Mary Kay Cosmetics is a company , founded in 1963, with the purpose of “Enriching Women’s Lives” by offering hope to women who lacked opportunity, self-esteem, and financial support. Currently, more than 36,000 women around the world have become independent sales directors. Training is vital and this company provides training for the consultants online via videos and live chats to compliment the conferences and training stations across the world.
Selling Mary Kay gets easier with the advancement of technology. Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants can, not only direct customers to their website to shop and make purchases, but also educate current and potential clients on product functions and uses without being present. The website utilizes many interactive learning techniques such as the virtual makeover.
View my website, specially the virtual makeover site, listed below. This learning tool allows you to upload a photo of yourself (or choose a model with similar skin tone and facial structure) and experiment with makeup color as well as hair styles. With this tool, you can also view the suggested looks for you (which are based off the picture you uploaded or chose), add accessories, and even get the makeup artist bridal look you are seeking. Be careful, because if you seek to learn about “your look” you can easily play with this tool for hours. Don’t worry guys, you can also participate by uploading a picture of a special lady in your life and learn a style that may be best for her.
http://www.marykay.com/waldencz/whatsnew/virtualmakeover/default.aspx?ab=vmoicon
What do you think about this feature? Do you think it is helpful for educating consumers on the makeup they seek to purchase? If you were as Independent Beauty Consultant (like myself), would you considering this an effective learning tool for your target clients?
Cherelle, this is too much fun! Years ago, back in the 80's and early 90's, friends tried to get me to use Mary Kay make up. I didn't like the party concept, so I didn't go. So, maybe this website would be great for ladies like me that just don't care for product parties.
ReplyDeleteI know you probably don't want to hear this, but this site is so much fun women will get on there just to play and not necessarily buy anything. Also, they could get on the Mary Kay site, get make up ideas and go buy another brand. However, that could happen with just flipping through magazines.
This site is definitely helpful for consumers that want to make Mary Kay purchases. It is mind boggling how many different types and brands of make up that is on the market today. This website helps to sort through some of that information.
Yes, if I were a Mary Kay consultant, I would use this tool every chance I got to sell to my customers. I believe it gives Mary Kay the marketing edge. I am curious...are other make up brands using this type of tool?
Oh my Goodness, It's 9 am and I'm on the Mary Kay website creating different looks for my girlfriend. I can honeslty say I sat on that "create a look" feature for at least an hour. This is an excellent feature for Mary Kay consultants to utilize. The advantage of the interface is that it is very easy to use. The amount of tools that it allows you to play with are very detailed.
ReplyDeleteI made a really funny look for my significant other and sent it to her. I know that she will see it and think the look is great. After seeing the picture I'm almost sure she will want to go on the site and do the same.
Having this feature will definitely lead to more customer buy in.
The accessiblity that this online feature creates is very beneficial. I hear of many Mary Kay consultants putting on makeup parties. This feature can be used as a supplemental tool for each attendee to do make up with using actually make up. I will probably continue to use this myself if they had a males version.
I just had to try this out. I accidentally got stuck with a bridal look and couldn't get rid of it. Oh well. This was a fun and informative activity that could easily kill a lot of time.
ReplyDeleteThis was an invaluable tool for making a decision when you are trying to find out what makeup is right for you. Like Lin commented, this is a fantastic tool for the seller. Now when a client says she doesn't know if a product would look good on her, she can decide for herself less blindly using this tool.
The consultant parties are an even better idea after a girl has tried the site. There she could really feel and play with the makeup. This is something that can never be replaced online. I would be more likely to buy a product I've actually sampled over one I saw online.
I cracked up over your comment, Ray. I'm sure my boyfriend would love this tool too!
This is so fun! I used to have an old computer "makeover" game that was similar to this (but without name brands) and this reminds of it. I think this is a very useful tool in helping customers make decisions about what products they are interested in purchasing!
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely a funny site for me to play around on, but I could really see the usefulness in this tool. I used the pre-loaded models, but the ex-factor is being able to load a picture of yourself. It is very convenient for women to be able to play with different looks without having to go through the hassle of actually doing it. This would probably make a woman more inclined to spend money on the products. As Cherelle pointed out, men can go on here and suggest different looks and styles for their significant others. Even if the significant other doesn't necessarily agree with the look, at least we as men can make a more informed decision about such matters as opposed to blindly choosing the first thing that meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteI've been playing around on this site for way too long now. I have plenty of work I should be doing. I am glad I am a guy because I am terrible at putting make up on. The tool itself is interesting and useful. This definitely is a great way to get out product information. Consumers on this site are exposed to all the make-up products available. I think that anytime you can get all your products out there for consumers to see it's a good thing. I like Brandon's point about how useful it can be for guys. I know nothing about make up, but can go on the site and at least learn the bare minimum to make an informed decision.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool - I like the makeup part but the new doo is cool also. I have not seen this feature in Mary Kay before but I think it is a great idea. My only concern is what if someone doesn't know their skin tone or what "season" they are? This is way better than having a party - which I have always dreaded because everyone is so busy. Thanks for this information, I will put your website on my favorites.
ReplyDeleteWow! This has come along! My mom used to work for Mary Kay when I was in elementary school and we used to have Mary Kay parties! I think this tool is excellent! It is a great way to utilize the interaction technology offered to people in line with something like this. I definitely this is beneficial, but I would still like to have a hands-on experience as well. Like Dr. Wilcox said, I think the level of what you are looking for when creating an "image" for yourself matters.
ReplyDeleteI would say the combination of the two types of learning (visual online & hands-on) the outcomes would be endless!
Great topic!
This tool is definitely one that can become addicting, you can sit and experiment with different looks for hours! I definitely think this tool is very helpful for educating consumers on the products they may be interested in buying, but as Jess posted earlier, many people will not purchase products unless they tested them personally or seen them tested on someone else right in front of them when it comes to cosmetics.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly though, this type of tool does give Mary Kay a marketing edge as Lin said. It really caters to those that do not have the time to attend the actual Mary Kay parties, to those that do not have friends that sell the products or sales rep close to their area, and also to those that may be unable to attend these parties due to health reasons. It leaves the doors open for many more opportunities of sales and education on the products in general, while also catering to all potential consumers.
So in conclusion, this site is definitely a great tool to attract consumers, but as Kendra said, a combination of the two types of learning (interactive online simulation and face-to-face hands-on interaction) would be the best assurance of product sales and happy customers!
I didn't spend too much time on the Mary Kay website, just because I didn't want anyone to walk up behind me on the computer and see me doing a virtual make-over, they would probably scratch their head and wonder what I was doing. But this website and these tools are really cool. It's amazing the interactivity of this site. I also find it to be a very useful and helpful tool for consumers as they seek to order products, especially if they are purchasing online.
ReplyDeleteDiane did raise an interesting question and this was also one of the concerns with online shopping tools in my blog— that what if someone didn’t know their skin tone or if someone didn’t know their size. Though the interactivity on websites is obviously becoming more advanced and can aid people in selecting the right product, it still doesn’t quite replace being there in person.
This really makes Mary Kay cutting edge in their approach to women and how they reach women! I can say I can somewhat agree with Lin in the aspect of women may decide to play and not buy, but that is a risk that comes with trying to be innovative. I think it is great and women may just want to buy more because they now knows what it looks like on them. This is so advanced in nature and I think it will be helpful for time to come.
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