The handful of groups behind almost every perfume and lipstick on the counter.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 15 November 2026
What does L’Oréal own?
The world’s largest beauty company. Its luxury division includes Lancôme, Kiehl’s, Aesop, Mugler and Azzaro, and it holds the beauty licences for Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Valentino and Maison Margiela. In March 2026 it completed its purchase of Kering Beauté, adding Creed and 50-year licences for Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, with Gucci to follow when Coty’s current licence ends.
And Estée Lauder?
The Estée Lauder Companies own Estée Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford Beauty (the whole Tom Ford brand was bought in 2023, with fashion licensed out) and niche perfume houses Le Labo, Jo Malone London, Frédéric Malle and Kilian.
What about LVMH, Coty and Puig?
LVMH owns Dior, Guerlain, Givenchy Beauty, Benefit, Fresh and Maison Francis Kurkdjian, plus the Sephora stores, and Fenty Beauty was developed with its beauty incubator Kendo. Coty holds licences for Gucci (for now), Burberry, Chloé and Marc Jacobs, and controls Kylie Cosmetics. The Spanish family group Puig owns Rabanne, Carolina Herrera, Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances, Charlotte Tilbury and Byredo. Japan’s Shiseido owns NARS, Clé de Peau and Serge Lutens.
Who is independent?
Chanel, which makes its own perfume and makeup and is still owned by the Wertheimer family, and Hermès, which launched Hermès Beauty in 2020. Fashion houses that license their names keep design approval but the beauty company does the rest; read why fashion houses sell lipstick.
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