14. Mary Kay
Dallas, TX
www.marykay.com
Beauty Sales: $2.4 billion

Key Personnel: David Holl, president and chief executive officer; Darrell Overcash, president, Mary Kay U.S.; Terry Smith, chief financial officer; Rhonda Shasteen, chief marketing officer; Dr. Beth Lange, chief scientific officer; Melinda Foster Sellers, chief people officer; Nathan Moore, chief legal officer.

Products/Brands:  TimeWise Miracle Set, Satin Hands Pampering Set, MKMen Skin Care Collection, Velocity Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer, Sun Care Collection.

New Products: Compact Pro, Mineral Powder Foundation, Mineral Powder Products, Body Care Collection, MKMen Body Spray and four new eau de toilette fragrances for women.

Comments: Mary Kay, one of the world’s leading direct sellers of color cosmetics, skin care and fragrance, celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, on the heels of 2007 sales of $2.4 billion, up from $2.25 billion in 2006. The Mary Kay sales force now reaches more than 35 markets through 1.8 million independent beauty consultants. The product lineup includes more than 200 items in facial skin care, color cosmetics, body care, sun protection and fragrance.
  

Mary Kay's new line of mineral powder products. It replaces all previous MK compacts and features a customizable refill system that is eco-friendly.

At the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008, Mary Kay celebrated what it calls “the most important product introduction in the company’s history” with the Mary Kay Compact and
a whole new line of mineral powder products.  It replaces all previous company compacts and offers women the convenience of customization, as well as an innovative refill system that is
eco-friendly.
  
Abroad, Mary Kay entered India in September—exactly 44 years after Mary Kay Ash opened her company in the U.S. After receiving a positive response from the Indian market, Mary Kay announced the launch of its PureWhite range, designed specially for Indian skin type. Now, Mary Kay is the cosmetics partner of Miss India Worldwide Pageant 2008, held in New Delhi.
  
The new MK compact has propelled the company into what looks to be a healthy 2008, and spotlights Mary Kay’s new slogan of “Pink Doing Green.” In another beneficent cause, this past May, Mary Kay introduced a first-of-its kind Mary Kay global campaign to enrich lives. During the Beauty that Counts promotion through the end of December, Mary Kay will donate 100% of its profits of the sale of Mary Kay Crème Lipstick in Apple Berry to change the lives of women and children around the world.  In July, Mary Kay launched a new virtual makeover on marykay.com, which allows a woman to upload a picture of her own face for a state-of-the art, personalized makeover.   This fall, Mary Kay introduces four new Mary Kay eau de toilette fragrances.