Mary Kay Review: The Brutally Honest Truth
1. First Words
First of all, welcome to my Mary Kay review! The purpose of this blog is to write honest reviews of MLM companies. Therefore, Mary Kay gets one review as well. I have not been involved in Mary Kay, and I don’t know anything about it other than what information can be found online. However, I have compiled the most important things you need to know before you consider whether to join the business or use their products.
2. My MLM background
I have previously been involved in an MLM company that marketed health and household products. The company was called “Natures Own” and it arrived in Finland from Sweden. I invested in the starter pack (about €500) and started to try it out. However, I immediately noticed that the products were not of good quality and that I had to call through my phone contacts, which I didn’t like at all.
That company then changed direction and name. It became “Seven International,” and it was supposed to start a mobile subscription business. That never happened. However, the €700 I invested was not lost, because I got the money back. From Natures Own, I did not get my money back. That’s my background. Now I am joining LiveGood, and only because it is cheap to join and because it works entirely online.
3. What is Mary Kay really?
Mary Kay was founded in 1963 in the USA, so the company has stayed alive for a long time, which is a positive sign! The products are cosmetics, skincare, and makeup. Almost all members are women, or at least the business is targeted toward women. The company’s overall feel is also “pink” and feminine. So you are probably a woman if you are considering joining. But don’t rush. Read this review first and only then decide what you will do!
4. Business Model
Mary Kay operates in the traditional MLM style, meaning that you first have to purchase a starter kit. However, the kit is not very expensive (approx. €100–200). The kit includes presentation materials, product samples, and you may also get access to the online store for the first few months. Many people buy additional products right at the beginning in order to increase their sales.
The good part is that Mary Kay does not require monthly purchases, but in practice, obtaining certain commission levels and discounts requires regular ordering.
How Are Products Sold?
Still following the traditional MLM style, sales are mainly based on offline selling, meaning customers are usually met face to face. These are the most common methods:
💄 Home parties (hostess parties)
🤝 In-person meetings with acquaintances and friends
🛒 Small-scale reselling in one’s own network
📲 More and more often also through social media, like Instagram or Facebook Live
Offline Focus vs. Modern Online Selling
Even though Mary Kay has tried digital sales models as well, most of the operations are still offline-based. Members can create their own online shop, but it is not aggressively marketed, and the profit margins are not very high. This sets Mary Kay apart from modern MLM companies that operate online.
4. Compensation Plan – Who Really Makes Money with Mary Kay?
Mary Kay’s earning model is based on two main income sources: product reselling and team building. The higher you rise on the rank ladder, the more income opportunities open up – but expectations also grow.
💰 Direct Commissions from Product Sales
Consultants purchase products at a discounted wholesale price and sell them to customers at the recommended retail price. The typical profit margin is about 40–50%. For example:
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The product is bought from Mary Kay for €10
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It’s sold to the customer for €20
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Profit = €10
This model especially suits those who are good at face-to-face selling and can keep a customer base actively buying.
👥 Team Bonuses
When a consultant starts recruiting others, they earn commission from their team members’ sales as well. This works in tiers:
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4%–13% from team members’ sales, depending on your own level
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Opportunity to advance to Senior Consultant, Team Leader, Director, etc.
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Higher ranks come with extra benefits and bonus programs
This part of the compensation plan requires more team building and leadership – and continuous activity.
🚗 Car Rewards – Pink Cadillac and Others
Mary Kay is known for the famous “Pink Cadillac” bonus. It is not a direct gift, but a leasing benefit for those who reach the top level and maintain high team sales volume for several months.
There are also car rewards at lower levels: for example, white cars and cash bonuses for car usage.
This is more of a symbolic achievement than a “free car,” but serves as a strong marketing tool and motivator.
🧱 Ranks and Advancement
Mary Kay’s hierarchy is as follows:
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Consultant
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Senior Consultant
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Star Team Builder
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Team Leader
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Sales Director
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Senior Sales Director
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Executive Director, etc.
Each rank requires a certain amount of personal and team sales as well as specific recruitments. The rewards increase as you move up.
 📊 What Actually Makes Money?
In practice, the majority of consultants’ income comes from:
• Active product sales to acquaintances and customers
• Building and maintaining a team
• Participating in regular campaigns and sales goals
However, many consultants remain in the early stages, where commissions barely cover their own purchases. Only a small portion advance to higher levels and earn substantial income.
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My Personal Experience and Opinion on Mary Kay
I haven’t closely followed what’s happening in the company, but overall I think positively of Mary Kay. It is targeted at women, and many are surely satisfied with the profession because they get to work in a female-oriented field, and MLM brings a certain degree of freedom. In my opinion, it would be better if it focused more on online sales, but if someone enjoys working offline – go for it!
I also have an online MLM opportunity for you that costs €50 to join and the monthly fee is only $10. I’ll tell you more about it at the end of the article.
6. Pros & Cons
🟢 Pros:
- Well-known and respected brand
Mary Kay is one of the world’s most recognized cosmetic brands in the direct sales channel. Trust in the brand is strong among many customers.
- High-quality products
Many customers consider Mary Kay’s makeup and skincare products to be high quality and easy to recommend – especially if there’s a loyal user base.
- Doesn’t require thousands of euros to start
The starter kit usually costs about €100–200, so the threshold to get started is not too high compared to many other business opportunities.
- Support and training available
The company invests in training materials, webinars, and seminars. New consultants are often offered a mentor or support person.
🔴 Cons:
- Offline focus
Mary Kay’s operations still rely heavily on face-to-face selling: home parties, meetings, product demos. This doesn’t suit everyone – especially nowadays, when many prefer to do business online.
- Requires active sales work
Income is not automatic. Success requires constant product showcasing, customer relationship management, and often also recruiting.
- Initial purchases may end up sitting on shelves
Many buy the starter pack and additional products but fail to sell them. In such cases, the products end up in their own closet, and the business never really takes off.
- Competition and market saturation
The cosmetics industry is extremely competitive. Customers have many options, and many have already heard of Mary Kay before – sometimes negatively.
7. Three Red Flags That Raised My Suspicion
As stated in this Mary Kay review, although Mary Kay appears credible and stylish on the outside, I noticed a few things that made me cautious. Here are three things I cannot leave unmentioned:
🚩 1. Subtle pressure to recruit
Although officially Mary Kay focuses on product sales, many training materials and conversations strongly emphasize team building. In practice, advancement and higher rewards often require bringing in new consultants. This makes the business more about “bringing people in” than selling products. Though, this is traditional in MLM businesses.
🚩 2. Unrealistic success stories
Many ads and marketing speeches highlight stories like “earning thousands of euros while being a stay-at-home mom” or “becoming a Sales Director in a month”. Few mention how much time, money, and networks such achievements actually require. This can give a misleading picture to beginners.
🚩 3. Purchase pressure and goals
Even though purchasing is not mandatory, at many levels certain sales volumes or order values are required to keep commissions valid or to maintain ranks. This may lead to consultants ordering products for themselves just to meet a target – not because the demand is real.
💬 These don’t automatically mean that Mary Kay is a scam. But they are signs worth paying attention to, especially if you are considering joining.
8. What Would I Say to a Friend Considering Joining?
If a female friend of mine wanted to join, I wouldn’t stop her. The brand is well-known and strong and suits just about any woman. If a male friend asked, then I’d be concerned. But I see no reason why Mary Kay wouldn’t work – if you actively work and climb the rankings. They do pay all the commissions they’re supposed to, and there are no signs of the company collapsing.
9. Considering an Alternative?
If Mary Kay feels too old-fashioned or face-to-face selling isn’t your thing, it’s worth looking into more modern network marketing models that operate fully online.
I’ve recently become interested in LiveGood, where:
• ✅ Joining costs only around €50
• ✅ You don’t need to sell products face-to-face
• ✅ Recruiting can be done through blogging, social media, or YouTube
• ✅ No purchase requirements, just a $10/month membership fee
• ✅ The compensation plan is clear and works even without a big team
If you’re looking to build a business entirely online — without home parties, phone calls, or managing inventory — LiveGood might be a better option. I share more here → LiveGood Review
10.Mary Kay review conclusion – Is It Worth Joining?
Mary Kay is not a scam, but it’s also not a shortcut to wealth.
It’s a traditional network marketing company, where most results come from either active sales work or team building. The brand is strong and the products are high-quality, but the business model still relies heavily on face-to-face sales. This makes it a poor fit for those looking for a light or fully online income model.
If you love cosmetics, enjoy talking to people, and are willing to work for sales and recruiting — Mary Kay might be right for you. But if you don’t want to host home parties or sell to your friends, you may want to look for something more modern.
As always in the MLM world, the question is:
Would you buy these products even without the business opportunity?
If the answer is yes, and you’re ready to commit — why not give it a try?
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ How much does it cost to start with Mary Kay?
The starter kit usually costs around €100–€200, depending on what it includes. It typically contains product samples, presentation materials, and often access to your own online store for a limited time. There’s no required monthly fee, but to earn commissions and keep certain discounts, regular ordering is often expected.
❓ Do I have to buy products every month?
Officially, no. However, in practice, maintaining commission eligibility and discount levels often requires meeting a minimum purchase volume. Many consultants end up buying products for themselves just to stay active or meet targets.
❓ Can you really make money with Mary Kay?
Yes, but most people only earn a small side income—or nothing at all. Bigger earnings require consistent sales and team-building. Only a small percentage of consultants reach the higher ranks with significant payouts.
❓ Is Mary Kay a pyramid scheme?
No. Mary Kay sells real products and doesn’t pay solely for recruitment. It has not been officially classified as a pyramid scheme. However, the structure does have pyramid-like elements, especially since much of the income comes from building a team beneath you.
❓ Can I do this entirely online?
Partially, yes. Mary Kay offers an online store and some digital tools, but most of the business is still focused on face-to-face sales—like home parties and in-person meetings. You can’t build a fully automated online business like you can with some newer MLM models.
📩 Thanks for reading all the way to the end!
If you’ve tried Mary Kay or are curious about LiveGood, feel free to share your opinion or experience in the comments below. ✨
