<PAGE>
POWER-OF-ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Leonard A. Lauder, Fred H. Langhammer, Robert J. Bigler
and Paul E. Konney, and each of them, such person's true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and revocation,
for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2000 of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. and any and all amendments thereto,
and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and the other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and things requisite and necessary to be done,
as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Leonard A. Lauder Chairman of the Board September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
Leonard A. Lauder
/s/ Ronald S. Lauder Director September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
Ronald S. Lauder
/s/ William P. Lauder Director September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
William P. Lauder
/s/ Fred H. Langhammer Chief Executive Officer September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------ and Director
Fred H. Langhammer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Richard D. Parsons Director September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
Richard D. Parsons
/s/ Marshall Rose Director September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
Marshall Rose
/s/ P. Roy Vagelos Director September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
P. Roy Vagelos
/s/ Faye Wattleton Director September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------
Faye Wattleton
/s/ Robert J. Bigler Senior Vice President September 18, 2000
------------------------------------------ and Chief Financial
Robert J. Bigler Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>
