PinkLighthouse.com

See? Just like your Mary Kay director told you.

Even when the economy is iffy, women buy lipstick.

Mary Kay Inc. reports that lipstick sales for the first six months of 2008 is up 60% over the same period in 2007.

“That tells me that more women are buying lipstick during these tough economic times,” said Rhonda Shasteen, Mary Kay’s senior vice president of corporate brand strategy.

“A woman needs something positive to brighten her day, and a $10 or $15 lipstick will do that,” she said.

Your Name: Jane

Date Joined MK : 2005

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still active and loving it!

Initial Inventory Purchased: None

How were you recruited?:

As a personal use consultant, I later decided to work my business and it was one of the best decisions I ever made!

Memorable experience you had in MK:

There are so many… I guess I would say my 1st $400 class! Or getting my 1st team member!

What did you learn from MK?:

So many things… self-donfidence,[sic] courage, friendship, loyalty… there are so many wonderful things and I keep on learning!

What are you doing now? :

I work full time and work my Mary Kay business part time and it is fabulous!

Additional Comments:

I am sorry that many of you have had negative experiences, but just remember that most of your experiences were with misguided people, the values and success that this company fosters in its consultants is, unfortunately, not what you experienced.

After over 20 years since its original publication, The Mary Kay Way: Timeless Principles from America’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur is back on bookstore shelves.

The book, which contains Mary Kay Ash’s words of wisdom on running a business, has been updated to include a forward written by her grandson.

A reader named Marie sent this message describing her experience as a guest at a Mary Kay meeting.

I appreciate your website as well as others who feel the same as I do. I was invited to a MK meeting/skin care. Was made to take off personal makeup to try MK products. I looked terrible/like a stuffed pig, colors were not for me. When the meeting leader showed me a huge case of products that she unrolled,retail to me over $200, I guess I gave her the impression I was not interested, she slammed it on the table.

I was told the next step was to have a personal meeting with the consultant who invited me there. I did meet at her home. She gave me a makeover, much like the one at the meeting. This lasted 2 hrs, when applying the makeup was only supposed to take 15 mins. Needless to say I never purchased MK products & ran as fast as I could from there. It was all very CREEPY!

P.S. There was a story in my local paper this week about a lady who was picking up her pink cadillac. She had been getting a new one every few yrs for 30 years. I guess it is possible to do that, although I wonder what the numbers actually say, & at what expense to others.

Thanks,

Marie

Your Name: Sara

Date Joined MK : October 2007

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still Active

Initial Inventory Purchased: $1800

How were you recruited?:

I was looking for someone who sold Mary Kay for years, and then I ran into someone on the train. She invited me to come to a Beauty Center, and I did. I loved the facial, loved the idea, and signed up.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

When I heard my Senior Director’s story about how much Mary Kay has changed her from being a tomboy to a soon-to-be-National Director. I could really relate to her experiences in childhood. Read more »

Usually the comments we get from those currently in Mary Kay are, shall we say, less than kind. But I received this the other day and thought you should see it.

I am a 3 time breast cancer survivor who recently retired. I have used Mary Kay since the age of 13 now over 30 years later I am a Consultant. Going through Chemotheraphy 3 times, hahas effected by cognitive. The effect is called “The Fog or Chemo-Brain”.

I am excited about your website’s motto “Guiding Women Through the Pink Fog”. This wealth of information has been most helpful to me. I am progressing and feel more confident in my business. Thank you for this wonderful website. It has great information.

With all Love, Tanya

I don’t agree at all with the principals behind MK. They are selling you products that aren’t any better than anyone else’s. If you can buy the products at half price, they are only making half of that, which means the makeup is only worth half of that. It is insane how much the directors haggle you. Mary Kay is a joke in my opinion. I am selling all of my inventory and want nothing to do with the company again.

Brittanie