eBeautyDaily - The Beauty Blog

156 opinions for An Unbeautiful Mary Kay Story

• corinneyb
  Jun 14, 2006 at 11:05 am

  Ha! This HAS happened to me! I had just had my hair cut (cute cut, but flat style, and not a SPECK of makeup on!) and was walking into the grocery store around the corner from the salon with a friend when a woman stopped us and complimented my hair. I thanked her and told her where I had it done. She said that I was to striking that she wanted me to be face model for her - she worked for MK! Fortunately, I had already learned what it meant to be a ‘face model’ (another story for another time; let’s just say a gal preparing for her wedding is very gullible), so I politely declined, but handed her one of my hair stylist’s business cards! Haha!

• Christina Jones
  Jun 14, 2006 at 11:08 am

  LOL Oh dear, this does not bode well. Within 3 hours of posting this, I already have found someone with this same story. Yikes. Thanks for sharing it with me, corinneyb!

• Tania
  Jun 14, 2006 at 12:22 pm

  Yeah, sorry - but I think this in the MK bag o’ tricks. A couple of years ago, I was shopping at Wal Mart’s garden section, and a lady approached me saying I had “just the most beautiful skin” and asked if I would be willing to be a face model, handing me her MK business card. I didn’t call her :)

• SugarBee
  Jun 14, 2006 at 1:05 pm

  Hi! Thanks for reading my post:) You know, I’ve been thinking about it, and I would hate to write off the whole company based on one lousy experience, so I’ll probably give it another shot sometime (and hopefully I’ll have a better experience!). :-)

• Christina Jones
  Jun 14, 2006 at 1:28 pm

  Hey SugarBee - glad to see you! I love your blog and look forward to more!

  I know MK has some great products, and I truly am shocked to see that this apparently is a sales tactic they use. I think Mary Kay Ash would be none too pleased. (Their Satin Hands exfoliation system IS pretty good though, eh? LOL)

• M P
  Jun 14, 2006 at 1:40 pm

  I wish I would have heard of this earlier this week. There was a Mary Kay meeting at my hotel one evening. (There were several Mary Kay stickers in the parking lot). No one asked me to be a “face model” but I did get an offer to be a “bag” model..not sure what that was all about…
  anyway..sounds like that is a definite sleazy sales pitch…
  Love the blog!

• Ivy
  Jun 14, 2006 at 4:42 pm

  Well, I didn’t get such a proposal, but I was sweet talked into visiting an Amway meeting - my (former) friend asked me round for a girls’ evening in, with popcorn, vine and girly movies. Imagine my surprise when I got there and saw that obnoxous white board and a guy in a suit ’sharpening’ his crayons!

  Anyhow, I think SugarBee should write to the MK company and tell them what happened, mantioning the name of the MK lady.

• LotionBarBunny
  Jun 14, 2006 at 6:00 pm

  Actually this happened to my friend who is a rep. for Avon! She was stopped in the mall and was told that she did a fabulous job on her makeup and did she want to be a face model…imagine the girl’s surprise when my friend told her she was wearing Avon and was a rep. for them thank you very much. lol.

  And I can relate to Ivy! I too was suckered into an Amway meeting, except they called it Quixtar! Bleck!

  Hopefully no one ever thinks I am like “those” kinds of direct sales rep.’s. I certainly try hard not to be.

  Shannon
  Country Bunny Bath & Body Rep. who will never ask you to be a face model. Ever.

  ;)

• Gail Ables
  Jun 14, 2006 at 8:37 pm

  My Turn!!! LMAO!
  About 15 years ago I was in the grocery store with my first born. I was like all new mommies, so certain my baby was just the cutest thing since sliced bread, and like a lot of new mommies (and old mommies) I was excersizing my right to shop without my face made up, when I was approached by this woman in a suit and pumps and the nicest smile. I just knew she couldn’t resist cooing at my sweet bundle of joy, but instead she handed me her card (MK) and told me she could help my looks tremendously. I was not flattered. Not one bit. I was actually quite humiliated. And embarrassed that I thought she was interested in seeing my baby. And it kills me that I was so shocked by her approach that I couldn’t even think of a snappy comeback. So no. No MK for me. I will go back to Sweet Buzz and read her whole story, though. :)

• Christina Jones
  Jun 14, 2006 at 9:09 pm

  Oh Gail - that is hilarious. I guess it is no wonder I was never any good at selling things like that. Or selling anything really. I could not say that to people, ever. Not that I think that is the way to do it, but it surely is the way it is done a lot, I am thinking. It is such a shame, because these companies have products that are just as good, if not better, than those at the stores and they could easily sell on their own merit. Pity!!!

  LBB - no worries - I feel very confident that you would never use such shoddy sales tactics!! And I am still LOVING that Body Butter - great, great stuff!! :)

• PK Fragrance
  Jun 16, 2006 at 1:41 am

  The thing is years ago Mark Kay was the company to beat as they had a monoploy on the whole cosmetic area but as there are bigger players now with deep pockets some componies have to start to use dodgy tatics as to survive, they are not the first and they will not be the last

• Gloria
  Jun 16, 2006 at 8:05 pm

  I’ve been using Mary Kay facial products since February this year. and I really love it. but no story like this, i only found out about MK because a friend of mine is a sales rep. ;))

• Christina Jones
  Jun 16, 2006 at 9:53 pm

  Thanks for the input PK- I am sure you are very correct.

  Glo - thanks for the thumbs up - I know several people who sell MK too, and I love them dearly, and I KNOW they are not using shady tactics like that. This is just really, really surprising to me.

• face lift
  Jul 27, 2006 at 2:37 pm

  I use KM too, they are very good and suited my type of skin

• Tonya
  Jul 27, 2006 at 4:24 pm

  This one cracks me up!

  I happen to be a (very unsuccesful) Mary Kay consultant…..probably because I refuse to go up to complete strangers and request them to be “face models”. Frankly, I wouldn’t want to be bugged like that. Unfortunatly, it seems to me that most of the successful consultants do employ these tatics.

  That said, I love most of the products (especially the skin care) and will probably keep selling it for myself, friends, family and whatever random people I happen to run into.

• LotionBarBunny
  Jul 27, 2006 at 5:37 pm

  Tonya, I am in direct sales too and I completely agree with you. It is the agressive rep.’s who make it to the top…some call it ambition, but I call it agressive. I lose out on sales because I am not pushy, but oh well, at least I can sleep at night.

  High five to you! ;)

  Shannon

• Christina Jones
  Jul 28, 2006 at 3:44 pm

  I am still really shocked that MK recommends you do business this way. Especially as a company with a good reputation and good products. I think Mary Kay must be spinning in her grave!

• D
  Aug 31, 2006 at 9:33 am

  I have been a consultant for 3 years, I love the product and live by the product. I’m not pushy or anything. I do happen to be a commerical print model and people ask me all the time how to get in the modeling business. Well you do have to have some start off pictures and I’m not saying that other consultants should use that “face model” approach but whatever works for them. No, MK the company didn’t not intend for people to start making up stuff but you know the product is the best. It has been for 10 consective years. Really, ask yourself this…how would you perfer to be approached? If I or another consultant came up to you and said would you be willing to sit down with me and try my product? Would you say yes? Be honest! The problem is, is that we are not allow to have a store front so we go out and get our business. But really think about it. Really think why people are doing this business. Some people really need it, you never know what type of living situation people are in.

• LotionBarBunny
  Aug 31, 2006 at 10:52 am

  Hi D. I am a direct sales rep. for a bath and body company and we are not allowed to have a storefront either. However, I don’t think approaching people in the supermarket (or wherever) and asking to be a face model is inappropriate. I certainly don’t ask anyone to be a skin model. And the approach, “Do you want to try my product?” definitely works. :) There are many creative ways to sell product, no matter what it is. And I know all about living situations, my electric company told us that we are at the poverty line when I had to call for payment arrangements the other day. No one needs $$ or is more deperate to pay the bills than myself. But it doesn’t mean I resort to “desperate” measures. I’m always upfront about what it is I am selling and never corner people to make them feel uncomfortable.

• LotionBarBunny
  Aug 31, 2006 at 10:53 am

  OOps I mean I don’t think its appropriate…not inappropriate.

  I haven’t had my coffee yet.

• D
  Sep 1, 2006 at 9:46 am

  Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that they should or should use it. I said whatever works for THEM. I also don’t think it’s a desperate measure. I do know for sure that we do have professional international makeup artists come in to train and we do have professional photographers to come in and take pictures. These pictures are given to the customer. So no these MK consultants that do say this isn’t lying. Now on the other had if they don’t have any professionals coming in then that’s a problem. MK is a company that says you are a walking advertisment and everyday that I wear MK people always ask what do I use on my skin. I’ve been modeling for over 10 years and according to the dictionary a model(verb) - displays by wearing, using, or posing with. (according to merriam-webster)Don’t get me wrong I’m not defending them using it but I can understand why they use it.

  Oh by the way I knew you meant appropriate:-)

• LotionBarBunny
  Sep 1, 2006 at 12:00 pm

  Hi D, I just meant in relation to the post…about being approached in a supermarket and being asked if they want to be a face model. At least around my parts, it mainly means they are a face model at a Mary Kay beauty session that they host. I just think it is more appropriate to ask someone if they would like to host a MK beauty session, get a free makeover in the process, learn beauty tips and possibly earn free product.

  I agree with you about being a walking advertisement…I always use and wear what I sell. :)

• d
  Sep 6, 2006 at 9:40 am

  Yes I understand you. I personally don’t have parties. When I am training new consultants I ask people to come to our events so I can train my new consultants, I don’t ask them to host anything, just to be a guest. So they are modeling or being a face model for that event. They are wearing the product, using the product and posing with the product. I do ask exactly what you said. Just not to host anything. I just like meeting people and in the process having fun. Every MK consultant isn’t the pushy type. I really like this business and there are other consultants out there making it hard for people like me.

• LotionBarBunny
  Sep 6, 2006 at 10:00 am

  I completely agree with your last sentence. I think it is in general the way it is for us in direct sales. You have those out there who just make a bad name and then when someone finds out that what I do is direct sales, I get the “Oh you’re one of THEM.” So sad.

  Just keeping moving forward and you will do fine.

• YOUGOGIRL
  Sep 7, 2006 at 3:17 pm

  Hi ladies. This is a very common practice in MK. http://marykaysucks.wordpress.com/ You should check it out and you’ll know you’re not alone.

• aapmediagirl
  Sep 8, 2006 at 11:14 pm

  I know I found this way late, but if you’ve made it this far, you can read one more! ;) I’m a former (also dreadfully unsuccessful) MK rep, and I’m surprised none of the MK reps that commented mentioned this part of it: yes, this tactic is used to drive sales . . . but when I was consulting, what the reps were SUPPOSED to be doing was a “Before and After” book that they then could use at parties and during other sales opportunities. Simply to show women the difference MK can make. A self-created sales tool. They were supposed to mention this to the potential customer, and follow through by taking pics for the book (and good reps also offered copies of the pics to the customer so she could re-create the look). So, for me, it’s a mixed emotion thing. Who likes feeling duped or pressured? But when done honestly and well, it’s not so shady.

• Sue
  Sep 9, 2006 at 11:26 am

  As a former Mary Kay rep, what you experienced was called “warm chatter”. It’s one of the sales tactics that every MK rep. from National on down to independent beauty consultant uses to recruit. What they are supposed is this: go into a mall, grocery store, etc., and approach women. Then they are to give a “sincere” compliment to the woman, followed by an invitation to either: be a face model, try a sample then be willing to be called back, or both. There are scripts that these women use for this “warm chatter” that include prompts such as “bite lower lip”, “tilt head to the left”, “put hand over heart”, etc. It’s really sickening if you think about it. If you agree to become a “face model”, the MK rep. will then take you to one of their weekly unit meetings where you will be “pampered” with MK products. (”pampering” meaning washing your own face and applying your own make-up from a sample card). They will take a before and after shot that is used as a recruiting aid for the rep. that brought you. After the “make-overs”, you will then be paraded up front to show everyone how AMAZING you look. The Director running the unit meeting will then proceed to ask you questions about your life, job and family. She will be SO EXCITED to then share the “Mary Kay opportunity” to you!! Which she will do. Then you will be asked your interest level. 1-10. No matter what your interest is, you will continue to hear from from the MK rep. until you either sign up or move. If you show even the least bit of interest, the Director will then tell you that “sharp” women are decision makers and that YOU are a sharp woman. And “is there any reason why you cannot sign up for this wonderful opportunity right now?” An expensive-looking prize will be dangled in front of you. A photo-copy of some National Directors’ “love check” will be shown to you for an extra bonus. If you for some reason agree to sign the Consultant Agreement, the unit’s director will soon contact you to go over the “fine points” of MK. This means she will tell you that you need to buy a huge inventory package because you will be more successful with a “full store.” Since most people cannot afford the price of these packages, you will then be advised to do one of the following: 1. get a bank loan; 2. go to a finance company; 3. borrow off your life insurance; 4. either put it on an existing credit card OR apply for a new one; 5. pawn something; 6. borrow from friends and family, etc…. Some Directors even “suggest” certain finance companies like American General. STEER CLEAR!!! Remember this: those BIG checks that you are shown and/or told about exist because these people make commissions on the INVENTORY ORDERED BY NEW RECRUITS. And also on exsisting recruits that are badgered and pressured into buying new inventory such as replacements for discontinued items, “limited edition” stuff, holiday items, etc. They do not make this money because of personal sales. In fact, Mary Kay sells distributorships…the cosmetics are just the product. Nobody who ONLY sells product makes an income large enough to exist on. The money comes in recuiting, pushing large inventories and in encouraging those you recruit to turn around and recruit “sharp” women of their own.
  If you are approached by a MK lady. RUN, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
  One more thing….Mary Kay DOES have wonderful products. Unfortunately, the sales force detracts from that. You can order DIRECTLY FROM THE COMPANY WEBSITE: http://www.marykay.com They offer the same 100% money-back guarantee on the products. Quick and easy. No bulls$$t, no sales pitch, no pressure.

• d
  Sep 9, 2006 at 2:26 pm

  LotionBarBunny, this is what I was talking about before. For people like me that don’t aren’t shady and believe in the product and don’t use sales tactic they make it hard for you. Well I chose not to RUN and pass go and I don’t worry about having recruits and I don’t have to worry about being pushy because I do neither. My first customer is still my customer. I don’t call her unless she calls me first. (DON’T WANT TO BE PUSHY)She places her order I thank her and leave it at that. No sale pitch and no pressure there. I have never taken out a loan. I do it because I enjoy it. Hand over hard, tilt head…that sounds just crazy. I don’t do that. I’m me. What you see is what you get. Some of you have really be hit hard I see but I refuse to be like that. That’s sad that people have to be cruel and think EVERYBODY is like that. appmediagirl, thanks for saying that “when thing are done honesty and well, it’s not so shady.” Products are WONDERFUL! To bad you all didn’t have me.

• Sue
  Sep 9, 2006 at 8:07 pm

  d:

  I’m glad you’re not pushy but you know and I know that most MK people ARE. You are absolutely right when you say that the “hand over heart” and “tilt head to the left” sounds crazy. IT IS CRAZY. But it is also written in a script (MK endorsed no less) that the rep. uses when she hands out cards and “certificates” to promote her website. These little “gesture cues” are put in parenthesis after certain parts of the pre-written script. It is nauseating. It is demeaning to both the person reciting it and the victim that is being held hostage to listen.

• d
  Sep 12, 2006 at 9:14 am

  So Sue, what do you suggest? Because it seems like people are making it hard. But to be honest I have been pretty successful at it. But sometime when I do bring it up, people are like really mean about it. What ever happened to people lifting others up and not kicking them when they are down. The minute you say MARY KAY, people face’s just change. People have, even this blog has made people HATE Mary Kay. But it’s not the products people are upset about it’s the other stuff. Don’t hate Mary Kay products because some consultant did silly things. Just find the right consultant.

• Sue
  Sep 15, 2006 at 6:54 am

  d:

  The reason people are so mean about it is because of what I posted above. While many like the products, they do not want to deal with feeling obligated, gullible, taken, lied to or just a means to an end. They feel pressured and they don’t like it. Think of it this way….dealing with a MK rep is like dealing with a pain in the ass telemarketer.

  I originally said I was a “former MK rep.” That is not entirely true as I do still sell to a few people. They are already established customers. I say “former” because I do not recruit. I do not advertise, warm chatter or use any of the MK approved marketing (stalking) ideas. I don’t want a red jacket, I don’t want to be a director and I could give a camel’s crap about the car or cheesy prizes. The only new customers I have obtained has been through word of mouth. They come to me, usually because one of my customers says “Sue is selling MK now”. And then they tell me the product they like and can I get it for them? I probably make about $100-$300 a month and I haven’t done a class since May. I can’t live on it but it pays for my nails, my dog’s grooming and a couple dinners at my favorite sushi bar. I was stupid enough to buy an $1800 inventory package in the beginning. And since my director didn’t tell me the day & night solution was changing over, I had to reorder all of that - PLUS the colors for the NEW color 101 look….you get the picture. Every quarter, there are discontinued products, new packaging, holiday crap, etc……….. Since then, I’ve unloaded 3/4 of the dead inventory on e-bay (for a small profit believe it or not). I kept ONLY what I knew my customers wanted. When I need stuff I don’t have, I call another consultant for a trade or combine it in with her order. Anyhow, I’m blathering on and on. Again…the bottom line is this: If you sell, don’t feed into all the rah-rah garbage. It’s all about greed, manipulation and materialism. DON’T warm chatter or get yourself involved in that stuff — it turns people off (and it’s illegal in many stores - Target for one). Don’t quit your day job!!!! And DON’T BUY INVENTORY!!!!! All you are doing is buying your diretors car and adding to HER monthly “love check”. You get nothing out of it except high interest rates and credit card debt.

• Fighting Fatigue
  Sep 15, 2006 at 8:36 am

  I was a former director and I can tell you as a fact that consultants are encouraged and taught to go out and get anywhere from 5 - 10 leads a day by warm chattering. Most consultants that warm chatter are the ones who aspire to directorship and higher positions. I’m ashamed to say that I used to go out every morning and do this, especially after I quit my full-time job to pursue MK full time.

  When I look back on it now, I feel so ashamed. I can’t believe I actually did something like that, and everyday to boot.

  The reason people are turning up their noses to Mary Kay is because of the sales and recruiting tactics of many consultants and directors. We continue to be told by MKers that it is only a small percentage of the company that is like this, but I really have to disagree. More and more people are coming out with their stories about how they were deceived and misled. Facts are facts, ladies. Too many people are having the same bad experiences for it just to be a coincidence, or happening on a small scale.

• Fighting Fatigue
  Sep 15, 2006 at 8:41 am

  Also, more and more dirt is coming out on these top directors in Mary Kay who have been doing some very damaging unethical business practices. They are building a false illusion about success in Mary Kay. That in itself is emotionally damaging to other consultants.

• Sue
  Sep 15, 2006 at 12:03 pm

  Fighting Fatigue:

  There is a wonderful website/blog that is dedicated to this very thing. Many ex-directors and consultants post there. It is http://marykaysucks.wordpress.com/ They are a great bunch of women (and some very disgruntled husbands!!) who vent and also support each other. Please check it out. You’ll find a great home there.

• Amanda
  Sep 20, 2006 at 6:22 pm

  I know that Mary Kay would be appalled at some of the techniques used by some of the sales force and what you were writing above is SO not what is taught in Mary Kay. My mom has been in MK for 30 years and knew MK personally. MK consultants are to be taught the golden rule, to be honest, and to have integrity. Unfortunately, some do not carry this and for that behavior which turns people away from the greatest product out there.. greatly saddens me :( This company can do wonderful things for women who are taught to do it the right way. I believe in awesome customer service and not to be pushy.

• Sue
  Sep 20, 2006 at 7:15 pm

  Amanda:

  Maybe the techniques I wrote about were not used when your mom started HER MK business 30 years ago, but they are widely used today. Right down to the recruiting scripts, warm chatter scripts (gesture cues and all) and encouraging new recruits to “invest” amounts of money they cannot afford into their business. I can’t speak for MK herself. More than likely she did not intend for the company to turn into the corrupt mess it is today. BUT, just because a company spews forth gospel and christian principles does not mean that they are practicing what they are preaching. Remember Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart??? Many of the directors today are using God and bible verses to coerce and manipulate consultants and potential recruits. Maybe — just maybe — 30 years ago a person could actually say that the MK business actually empowered women. Today — it just oppresses them.

• Hurricane
  Sep 21, 2006 at 12:32 am

  I am an MK Independent Beauty Consultant and I am totally with Tonya. I always thought I was too shy to be successful at MK. Sometimes I think I just don’t want to snow someone over, because I couldn’t live with myself knowing I did.

  I love MK skincare and makeup…but mostly the skincare. I am still very loyal to my preferred makeup manufacturer (although I get MK at “1/2″ price.) I sell to my friends and family…at discount and although I do know some ladies who do make a good honest living at selling MK, I’m not so sure I can.

  I see a couple of other directors on a weekly basis and just the sight of them makes my skin crawl. The whole, “Look at me, ain’t I great?!?!?!” thing makes me think back to HS days of cheerleaders and pompoms..no offense (I was a cheerleader, too!).

  No, my sales aren’t up there. Yes, I love MK products…my skin has cleared up so much and yes, I do get it at discount…and I don’t plan on quitting my day job!

  MK is not my career (my guy walked the stage before I did….) and those of you who know me and read this know who I am. It just burns me to hear motivational speakers who take the truth and sugar coat it.

  I should start my own blog about this…. I fyou think I should post more, please let me know. If I should just shut the hell up, well let me know that, too!

• Sue
  Sep 21, 2006 at 6:17 am

  Hurricane:

  No need to start your own blog. I found this one a couple of days ago. http://marykaysucks.wordpress.com/

• D
  Sep 21, 2006 at 8:56 pm

  Amanda I agree with you. I really don’t know what the company could do about consultants not carrying out the proper things but everyone cannot be a consultant. I love what I do. I just don’t understand why people have to slander other peoples professions. Not that this is my profession. I am a teacher, licensed skin care specialist, I have a BS, MS and I still love MK. Do I want to recruit and do all that no. But MK is a great product.

• Tinkerbell
  Sep 24, 2006 at 6:57 pm

  Yes this really is a recruiting and selling tactic. I’ve (unfortunately) used it myself because I’m a quickly exiting consultant. Many training cds talk about using this tactic. After you do the before and after pics, you put them in a portfolio for other victims to flip through while they wait for each person to have their “individual consultation”. All in all they want your money, and no it isn’t a compliment. Its a sales tool. Yes the products are awesome but overpriced and I feel horribly guilty for having pressed ppl into buying them while thinking I was enriching their lives.

• girlfriend
  Sep 24, 2006 at 8:17 pm

  wow- i did not realize others felt this way too! I find the MK sales approach dishonest and tacky! I have just become an MK consultant and could really use some help as too better ways to show these products- i really like them and thought this might be a good way of helping my husband out while caring for our infant. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a more respectful selling tactic? so far, i my family and friends are impressed with the products too- so they are buying.

• Lovin it
  Oct 9, 2006 at 5:24 pm

  hmmmm…While I am sure alot of consultants do the “warm chatter” approach, there are alot who don’t! I’ve been with MK for 11 yrs. I do not warm chat and I’ve actually been nicely reminded to call my clients for reorders as they like that. They don’t have to think about remembering to call me! So while some have bad experiences….alot don’t. I know my clients who like to be called and those who don’t and they call me for reorders! There are many different personalities out there and you can find one that suits your Mk needs! :)
  MK always had the 3 ft. rule. Talk to everyone about what you do……not attack them for a facial or “model”. I do portfolio’s…some with before and after pictures…alot prefer only the after. What ever the client wants is fine with me. Sorry some of you had bad experiences with some consultants but thankfully not everyone is the same!

• girlfriend
  Oct 9, 2006 at 6:31 pm

  thanks- some good encouragement. i find that my style is low key- my customers know that and respect me for it- so far- so good- i’m pretty honest-

• Lovin it
  Oct 9, 2006 at 9:21 pm

  I find for myself that a low key and truly going out to make someone feel better and not so much the dollar sign really works. People know when you are sincere and when you’re not. I enjoy doing fishbowls and posting my cards on bulletin boards…leaving catalogs out…joining womens groups…and even with the groups, I go to be around other women….to get me out of the house…and referrals are nice. Don’t we all like it when someone refers good service or a great product that they tried out and want to share? I know I do!
  They say if you are worried about being pushy, you won’t be! I believe that within reason! haha
  I do not like pushy people or people that bother me when I’m shopping! So I don’t do that to others!

• Makeup Minute » An Unbeautiful Mary Kay Story Part Deux
  Oct 18, 2006 at 11:34 am

  […] If you read ebeautydaily then you are well aware of her post back in June commenting on Sweet Buzz’s post on Mary Kay. Basically the story is about Mary Kay rep.’s “Face Model” speech. I’m in no way trying to bash Mary Kay rep.’s, as I know quite a few who do not employ this tactic and are very wonderful people to work with. Also, I am in direct sales myself, and it is just not nice to bash someone. […]

• fAITHfAMcAREER
  Oct 26, 2006 at 7:07 pm

  I am an MK consultant who has been successful without warm chattering. For me, it goes back to the golden rule. I recently heard a retired national sales director say that Mary Kay Ash HATED the fact that consultants would go out to the mall to get leads. I agree with LOVIN IT ab out fishbowls and asking people to be portfolio models and the three-foot rule. It all comes back to treating others as you would want to be treated.

• Duped
  Mar 1, 2007 at 11:34 pm

  well this blog made me feel completely awful… just last monday I was asked to be a “face model” by..yep you guessed it a very well dressed MK lady. She said I had great potential of modeling as a career and she hoped she could help me with it. The sad part.. i agreed today to go to her house saturday for a “model show”. I am so stupid Hopefully I will at least get some free stuff….

• You Go Girl
  Mar 2, 2007 at 1:05 pm

  Duped, at least you’ll have your eyes and ears open to the sales pitch. Please let us know how it goes. It’ll be interesting to hear your story.

• ecalderon1@marykay.com
  Mar 5, 2007 at 10:30 pm

  Hi Everyone.
  I’ve read most of the comments on the board,I am a pt MK consultant with MK. I’ve been a consultant for 4 years now. (Please forgive me for any typos, punctuation, spelling or mere chit chatness. LOL. I am tired right now, but I wanted to post this because MK is a very special part of my life.)

  1) Most importantly, Mary Kay’s mission statement is “Enriching Women’s Lives”, built on the “Golden Rule” philosophy.

  2) Yes this “tactic” is used to get people to meetings, recruiting etc. As previous posts have indicated, sometimes on the level, sometimes not… just like with anything, trust your instincts when you are approached by anyone. Sometimes these women are approaching you to overcome their fears, be kind but tell them honestly how you feel, if you have questions or interested ask them exactly what you will be taking part of.

  3) Mary Kay is a fabulous product and great company. As a consultant you are limited by your desire and potential to overcome obstacles. This is true of any home business, you must sow seed in order to reap. Unlike other home based businesses, the company provides you with many tools to succeed. Believe me you don’t need a degree to run this business, you just have to be willing to work, and find the right people to associate with. (Internally and externally of MK.)

  4) There are many out there who feel justified in their less than stellar behavior, and you will find this from Consultants on up the line. Unfortunately, we are independent contractors and not employees of Mary Kay Inc and with hundreds of thousands Consultants world wide it is nearly impossible to monitor them all. As with anything in this world, ethics and social responsibility lies within the individual and are unfortunate are in conflict with the financial side of the business world. (In these cases by the consultants.)

  5)When you sign up with Mary Kay, you are only obligated to make an initial purchase of a starter kit for aprroximately $100 plus tax and shipping charges for you state. I usually explain this to people interested similar to a BJ’s wholesale club membership, except that it doesn’t have to be renewed if you’ve used it within one years time to make a wholesale purchase of $200 plus shipping and taxes; for this $200 order you receive $400 of product which you can sell, gift, or use for personal use. (This is also, not recommended by those Consultants, Directors because of the impact of what it can have on their personal bottom line.) Unfortunately, by not telling women this they are giving up an opportunity to come back into Mary Kay if they were to return products to the company.

  6) If you ever do come in contact with one of those sales Directors/ Conultants that Sue described earlier, you should probably run and hide because you ARE a means to an end. Remember if you are to get into this business it is your business, and your life. Know yourself and what you want, and don’t be forced into something that doesn’t feel good in your gut. (Not the nervous out of fear kind, but the sick to your stomach someone is jerking my chain kind, where you just something is not right.)

  7)The thing about inventory. If you are a go getter, with a lot of contacts, and enough financial breathing room– it is a good business decision (I’m a dollar and cents girl, a number chruncher, single mom of 3, business student, coupon shopper, how can I get the most for my dollar, Susie Orman type, in favor of putting money back into my pocket from the monster of big business);this is only a good decision if you are committed to treating this like a business. Also, you have to know what product to order and which to stay away from. I currently have $5000-$8000 of products on my shelf, but that was my personal decision. That’s where the decision should lie, with you. There is a difference between being encouraged and pushed, just listen to your instincts.

  8)One more thing, you can not go to http://www.marykay.com and buy directly from the site. This will only refer you to a consultant or director who is a top seller, who then contacts you for order arrangement unless you’ve provided your card info previously for order processing.

  9) Also, about the products they are great. But like everything else, some people have allergies to somethings and not to others. Consultants, make up artists, make up counter girls, shouldn’t be encouraging women to put a new product on their face without first testing the product on the back of the wrist or skin on top of your hand. Only try one new product at a time, so you know what is giving you a reaction or not.

  10) Finally, remember to post responsibly, what we say effects others. The blame for these things lie with each consultant individually and not with the company as a whole. In business the most powerful marketing tool, is word of mouth and the most valuable thing a business has is it’s reputation.

  Good luck all!

• duped
  Mar 11, 2007 at 10:08 pm

  well..after being “tricked” or “misled” depending on how you look at it I did go see the MK saleswoman who had promised a “face model” career…and I can say that following all of which are solely my opinion and experience:

  1)She had promised over the phone free sun protection just for coming as well as a 50% of my order if I brought a friend..I brought my mother (to make sure i wasent tricked again) and recieved NEITHER of the promised “gifts”

  2) I recieved cookies and coffee however at her home in the presence of two “newbies” whom my MK sales rep was training..they had very interesting stories on how they got involved with MK and seemed enthusiastic about it

  3) Immediately after arriving with my mother I was IGNORED..they focused ALL retail “pressure” on my mother a tactic anyone in retail(including myself) would recognize..if an 18 year old is not important enough to treat as an equal I woudln’t want her attention anyway

  4)We were able to test many products including some I really enjoyed. The micro-abrasion scrub was impressive and the “teen” line seemed simple to use

  5) My mother and I DID end up buying over $100 combined worth of product from her and I do nont regret that as the “teen” cleanser and lotion HAS helped my skin ALOT. I am very happy with it. The eyecicle eye shadows are also nice for busy teens..that being said..

  6) overall I was impressed with the product but not with the pusher. Either due to a bold face lie or absent-mindedness, or both, the service was less that perfect. If sales reps are going to use “pushy” sales tactics (i really DO undersatnd this..i work in retail and know it is about making a living) then they should stick to them. If you have to lie to sell it become a lawyer instead. Parts of the MK “mission” are lacking in its reps. To all those respectable and honest hard-working reps out ther (i know there are many of you) best of luck and I wish you years of successful selling. You have my respect and business.

• You Go Girl
  Mar 12, 2007 at 11:08 am

  duped - thanks for coming back to let us know how your ‘facial’ went. I think it’s very interesting how you mentioned how she focused more so on your Mom than yourself I’m guessing she “ass”umed that your Mom was the one with the high credit limit ;-)

• ecalderon1@marykay.com
  Mar 13, 2007 at 11:14 am

  Hi. I really do love the honesty on this site. I was wondering if one of the current directors, or former directors, could answer some things for me. When you change over to director is there something that the company has you sign that is different than your original agreement, is it required (or recommended) that you go to retreats and direcotr trainings. I can’t speak of what I don’t know, so if there is something that you are required to sign once you become a director, that says you are required to do this or that, it would be helpful to know. Or is it because of the culture that has erupted around the “fake it ’til you make it”. Being the ever optimist, I believe who ever originated that saying meant it in a whole different context. But I also believe that this company was built on Christian principles, with the thought of “Enriching Women’s Lives”, unfortunately not all remember that and it is hurting everyone.

• gothchiq
  Apr 6, 2007 at 11:04 am

  Why yes, Mary Kay does urge its consultants to approach women in this way. They call it “warm chatter.” It’s always deception based: “be a model” or “come to a girls night out” and then in reality it turns out to be a sales and recruiting pitch for this overpriced junk. I was in MK for one year, having been suckered in by the “model” thing, followed by various manipulative scripts. I didn’t know what multilevel marketing was at that point, so I didn’t know I was being lured into a scam. I worked my butt off and lost thousands of dollars. Also, their makeup is crappy IMHO. Revlon makes better, not to mention MAC and NARS.

  I dare any of these pinkos to approach me now, after what I’ve been through. She will rue the day.

• former mk director
  Apr 6, 2007 at 1:16 pm

  When I was in MK, I was told that the best way to get business was to warm chatter and ask women to be models. I never saw anyone actually make a model portfolio or even have the pictures of models developed.
  As for MK corporate they do know of all the sleazy, misleading tactics that beauty consultants and directors use. They only care about making money - not how it’s made.
  I called corporate myself and gave them information on practices that were unethical at best and at worst illegal. NOTHING was done.
  I quit because I was not willing to lie and mislead women to achieve my own goals. Mary Kay is not what it was when Mary Kay started the company. In my opinion, the dishonest business practices will be the company’s downfall and lead to its eventual demise.
  In addition to the “be a face model” line, here are a few others to watch out for:
  “You’ve been so nice. Now I’d like to do something nice for you.” (The nice thing is making a sales pitch while you try MK products.)
  “We are looking for new sales associates who have the desire to make a six figure income.” Check out Wikipedia.org - Mary Kay Nationals (the top rung) make an average of $75k per year before expenses. That means they still have to pay taxes, social security, provide their own health insurance, pay their office staff, etc., etc., etc. It’s not even 6 figures before expenses, and those are the top 200 or so in the sales force.
  “We need more consultants in this area.” Not true. Ask any group of women. It’s hard to find a gathering of women where there aren’t consultants, former consultants, or family and friends of consultants.
  “The products sell themselves.” Right.
  “You can drive free.” Read: She thinks you are a sap.
  “You can earn full time money for part time pay.” - only if your full time job pays $1 or $2 an hour.
  I could go on, but you get the picture.

• was warmchatted
  Apr 6, 2007 at 2:52 pm

  EVERYTHING you want to know about Mary Kay can be found at http://www.pinktruth.com. Always investigate before you invest time or money in anything!

• lied to
  Apr 11, 2007 at 3:03 pm

  I am in mk now for 6 months. They say give it a year. I am in financial ruin now it won’t take a year to be homeless. Within the next 2 months.
  How does these products sell at flea markets and online for 25%-50% off? I don’t have enough products to send back and pay off my director and
  pay my bill off minus the 10% and shipping cost and chargeback for the free items and prizes. I heard they charge back for all of it Any ideas will be welcome. I wil be checking back if I still have electric and phone service for the internet. Its ture MK is not for everyone.

• AMY
  May 31, 2007 at 1:48 pm

  I AM A VERY SUCESSFUL MARY KAY CONSULTANT! LOL! BUT I DON’T THINK IWOULD GO UP TO COMPLETE STRANGERS TO ASK THEM TO BE MY MODEL!!1LOL!!! I REALLY DON’T HAVE TO MY BUSINESS USUALLY COMES TO ME. IF ANYONE NEEDS PRODUCTS PLEASE GO TO http://WWW.MARYKAY.COM/AMYBROOK
  I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SERVICE YOU AND SEND YOU YOUR ORDER!!! :)

• OHNO!
  Jun 26, 2007 at 6:05 pm

  THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR THIS LISTING!!
  I was literally JUST APPROACHED for this very thing in a Hobby Lobby parking lot! She was cute and well dressed and complimented me too much! I was verrry suspicious and came online to see what I could find! and lo and behold i find this!

  This woman approached me and said that i was so put together and cute (i’m pregnant) and wanted me to be her face model on Friday. She even said she would pick me up. AUGHHH!!! well anyways i gave her my info (YIKES) to call me tomorrow…..I know i will be saying no now!! Thanks again!!

• Merc
  Jun 27, 2007 at 9:56 am

  I am so appalled! Are you all grown women able to make a decision for yourself? If you don’t want to be duped by the model thing, ask questions! You guys are knocking women trying to make a living and I would be willing to bet that the bulk of these women are single moms trying to put food on the table. And guess what - MK is an awesome opportunity for that woman who’s deadbeat man left them desolate! If you don’t want to be part of it, say “No.” If you don’t want to purchase, say “No.” But, I would be willing to bet that every single one of you can look in your fridge and/or cupboard and find some sugar-filled, chemical-filled crap that you bought because the commercial on television said it was the best ever!! Now that’s what I call pushy. And I would also be willing to bet that most if not all of you have a complaint about the weight you have. It bombards every TV set, and every radio, our roadways, our stores, our magazines, our newspapers, our mailboxes and our computers - but you are going to actually set up a blog for someone you have encountered a few times in your entire life - if that??? Do you also confront the person at the drive-thru who asks if you are interested in a specific meal deal? Grow up ladies! Don’t you have anything better to do than to put down someone who is at least willing to find something better for herself than she already has? And if you don’t like the way she does it, we have the freedom of choice - make it. Guess what, there a many millionares within the MK business - someone obviously loves the product and the idea. If you don’t, then get over it. Get a life you do like. I am just floored that you ladies sit at this computer complaining about how someone makes their living. Most of you have even tried it, so obviously what you are doing with your life isn’t fulfilling enough and you looked into changing it with MK. Then, you ask, “How do they sleep at night?” How do you sleep at night talking all this crap about other people who are only trying to make a living? And you act as if they stole something from you. You are grown ups and you had a choice. If you are going to bitch and moan, bitch and moan about the decision YOU made. Those Consultants didn’t do it to you.

• Christina Jones
  Jun 27, 2007 at 10:46 am

  Mercy, Merc - not passing around a great impression of MK there, are ya? I have loved MK in the past, but the more I see of angry bitter kaybots, the less I think I would ever care to speak to one, much less buy anything they offered for sale. But I don’t think they are really looking to sell anyway, are they?

• Shannon
  Jun 27, 2007 at 11:49 am

  My guess Merc, is that your man left you desolate and you are a MK consultant.

  No one here would have a problem if the consultant wasn’t using lying and trickery just to get you to come to a MK meeting. I’ve watched this in action and the person made no mention of MK. Why not be up front and say you are trying to either A. Sell them product or B. Get them to become a consultant.

  Is that too much to ask?

  Christina–bitter kaybots! HAHA. You crack me up.

• Merc
  Jun 27, 2007 at 3:15 pm

  Not that I need to defend anything about my life, I’m happily married for 14 years and have never been divorced. I do sell MK and I do very well at it. I have helped to change many women’s lives by bringing them to MK. Many of them single Mom’s who would have been working minimum wage and collecting welfare with our tax dollars. I don’t do a whole lot of the “warm chatter”. Actually, I have found in the past that just wearing my pin and letting them come to me works well becuase there are more women interested MK than there are bitter. I don’t do many parties now because I have such a strong customer base. I am not an angry “kaybot” - I am just so floored that some women have become such victims in their lives that instead of stepping up to make their world a better place, they are going to set up a hate blog for people who are trying to better themselves. So when life doesn’t go the way your children want it to or people don’t treat them they way they think that they should be treated, do you encourage them to have a tantrum? Has it ever crossed your mind that people only do what they know how to do? These women have met the ones that make lots of money and would like to make some also, and all they have to go on is what the person above them teaches. Some of the women they ask will say yes, some will say no. And just so you know, we do have an active model search on for our LOOK books. They can win an all expense paid trip to NY along with spending money. But all in all, it is an “independant” business. Each consultant can run it how she wants and it either will or will not work for her. The complaint on the inventory - well, if you went to McDonald’s and ordered a hamburger and fries, would you wait till they went and purchased it then cooked it? Or would you expect to eat it right away? If you went to purchase skin care anywhere else, would you buy it if you had to wait a week for their order to come in? It’s good business sense to have inventory on hand. No one today likes to wait to get something they bought. I am having a revelation. I am just as bad as you. My daughters friend mentioned this blog to my daughter who showed me and I was sucked right in. I do have a life - a very prosperous and happy life in all ways. My MK biz just bought and paid for a brand new house in sunny FL. I have worked very hard to get to where I am and it really doesn’t matter your opinion about me. I only worry about one judge in my world and that’s God. I will pray that you find something more fulfilling than judging others for trying to find a better way in life. Don’t be a hater because you couldn’t make it work. Be happy for the ones who were able to.

• Christina Jones
  Jun 27, 2007 at 3:28 pm

  MK’lady doth protest too much. ;) Good luck with your business Merc - Im sure its wonderful for you and many others. I, however, will still continue to get a kick out of these ridiculous sales tactics from MK or anyone else who dares present such baloney. Please forgive me.

• Luanne
  Jun 27, 2007 at 4:40 pm

  lmao - dang Christina, your own lil ole piece of kaybot hatemail. How’d you get so lucky ;-) lolol aren’t they simply precious ;-) gotta love the kaybots lolol

  and to Merc, sweetie, I hate to tell you this, but you are sooooo brainwashed. You poor thing.
  *shakin’ my head in sadness for you*

  UMMM - Can we see your schedule C ;-) I suspect if you are making any kind of money, you’re most likely making it off of your downline? If you’re really selling just to your customer base, you might be making a little bit of money, but I suspect not very much really and you should be so lucky to have a husband who is most likely the main bread winner. Poor Christina only has basically one topic/thread that I subscribe to on Kaybots and the tactics they will use to coerce someone into their web. I suspect this hate mail was really intended for the full blown blog which I believe you are referencing.

  Don’t get your panties in a wad Merc :-)

• Christina Jones
  Jun 27, 2007 at 5:42 pm

  LOL Hey Luanne - fancy meeting you here. ;) I do feel a little bit special and like part of “the gang.” I am glad I know about PT so I know the proverbial “rest of the story” rather than feeling all confused as to why bitter kaybots exist in the wild when they should be living in happy pink fluff (I love happy pink fluff, you know). This thread has led to lots of education and eye opening for me over the last year. :)

• Luanne
  Jun 28, 2007 at 7:50 am

  lol - you never knew you’d fall in with that sort of “gang” mentality did ya. It’s kind of hard to avoid though especially when the topic is one of your flavors of the day :-)

  It certainly is a lesson which some of us have learned, some the hard way and some of us caught on real quick to all the lies which are spewed by those wanting us to buy, buy, buy inventory to line, line, line their pockets. Merc, that’s how you all make money, is off all of the poor independent BC’s who have tons of inventory setting in their garages, basements or closets. Have you checked EBAY lately. Or the trade boards which are online!! It’s totally out of control, but these women seriously got suckered into “a dream”. We’re women, we’re emotional critters and so easily manipulted. Even the strongest of us, but we also vow, after having been through it, to never let it happen to us again and to be a presense on the internet for those who are questioning “the flopportunity”. You see Merc, there are ALWAYS two sides to EVERY story.

  Christina…..the only kind of pink fluff I like is cotton candy!! YUM!! It’s that time of year again, up here in the NE. Fair and carnival time :-) Did I ever tell you I can usually spot a kaybot a mile away? They just have this look about them :-)

  It’s certainly a good thing to be educated and even we only learn from each other, I think it’s all good. :-)

  Staying tuned. This is always fun. Not sure why I enjoy watching a train wreck ;-)

• gothchiq
  Jun 28, 2007 at 8:35 am

  Bwahaha. What does “Merc” stand for? Mercenary?

  Been there, done that, know the truth, will never be fooled again by MK or any other sleazy MLM!

• Sparrow
  Jun 28, 2007 at 10:07 am

  HI Mk bashers
  My name’s Sparrow- I stumbled upon this website via my friend who surfs the web looking for interesting stuff. I’m only sixteen and I’m not really that into make up (until I start breaking out that is) but after reading through this entire blog solely out of boredom I’ve realized something. You people are being really pathetic. You talk and act like a bunch of teenagers. Do you have nothing better to do than sit around and talk bad about people? I mean honestly I thought some of the girls in my high school were dramatic- but you guys could give the best of them a run for their money.

  I think maybe it’s time to ask yourself the ambiguous question- What do I REALLY want to be doing with my life? Though I’m sure you’re getting very far by shacking up with tons of bitter feelings feeding off others’ complaints and putting people down to make yourselves feel better (note the sarcasm here). I think you would find that LETTING IT GO and finding something better to do can be soooooooo much more fullfilling.

  Man you act like you are in high school. Why? Take it from someone who really is- it’s time to grow up. Why is it that we are our worst enemy? - girls and woman have been battling each other since the beginning of time. Maybe you should look at it from someone else’s point of veiw (perhaps the veiw of your wicked little kaybots). While I admit lying and trickery are no way to earn a living I’m sure not all Mk salespeople are dishonest. I’m sure some of them Are making a good and decent living without your so-called sales tactics. And either way, these woman don’t wake up in the morning with the intention to tick you off. Why hate the whole idea of Mk and put down All of their “brainwashed” salespeople if it’s only a few that you’re Really angry at.

  I know it’s not my place to say this because I don’t sell Mk, but I do use it on occassion. Either way I’m sure my opinion means nothing to you. But still, with that said, for anyone who’s religious out there - If you have an issue with someone it’s NOT YOUR PLACE to “deal with it” or “talK down to people”. If it’s really a problem only one person can deal with it truly and that’s God.

  Anyway unlike you I have a life- so back to it now.

  sincerely
  Sparrow (saving the world one angry lady at a time! xo)

• Merc
  Jun 28, 2007 at 10:42 am

  Oh my goodness. I go to get into my email and it has been bombarded with very angry bitter women. I’m so sad for you. Then, I find hope on this website because it looks like a teenager has seen how childish all of this is. There is hope for the world’s future! Come on ladies, you are the true meaning of misery loves company. Now, let me figure out how in the world to block your emails. Maybe you should do the same - because I’m sure as a child when you said “When I grow up I want to be….” , it wasn’t “a very angry woman who blames everyone but herself for the woes in her life.” Suck it up. Take it as a lesson learned. I’m sorry you have had a bad experience, but everyone in this world has been wronged by someone else. The important thing is how you can become a better person as a result of your experience, not how you can wallow in the tragedy. You aren’t required to have anything to do with MK and the longer you sit in the anger, the harder it will become to rise above it. Good luck and best wishes to all of you. I pray that each and every one of you find the true meaning to happiness and know that it’s not putting down any other human being. Go Sparrow - you are a very intuitive young woman.
  Love and blessings to all of you
  Merc

• gothchiq
  Jun 28, 2007 at 10:51 am

  Who’s emailing you? All I do is post to the board. If you don’t like the thread, don’t subscribe to it. That’s pretty simple. duh!

• Eli
  Jun 29, 2007 at 8:58 pm

  It’s true check out the mary kay web site they are having a real life model search. No Lie!! Ask a consultant.

• Flamingo
  Jul 3, 2007 at 10:27 pm

  Hi there,
  I would just like to say that as a new consultant with MK in Canada, that it can work for you if you want it to work. I have a very good director who is always encouraging, and helping me to move forward. She has also become a good friend. I decided to sell MK cause I use the products and like them, as well as I work as a private music teacher in my house. MK is going to be a way to supplement my income, especially in slow seasons like summer. Will I ever become a director or have one of the cars? Who knows? Is the world going to end tomorrow? No-one can say. I find that some of my best leads come from people approching me-which on public transit happens lots :) If they ask, I will answer their questions, and I am not afraid to share things with them, and if I am not sure I tell them I will find out - IF THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE. For me, I have trouble approaching people so I use “fishbowls” and such where I offer a GC from a respectable hair salon along with a free consultation as a prize draw. Since the boxes are MK ones, I can only assume if you enter, you want to know more. Whether there are consultants who are not living up to the ideas of MK I can’t say, I have never met any like that. However, ALL companies have their good and their not so good people. As for the recruiting thing, I seem to naturally attract people who want to be MK consultants, which honestly, I would love to do more selling LOL. I guess I need to follow the law of attraction and put out sales vibes :) Please don’t hate those of us who are just trying to do something we like for ourselves.

• Tired of complaining women!
  Aug 10, 2007 at 11:31 am

  Let me just start off by saying CONGRATULATIONS to each and everyone of you for pulling one over on a Mary Kay beauty consultant! WOW! You are all so sharp and fantastic. NOT!

  Here’s my issue: Women complain about everything! Regardless of whether or not it’s a “Mary Kay” issue. But since we’re on that let’s go that route.

  I get so sick and tired of women constantly complaining, knitpicking, and glorifying their negativity about how they didn’t call a beauty consultant back and they were smart enough to not be dooped into her web of dark lies and deceit. Honestly ladies listen to yourselves. You sound like a barn full of gossiping hens. Are you all looking for a pat on the back? Maybe that’s what it is your parents didn’t give you enough love, attention, and reassurance so you feel you have to take everyone else’s. Don’t try to make women who are trying to make something of themselves feel like their so inferior to you.

  If that consultant asked you to be a face model it could’ve been for a promotion the company was offering or simply for her training. Not everyone becomes a consultant so that they can cast some evil spell upon you and make you into a Mary Kay robot.

  WOW!!! You women are really sad. Shouldn’t you find something better to do with your time and I don’t know talk to your girlfriends. Or maybe you don’t have any because you complain too much and you’ve ran them all away. Go get a life and big deal if you didn’t want to call her back, conduct business with her, or be a face model to help her with her training! There are a million and one women and men out there that would love to help someone other than themselves.

  Mary Kay consultants work hard and I’m just tired of the negativity constantly surrounding them like buzzards over a fresh carcass. It’s always from negative women like you. They’re not relying on government assistance to help them nor are they out begging and panhandling being a burden on society. They’re out trying something new and they might like it. BIG DEAL if you’re not their customer! MOVE OVER so she can go on with her life because at this rate she’s got more than what you’ve got!

• Luanne
  Aug 11, 2007 at 10:27 am

  Tired of complaining Women!!

  OH!! I’m crushed!! You’ve seen right through to the depths of my soul. I am such a lazy person and never ever would have made it as a Mary Kay lady, because I just love to whine and complain and be negative. Yep, that’s my winning road in my life!!

  NOT!!! lolol… Ah geez, just another Kaybot in the PINK FOG!! How long have you been a kaybot there, Miss, MK is sooooo wonderful?? ;-)

• Eli
  Aug 11, 2007 at 5:07 pm

  Mary Kay Rocks!!! I dont understand how ladies could say anything bad about a company that is all about women making life better. I have seen and talked to women who have a better life today than they did prior to MK. This is not a get rich quick company but they will help you to reach your goals if you are. So get off your tail and be strong find your direction and go for it. If you dont want to work hard then yea stay where you are and be unhappy and write bad things about a company and women who work hard to make this world a better place.

• FranchisePick.Com to Appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
  Aug 18, 2007 at 12:31 pm

  […] posts on Mary Kay Cosmetics Mary Kay Sponsors Country Music Awards (ebeauty Daily) An Unbeautiful Mary Kay Story (ebeauty Daily) An Unbeautiful Mary Kay Story Part Deux (Makeup Minute) Attack of the Satin Hand […]

• Heidi
  Aug 23, 2007 at 8:26 pm

  I work in retail and one day I was cashing a lady out and she asked me to be a face model.

  I phoned her two weeks later, did a quick and easy shoot with three other models… and that was it.

  She never attempted to sell me the product, instead she gave me free eye liner. It was very nice. .. never for a second did I think it was a scam.

• Sherry
  Aug 29, 2007 at 11:58 pm

  It is hurtful when a person is approached then complimented to find out its only a sales pitch. Warm chatter is rude and since most people do not like it maybe you shouldn’t do it. Then maybe old hens would find something else to blog about. My god and your so hateful in your posts its disgusting. Everyone has the right to their opinion if you don’t like it don’t read it.

  I was a MK consultant and I was doing fine with it. I loved the products and my team. I guess I was just lucky. I sold while I was in school for extra money. It by no means paid for my education it was just a little extra money every week. I can look back and know that I never hurt anyones feelings by warm chatter or did I ever pressure anyone to sell. My concience is clean I hope that others can say the same. I was told to do the warm chatter and I just could not. I always believed that the reputation of the company and the product is why I had a small sucess.

  Oh by the way face model you got duped maybe not into buying anything but to going. I guarantee you will get calls from her and when you left she was disapointed.

  The other consultants who are so aggresively rude in their posts are not representing themselves or MK well.

  I do hope that those who truly like the product keep using it. I buy mine online at a site where former consultants sell for a discount. I pay less than 1/2 of retail.

• Ivy Jean
  Sep 11, 2007 at 11:22 am

  I am a Mary Kay Consultant and it’s so disheartening to hear stories of other consultants out there being so harsh and pushy. I know quite a few that find that way of doing business easy for them. I on the other hand prefer get my buisness through referrals. If a woman loves a product she’s going to want to share it with a friend! It’s that easy. Never do I “warm chatter” women in the super market, #1 I don’t have the guts, and #2 Mary Kay educates us not to be pushy. I’m just following the rules of what the company enstills in us. My goal is to help women feel good about themselves, not to feel like they’ve just been suckered. It’s just a shame that there are other consultants out there ruining it for us. But those of you who said you love the product and still use it regardless of the pushy sales person, thank you! With horrible stories and rumors it doesn’t make it easy for others who sell the same product to do their job. Mary Kay would roll over in her grave if she heard these stories!

• Pink N' Lovin' It
  Sep 25, 2007 at 8:37 pm

  Hi Everyone!! Read most of your comments. And yes I was a MK consultant at one point too. I didn’t feel comfortable approaching people, but you can be very successful in this business.

  I have a friend who’s a MK Director and she does very well!! Although I don’t sell MK I work for a few successful MK Directors including my friend who created this job for me - THANKS TO MARY KAY COSMETICS!!

  I LOVE MK!! And to all the successful MK DirectorS looking for a virtual administrative assistant to send out your correspondences, feel free to contact me at
  Diligent-Professional@hotmail.com Serious inquires only please.
  Good Luck to all of you in your endeavors!! : P

• Lisa
  Oct 5, 2007 at 6:27 pm

  I was just asked today to be a face model for MK! The lady was really really nice and approached my in ChickFilA where I was with my kids. I was quite flattered obviously, but really thought there was a hidden agenda. I googled and found all of this! Unbelievable. I’m really surprised that MK is LYING to get business. They don’t want me to be a face model, they want me to sell! That really just ticks me off and I will make sure that I do not do business with a company that uses these ethics. It’s rather unfortunate.

• Luanne
  Oct 6, 2007 at 3:20 pm

  Lisa, I’m glad you were smart enough to do an internet search. You know what they say, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is” :-)

  Hi Christina :-)

• Christina Jones
  Oct 6, 2007 at 6:29 pm

  I totally agree with Luanne, Lisa - that is the beauty of the internet - quick and easy research! Glad you used it!

  And a big Hi to you Luanne! ;)

• Warcraft Chick
  Oct 6, 2007 at 7:38 pm

  Hmm “I totally agree with Luanne, Lisa - that is the beauty of the internet - quick and easy research! Glad you used it!”

  You are of course forgetting the beauty of the internet that seems to turn up sites like this and others that are so full of biased opinions that one doesn’t even have to wonder why there are so many stupid decisions made in the world when people like yourselves are stupid enough to believe everything the Internet says when you only check one site. I wonder what things we could find about you if we used the beauty of the internet - nevermind whether what’s found is all true or biased. Get a life

• Lisa
  Oct 6, 2007 at 8:58 pm

  To Warcraft Chick
  Are you saying that the MK consultant was *NOT* trying to get me to hear the MK sales pitch by asking me to be a face model?

  What exactly was said that was untrue? All I read were people sharing their experiences.

  Before you respond, said MK consultant who wanted “me to be a face model” has since contacted me as promised and admitted to wanting me to hear their sales pitch and there would be no actual job of me being a face model!

  Isn’t that called a lie? Bait and switch? Unethical? What would you call it? And you can’t say its just a ‘bad consultant’, b/c it evidently happens A LOT!

  I also have another totally separate experience with MK from about 3 yrs ago where I was approached at the mall. I was also lied to then and then I was harrassed at home by the consultant and her superior b/c I would not give in and be a consultant and come listen to their sales pitch. She would NOT take no for an answer. And then when I *finally* got her to back off, she told me that she would keep my # and call me back in 6 months b/c she “knew I would change my mind”!! What the hell, lady?! Thankfully, I moved and changed my #.

  I don’t know about anyone else, but I did only check one website about this and formed an opinion. There are other people in this world, besides yourself, that do know about bias. (And there are also people that now how to use punctuation to avoid run-on sentences) In this case though, I think you just are in love with Mary Kay and don’t want to see that there is an ugly side out there. I do know that MK is not all bad…they do have good products. But their ethics suck.

• Lisa
  Oct 6, 2007 at 9:01 pm

  EDIT here - I meant “I don’t know about anyone else, but I did NOT only check one website about this and formed an opinion.” Sorry guys…haha

• Warcraft Chick
  Oct 7, 2007 at 12:37 am

  to Lisa
  Boy you get riled easy. The USA must have many people with blood pressure issues if a few binary digits on a remote server get that kind of reaction! (I am guessing of course, not being from the USA - CANADA RULES!!) I just wanted to provoke a reaction out of somebody and you gave it. You got mad enough that you had to post a correction to your own words. And if my screen name means anything, you would realize that I am a computer nut, and most of us computer chicks find that makeup is not something we want to spend time on. I was actually on this site following a different link, this one just looked funny so I had to see what was here. I wasn’t disappointed. Thank you for providing me with amusement and entertainment. PWNED!!!!

• Lisa
  Oct 7, 2007 at 7:58 am

  Wow - I’m thinking you should find more productive things to do with your time. You didn’t rile me up, as I thought you were someone that was legitimately here to actually bring something viable to the table. I wanted to hear your side of things.

  I didn’t realize I was dealing with a close-minded provocateur who thrives on name calling and stereo-types.

  I’m done here as this 3rd grade bickering isn’t my style. I truly hope that you can find more productive things to do with your spare time.

  I’m glad that I provided you with amusement and entertainment. But forgive me if I think it is totally sad and pathetic that THIS is what you do for entertainment.

• Luanne
  Oct 7, 2007 at 2:42 pm

  Lisa, this just reconfirms who these MK women will fight to the death over their sainted MK!! It’s really laughable this whole anti-MK thing. If nothing else, the internet does provide you with two sides to the story and you have the right to believe what you want to believe. We’ve simply opened your eyes to the possibility that there might be some underlying goal of these tactics the MK women will use to suck you into their bubble. You know what they say, there are always two sides to every story and there are certainly enough pro-MK women out there who are blogging as well. Again, I applaud you for doing your homework and having your eyes opened to the possibility of a scam. We can’t believe everything everybody tells us, that’s for sure :-)

• calderon1@marykay.com
  Oct 9, 2007 at 9:50 am

  Ladies. I am sorry for your bad experiences with these Mary Kay consultants and with each other. As I have said before… the ideals of Mary Kay and the business structure is sound… Purchase a starter kit for $100 (lifetime shopping priveledge at 50% off) and do with it what you may. The only stipulation is to order $200 of product once per year to keep your “membership” active. When you sign up you sign a contract… Remember before signing anything you should read it… this tells you things that you are required and not required to do. (Knowledge is power.) I had asked a question previously to the Sales Directors (or former) that went unanswered on this board… I found out the answer… the company does not change your contract in any way, you are not forced or required to follow in others footsteps. As women we have to learn to know ourselves, trust our instincts and not worry about fitting in with things we really didn’t want to fit into. I run my business differently than most, I do things Independently I am not influenced by the crowd. I know what I am required to do, supposed to do, what I can do, and what I can’t do… that’s because I don’t give my power away to anyone. I find out the answers to the questions that I need to know and make my own plans and actions accordingly. Today information and opinions come from everywhere… most often the information is tainted with personal biases. We have to look at the facts of a situation and evaluate it honestly and fairly. So in closing, I will say the following:
  1) Mary Kay opportunity. It is an inexpensive way to start something (business, hobby, discount shopping for those who love skin/body care and cosmetics, a challenge for overcoming personal obstacles, etc… whatever you see in it)

  2) You are required by the company to do no more that what I previously stated. You can take it as far and as fast a you decide or not decide.

  3)Whenever you have something good, there are always some that don’t appreciate the good in it… there are those that want to possess and own and destroy it. So yes there are good consultants/directors out there, but there are also bad one.

  4) If someone has offended you, I would hope that you inform them and try and resolve the conflict. Take up some of these issues with the company, write them letters etc.

  5) Know yourself and where you stand. The company believes in treating others as you would want to be treated, so if your beliefs are in line with this… simply keep yourself on this side of the line.

  5) Whenever you do anything read agreements that you are subject to and don’t forget to listen to your intuition and moral compass.

  6) Our success or failure in life is up to us. No matter what obstacle comes in your way find a way to deal with it that represents your beliefs. (Although I have been discourage with some of the ways and operating with others, my knowledge of the company itself has allowed me to reap the benefits I would have otherwise gone without. I wasn’t going to let someone else take away something good away from me.)

  To everyone I hope that you can find it inside of yourselves to be a little kinder to each other. Although our experiences have brought us to this site for different reasons, it has brought us together. We all make a difference, will yours be positive or negative?

  Ladies,
  Good luck, Good health, Good life

  Elizabeth
  -A belief that we can all be better.

• Terri
  Oct 13, 2007 at 5:50 am

  Bless you Elizabeth! I happened to be surfing tonight for something totally unrelated to MK and came across this blog. I was very saddened to see so much negativity surrounding a great company. And I hear the pain in many of your responses of the treatment you have received from MK consultants / directors. I guess times have really changed since I got out of the business because it wasn’t always like this.

  I am one of those ex-MK directors that simply chose to no longer pursue my MK business a few years back. It was not due to lack of production or making money, it was a personal decision that was best for me at the time. I had simply accomplished what I had originally set out to do with the business (pay off debt and buy a home). And sometimes as the saying goes…life happens…and it was time to make a choice.

  The key word in the previous paragraph is “chose”… because your life is what it is today because of the choices that we made yesterday. Over 17 years ago, I chose to accept an offer that a MK consultant offered me to receive a free facial and makeover to try her products (I met her at a chamber of commerce mixer). She expressed that she would show me some great new makeup tips and answer any questions I might have about my skin. She did not try to sell me or recruit me. She didn’t have to. She did exactly what she said that she was going to do when she offer the appointment to me…she taught me makeup techniques and answered questions for me.

  I did purchase a bunch of makeup products from her that day, and we developed a great consultant/customer relationship. Two and 1/2 years later, after having purchased $100’s of dollars worth of retail products from her, she asked me very simply “Have you ever thought of having your own home-based Mary Kay business? I heard you say that you wanted to buy a home, and you can earn some great extra income in my business. Would you be willing to meet with me so I could share some more information with you?” I had thought about it and my tax accountant said it would be a great thing… plus I thought it would be fun, so I gave it a go.

  My consultant / recruiter never pressured me into inventory. She simply told me that she would teach me how to build a customer base of customers like I had been to her for the past couple years. I did the math and saw that I could make some great extra income. She also showed me how I could start my business for under $250 by supplementing my start-up kit with a few of the other products to demo that were really good sellers, and she invited me to go watch her do a few appointments so I could learn. She encouraged me to take one person with me to these appointments so I could earn some money, too, while I was learning. What a smart leader she was! Over the next 5 years, I did exactly what she did with me. After building a personal retail customer base of over 1,000 strong and a team of over 100 consultants, my team and I built a very successful sales unit based on the Golden Rule…with no pressure and no gimmicks. Bottom line…my consultant/recruiter was so smart…she taught me how to make money ethically and honestly, and more importantly, how to treat people in business, how to followup and build a strong customer base, how to lead and mentor people, and how to lead others to do the same.

  Having my own MK business over those 8 years was one of the best business and personal decisions I made in my life. It taught me so many things, and I grew as a person and as a businesswoman.

  In the 8 years I was in the business, my 1099’s and schedule C’s did reflect that I made good money (great money a couple of years). But it was not done with sneaky tactics to get people to come to meetings so we could recruit them or se