Why I chose Mark. over Mary (Kay).

I've been thinking about writing this for a few weeks now, but just wasn't sure about it... though here I am. As most of you know, I was a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant for a few months. In that short time, I had recruited 10 consultants and was going to be a Red Jacket within a few weeks when I made the decision to quit. I won't go into too much detail, but I was asked to be dishonest and was treated poorly when I questioned things (like the fact that we, as reps, were trained to say MK does not test on animals when in fact they do). I decided MK was not for me at that point (there were other reasons, but you get the idea).

Don't get me wrong, some Mary Kay products are great. And while I'm allergic to the Ultimate Mascara, it's one of the best I've ever used (besides it making my eyes red and broken out, and burning and watering). I did not want to give up my new love for skin care and cosmetics, so I started looking into other companies. I quickly discovered that mark. would be the best opportunity for me. I had been reading up on mark. for a week or so when I decided to join. I momentarily contemplated Avon, but when I saw the sales quotas I backed away. Mark. has no minimums and no sales quotas, and it's only $20 to start (compared to $100 with Mary Kay), so I figured I didn't have much to lose.

I listed all of my Mary Kay products for sale online (with the exception of some foundation and eye makeup remover, which I love), and started to sell mark. I'm now going to tell you why I chose mark. over Mary.

Mary Kay = $100 starter kit
mark. = $20 starter kit

Mary Kay = $400 minimum order (retail) or you do not receive commissions at all.
mark. = no minimum order, and you always earn at least 30% on all sales.

Mary Kay = Must make $400 (retail) order at least once every 3 months or you are inactive and cannot receive commissions from downline.
mark. = No minimum orders. Always active.

Mary Kay = Earn 4% on downline.
mark. = No pyramid.

Mary Kay = High end products, high end prices.
mark. = High end products, low to medium range prices.

Mary Kay = Has the stigma of being for "old ladies".
mark. = Is fresh, hip, and perfect for all ages.

Mary Kay = You are belittled if you do not wear "Mary Kay dress" (=dress/skirt) to meetings.
mark. = Wear what you want, come as you are! No pressure for meetings every week.

Mary Kay = $50/year for your own website, plus $40-$60/year for ProPay (which is the only way they let you take payments through your website).
mark. = Free website and your earnings are direct deposited into your bank account every month.

Mary Kay = Very few color choices (this was always one of my main complaints - I love color!).
mark. = Amazing colors, bright and playful as well as muted shades and neutrals.

Now those are just a few of the reasons I chose mark. over Mary Kay. Everyone obviously has to have their own reasons, their own morals, and their own standards. When asked to lie, I just cannot do it. No matter how close I was to the career car, no matter how fun the events were and how pretty the jewelry was that they threw at me, I just could not (in good conscience) continue on my Mary Kay journey.

If you are a Mary Kay rep and are reading this, please do not be offended. I have a friend I met through Mary Kay and I am supporting her 100% on her journey. I hope she gets the Red Jacket, the career car, and directorship. And I will not say anything negative to her about Mary Kay, unless she asks for my honest opinions.

I was making money selling Mary Kay, but was not being true to myself (they made me feel horrible if I did not wear skirts to meetings - I didn't even own a skirt and had to save up for one). I am now making money with mark. and I get to be who I truly am. Mark. doesn't ask you to change yourself, they accept you how you are. They don't pressure you to leave your kids at home and attend meetings every. single. week. They don't pressure you to go to events that require you to spend money you don't have. It's just a completely different world and I love it.

The opinions expressed in this post are mine and only mine. They not reflect the opinions of any other mark. or Mary Kay representatives.