BeautyBank, a Division of the Estée Lauder Companies, Announces Spokesperson for its New Brand, American Beauty

NEW YORK, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BeautyBank, a division of the Estée Lauder Companies, unveiled actress Ashley Judd today as the personality representing their new skincare and cosmetics brand, American Beauty. The agreement establishes Judd as the spokesperson for the line, slated for a national launch in October 2004.

"Ashley Judd embodies all of the qualities that define our new brand American Beauty and we're thrilled to be working with her," stated William Lauder, Chief Operating Officer of The Estée Lauder Companies. "Ms. Judd is glamorous, elegant, intelligent while being warm and accessible and we're confident that women will connect with her."

The American Beauty line will debut in October 2004 at select Kohl's department stores across the country and a complete rollout is slated for fall 2005.

BeautyBank Inc. is a subsidiary of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL). This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words like "will" or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the companies' actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to competition in the beauty and retailing industries and the success of the launch.

For information on American Beauty, visit http://www.americanbeautycosmetics.com.

SOURCE Estée Lauder Companies -0- 06/23/2004 /CONTACT: Kathleen Pierce of BeautyBank PR, +1-212-284-2622, or kapierce@beautybankinc.com / /Web site: http://www.americanbeautycosmetics.com / (EL)