Exhibit 23(a)


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

                    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form S-8 of our
report dated August 10, 2000 included in The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.'s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, and to all
references to our firm included in this registration statement.

                                               /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


New York, New York
November 9, 2000