Mary Kay is a brand of color cosmetics sold by Mary Kay Inc. Mary Kay World Headquarters is located in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas.

Mary Kay Ash (d. Nov. 22, 2001) founded Mary Kay Inc. on Friday, September 13, 1963. Richard Rogers, Mary Kay's son, is chairmain and CEO, and David Holl is president and COO.^[1]

Mary Kay Inc. is one of the largest direct sellers of skin care and color cosmetics in the world. The Mary Kay independent sales force exceeds 1.6 million Independent Beauty Consultants in more than 30 markets worldwide. In 2005, wholesale sales of Mary Kay products exceeded $2.2 billion.^[2] This $2.2 billion figure does not account for products returned by consultants to the company ^{[citation needed] (disputed—see talk page)}. Wholesale sales are made from the company to the independent consultant. Retail sales are then made from the independent consultant to the consumer. As a private company, Mary Kay Inc. does not make all of its financial information available to the public.^[3]

• More than 31,000 women across the world have reached the rank of Independent Sales Director. In the United States, more than 14,000 women have attained this position.^[2]

• Nearly 500 women worldwide have attained the position of Independent National Sales Director, the highest status within the independent sales force.^[2]

• More than 200 Independent National Sales Directors in the United States have earned more than $1 million in commissions.^[2]

• The Mary Kay independent sales force earns commissions based on their individual sales as well as from their team's wholesale purchases.^[4]

• The wholesale price of Mary Kay products is 50% of the suggested retail price.^[5]

• Mary Kay Inc. introduced the famous Pink Cadillac to the independent sales force in 1969.^[3]
  • The U.S. Career Car program also includes the Pontiac Grand Prix and the Pontiac Vibe.^[3]
  • Since the program's inception, more than 100,000 independent sales force members have qualified for the use of a Career Car or elected the cash compensation option.^[3] The current GM fleet size is 9,870.^[6]
  • International car programs feature Mercedes, BMW's, Toyotas, and Fords.^[3]
  • The lease of the Career Car is entirely paid for by the company unless a team's production falls under a specified amount. At that point, partial payment is required and varies based on total production.^[7]
  • Career Car insurance is also provided. Price varies between $0 to approximately $100 dependent on a variety of conditions.^[8]

• Mary Kay develops, tests, manufactures and packages the majority of own products at its state-of-the art plants in Dallas and China.^[2]

• Mary Kay does not conduct animal testing for its products.^[2]

• In 2005, there were over 32,821 members of the independent sales force of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Ltd. in Canada. Of the 4,712 who were in the independent sales force for at least one year (indicating 85% annual turnover rate in Canada), and who earned commissions, close to 50% earned commissions in excess of $100. Of the 673 of those who were Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors, the top 50% earned commissions during the year of $17,000 to in excess of $100,000. Of the 17 of those who were Mary Kay Independent National Sales Directors, more than 88% earned commissions during the year in excess of $100,000.^[9]