Wella brushes off much of its competition. One of the world's leading haircare companies, it sells professional and retail haircare products, cosmetics, and fragrances. Its Wella brand is its top seller; hair coloring products (Koleston, Wella Viva) are also leaders. Its Tondeo unit supplies professional products and appliances to salons. Wella's fragrances include Alfred Dunhill, Anna Sui, and Gucci, among others. Reluctantly for Wella at the time, Procter & Gamble acquired a majority stake in the firm in 2003 from four families (Ebert, Pohl, Sander, and Stroeher) that owned some 80% of Wella. Through a Domination Agreement transaction, P&G in November 2007 acquired the rest of its outstanding shares.

Kao Brands Company, a subsidiary of Japan's Kao Corporation, was established in 1882 as a maker of coconut oil soap. The company, pronounced "cow," now formulates and manufactures a wide range of personal care products for men and women. Its brand names include Jergens, Cur�l, Bior�, John Frieda, Guhl, and Ban. Kao Brands' Jergens body wash became popular when liquid soap hit the market. Kao Brands, which sells its products in more than 50 countries, was bought by the American Brands Company in 1970 and the Kao Corporation in 1988.

The Factor brothers are confident you won't smash your makeup box if it contains their lineup of cosmetics. In addition to its makeup for the lips, eyes, and face, Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics offers makeup brushes, pencils and sharpeners, stylist bags, makeup removers, cleansers, and moisturizers. The company's products are sold in stores the likes of Ulta, Sephora, and Nordstrom, primarily in the US but also in Canada. The company boasts cruelty-free products and recyclable packaging. Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics came into existence in 1997 when brothers David and Dean Factor (great-grandsons of legendary makeup artist Max Factor) became fed up with the quality of cosmetics made for photographic use.

Lion was established in 1891 and has adopted the slogan: From Good Morning to Good Night, More Dreams for Your Life. Lion takes pride in its top ranking among Japanese toothpaste and toothbrush manufacturers. Brands include Clinica, Dentor, and Dent. Besides oral care products, the company makes and sells laundry detergent, bleach, cleaners, shampoo, deodorant, and beauty products in several countries. Household products account for about half of sales, but Lion also operates food, chemical, and pharmaceutical divisions. The company has strengthened its competitiveness by introducing new products, such as a teeth-whitening toothpaste, medicated cleansing pads, and a men's deodorant.

The business was founded in 1923 by G.E. Sellstrom and his wife, Ellen, as Excell Sales Company. Sellstrom Manufacturing Company provides protective wear and related products to do-it-yourselfers, as well as corporations, schools, and hospitals. Sellstrom's product line includes eye, face, knee, and head protection (goggles, face shields, knee pads, and hard hats), welding protection (filters and helmets), fall protection (harnesses, lanyards, and lifeline systems) and emergency eye washers and showers.

Chairman and CEO Jose Quant founded the firm in the 1970s. Paris Blues hopes that Neil Diamond can transcend the age gap and make "forever in blue jeans" big with today's teen girls. The company makes denimwear (including jeans, shorts, jackets, dresses, and miniskirts), primarily targeted at the juniors market. Its jeans, which have traditionally retailed at moderate prices, come in a wide variety of denim fabrications, tints, and washes. Paris Blues also makes non-denim items, such as its Zebra-print capri pant. The firm licenses its name for knitwear, footwear, outerwear, and other items. Paris Blues' apparel is sold through major US department stores (Kohl's, Macy's, Nordstrom) and specialty retailers.

Blyth, Inc. was founded in 1977. Blyth prefers to light up the party with one of its wicked products. As the largest candle maker in the US, Blyth sells its scented and unscented candles under the Colonial Candle, PartyLite, Ambria Table Lighting, and Seasons of Cannon Falls names, among others. Its portfolio also extends beyond the candle business with Sterno butane products and lighting, Two Sisters Gourmet sauces and condiments, and ViSalus nutritional supplements, as well as a variety of catalog and online businesses that market household goods and gifts. Blyth's products are sold through home parties and retailers worldwide. It also supplies institutional customers, such as restaurants and hotels.

Takasago International (U.S.A.) hopes to leave you smelling like a rose. The company develops a variety of flavors and extracts that are used in beverages, candies, mints, perfumes, and colognes. Takasago's product line also includes fine chemicals and aroma chemicals. In late 2008 the firm acquired New Jersey-based Wessel Fragrances in a bid to gain access to Wessel's customers in the household and personal care products markets. The company is the US subsidiary of Tokyo-based Takasago International, a leading fragrance supplier in the Asia-Pacific region, that was established in 1920.

Ergoresearch develops and produces custom-made foot and seat orthotics, as well as foot insoles and cushions, in its certified laboratory. Ergoresearch also employs health specialists who act as on-site orthotic consultants. The Canada-based company was founded in 1990. In 2008 the firm acquired Orthoconcept Quebec, a maker of orthotic and prosthetic devices. In 2005 it bought Clinique du Pied Equilibre, aka Equilibre, a specialized medical-grade foot orthotics manufacturer. President and CEO Sylvain Boucher and his family own nearly 45% of the company.

Sexy Hair wants to take sexy from concept to reality. Named Sexy Hair Concepts, the company makes and distributes hair care products for sale in more than 60,000 US professional hair salons. Products include Fresh Concepts, its Sexy Hair line, Sex Symbol Aero Tan (self-tanning spray), and Formulas by Ecoly. The company in mid-2006 enlisted the help of American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee to serve as the face of the company in ads and promotional materials through 2007. Sexy Hair Concepts distributes its products in the US and internationally -- in more then 25 countries. Formerly named Formulas by Ecoly and founded by Michael O'Rourke, Sexy Hair Concepts hired Jim Morrison as its CEO in March 2006.

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