A few weeks ago, I told you the fabulous story of Estee Lauder… this month, it is the turn of the fabulous mark dermatological clinic (little sister of Estee Lauder) that revolutionized the beauty industry.
“Can we create a beautiful skin?” This is the famous question of the editor-in-Chief of American Vogue, Carol Phillips, asked in 1967.
Carol Phillips wearing the original Clinique Consultants White Coat with the Skin Computer est in 1968 for Estee Lauder Cosmetics found in fine department stores (Click photo to enlarge).
A question that circumnavigated the world in no time and that revolutionized the world of beauty and cosmetics. An issue that especially gave birth to the very famous brand Clinique! And behind the design and the success of the brand is a true team effort, a trio of experts: the know-how of Dr. Norman Orentreich, the determination of the editor in Chief of Vogue USA Carol Phillips and the expertise of the Estee Lauder group.
The origins of Clinique when the curiosity of a Chief Editor joined the knowledge of a famous dermatologist and arrives at the ears of the determined Madam Estée Lauder, the result can be that fabulous and is proudly named Clinique.
The universe of beauty and cosmetics has always piqued the curiosity of Carol Phillips, it is quite natural that she decided to turn to Dr. Norman Orentreich. He is the pioneer of hair implants, transplantation surgery and the first President of the American society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dermatological Clinique guide, it has always been him and to this day, his two children, David and Catherine, who take the notes as consultants dermatologists for the brand.
It is during an interview granted to journalist, in 1967, the famous doctor revealed its most beautiful secrets. These same secrets that fidélisaient it a rich client (the personalities of the world of politics, fashion and show) including the famous ‘clean, exfoliate, moisturize’, the premise of Basic 3 time, either the winning formula to create and maintain beautiful skin. Following this interview, Carol Phillips devoted a full article on these 3 magic words, seducing everyone in its path, time where women prefer to hide their problems of skin rather than the process, including the large Estee Lauder! consultant dermatologists for the brand. For the record, it is Evelyn Lauder, daughter-in-law of Estee (wife of Leonard Lauder) who first read the article of journalist. She was completely fascinated by the words of Carol Phillips and especially by the advice of Dr. Orentreich. Is the idea to make a mark was imminent? May be Yes, may be not.. .but Evelyn wanted at any price that Estée read the article, because she knew that the latter would be interested.
Indeed, Mrs. Lauder was charmed, but not only… This great lady wanted to create, innovate and revolutionize once more, the universe of beauty (after the success of Youth Dew and Re-Nutriv). Thus, the meeting of Carol Phillips, and Dr. Norman Orentreich for Estée Lauder gave life to a prestigious and dermatological brand both: Clinique! A brand 100% without fragrance, hypoallergenic and performing everything simply.
In regards to the name, some say that Estee Lauder, walking in Paris has noticed the facade of a ‘aesthetic clinique’ and therefore borrowed the word ‘Clinique’. While others argue that it is Evelyn Lauder who had found the name in full agreement with the clinical and dermatological brand image and who was the first to wear the famous iconic white coat of the company, after having been designated Director of Training
Where to start? What exactly? This is what the trio attempted to discover! Between the creativity of Carol Phillips, Dr. Orentreich know-how and expertise of Estée Lauder, there were sufficient resources to launch a novelty in the world of cosmetics. Therefore, under the impetus of the Estee Lauder group and the professionalism of the three personalities that the clinic brand emerged in 1968. Everything went very quickly and in August of the same year, the brand unveiled its credo: be and remain true, inform, serve and satisfy.
And to determine the type of skin, the brand dermatologists and researchers have proudly designed the computer of beauty, a precision tool, this only in the premises of the brand. At the time of the consultation, each person-specific criteria are entered. The generated results are based on the genetic and specific criteria. For example, a blonde with blue eyes will be a priori, a more delicate skin than a brunette with dark eyes. In the same context, there are factors such as fatigue, seasons, climate, or medical treatments. Clinic has understood, tailor-made is the winning formula:
In the custom addition concepts of prevention and protection. What does it mean? Simply that each product is tested for allergies and guarantees a 100% fragrance-free formula. Each formula is tested at least 12 times on 600 people, what makes 7200 applications. And any allergic or negative reaction, the formula is returned to the laboratory. One goal: create beautiful skins with proper dermatological care.
The recipe for beautiful skin, here it is! Thanks to the advice of Dr.Orentreich, the Estée Lauder company has succeeded in creating the perfect care: Basic of 3 products: a soap, for a perfect cleaning, a clarifying lotion based on salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin, and finally a moisturizer. Since his arrival on the market, in 1968, this shock trio that meets the Dermatologic formula ‘clean, exfoliate, moisturize’ did not fail to seduce.
Clinique would not have been possible without sons Lauder, Leonard and Ronald. Indeed, just before the creation of the brand, Estée turned to her eldest son, Leonard, to talk to him about his idea to develop hypoallergenic care. Together they collaborated, analysed the beauty market and decided that it was time to offer women the proper care to finally have beautiful skin.
Clinique 3-Steps (Click photo to enlarge).
At the time, President of the brand was Carol Phillips, and in eight months only, the journalist managed to establish a process to ensure that the new brand is spawning a niche in the market. The youngest of Estée, Ronald Lauder was Vice President of the company.
Yet, the startup was not relaxing. Although it aroused the curiosity of others, Clinique failed to meet a great success at its launch. Millions of dollars injected into the company In 1975, the brand denounced a consequent loss of at least $ 3 million. The reasons behind this? People did not yet know the benefits of hypoallergenic products and preferred to conceal rather than to treat. But Carol Phillips, Leonard Lauder and Ronald Lauder believed that Clinicque would become quickly one of the leaders in the world of cosmetics and beauty. It was enough just to help them discover the brand and the benefits of using products without fragrances, hypoallergenic and suitable for their skin.
Three years after this big loss of funds, clinic was able to earn $ 80 million, almost 30% of the revenues of the Estee Lauder company. Great news for the brand which attracted the attention of journalists, more specifically those of the Forbes magazine “the Lauder family will never lowered arms. Instead, they drew the best of these losses and took advantage of it to feed the business”. Like what, with patience and determination, there is always the potential to operate and as stated so well in English, “there’s always room for improvement!”.
Clinique Acne Solutions (Click photo to enlarge).
You have probably noticed that there is never a ‘Muse’ (a -famous- face) at Clinique. The company is based on a credo simple and direct: “the product is the hero!” and has always adopted a ‘different’ marketing…
Between dermatological care, cosmetics and perfumes, clinic will conquered quickly the U.S, French and the British. The make-up, and in particular the fonds de teints, are positioned at the top of the standings with at least 200 colors, 12 fluid forms, 7 presentations 3 textures creams and powders. All, of course, carved on the precision and own clinic dermatological expertise. We remember also that it is the first brand to evoke a mens line, UV filters and antioxidants.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon.2015 edition (Click photo to enlarge)
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, each year Clinique offers a special, limited-edition bottle of its Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. The limited-edition version of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is adorned with a Clinique key ring with four charms including a Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon.
Flying through the time:
1968: Seeing daylight: Clinique, under the direction of the Estee Lauder group, the inspiration of journalist Carol Phillips and the expertise of Dr. Norman Orentreich
1969: Clinic focuses more closely to the international market and expands in France and the United Kingdom, with only the famous 3 time Basic product/kit. Today, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, the third step, is still the company’s top selling moisturiser.
1970: The first Foundation, called Continuous Coverage happens. Concealing defects and a sunscreen, this ‘2 in 1’ continues, even today!
1971: Clinique lifts the veil on her first perfume, Aromatics Elixir, a floral oriental crossing modes
Clinique Aromatics Elixir Luxe for Women Parfum Extract Reserve Edition Prestige 40th Anniversary (Click photo to enlarge).
1976: Care for men finally arrive! Called ‘Skin Supplies For Men’, this line consists of lotions, scrubs, creams… in short. All that it takes for the modern male. Note that it is the first cosmetic range specifically developed for men!
Clinique for Men (Click photo to enlarge).
1978: The company is addressing to the international market. This year underlines its arrival in the Japan, South Africa and the Venezuela
1991: The 1990s were very enriching for the brand. The first Sun care, City Block SPF15, made its appearance. Finally a screen light and especially without chemical filter for everyday use!
Two products from the Clinique Sun Care range. Clinique SPF 30 Face and Body Cream (CLick phot to enlarge).
1991: After a flawless Sun care, clinic decided to test these products in a different way. It was aboard the U.S. shuttle that the mark was conducting tests in weightlessness
1992: Clinique puts the competitive bar even higher, by proposing the first care with salicylic acid, called Turnaround. Regenerated and radiant skin with the first applications, a true revolution in the world of beauty!
2006: When the cosmetic brand joined the dermatological research, the result is quite impressive, where the arrival of the Clinique Skin Wellness Center at Weill Cornell Science in the United States
2007: Clinic innovates once again and offers training in 3 steps, called the “Accredited Program”. It is aimed at advisers and customers who wish to enhance their knowledge
2008: Clinic tackles skin problems. Four launches so that each type of skin can benefit from proper care: Even Better, Anti Blemish, Pore Refining Solutions and Redness Solution
2011: Clinique wins the ‘Prize of the Excellence of Beauty’ offered by Marie-Claire
2013: The brand combines price and takes advantage of Elle International Beauty Awards
2014: The Skin Supplies For Men range Gets a makeover and becomes clinical for Men.
by Jean Amr
Yakymour 
Great story!
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