Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc., a direct selling company, was founded by Mary Kay Ash on September 13, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Mary Kay Cosmetics is the second largest direct seller of beauty products, behind Avon. They carry a line of more than 200 products, including facial skin care, cosmetics, fragrances, nutritional supplements, sun protection products, and hair, nail, body care, and men's skin care items. In 1997, their estimated wholesale sales were above $1 billion, which translated to well over $2 billion at the retail level and a 5% increase over the previous year.

Mary Kay Cosmetics sells a range of beauty products through approximately half-a-million independent salespeople worldwide, known as "beauty consultants." These beauty consultants sell their products directly to consumers, often using Mary Kay Cosmetics parties to peddle their goods. Mary Kay Ash and her family own most of the company, though founder Ash stepped aside as chairman of...