Founded when a young woman by the name of Merle Norman first opened up shop in Santa Monica, California, in 1931, the beauty company makes and markets skin care products and color cosmetics. Its products (all of which are manufactured in the US) are sold through about 2,000 independently owned and operated retail outlets -- Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios -- in the US and Canada. Many are located in malls. Brand names include Automatic Definitive, Inspirations, Luxiva, Only Natural, and more. The company is owned by chairman Jack Nethercutt, Norman's great-nephew.

Migami (formerly KleenAir Systems) has shifted its focus from cleaning up the air to clearing up blemishes on skin. In 2006 the company acquired the skin care and pharmaceutical business of Innovay in a deal that gave Innovay shareholders a 60% stake in Migami. The firm's new focus involves the sale of skin care products in South Korea and Japan. Migami's former KleenAir business -- developing the company's NOxMaster technology to reduce such pollutants as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons in exhaust emissions from gasoline, diesel, and natural gas engines -- has been transferred to a subsidiary, KleenAir Systems of North America.

Mirato S.p.A. company is a leading Italian manufacturer of personal hygiene products, including deodorants, soaps and shower gels, hair care products, aftershave, makeup, and fragrances. Mirato's many products are sold under various labels, including Intesa, Malizia, and Splend'Or. Mirato, which was founded in 1960, entered the mass market cosmetics business through its purchase of the Clinians brand from Medestea Internazionale in 2001. Its products are sold through a variety of retailers and mass merchandisers, mostly in Italy, but also worldwide. Benefit SpA owns about 55% of Mirato's shares and is seeking to acquire the rest.

Cosmetics maker Mixed Pickles is not attempting to attract those who want a soft, natural look, but is looking for anyone who craves condiments with a crunch. The trendy cosmetics company makes such products as lipgloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, body glitter, hair mascara, and haircolor in vivid shades such as Happy Orange, Shocking Pink, Bloody Mary, Fire Red, Gold Star, and Green Fever. Its products target younger women and are sold through retailers in several countries and through the company's Web site. Austrian Karina LaRossa founded the company, first selling semi-permanent haircolor.

Fortunately for its consumers, "MOP" is merely an acronym for the corporation and not an adjective describing its end users' hairstyles. Modern Organic Products (familiarly known as "MOP") makes organic hair care and skin care products that are sold by professional salons and specialty retailers nationwide. Brands include MOP, c-system, and glisten. It also makes American Crew- and d:fi-branded products and sells them through their own Web sites, as well as through haircare professionals. The company supports development of its products without testing on animals.

Multi-Pack LLC company is a third-party contract manufacturer of disposable cleaning products, such as wet wipes. It offers a variety of packaging, such as individual packs and a variety of coreless canisters. Multi-Pack also offers product development, testing, and formulation services. The company, founded in 1999, was acquired by Span Packaging Services, a subsidiary of Cloud Packaging Solutions LLC, in late 2005. The deal gave Cloud a deeper offering in towelette and wipe technology and, for Multi-Pack, deeper pockets for investing in future growth.

Murad, Inc. company was founded in 1989 by CEO Dr. Howard Murad. Murad wants you to love the skin you're in. As a skin care products manufacturer, the company's products portfolio includes cleansers, toners, hydration and skin protection products, supplements, and sunscreens. Murad's products are sold through the company's catalog and Web site, as well as through beauty supply stores (such as Sephora), salons, and spas in some 45 countries. In addition to topical skin applications, Murad launched the concept of "Internal Skincare," or the science of boosting skin health by taking nutritional supplements. It also boasts a Skin Scope, which uses ultraviolet light to indicate skin factors such as sun exposure.

"Since the company began in 1994," says Marianne Bertrand, President and founder of Muttluks Inc. Muttluks makes and distributes booties, and now coats, exclusively for dogs. The boots, which are sold in the US, Canada, and Europe, come in a variety of styles, fabrics, and sizes. Products may be purchased in pet specialty stores and on the company's Web site. Although some observers roll their eyes at the sight, owners who really want to pamper their canine pals can be found at the other end of the leash from a puppy proudly prancing on protected paws.

Natural Health Trends Corp. was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Natural Health Trends Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an international direct selling and e-commerce company. The company sells personal care and wellness products under the NHT Global brand primarily to independent distributor networks. It offers Skindulgence, a skin care system that include nonsurgical facelift, as well as a spa collection for hands, feet, and all-over body; Alura, an intimacy enhancing cream for women; Premium Noni Juice, a reconstituted morinda citrifolia fruit juice; La Vie, an energy-boosting dietary supplement; Triotein, a lactose-free whey protein powder that provides amino acid substrates; Cluster Concentrate, a product for increased cell hydration; and TriFusion Max, a beverage with a blend of exotic fruits and berries. The company has operations in North America, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Slovenia.

Naturopatch of Vermont takes a natural path to promote wellness. The company manufactures and markets nonprescription aromatherapy patches containing essential oils. The patches contain herbal ingredients, such as cayenne, rosemary, lemon grass, and ginger, and are used to soothe tired muscles, reduce stress, and ease cold symptoms. Its line is sold in pharmacies, spas, and specialty stores throughout the US, as well as online through the company's Web site and through online beauty retailers the likes of Beautorium.com.

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