Delores Martin wanted to earn some extra money.

Three years ago, she retired from Savannah River Site and wanted to supplement her income. She decided to become a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant, and today, she is training to become a sales director.

"It's a really good company for women to work with. There's no glass ceilings. You get to the top by working hard," Ms. Martin said.

Direct-selling cosmetics and skin care businesses, such as Mary Kay, Avon and BeautiControl, are becoming increasingly popular as many women, and also men, attempt to make some extra cash during tough times.

Mary Kay's numbers are up by 10 percent, said Bertha Lindsay, a Mary Kay independent senior sales director in Augusta.

"So many people get laid off from their jobs. This is not just a supplementary income. For some people, this is their livelihood," Ms. Lindsay said.

Doctors, lawyers, CPAs and other local professionals have gotten involved with the company, she said.

Carolyn Kurzeja, the district manager for Avon Products Inc., said her numbers haven't changed dramatically, but she has noticed a shift in the types of people who want to sell Avon products.

"I'm finding more business-minded people wanting to get involved. It seems like they're more serious about making this a career," Ms. Kurzeja said.

There are 554 people working with Avon in Richmond and Columbia counties, including several husband-wife teams.

Many work with Avon because they don't have to buy products up front or pay shipping costs, and they can earn a 20 to 50 percent commission on sales.

Avon also offers incentives such as a free Web site for sales reps. Recently, the company offered free gas cards for bringing in new recruits, she said.

Cathy Johnson, a senior consultant with BeautiControl in Augusta, started selling the company's spa products last month to supplement her income. The mother of two children works full time and attends school at night.

"Most part-time jobs wouldn't work around my schedule," Ms. Johnson said.

Ms. Johnson sells about $500 worth of products at one spa party. She earns 50 percent commission because of her high sales. Her goal is to one day sell the products full time.

Ms. Lindsay has had her Mary Kay business for 25 years and manages a team of 150. In mid-December, she will receive her 11th Mary Kay Cadillac, which is her 13th company car.

Mary Kay is attractive because you are your own boss, there are no quotas, and no territories, Ms. Lindsay said. The 50 percent commission for all Mary Kay consultants is the highest commission paid for any direct-sales company, she added.

"We're independent contractors. Mary Kay just gives us the opportunity to be in business for ourselves," she said.