of make-up and was quite satisfied with the products offered by Estee Lauder Deep Intensity concealer and Cool Toffee foundation. Imagine my surprise when the product that is usually sold out out my local retailer had instead "run out" of reserves because the products were no longer being produced.

I emailed the company directly, and the offered to mail me a limited suppy of the discontinued product for retail price (as long as I had a credit card and called during business hours). There was no convenient method and there was no information on what i would do when I exhaused the three products I was allowed.

Dana of North Huntingdon PA (4/26/02):
I like many other women of color have a difficult time finding makeup that compliments my complexion. Estee Lauder had a minute makeup called suede and it was the perfect foundation that matched my skin. After searching and searching I've come to find out that they discontinued this product. I just would like the company to know that women of color buy your products and I find it totally ridiculous that once we start getting used to a certain type of cosmetic you discontinue selling it.

Carolyn of Los Angeles (7/29/01):
I have been wearing Estee Lauder, warm chestnut for over 2 years. I switched to their product because it lasted longer, and the color matched my skin perfectly. Several times I have gone to purchase this color and was told by the salesperson that they are sold out or when they get the color in they only receive 4-5. I personally know 4 women who wear this color so if they went in together they would buy up the available stock. I don't feel that Estee Lauder is looking out for women of color. They don't have a replacement for this color.

I tried another dark color but it looks chalky on my face. I can not believe that they are discontinuing a very popular shade. I personally have driven to more than 3 stores in my area trying to get this color on more than 1 occasion. They offer so many products but not many that women of color can wear (except the perfume). Why would they take away the only color that we can wear?

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