Estée Lauder is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, we’re honoring the moment via conversations with our Latino employees. Discover their thoughts on culture, beauty and the significance of this year’s theme, “The Beauty of la Familia”.
Hugo
Share with us a bit about your cultural background—what is the one thing you always carry with pride?
I was born in Peru and moved to the US when I was a child. Growing up, I was always surrounded by my mother and sisters in the kitchen, and we ran a small café in Lima. After immigrating to the US, my mother insisted that we continue cooking our food to honor our culinary heritage. It was the direct link to our motherland. I am incredibly proud of our gastronomy and the global recognition that Peruvian cooking has garnered in recent years.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally? How will you honor and celebrate it?
Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating mis raíces (my roots) which are Indigenous, African and European. It means celebrating that mixture of cultures, traditions and history that make up my DNA. I honor my ancestors by celebrating that rich and complex history by continuing our cultural traditions and passing that knowledge to the next generation in my family. Recently, I’ve started learning Quechua, the indigenous language of my mother, to honor that part of my heritage.
Tell us about the role beauty plays in your life. Does your background influence your relationship with beauty?
Growing up surrounded by Hispanic women and watching how they would use makeup to empower themselves as they went out into the world left an indelible mark in my life. My mother also came from a small rural community, and I grew up learning about the plants and herbs that are used for healing and medicinal purposes. Therefore, I see beauty holistically, both having the power to transform and enhance our appearance, as well as helping us heal and recharge our bodies.
What advice would you give to other employees who may be seeking to grow their careers within the beauty industry?
My advice is to explore the many functions within the beauty industry and to ask a lot of questions. Set up coffee chats with people that are working in those areas that might interest you. Keep an open mind and heart, as you never know where your journey will lead you in this industry.
What does ‘la Familia’ mean to you?
Familia represents to me the people that know and accept me as I am, and that share a bond that is beyond blood. These are the people that keep me in check and humble but are also there to celebrate the good times and support me during trying times.
Fabiola
Share with us a bit about your cultural background—what is the one thing you always carry with pride?
I was born in Mexico City, and I grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. So, when people ask me about my background, I always say, “I’m from where Mariachi and Tequila are from!” You can’t go wrong with that. I feel proud about the richness of the mixed culture that emerged in Mexico through the mix of Spain and the indigenous peoples.
I have immense pride in my language, the rich Mexican gastronomy, our beautiful landscape and the kindness and natural happiness of my people.
I’ve lived in different countries around the world, like The Netherlands and here in the US. When I mention that I’m from Mexico, it triggers curiosity in people about what life is like there. They’re interested in getting to know more about the culture and of course, which places to visit! This brings out great pride when I speak to people about my culture and home country.
I love to listen all kinds of music in Spanish, from Mariachi to the hottest hits of “Pop en Español”. There is an iconic Mexican Mariachi song called “El son de la Negra.” It’s like an anthem to us, and every time I listen to it, especially when I’m far from my country, I feel goosebumps.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally? How will you honor and celebrate it?
For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated all year round. Being able to share my Latina point of view at work on a regular basis and sharing relevant insights for connecting with the largest and fastest growing ethnicity of the US population is very important and exciting.
During this month, I will honor and celebrate my heritage by enjoying various musical and cultural events while trying to discover great new Latin American restaurants and shops throughout NYC.
Tell us about the role beauty plays in your life. Does your background influence your relationship with beauty?
I love the representation of Mestiza, a woman of mixed race, with European and Indigenous American roots. She displays amazing natural beauty while representing various cultures. In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, the concept of the mestizo became central to the formation of a new independent identity that was neither wholly Spanish nor wholly indigenous.
This new mixed race brings up a very rich and interesting facial features, skin colors and needs. In my case, I’m proud of representing a mixed race from my family that has Spanish and Mexican roots. My background has influenced my relationship to beauty starting with my mom and her priority of taking good care of her skin. She tells me all the time, “You can always buy a new dress, but cannot suddenly buy new skin. So, take care of it.”
What advice would you give to other employees who may be seeking to grow their careers within the beauty industry?
Being authentic to who you are and to your values and not being afraid of sharing your personal and professional background. The result of diverse points of view makes a more enriching and productive working environment, and creative individuals and teams.
What does ‘la Familia’ mean to you?
Familia for me is everything. It has a very high standard, which pertains to the people I love the most. That includes, of course, my own family, my partner, my close friends and my career mentors. It’s my circle of trust and support, personally and professionally, that I think we all need to keep on successfully navigating throughout our life’s journey.
Marlene
Share with us a bit about your cultural background—what is the one thing you always carry with pride?
My family is from the Dominican Republic—specifically a small town called Jarabacoa. My parents moved to New York just before I was born and brought with them a strong work ethic and strong values, both of which they passed on to me. I’ve found our sense of family and closeness a central value in my life. I’ve had the privilege of being raised bilingual since early childhood. I carry with pride my cultural upbringing, the food, the values, the language and the general optimism with which I was raised. I’ve always been taught to be proud of who I am and our humble beginnings.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally? How will you honor and celebrate it?
As a Latina woman, I understand the importance of representation. I had the honor of leading the incredible marketing team for Estée Lauder in LATAM for several years. I was able to bring my whole self to work daily and I was able to celebrate every culture within the region daily. During Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m reminded of how rich our culture is and how diverse we are. Whether we’re part of the diaspora or within the countries themselves, there are so many shared values, all of which are dear to me.
Considering that my identity is tied so closely to my culture, Hispanic Heritage Month is so important to me. I will celebrate through attending events and continuing to support Hispanic businesses, champion our causes and primarily, by living our shared values. But between us, I celebrate Hispanic culture and values every chance I get. I just love that we can celebrate our rich culture during this month as an ELC community.
Tell us about the role beauty plays in your life. Does your background influence your relationship with beauty?
Beauty has been important to me from early childhood. I would see my mother applying her favorite lipstick or her favorite perfume, even if it was just to pop out to the grocery store. She took so much pride in caring for herself and her family. In the fact that, taking care of yourself was a central value. It’s about the beauty of investing in yourself.
I’m so proud that our organization provides products that help people show up as their true self, with confidence.
What advice would you give to other employees who may be seeking to grow their careers within the beauty industry?
I think this goes back to my parents. I’m so inspired by their commitment to us as a family. They uprooted their lives and started over in a new country, to do the best for their children and in the process, making all the sacrifices needed to support our success. There are a few great lessons that my mother shared with me growing up: Be willing to sacrifice for the things you want (and believe in), consider your plan and move with confidence, treat others as equals and work hard. These lessons have been the most meaningful key to my success. I love to pass those on to others looking to succeed personally and professionally, in any field.
What does ‘la Familia’ mean to you?
Family and community are central to my values. Growing up, family events were (and still are) large affairs, where even members of the community are treated like family. My family is not just the one I was born into but the friends and mentors who support my goals and my growth.
The saying that “it takes a village” doesn’t just apply to raising children, but also to achieving your potential. Family challenges you to bring your best, to be your best and to show up for yourself and others. I’m proud of the family that raised me and the “family” that continues to nurture my growth as a person. I’m proud of my professional achievements and where I am in my career. It represents the hard work that came behind that and the upbringing from my family. It also pays homage to all my friends and mentors who believe(d) in me.