Deborah Lippmann
Celebrity manicurist with an eponymous line of $18 polishes, a number of which were co-created with celebrities and socialites.
As a young woman, Lippmann dreamed of becoming a jazz singer. While she sang in clubs at night, she worked various day jobs and, ultimately, failed at each one. She enrolled in cosmetology school and discovered her talent for painting nails. After a stint in Phoenix as a manicurist to the socialites of Arizona, Lippmann headed to New York, where she was discovered by a beauty editor at Allure. For the 1998 Academy Awards, she concocted a special shade for Mariah Carey that complemented the diva's dress. Lippmann's collection grew after her collaboration with Mariah: she has since created colors with Sarah Jessica Parker, Cher, Pat Benatar, and Lady Gaga.
Arguably the most successful manicurist in the world, Lippmann decorates the nails of some of the world's biggest names: Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, Renee Zellweger, and Penelope Cruz all accepted their Oscars with Lippmann-painted nails. She has also continued to pursue her singing career: her 2011 polish collection was accompanied by a trio of Christmas songs. Three polishes plus the tunes would set you back only $30 - quite the steal! [Image via Getty]