My Niece is Selling Arbonne

[Mary Kay]

I don't know much about it, but googled it and can't imagine there'd be anything I'd want. I couldn't really find much for supplements. I want to support my niece, but if their products are truly junk then I'd just give her some money as a high school graduation present.

Anybody know about their products and can advise me?

TIA,

Mary Kay

[BeingK8]

How ironic that your name is Mary Kay and you're posting about Arbonne? LOL! ;-)

Okay in seriousness, let me first lay it out here that I'm TOTALLY giving MY opinion and it is ONLY an opinion.

I looked into Arbonne a few months ago when a friend tried to get me to become a rep.

For someone living a raw lifestyle or even moving toward that, there really doesn't seem to be much in the Arbonne line that would be desirable, I don't think. Their products may be more natural than some fully conventional lines, but they aren't as pure as a raw foodie or aspiring raw foodie would likely want (at least not THIS raw foodie or any of my local raw friends. And the supplements are NOT raw and they have lots of junk in them - sugars for one thing, soy-based ingredients that are not raw OR organic, (which as you probably know means that they're pretty sure to be GMO), for another.

I inquired about the claim in the catalog that says they are looking for sources of non GMO ingredients. Sadly, they didn't have a good answer because 'looking' does not equal 'currently using' and they're going to be hard-pressed to find non-GMO soy that won't cost a bunch more. Nearly all of the world's soy crops are now GMO thanks the lovely Monsanto and it's evil antics.

I don't know where you stand on make up or skin care. I hardly wear make up and when I do, I use a little mascara and some lip gloss. They sell that, but I have found companies with higher purity standards and even more natural, sustainably-sourced ingredients.

As for skin care, I used to LOVE doing the full girlie thing with special scrubs and body washes and masques and purifiers and all that jazz. That was a while ago. Now my beauty care is MUCH more streamlined and natural - olive oil and sugar scrubs, baking soda, vinegar, coconut oil...

I tried two different Arbonne lines of face care stuff, even tho I don't wash my face anymore, just to know what it was all about. HOLY BURN on my face! I had chemical burn, even after the reps told me to not use the blahblahblah part of the one line and just do the cleanser and toner. Still burned. They sent me samples of a different line and I still had burn. They told me to not use one serum something or other...still burned with the other products. My skin was just not meant to use it. And I think I had that experience for me to personally realize that my body is telling me to simplify and go with nature as much as possible. Processed stuff, even if mostly natural and botanical, when it's lots of combinations of ingredients refined in laboratory procedures does NOT do my skin well.

I don't want to bash Arbonne. They mean well and I'm sure they have afforded plenty of people with a better life as a result of selling their products, but I just think if you're even asking on here it's probably that you're a much more conscious consumer than the typical Arbonne target client and you'd do better with money or another gift. Again, my opinion and if you decide to buy the stuff just to be a sweet aunt, it's not the end of the world and your niece will be grateful I'm sure. And sometimes I grapple with deciding which outweighs the other - standing by politics and beliefs or doing the sweet thing that will make someone feel loved even if it's not in line with our highest ideals.

Love to you and good luck deciding!

[Mary Kay]

I TRULY TRULY appreciate your long post. Thank you SO much.

I can't imagine I will want anything. Now I have to decide if I want to come off like a "snob" and not buy them and give $$$ etc etc ...

My niece just turned vegan....How vegan friendly are their products? Do you know?

Again, I am grateful for your reply,

Mary Kay

[BeingK8]

My niece just turned vegan....How vegan friendly are their products? Do you know?



Yea, they're vegan as far as not testing on animals and SOME of the lines are completely vegan-cert because they don't contain ingredients that have any connection to animals, but it's my understanding that not all their products are free of all animal stuff. For one thing, they use sugar and I don't know for sure at what stage or kind of process (cane juice, turbinado, etc, etc).

Now, I do know that that sort of thing varies widely from one person or company to the next because everyone has different levels of stringency...so, I think they seem like they are better than many conventional companies that are not even concerned with that sort of thing but they aren't on par with the companies that have the highest standards and market that way, you know?

I know that was as clear as mud. They're a little past middle of the road, leaning toward vegan more than the stuff in the ordinary Walgreen's, I guess we could say. LOL!

[Mary Kay]

After you wrote, I did find a site that told all about Arbonne...How their stuff isn't really all that natural...How they SAY they're implementing non-GMO, but haven't for over a year....and how they use pig hair in their brushes....(which actually doesn't really bother me, I'm not vegan ) So I agree with you, they are def more "vegan-friendly" - but not quite vegan.

I went to her showing a little early "claiming" I had to leave. I hoped to get there before she was set up, and she hadn't even arrived yet. So I left her a "Congratulations on Your Graduation" card that I made along with a $50 bill.

Her other aunt (my step-sister) asked me candidly if I would buy her stuff, and I candidly told her no. She then asked would I tell my niece there was "junk" in the products, and I said no.

So, I feel good about my decision and again, want to thank you for taking the time to answer!

Mary Kay

[rawready]

[SIZE="2"]:heart I used to sell it many years ago. I love there products I started using them when I went vegan. I still use the prolief its amazing. They are a little pricey SIZE]