Kiehl's Since 1851 LLC · New York, NY United States

Kiehl's Since 1851 makes natural hair and skin care products and lipstick and sells them strictly by word of mouth. Pretty strictly, anyway. Kiehl's doesn't advertise much or go door-to-door, and its rigid marketing policy keeps its products out of all but a few exclusive retailers -- stores such as Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. The company's East Village location in Manhattan is frequented by celebrity hairdressers, entertainers, and others willing to brave long checkout lines. Its products are also available at Kiehl's stores nationwide and overseas. Customers can order through its catalog and by phone. Cosmetics giant L'Oréal bought the company in 2000 and began expanding its reach beyond Manhattan. To read the full description, subscribe now.