With many non-essential businesses forced to close, workers across the country are suddenly facing extended furloughs or lay-offs. The unemployment rate recently jumped to 4.4%, which was its highest level since August 2017. It is likely to climb higher as the effects of the coronavirus are felt across the world and the United States.
Many women are seeking solutions in their household as to how they can make money in this trying and uncertain time. Studies suggest that the gig economy, a free economy through which people make money by being independent contractors, is expanding at this point. There are positions in delivery, healthcare, and retail stores that are open, but that is not always an option for individuals who are not comfortable exposing themselves or their families to the risks of COVID-19 for health reasons.
Younique
Younique, a direct sales cosmetics company based out of Lehi, Utah, is one company in the gig economy that enables women to work from their homes in a safe and supportive environment. Founded in September 2012 by brother and sister team Melanie Huscroft and Derek Maxfield, Younique was the first direct sales company that marketed its products and sold them almost exclusively through social media. Derek and Melanie maintain that they believe women should feel empowered to find financial opportunities while feeling empowered, smart, and valued.
Women who have thought about owning their own business but have been turned off by the idea of expenses and the amount of overhead, working for a company like Younique is a great solution. You can set your hours, make your own money, and be your own boss, but you don’t have to worry about enormous costs to join. It’s a one-time payment of $99, which includes the Younique Presenter Kit that is full of makeup and beauty items for you to try. This kit values at $448 dollars and gives you a chance to try a variety of different makeup.
Other companies that make promises like this cost a lot of money to join. LulaRoe, the famous legging company which is now seeing lawsuits come their way, charges between $5000-6000 to become one of their consultants. Another skincare company, Rodan+Fields, charges almost $1000 for a full kit to begin sharing all of its products with customers. With Younique, the startup costs are much lower and gives Younique Presenters a chance to learn about the company and what will make them great in this position.
Products
Younique says that its cosmetics development processes ensure that their products contain high-quality ingredients. I recently tried some of Younique’s products. As someone who takes my skincare routine seriously, and also looks to natural ingredients in my already-favorite products, I was curious to look into some of the favorites of this brand.
I’ll start with the mascaras I tried. Younique is quite famous for their lash products, with articles in InStyle and at Popsugar praising the brand’s products. I tried both the MOODSTRUCK EPIC mascara in brown, which I now tend to use for everyday wear and the company’s newest offering, the MOODSTRUCK EPIC 4D One-Step Fiber mascara. I have that mascara in black, and I like to wear that when I want my eyelashes to pop with drama. MOODSTRUCK EPIC 4D is a fiber mascara, meaning that it contains fibers in the formula that builds on top of the lashes to create volume, length, and depth. As I already have long lashes, I am blessed, but both formulas work quite well for me. I am delighted with both of these mascaras and have shared how much I enjoy them with my circle of friends.
It takes makeup remover to get the last of Younique’s mascara formulas off of my lashes, as both have quite the staying power. This is where the YOU-OLOGY liquid makeup remover, YOU-OLOGY cleansing stick, and YOU-OLOGY cleansing cloths come in handy. Each of these works a little differently. I’m naturally a cleansing cloth fan, but honestly, I find myself reaching more for Younique’s liquid makeup remover to get the mascara and other eye makeup that clings to my delicate eye area off so that I don’t rub too harshly with a wipe. However, the wipes are also lovely for the rest of the face. I like the cleansing stick for when I’m taking my time in the sink before bedtime.
Finally, I also tried Younique’s YOU-OLOGY brightening mask, which the company says is designed to improve elasticity in the skin, reduce the size of pores, and tone the overall appearance so that skin is more vibrant and younger-looking. I have to say; I’m an absolute sucker for facemasks. This one did not disappoint. With its gold coloring, it’s fun to put on, and you cannot possibly miss a spot in the application process. It’s formulated with licorice extract, niacinamide, and Kakuda plum fruit extract, according to Younique. I thought it felt luxurious and soothing. Plus, it was quite satisfying to peel off after it dried on my skin in 15 minutes. I tend to use a facemask as part of my skincare routine about once a week, and I like making this product a part of my rotation.
Philanthropic Values
Ten percent of the profits of Younique makeup go to their nonprofit organization, The Younique Foundation. According to the Foundation’s website, it inspires hope in women who were sexually abused as children or adolescents by providing healing services through retreats, support groups, and online resources. They also empower parents and caregivers to protect children through their Defend Innocence brand. In 2019, proceeds from Younique were used to help send women who experienced trauma on healing retreats focused on wellness, create support groups based around assisting women in healing from violence, and support content about open dialogues involving childhood sexual abuse.
Sharing Rewards
Younique’s original Virtual Party platform has recently been changed to a newer, more user-friendly platform called Reward Links, according to the company. Younique maintains that they encourage everyone, whether you are a social media newbie or a whiz at Facebook or Instagram, to discover how sharing products that you like with friends or family from the comfort of your own home can be easy and fun with their new feature.
In this uncertain time, they are rolling out this feature by introducing a Rewards Link preloaded with 100 points with every Younique Presenter Kit purchased from April to July of this year. With many summer plans already canceled, many might find this the perfect time to step into the gig economy with a business opportunity like Younique.
With Rewards Links, Younique says that it is easier than ever for anyone to earn rewards. You may choose whether you’d like to be the Rewards Link Owner, give the link to a friend, or invite a new shopper to own it. You can make it fun by sharing an ownerless link on social media, giving whoever gets to it first dibs on it. This new way of sharing along with the other opportunities Younique offers make Younique as a whole a very enticing business opportunity for anyone looking to make a side income.
