Jennifer Berg

From the time she was a little girl, Lisa Thurman was "extremely creative, with a head for business and a fanatical love of makeup," says Meri Beth Friske, director of operations at Amazing Cosmetics and Lisa's friend since the second grade. Lisa always wanted to start her own business, and when she met Lancome makeup artist and fellow Libertyville mother Sue Katz, a beauty venture was born.

The first Amazing Cosmetics product--what Meri refers to as "our real hero"--was the company's concealer. With its even coverage, knack for blotting out blemishes and ability to stand up under harsh lights, Amazing Concealer soon caught the attention of celebrity makeup artist Joanne Gair. Gair, famous for creating Demi Moore's painted-on body suit for that 1992 cover of Vanity Fair, wasn't selfish with her new secret weapon: "That's the great thing about Hollywood makeup artists," Friske acknowledges, "they're all so kind; they share with each other. They're not competitive." The Hollywood recognition that started with Gair landed Amazing Cosmetics coveted air time: the ladies of "Sex and the City" all became fans of Amazing after they were introduced to the products on set of the HBO show.

Lifelong movie lovers (as children they were enamored of classic Hollywood icons like Grace Kelly and Rita Hayworth), Sue and Lisa were elated when makeup artist Nicki Leiderman requested Amazing products for use in "The Devil Wears Prada." The ladies sent Leiderman some of their most beautifying products, as their quest was to "help the actresses achieve the flawless face that we all dream about."

Even for us non-actresses, Lisa and Sue say that a fit-for-pictures visage can be accomplished with a few key products this summer. They recommend stocking up on the Waterproof Amazing Concealer, Waterproof Mascara and the Bronze Quad Palette of shadows. Top it off with some light lip gloss and you're set to amaze. "We think a major makeup faux pas is too heavy a makeup application," Lisa and Sue advise. However, if a night on the town warrants a bit more color and panache, the ladies recommend their soon-to-be-launched Suede Collection Shimmer Palette, an array of "sexy, smoky colors for the eye."

Amazing Cosmetics are available at several Sephora and Ulta locations as well as select Nordstrom stores. Starting in August, the products will be available in Flagship Bath and Body Works stores. For more information, log onto www.amazingcosmetics.com.

(2006-06-27)

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