Over ten years ago, I lived right off the trendy Chestnut Street in the Marina district of San Francisco. My two favorite stops were Bare Escentuals and Benefit Cosmetics. Little did I know those two San Francisco based companies would quickly become the hottest names in the cosmetic industry. My bathroom shower was filled with Bare Escentuals custom fragrance soaps and lotions and I couldn't go without my entire line of Benefit Cosmetics. I even made frequent stops into the boutique after I moved away from SF. Now both brands are available just about everywhere. Here are two of my favorite products.

Lemon-aid by Benefit Cosmetics: I use this unique product every day. It's the perfect base for eye shadow and adds moisturizer and staying power to my eyelids. It tones down all discolorations and allows you to start out with a clean slate. My eyeshadow lasts all day. Benefit has so many unique products that I can't live without and have never seen anyone duplicate. www.benefitcosmetics.com

bareMinerals: Who hasn't heard of Bare Escentuals, i.d. bareMinerals by now? Sephora can hardly keep it on the shelves. It's the perfect natural foundation that is so easy to apply. I wasn't a true believer until I had a specialist do half my face. It's light and feels clean. Mine doesn't last all day (so how could I wear it to bed as the company implies) but my life is a little rugged of my face. It is, however, extremely easy to reapply before a night out. www.bareescentuals.com

Kudos to the powerful women who started these successful businesses.