Poonique: why I hate the Younique brand (the short version)
They are an MLM company which is basically a legal pyramid scheme. There are a few differences between a pyramid scheme and MLM company but they operate on the same principal.
They claim that the makeup is cruelty free and it is not. Yes, it's a process to get the cruelty free bunny stamp and can be expensive but they're a multi million dollar company. Many smaller and more independent brands which aren't multi million dollar companies have gotten the cruelty free certification though so there really is no excuse. Yet, when asked about their cruelty free status to corporate you get a vague answer.
They have on multiple occasions taken photos from actual make up artists on IG and FB and passed it off as their own. They've also used other people's photos for their marketing purposes. Most younique reps makeup looks are heavily air brushed when they post their foundation looks to IG or FB.
Younique claims to help women but a lot of their reps are the most catty, pushy and disempowering people out there. Monitarily they may help but, shouldn't they practise what they preach?
Many reps claim to be actual MUA's but haven't gone to school in order to get the certification to become one. I have never come across an actual makeup artist who uses the brand. That speaks volumes to me. There is no actual training required to become a Rep which results in many awful makeup tutorials that are being put out there. I have also read that in many instances when customers complain to reps about the poor quality they are told that its their fault and the performance is not because of the makeup.
In 2017, Younique was sued for misleading their customers regarding their 3D mascara in a class action law suit. Not just an individual suing younique but a large scale class action law suit. The green tea leaf fibres weren't really green tea leaf fibres which lead to multiple eye traumas.
There are countless complaints when it comes to customer service and multiple reasons why people have quit selling the brand. It would take more time than I have in order to list all the examples. Reps are told to fake it even when they know the product they're pushing is sub par. Most revenue comes from members and not public so when you run out of people to recruit, your sales drop and your membership or status can be revoked.
This leads me to the makeup...
The eyeshadow pallets are awful and overpriced. You are able to get better quality and more product at MAC, Sephora, Morphe, Ulta or other various brands. Shadows have almost no pigmentation and are super patchy with a ton of fallout. They also claim to be talc and perfume free but those are listed on many of their ingredient lists and those are bad for your skin.
They use a mineral based foundation or concealer which may help stay on your face better but it also clogs pores which has lead to cystic acne in lots of cases over long periods of use. The mineral oil is the reason you are able to "cover up" a heavy black line drawn with eyeliner. It's not because it's full coverage. It's because the oils break down the actual Liner. It's a medium coverage foundation at best which is also overpriced but they claim it covers tattoos. It also tends to settle into fine lines and pores over long periods of time which looks horrible. But they claim to be "the best" on the market. Not so much and not long wearing. The colour range of their foundation is the worst and they exclude shades for darker people. I'm not saying that they should follow Rhianna and have a million shades but more inclusiveness would be better.
Speaking of being inclusive... Where are The male reps? I haven't seen one but correct me if I'm wrong.
The 3D mascara is not new nor is it innovative because lots of other brands came out with it long before. The fibers fall off your eyelashes (which resemble spider legs) and cause serious eye infections. I haven't seen this with other brands.
The lipstains are patchy and streaky, don't look good and are able to wipe off with a tissue with no effect or stain afterwards.
I do like the duet lipsticks but wouldn't pay that price for them.
It's overpriced, low quality makeup that is comparable to some drug store brands, Avon and Mary Kay.
There are many more reasons why I don't like Younique but it would take way longer to go over them all. I get that there are reputable high end brands who put out flops (I personally hate the KVD mascara but it's my fave brand and I don't like the KKW highlighters or some of the Makeup Forever stuff) but that's a flop here and there and not almost the entire line like Younique.
All that being said, if someone likes the makeup and the company model then that's fantastic. A lot of people do. If it makes you feel good then do it, right? I just won't buy from the company and I don't think be makeup is any good. I'd also love to do a side by side swatch comparison with high end brands but I don't own any Younique stuff and will not be purchasing any in the future.
(photo credit was taken from Google images and IG- just search the hashtag Poonique because there are some really great accounts and posts on there)