Mary Kay Review: Is it Legitimate MLM or a Pyramid Scheme?

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If you’re looking for a money-making opportunity, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Mary Kay. This privately owned multi-level marketing company has been around since 1963 and boasts over 3 million distributors worldwide. So, is Mary Kay a pyramid scheme? Or is it a legitimate MLM company? In this Mary Kay review, we’ll give you the scoop on everything Mary Kay, including an overview of the products they sell, what makes Mary Kay an MLM company, and whether or not you can make money selling Mary Kay. We’ll also share our thoughts on the company, both the good and the bad. Keep reading to get all your questions answered.

Who is Mary Kay Ash?

Mary Kay Ash is the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, a privately owned company based in Addison, Texas. Mary Kay distributors, called beauty consultants, sell beauty and skin care products to people in their community. They can also earn commissions when they recruit others to begin selling under their distribution network.

The company started with 318 distributors and sales of nearly $200,000. Reports show that by 1991 the company exceeded $500 million in sales through 220,000 consultants. Its sales had grown to $950 million in 1995 and as of 2017, saw its worldwide sales grow to $3.7 billion with 2.5 million consultants, 39,000 directors and 600 national directors.

What products does Mary Kay sell?

Mary Kay’s product line includes a wide range of beauty and skin care products, including:

  • Makeup
  • Skincare
  • Fragrances
  • Bath and body products
  • Sun care
  • Men’s products

The company also offers a men’s line of grooming products. In addition to Mary Kay’s core product offerings, the company also occasionally releases new product lines that are only available for a limited time.

Mary Kay products are manufactured in the United States, Canada, China, and Taiwan using a variety of different ingredients, including:

  • Amino acids
  • Botanicals
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Sunscreens
  • Alpha hydroxy acids 

What do customers say about Mary Kay products?

Mary Kay products have mixed reviews online. Some customers say that they love the products and that they’ve seen a noticeable difference in their skin after using them. Others complain that the products are overpriced and that they haven’t seen any results after using them. Mary Kay does offer a 60-day money back guarantee on all of its products, so if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can always return it for a refund.

The Mary Kay website says that all of their products are safe to use and that they undergo rigorous testing to ensure their quality and safety. The company is also a member of the Direct Selling Association, which requires its members to adhere to a code of ethics, including truth in advertising and disclosure of earnings.

What do it’s distributors say about Mary Kay?

Mary Kay distributors are also a mixed bag. Some say that they’ve been able to make a good income selling Mary Kay products and that the company is great to work for. Others have said that it’s hard to make money selling Mary Kay and that the company is more focused on recruiting new consultants than selling products.

What makes Mary Kay an MLM company?

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Mary Kay is classified as a multi-level marketing company because its distributors earn commissions not only on their own sales but also on the sales of the people they recruit to sell Mary Kay products. This recruitment-based commission structure is what typically classifies a company as an MLM. Mary Kay’s compensation plan is based on a system of commissions, bonuses, and overrides that rewards distributors for their sales volume as well as the sales volume of the people they recruit.

Is MLM a pyramid scheme?

Multi-level marketing companies are not pyramid schemes, but there are some similarities between the two. Both MLMs and pyramid schemes rely on recruitment to grow their businesses. However, in a pyramid scheme, participants only make money by recruiting new members into the scheme. In an MLM, participants can earn commissions on their own sales as well as the sales of the people they recruit. Mary Kay is an MLM, not a pyramid scheme.

Can you make money selling Mary Kay?

Yes, you can make money selling Mary Kay products. Mary Kay distributors can earn income in a few different ways:

  • Commissions: Distributors earn a commission on their personal sales as well as the sales of the people they recruit.
  • Bonuses: Mary Kay offers bonuses to distributors who reach certain sales milestones.
  • Overrides: Overrides are commissions that distributors earn on the sales volume of the people they recruit.

The Mary Kay starter kit costs $100. The kit includes Mary Kay products, samples, business supplies, and training materials. Mary Kay also offers an online e-commerce store for consultants who want to sell Mary Kay products online.

To stay active as a Mary Kay distributor, you must purchase $200 worth of Mary Kay products every three months. Mary Kay does offer discounts to consultants who purchase larger quantities of product. There are also some additional costs associated with being a Mary Kay consultant, such as the cost of hosting Mary Kay parties and attending Mary Kay training events. Overall, the costs of being a Mary Kay consultant are not excessive.

Like with any business, there is no guarantee that you’ll make money selling Mary Kay products because it depends on how much you sell and how many people you recruit to sell under you. It will take hard work, dedication, and time to build a successful Mary Kay business. However, if you’re willing to put in the effort, Mary Kay can be a great way to earn some extra income or even replace your full-time job.

What’s this about pink Cadillacs?

Mary Kay is known for giving its top distributors pink Cadillacs. The company has been doing this since 1969 as a way to reward its most successful sellers. To qualify for a Mary Kay pink Cadillac, a distributor must reach certain sales goals and maintain those sales for six consecutive months.

What’s a pink pyramid scheme?

A pink pyramid scheme is a term used to describe Mary Kay’s business model. The name comes from the company’s pink Cadillacs and its recruitment-based compensation plan. While Mary Kay is not a pyramid scheme, some people believe that it is because of its pink Cadillacs and recruitment-based commissions.

What do we like about Mary Kay?

There are a few things we like about Mary Kay:

  • The company has been around for over 50 years and is a well-established brand.
  • Mary Kay products have a 60-day money back guarantee, so you can always return them if you’re not satisfied.
  • The compensation plan is based on sales, so you can earn commissions on your own sales as well as the sales of the people you recruit.
  • Mary Kay products are available in over 35 countries.
  • The company has a wide range of beauty and skin care products.

What don’t we like about Mary Kay?

There are a few things we don’t like about Mary Kay:

  • The compensation plan is based on recruitment, so you may have to recruit others to sell Mary Kay in order to make a decent income.
  • The compensation plan is complex and confusing.
  • The company requires its distributors to purchase $100 of Mary Kay products each month, which can be a lot for some people.
  • Mary Kay products are only available through Mary Kay distributors, so you may have to pay more for them than you would if you bought them from a store.
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So, is Mary Kay a legitimate MLM or pyramid scheme?

Mary Kay is a reputable MLM company that offers its distributors an opportunity to make money selling its products. However, like with any business, there is no guarantee that you'll make money selling Mary Kay products. It will take hard work, dedication, and time to build a successful Mary Kay business. If you're willing to put in the effort, Mary Kay can be a great way to earn some extra income or even replace your full-time job. But if you're looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, Mary Kay is not the right opportunity for you.

There are alternative money-making opportunities

Other money-making opportunities may be a better fit for you. For example, you could start your own e-commerce business or blog and sell products online. You could also look into network marketing companies like Amway or Herbalife that offer a variety of products to sell.

If you are researching these alternatives, your No. 1 source of information is I Buy I Review. We buy online courses and programs and then review them to give our unbiased opinion about whether they’re worth your time and money. Check out some of our other reviews now.