Thread: Any thoughts on Mary Kay Make-up?

Originally Posted by laura 2

Mary Kay sales directors have their commission check amounts posted in the company's Applause magazine, and a great majority of them have seen huge decreases in these totals beginning in late 2007. Since the commissions are based on how many people are in your downline, the logical reason is recruits leaving without enough new recruits coming in to replace them. When you quit the company, and if you return your existing inventory, your director has to give back all of the comission she earned from you for the previous 12 months.

Okay, I can accept what you have to say about huge commission decreases going on within the company. In fact, I am not even going to run out and investigate such matters. I never claimed to be a Mary Kay expert with full on knowledge of their company profile and financial records. In fact, I don’t even wanna go there….

I was simply trying to make the point that Mary Kay isn’t “going out of business” like some companies we are hearing about every time we turn on the TV. And, from my understanding, people are still buying Mary Kay products during these uncertain times. Like any other company, Mary Kay will have good years and not-so-good years when it comes to sales, commissions, etc. It is typically what happens when you are in the business of sales - hands down - no getting around that. I don't know of any person or company, on earth, that manages to perform at their highest of highest peak, with no slip-ups, no setbacks, no disappoints or upsets. Not one.

In conclusion, despite what is going on in our country economically, Mary Kay is still in business regardless if the numbers are up today or down tomorrow. But, with that said, if tomorrow, CNN announces that the Mary Kay Corporation has gone belly up and has released all of their employees...then.. I may eat my own words..g.:

Just to clarify, the only reason I brought it up was because you used the word "thriving", which to me gives the impression of a business that's doing as well as or even better than normal. I'm still in business, and continue to teach and get the occasional gig. But since the economy has gone into the toilet my income has gone way down, and I wouldn't describe my business as thriving.

But I won't argue with you that Mary Kay will probably be able to survive this recession/depression. I agree that it probably will - well, corporate, at least.

Thanks, Laura.

I can absolutely see where you are coming from when I used the word "thriving". Looking back at my post, I probably could have used the word "surviving". Either way, Mary Kay appears to be quite successful and that is what "thriving" (to be fortunate) meant to me at the time. Maybe they aren't prospering as much in the "dollars and cents" realm, but they are definitely hanging on; like you've already acknowledged in your post above. At any rate, I still welcome and appreciate all the feedback. At the end of the day, its always nice to have a discussion on matters like these (both good and bad).

Can I just poke my head back in and offer a thought?

Andalee, many many many, Christian owned businesses ARE closing their doors right now. Many of them ARE loosing money right now, and many of them ARE NOT thriving (or surviving). Right along side the Buddhist owned businesses and the Wiccan, Jewish, Muslim, and Atheist owned businesses. The religion (or lack of) of the owners have absoulutely NOTHING to do with whether the business thrives or dives. I think its unfair to suggest that somehow Christian owned business are doing better than everybody else based on no solid evidence other than TWO examples (which have other factors in play)

Also, its important to remember that there ARE recession resistant industries. One of them is Movie theaters, another of them is fast food restaurants/diners and another of them is cosmetics. These three industries have survived all sorts of financial depression. That goes for ALL the companies that run these industries. Not just the ones using "Godly principals". Miky d's is a perfect example of this. They are thriving right along side of Chik-fil-a... and Im pretty sure there is nothing "christian" in the way Miky d's runs its business plan.

It could be seen to some as a little insulting to hear someone say openly that they believe businesses are failing because they are not running their businesses using "gods' principals".

Im not trying to offend anyone... Im just saying.

Hi Amber,

I would just like to say I am sorry if you are one of those people who may be insulted by what I had to say. That was not my intention. As I had stated before, I did not want to get in a heated discussion about people’s belief systems. However, I won’t back down from my personal belief and faith in God. Yes, I am a Christian, but I am a “born again” Christian and that to me is not about “religion” but a “personal relationship” with my Heavenly Father. In my earlier post, when I talked about how Mary Kay Ash and S. Truett Cathy built their businesses on biblical principles, I was merely trying to say that it “appears” that their personal faith in God played an integral role in their success. Now, whether people choose or not choose to invite God into their lives to help with their own professional endeavors is their prerogative. So, don’t worry, I am not trying to sell you or any other Bhuzzer on that issue. (smile)

As far as your comparison with MacDonald’s. I don’t believe MacDonald’s will ever really feel the economic slump because they sell one of the “cheapest”, “most affordable” fast food in the country!! How can anyone lose with that concept? In fact, their food items are cheaper than Chik-Fil-A. Anyways, I am losing focus here….(smile)

I don’t recall making a general statement that ALL Christian businesses were doing well, or that ALL businesses that aren’t Christian-owned fail. The Bible is clear that God sends the rain to the righteous AND to the wicked, as well. Just look at Job in the bible and all that he lost because Satan accused him in front of God. But God knew that Job would stand strong in his faith even if he lost everything. Or what about Joseph who did nothing wrong but because his brothers were jealous of their father’s love for Joseph that they sold him into slavery? That to me is like a failing Christian business, but look what God did with what we as a society call “failure.“ God blessed Joseph to the point of being second in command of Egypt, and put him in position to save his family from starvation.

You are very correct in saying that many Christian-owned businesses are failing, just as many Christians fail in general. I don’t know about you, but, that is why I need Jesus in my life to make up for my short comings and failures (yes, I have plenty of those). And that is really where people miss the mark when talking about Him.

So, I again want to say sorry if I offended you or others. However, I encourage you to look at my post again and maybe try to really see that I wasn’t trying to be insulting on any level.

In closing, isn’t funny when somebody mentions the word “God” it just spins off into so many different directions? (smile). Man, this thread was intended to find out what Mary Kay products were like… This just tickles me to death (smile)

My best friend is a licensed esthetician (skincare specialist), and she said that a lot of the time, when people come in to see her because of their terrible skin, she'd ask them what they were using and they'd say that they were using Mary Kay. She's is very anti-MK because of the ingredients that they use.

Originally Posted by Andalee914

In closing, isn’t funny when somebody mentions the word “God” it just spins off into so many different directions? (smile). Man, this thread was intended to find out what Mary Kay products were like… This just tickles me to death (smile)

Hey Andalee,

Yeah this thread has been running ALL OVER THE PLACE! But that's the nature of discussion forums. Most threads do that (especially here) whether or not religion was mentioned. (but its a divisive subject so I understand why it seems to go crazy at the mention of it)

I understand how this thread morphed to discussing religion, but what the heck does that have to do with whether or not MK makeup is preferred by some dancers or not.

Last time I asked, Jesus didn't wear lipstick.

Souzan

Originally Posted by Andalee914

Thanks, Laura.

I can absolutely see where you are coming from when I used the word "thriving". Looking back at my post, I probably could have used the word "surviving". Either way, Mary Kay appears to be quite successful and that is what "thriving" (to be fortunate) meant to me at the time. Maybe they aren't prospering as much in the "dollars and cents" realm, but they are definitely hanging on; like you've already acknowledged in your post above. At any rate, I still welcome and appreciate all the feedback. At the end of the day, its always nice to have a discussion on matters like these (both good and bad).

Thanks for taking my comment in the spirit in which it was intended. I was worried after I posted it that you'd think I was being pedantic and splitting hairs over the definition of "thriving". It's sooo hard to get intention across online without facial expression, tone of voice, etc.

Originally Posted by Souzan

I understand how this thread morphed to discussing religion, but what the heck does that have to do with whether or not MK makeup is preferred by some dancers or not.

Last time I asked, Jesus didn't wear lipstick.

Souzan

I think I started the hijack. But I only did it because I personally can't separate the products from its company's ethics.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I think I started the hijack. But I only did it because I personally can't separate the products from its company's ethics.

LOL You may have started it but I think I took it down route 66. Im sorry guys. :( Sorry Andalee hun, I didnt mean to ruin your thread.

I like their skin care but not the actual make up

I love thier skin care, I've had acne since I was 10? or so, it's calmed way down since I've started this stuff. I am technically a consultant, mostly for the discounts lol. I wear it as everday makeup, no good for stage though.

Laura, just to be a devils advocate :) did you know that the chairman of Estee Lauder has been linked to Zionist activity? Would you boycott thier products as well? (I am, though it pains me sigh MAC oh noooo...)

Boycott Israel Campaign

Again no harm meant, I like the points you brought up, not anything I've considered before.

Originally Posted by aameenah

Laura, just to be a devils advocate :) did you know that the chairman of Estee Lauder has been linked to Zionist activity? Would you boycott thier products as well? (I am, though it pains me sigh MAC oh noooo...)

Boycott Israel Campaign

Again no harm meant, I like the points you brought up, not anything I've considered before.

The main difference for me is that the ideological beliefs of people at the top level of an organization rarely have an effect on how the business is run, or their employees' day to day life. I doubt that Mary Sue who makes $9.00/hr at the Macy's EL counter is affected in any way by whatever socio-political beliefs the chairman of her corporation holds. Just because someone with a top job at a company may hold beliefs I may or may not believe are ethical, doesn't mean the company has unethical business practices.

:soapbox:
My beef with Mary Kay is that their business model is structured (just like any MLM) in a way that entails serious financial risk for the people at the bottom of the pyramid, who actually doing all of the work. And that they knowingly allow their upline to use manipulation and untruths to recruit and retain people. And because even though you are an active consultant and pay an additional $50 a year for a website through MK, you only come up on a customer Zip Code search if you are a Star Consultant (which last time I heard was an $1800 wholesale order every three months). And so on.