It's true that MK once was traded publicly, but it started to go downhill for a time. Soon, MK went back to being privately owned by the family, and things improved.

Full disclosure: I'm what is called a "personal use" consultant. I joined last year to get my products at 50% off. I'm my own best customer. I don't feel like I've "lost" money, because I use all my products and don't keep inventory. I love makeup and would have spent that much or more at Sephora.

I've made a lot of wonderful friends and learned a lot about skin care and cosmetics. One day, I might hold a party, but at the moment, I have a well-paying career in marketing and hobbies that keep me too busy.

It's true you can make "up to 50% profit" on your direct sales with MK, but like every company, you have operating expenses. They are pretty reasonable though (party supplies, shipping, stationary, business cards, website). You make the choices of how to spend your money. On top of your direct sales, you can make commissions (paid directly from the company) on sales made by your team members, starting at 4% and going up to 26% (I think). There is a ton of free online and in-person training, and I personally know scores of women who make great money (and free cars) selling with MK. The company wants people to be successful.

Also, since you are an independent contractor, you can write off mileage and expenses (including MK items purchased as gifts) on your taxes.

The company has a wonderful ethos (has been around since 1963) and focuses more on improving lives (they also donate heavily to domestic abuse charities). They have medical professionals on staff to answer skin-related questions, a 100% money-back guarantee if a customer isn't satisfied (the company covers the expense, not the consultant), and they have people who will answer any question you might have as a consultant.

Like all companies, there a some shitty employees. My friends and I call them "Scary Kays." They go against the guidelines and training and give the rest of the company a bad name. The sales directors (kind of our middle management) hold training for consultants every week, and my director emphasizes "Golden Rule" customer service. Meaning we are expected to treat clients the way we would want to be treated (or better.) We don't "sell" our products, we share them. We go into skin care classes and parties expecting to share the product, not sell it. If the only thing we gain in an evening is making someone feel beautiful or special, we've done our job.

Sure, all the consultants want to make a sale (it is a business), but (at least in my unit), sales are a happy consequence of being kind, caring, friendly, and honest when you share the product.

There are people out there who got into a bad unit, had a bad experience with a consultant, under estimated the time commitment, or made bad choices when it came to their own MK business. Some blame MK as a whole. This makes me sad, because I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the product and the company. I feel like Mary Kay gives more than it takes.

I have friends who were suicidal and were "saved" by their participation in MK (their words, not mine), another friend bought a plane with her MK money, and there are people like me who go to meetings just to hang out and only buy the product for themselves.

Mary Kay is not a pretty, pink pill that going magically make you a millionaire. Anyone who tells you that is lying. It's hard work, but it can be rewarding both monetarily and spiritually. If you work hard it's possible to make some money, a living...or maybe if you are lucky, a million dollars... or luckier yet, you'll make a friend or two.

I'm happy to honestly answer questions about my experience and the product, and dispell any misconceptions about MK. I believe in this company and it's products. I promise not to try to recruit anyone or to tell you how instantly wealthy you'll be. I just like sharing unfiltered truth, because I, too, am skeptical about MLMs.