Company-specific checklist
Someone pitched me Mary Kay. What should I ask?
If someone invited you to sell Mary Kay, you can slow the decision down and ask for written information first. We did not locate a standardized U.S. income disclosure in the public sources reviewed.
If you only have five minutes:
- Do not pay during the pitch.
- Ask for written documents before another meeting or purchase.
- Compare any earnings claim with costs, refund rules, and cancellation deadlines.
If you are being pressured right now: You can pause the conversation without debating the opportunity. Ask for written documents, take time away from the pitch, and decide later.
- Do not pay during the first conversation.
- Ask for the documents listed below.
- Use a script if you need more time.
Documents to request before paying
Ask for these in writing:
- The current income disclosure or earnings statement.
- The compensation plan or business plan.
- A full first-year and recurring expense list.
- The refund, cancellation, subscription, and inventory return rules.
You can ask to read these away from the pitch before paying, ordering product, joining a subscription, attending a paid event, or contacting friends.
- Any written earnings information for U.S. consultants.
- The Independent Beauty Consultant agreement.
- A list of starter-kit, inventory, and recurring costs.
- The written product repurchase (buyback) policy and its deadlines.
Common costs to check:
- Product, samples, shipping, and taxes.
- Starter kits, renewal fees, websites, apps, or back-office tools.
- Training, events, tickets, travel, meals, lodging, and childcare.
- Advertising, giveaways, displays, packaging, or payment fees.
- Licensing, exam prep, background checks, or required continuing education.
- Unsold inventory and unpaid time.
Gross income is not the same as money kept after these costs.
Questions to ask in writing
- Is there a U.S. document showing net earnings for typical consultants?
- How much product do typical new consultants resell to customers in their first year?
- What are the exact buyback terms and deadlines for unsold product?
- Does meaningful income depend on recruiting other consultants?
What this does not prove
Being invited to sell Mary Kay does not prove anything improper about the company or the person who contacted you. Not locating a standardized U.S. income disclosure is a reason to ask for written costs and outcomes before spending money.
Read next
Sources
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Company disclosure
Be a Beauty Consultant
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Company policy
Product Repurchase Policy
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Company disclosure
2025 Statement of Typical Participant Earnings (Canada)
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Public-interest secondary source
Mary Kay Off-Roads into Deceptive Income Claims
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Regulator guidance
FTC Staff Report Analyzes 70 MLM Income Disclosure Statements
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Regulator guidance
Business Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing
Correction request
To request a correction, email corrections@boringanddevastating.com with this page URL, the specific text at issue, and supporting public sources.