Who

The French make-up artist makes actresses camera-ready—and her cosmetics and skincare line is purchased by decidedly non-superstar women everywhere.

Backstory

Mercier was raised in Provence and studied to be an artist. When she realized there was more money to be made painting faces, she became a make-up artist instead. In 1985, she made the move to New York to work on the launch of the American Elle, where she befriended photographer Steven Meisel. After she went freelance, she happened to work with the famed photog on a Madonna photo shoot for Vogue, an experience that landed her a job as the singer's personal make-up artist. Mercier spent eight years by the Material Girl's side while also working on ad campaigns for clients like Chanel and Gap. 

In 1986 Mercier teamed up with former Neiman Marcus exec Janet Gurwitch to launch a line of high-end cosmetics, which quickly became popular with social fixtures and celebs like Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker. But while Mercier's name continues to appear on millions of tubes of mascara, she no longer has an equity stake in the company. In 1998, Neiman Marcus purchased a majority stake for $6.7 million, and in 2006 the company was sold to Alticor, a Michigan household products company, for $40.8 million. These days, Mercier spends her time doing store appearances and doling out make-up advice. She also makes time for personal sessions with various A-listers.

In print

In 2006, Mercier published a book, The New Beauty Secrets. Shockingly, many of these "secrets" involve the purchase of products from the Laura Mercier line.

Personal

Mercier lives with her girlfriend. In 2006, she paid $6.7 million for a 5,500-square-foot loft in Chelsea featuring 30 oversized windows, a 1,200-bottle wine cellar and heated floors in the bathroom; she purchased the place from James Polsky, restaurateur Danny Meyer's cousin/partner in BBQ joint Blue Smoke. But in 2008 she bought anew in Chelsea, spending $2.8 million for a second-floor unit on West 17th Street. She also has homes in Bellport and Paris.