Younique or unique? Younique says their makeup will “uplift, empower, and validate women.” WOW, that is a bold statement! I love the word empower, especially when it comes to women. Let’s do a Younique MLM review to see just how true this statement is.
Oh, and by the way, I am not a Younique MLM Presenter not to mention, I don’t use Younique makeup, so I won’t know any more than you until the end of my review.
Younique also uses the above validation statement within the MLM part of their program for personal and financial growth which, makes me wonder if this MLM company is different from many others I have reviewed.
We all want to look good and feel good in our makeup. Can Younique make me feel better? Well, maybe, but can I make money as a Younique Presenter and look beautiful simultaneously? Shall we see?
| Company | Younique |
| Cost To Start | $99 |
| Training Included | No |
| Trustpilot Rating | 2.5/5 |
| My Overall Rating | 2/5 |
| What Is Better | The Laura Method (Affiliate Marketing) |
Who Is Younique
Younique is an MLM company that produces beauty aids such as an array of makeup and skincare products.
It was founded in 2012 by Derek Maxfield, the CEO, and his sister Melanie Huscroft, the Chief Visionary Officer. The main office is in Lehi, Utah.
What Is MLM (Multilevel Marketing)?
An MLM, or Multilevel Marketing company, is a type of business that relies on its sales force to recruit additional salespeople below them, thus creating a “downline.” These salespeople then receive commissions on their own sales, as well as the sales of people they’ve recruited into the MLM.
While some people view MLMs as pyramid schemes or get-rich-quick opportunities that make up for their low pay with quick money from one’s own downline, other people use MLMs to actually make an active income.
While others work hard at their MLM business and never break even so to be on the safe side, it’s important to do your research before deciding whether or not an MLM is right for you.
What Products Does Younique Offer?
Younique offers cosmetic products for the eyes, lips, and face, as well as skin care products and signature fragrances.
Consumer Affairs has 38 reviews from customers on the Younique products with a 5 out of 5-star rating. Those are some pretty good ratings. I’m impressed.
Some product reviews on Sitejabber are well-rated, but reviews for the Younique MLM portion have meager ratings like a 1 or 2 in many cases.
But remember, we are not reviewing the product however, we are reviewing the Younique MLM company.
How Can You Become A Younique Presenter
Anyone can join Younique by simply going online to their website. Or, of course, as with any MLM program, you can join under another Presenter like friends and family who may have told you about the fantastic opportunity. Maybe not so fantastic!
Price To Join
Here is where it begins to look a bit sketchy. To join Younique it will cost a one-time fee of $99. My understanding is with the $99 kit, you get 17 items. You can purchase an extra kit with more products and promotional materials for an additional $35 or upgrade to a $64 kit.
I could probably go on all day with all of the things you will need to purchase to run your own business with Younique MLM but let’s move on to the compensation plan that may give a more precise understanding.
Younique MLM Review
The average income of a Younique Presenter is $9 -$14 a month before expenses which is only $108 to $168 a year.
The Younique compensation plan sounds easy enough, especially the instant payments but; in general, there are a few drawbacks. A Presenter has to buy or sell $125 in products every three months, or Younique will take away their business privileges, namely, the website with their e-commerce platform for sales.
No wonder a Younique presenter only makes an average of $9-$14 per month, in other words, if they can’t get to their website, how are they supposed to sell products?
When I looked through some comments I found statements that said, Younique claimed to help sexually abused victims but barely gave any money to the cause; in addition, another statement says the only good product is skincare, and all of the products are overpriced.
The Younique company had a class-action lawsuit against them in 2017 which said the Moodstruck 3D Fiber lashes were all “natural” and contained “100% Natural Green Tea Fibers.” The lashes had no green tea but did have unnatural ingredients.
Younique MLM Review Compensation Plan
It appears simple and to the point, be that as it may, can you make money? You make money from others, your recruit, and the products they sell.
Video Of The Compensation Plan
Younique does have a more simple compensation plan than I have seen with other MM companies. But at the same time, the average income of a Younique Presenter is also the lowest I have seen at $9 -$14 a month before expenses.
This video breaks down the Younique Compensation Plan for you.
Pros And Cons
Younique MLM has a few pros as well as cons. On the positive side, we will list a few pros and on the negative side, we’ll talk about some cons.
Pros
- Younique says they support to a foundation to help sexually abused
- I love their mission statement
(Younique’s mission is to uplift, empower, validate, and ultimately build self-esteem in women around the world through high-quality products that encourage both inner and outer beauty and spiritual enlightenment while also providing opportunities for personal growth and financial reward.) - They sell completely through social media (protection against COVID)
- The makeup reviews are pretty good
- They have a 3 hour payment turn around
Cons
- Their products are greaty over priced
- The average monthly income for a Younique presenter is $9-$14 before expenses
- I you don’t sell $125 in products every 3 months you loose access to all of your business platforms
- A presenter has to purchase products to stay in business even if they can’t resell the products
- You will spend most of your day planning social media posts to promote your business
- To make money you have to recruit new Presenters by harassing friends and family (a difficult task in any MLM)
- More than one review states the world cause to help sexually abused victims is “a scam” and only in place to look good
- Can not find a 2020 income disclosure
Younique MLM Income Disclosure
I searched high and low for a 2020 income disclosure statement but didn’t find one. I found something for 2019, but it was not clear and along with that, I found a drop in revenue from 2017 to 2018 of 7.3%.
With these measly findings, I wonder if Younique is in a bit of trouble financially. I can’t say that for sure without the 2020 income disclosure, but it does make me wonder.
Compared to their competitors like Avon and MaryKay, their payout scale for the Presenters is much lower by 20%.
According to a report by Fundera, “Only 25% of MLM participants turn a profit.“
Please note that this says “turn a profit.” It does not say that 25% make money. After you take out expenses, very few make money. Only 0.05% made the big bucks that all MLM companies try to make us think everyone earns.
Is Younique MLM A Scam?
No, Younique MLM is not a scam. They do have products that consumers purchase that take them out of the scam category. But can you make money? Probably but more than likely, you will not even break because of the volume you have to purchase to keep your business website open.
Is Younique MLM A Pyramid Scheme?
To answer this, I have to go off of the definition of a pyramid scheme, and with this in mind, I have to say Younique is not a pyramid scheme, be as it may, it does closely resemble one, as do all MLM companies.
Younique Video Review
The Problem With MLM Companies In General
According to an FTC Government file, an MLM operation does not have a clearly defined definition. It calls MLM’s a” product-based pyramid scheme“ and compares it to an illegal chain letter. You know the letters you receive in the mail, it says to put a dollar in an envelope with a copy of the letter and send one to 10 people. Then if you do this, you will make a ridiculous amount of money.
The FTC Government document also states that MLM “is inherently flawed, unfair, and deceptive.”
