From its humble beginnings in a Parisian laboratory to its global presence today, L'Oréal has continually revolutionized the beauty industry, setting new standards for quality, sustainability, and inclusivity. Let’s explore the world’s biggest beauty company, its history, mission, and impact—L'Oréal.
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The history of L'Oréal dates back to the early 20th century when French women were hesitant to dye their hair due to the toxic nature of the dyes; Eugène Schueller, the founder of L'Oréal saw an opportunity and decided to venture out on his own.
The history of L'Oréal traces back to the early 20th century, a time when French women were hesitant to dye their hair due to the toxic nature of available dyes. Seizing an opportunity, Eugène Schueller, the founder of L'Oréal, decided to venture out on his own. Eugène began his experiments with hair dyes in a rented laboratory in Paris, laying the foundation for what would become one of the giants in the beauty industry—L'Oréal. With its strong commitment to technological advancement, research innovation, and delivering high-quality products, L'Oréal has evolved into a top-choice brand with beauty products catering to people of all ages and ethnicities.
There are many variations about the name L'Oréal and how it started. Some said it originated from L'Auréale, Eugène's first hair dye, while others believed it was named after the gold and warm shades that the French women wanted for their hair back then. There's also speculation that the name was derived from the Greek word "ωραίος"/oreos/, which translates to 'beauty'. In 1939, L'Oréal became the official name of the company, coinciding with its headquarters establishment at 14 Rue Royale, Paris that year.
For over 110 years, the company has devoted itself solely to one business: creating beauty, from their first hair dye in 1909 to today's cutting-edge beauty tech products and services.
"Beauty is our DNA. Our mission is to offer each and every individual on this planet the best beauty solution in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, and responsibility."—L'Oréal Malaysia.
Nowadays, L'Oréal, with its presence in 150 countries, creates 37 brands to provide solutions to everyone: for all skin and hair types, all genders, all identities, all cultures, and all ages. "We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are the driving forces behind innovation, inspiration, and ambition, which enable us to create beauty that moves the world," said Indra—Young Talent Manager at L'Oréal Malaysia. L'Oréal provides a range of products and services, in categories such as makeup, skincare, hair care, hair dyes, and fragrances.
Founded in 1995, L'Oréal Malaysia is based in Kuala Lumpur with a dedicated team of individuals who share the same "can do" spirit. The team has successfully promoted 14 brands owned by L'Oréal, offering the most technologically advanced products in every beauty category. These products are made available through mass-market channels, department stores, and salons.
Entering a diverse country like Malaysia, the company keeps diversity, equity, and inclusion at its heart with long-term philanthropic initiatives, including "For Women In Science," "Beauty For A Better Life," "Citizen Day," and "Women in Business."
Not to mention, L'Oréal Malaysia is committed to minimizing the impact of its activities on the planet and creating a positive socio-economic impact on the people and communities in Malaysia.
L'Oréal Malaysia now has more than 800 employees and workers and is like a start-up driven by passionate individuals with the "Malaysia Boleh" spirit. The company has been recognized and awarded for its products, marketing campaigns, and corporate social responsibility efforts.
L'Oréal Malaysia has recently become a cluster with Singapore and is now known as L'Oréal MYSG since 2020. It is one of the markets with four complete divisions and 17 brands. In addition, the Malaysia branch is home to BEST, a shared service finance team that manages finance across Asia and the Middle East region.
Friendly, full of fun, diversity, and inclusion are what people often mention when being asked about their life at L'Oréal Malaysia. The company values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment where employees from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives can thrive. They believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation.
L'Oréal offices often feature open-plan layouts and collaborative spaces to encourage teamwork and communication among employees. These spaces are designed to facilitate idea-sharing and foster a sense of community.
"Employee well-being is a priority for L'Oréal," said Indra, Young Talent Manager at L'Oréal Malaysia. "We have a dedicated week for wellness where we support our employees' physical and mental well-being with engaging and fun activities."
L'Oréal encourages employees to think outside the box and fosters a culture of innovation and creativity. They also have dedicated spaces or initiatives that promote brainstorming, experimentation, and the development of new ideas.
To help employees enhance their skills and reach their full potential, L'Oréal invests in their learning and development. They offer training programs, workshops, and opportunities for career growth.
In the Consumer Products Division, L'Oréal's mission is to democratize the best of beauty, meaning making it accessible to everyone while advocating sustainability.
The division adapts to emerging trends to develop relevant and sustainable beauty products and experiences with a diverse portfolio of brands, including L'Oréal Paris—the world's no.1 beauty brand, Maybelline New York—the no.1 makeup brand, and Garnier—the no.1 natural brand.
The Professional Products Division has been a cornerstone of L'Oréal's mission to support hairdressers and foster sustainable growth in the hair industry for over 110 years.
The department prioritizes collaboration with hairdressers and aims to forge strong connections between its brands, professionals, and consumers worldwide. With a commitment to innovation and a focus on customer-centricity, the Professional Products Division delivers safe and sustainable hair care products and services.
L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty is dedicated to providing life-changing and sustainable dermatological solutions globally. As the world leader in dermocosmetics, the division's international skincare brands are highly recommended by healthcare professionals and are available in healthcare outlets worldwide, including pharmacies, drugstores, medi-spas, and e-retailers.
The L'Oréal Luxury division offers unparalleled luxury beauty experiences through its star products, strong, long-lasting pillars, enhanced services, and exceptional customer experiences. Some of the well-known brands include YSL, Lancôme, and Kiehl’s which operate in various online & offline channels
The CORPORATE department encompasses essential support functions such as HR, IT, Legal, CDMO, Operations, and Finance, ensuring the smooth operation and growth of L'Oréal as a whole.
BEST serves as L'Oréal's financial arm, specializing in shared services across three finance domains: accounting, treasury, and controlling. Established in 2022, BEST caters to two regions (SAPMENA + NORTH ASIA) across over 19 L'Oréal markets, focusing on standardizing operations to enhance efficiency.
L'Oréal is now seeking talents to join their team, making a great impact and creating the beauty that moves the world. Join L'Oréal's Management Trainee Program for the S2 2024 intake. This 18-month program is meticulously designed for confident, creative, and bright-minded individuals who seek to fast-track their careers into top management roles.
Here are some Management Trainee Program Tracks that are currently open:
The program will last for a duration of 18 months. You will be evaluated every 6 months after every rotation. Your performance and the projects you handle will be evaluated, as well as the competencies and skills that you acquire throughout the program.
Here are the requirements and qualifications:
For more details, please refer here.
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