PinkLighthouse.com

As I said in my last post, Touch of Pink Cosmetics denied many of the allegations put forth by Mary Kay Inc. in the lawsuit.

While some were run of the mill, there were several that were significant:

1. The Webers deny that their conduct in running Touch of Pink Cosmetics contituted, and continues to constitute “passing off.”

Mary Kay Inc. claims that Touch of Pink Cosmetics confused or deceived customers into thinking that they were affiliated with Mary Kay Inc.  Basically, “passing off” is an unfair competition theory that says a defendant is representing themselves in a way that the consumer wrongly believes that they are dealing with the plaintiff’s company.

I received this email from a visitor named Kristen. I think you’ll find it entertaining. I did.

I found your site while looking for a place to complain . I just had my introduction to Mary Kay products trying the mineral makeups. I am NOT impressed!

I purchased a new mineral eyeshadow, and when I opened it to excitedly use my new shade, I find a PUNY portion in a VERY MISLEADINGLY sized container! PLUS, the eyeshadow is not made to adhere within the container. There is NOTHING to hold it in!!! I suppose you’re supposed to remove it and use it for their new compact. I find this a CHEAP marketing ploy. I don’t WANT to buy that compact, and now I have my insultingly small eyeshadow fall out EVERY freaking time I open it. I just know one day it is going to fly out of that stupid container, hit my wall, and shatter all over my carpet- and I want to send Mary Kay my carpet cleaning bill!! Either that or I need to get better at catch…

Here’s a chart showing all the new eye and cheek colors coming out Summer 2008. It has pictures and descriptions so you can see all the new shades.

Mary Kay Mineral Eye & Cheek Colors Chart, Summer 2008

What does the way you use your lipstick indicate about your personality? Check out this flyer and find out.

Lipstick Personality

Here’s a seven page worksheet that shows the Features and Benefits of many of the Mary Kay products and the order of application.

Product Knowledge Worksheet

Below is a guide that I originally wrote for eBay. (Mary Kay Product Shelf Life Secrets Revealed.) I’m reprinting it here because so many have written to me via eBay to tell me that they found it helpful.

Shelf Life of Mary Kay Products

I frequently receive questions regarding the shelf life of Mary Kay products, mostly from consumers who have purchased the items somewhere else and now are having questions.

What IS Shelf Life?

Shelf Life is the period of time during which a product can be stored, unopened, under specified environmental conditions and remain suitable for use.

How Shelf Life is Determined

Here’s the information provided by the company itself in material provided to its sales force: (emphasis mine)

An article by guest writer Avital Pilpel

Introduction

Mary Kay is a company that sells beauty products, such as anti-ageing creams, skin moisturizers, lipstick, nail enamel, and so on. Mary Kay offers everybody the opportunity (or is it?) to “own their own business” by becoming a seller of Mary Kay products.

Essentially, like in any other business, one buys product wholesale from Mary Kay, and attempts to sell it at retail to customers. Unlike other businesses, Mary Kay is an MLM—one can not only sell products to others, but to recruit others to sell Mary Kay products as well. Those you recruit—and those that they recruit, etc.—constitute your “downline”. Every time someone in your downline (or your downline’s downline, etc.) sells a product, not only does he receive a commission, but you receive one as well.