Estee Lauder Rumored to Be Buying Butter London

Rumors are flying around the industry that Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. is in early talks to acquire the indie cosmetics brand Butter London. Butter was founded in 2005 as a nail enamel line by British entrepreneur Sasha Muir and manicurist Nonie Creme, and has since expanded into a range of lip, eye and cheek color. The new line launched at Ulta in August and on butterlondon.com. Earlier this year, Leslie Freytag, Butter London's chief executive officer, claimed it to be the number-two brand in the prestige nail color category, right after Chanel.

Lauder declined to comment. Meanwhile at Butter London, Freytag said, "With small companies like ours, there always seems to be rumors. At this point, we don't have any comment."

About Butter London:

Synonymous with all things rock and roll, Great Britain and fashion, beauty brand butter LONDON (butterlondon.com) is recognized around the world for superb, unexpected colour and long-lasting, high-performing products. Famed for being among the first to formulate lacquers without the 'big 3' and creating exceptional colours each season alongside the world's top fashion designers, butter LONDON is the "go-to" brand for high-fashion beauty.

The butter LONDON product line includes nail lacquers, hand and nail treatments, lip products and a pedicure collection by way of high-quality formulas that are fashion-forward and created for the catwalk.

butter LONDON has been a backstage fixture at Fashion Week since the beginning. We have longstanding relationships with designers who love butter LONDON for the authenticity of the experience. Our specially trained team of manicurists and the designers sit together, discuss the designer's muse, look at the collection, and arrive at a bespoke colour just for them. Nails are a fashion accessory and can have a huge impact on an outfit, so getting them right is crucial. It's a unique process, and ensures that the designers have creative input and control over their catwalk beauty look, which is incredibly important.

butter LONDON's fashionable friends include designers like ALTUZARRA, Erdem, Preen, Nicole Miller, Rachel Roy, and many more. butter LONDON is honoured and delighted to be a part of their world, and they help to ensure that butter LONDON customers receive genuine, high fashion colours.