Here’s another example for my Better Than MLM feature. After reading Maz Carrah‘s honest reviews of the Younique Shine Cleansing Cloths and Brow Gel & Liner Set, I felt it would be good to do another.

Following my previous Better Than MLM reviews (Peachy Fox vs Younique Eye Gel and Peachy Fox vs Younique Skincare), a small handful of readers were concerned that all future reviews were going to be based on sponsored/affiliate links.  Not so – as before, I wouldn’t recommend anything that I wouldn’t use on myself.

In this case, the review is straight off my own back.  No affiliate links in this article – just my honest opinion. 🙂

For this Better Than MLM battle, I will focus on my opinion of Younique‘s Rose Water Toning Spritz, and a far better value alternative from Lush Cosmetics.

Have you ever tried a rose water product?

“…Rose water has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness of irritated skin, get rid of acne, dermatitis and eczema. It is a great cleanser and aids in removing oil and dirt accumulated in clogged pores…“, says Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj, Skincare Expert [source: food.ndtv] 

I have problem skin, so naturally I am always looking to find ways of helping it out.  When I was a Poonique presenter, I was very keen on trying this product out, and did so when I had built up enough “Y-cash” (presenter credit).

Here’s Younique’s Refreshed Pure & Natural Rose Water, as it was known at the time.

First and foremost, the product actually did feel lovely when I sprayed it on my skin.  As you would expect with ‘rose’ in the name, it also had a lush, floral scent.  I would either spritz it on and leave it to soak in, or wipe it over with a cotton pad.  Also, the bottle was quite sweet and simple, in a light pink glass.

Jade (“Scarlett”) would use it as a finishing spray after she’d put her makeup on, but I never personally used that method.  I liked to use it more in the way of a toner.

So in fairness, I can’t fault it as a poor quality product, as it did feel soothing and refreshing but never irritating.  Its not a high-end luxury product either, though.

How much would it set a paying customer back?  
An exceedingly generous [/sarcasm] £23.00 for 40ml!  Yes, the product felt lovely…but is this value for money?  No.  

As noted in my review of Younique’s Divine Daily Moisturiser, its hideously overpriced – the presenter has to earn her commission, her upline has to earn commission off her, then her upline’s upline…and Younique itself has to make a profit, otherwise why would they bother?  Hence, you can see how excessive this RRP is.  As before, I will repeat this until I am blue in the face.

By the way…

It’s Now Known as Royalty Rose Water Toning Spritz…

Its so purple, and it has the word ‘royalty‘ on it, so it must be good!  Has the price improved?
Don’t be silly.  You’ll still be shelling out £23 for 40ml (1.35 fl.oz).  Plus, the new packaging is tacky as heck.  Bargain.

You can find a list of ingredients on the product page here, but for ease, I will post them below (all correct at time of this post’s publication):

Water/Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyetanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Hydrongenated Starch Hydrolysate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Distillate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rose Extract, Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Imidazolidinyl Urea

Note that Younique advise you to “…Please see packaging for most recent ingredient list…” Presumably, that would involve actually going ahead and purchasing one, but I wouldn’t recommend it.  Of course, unless you’re not too fussed about getting value for your money.  Either way, this extensive ingredient list doesn’t look so refreshing, does it!

Although, it appears to be currently out of stock, so I am guessing the public are going mad for it.  Either that, or the presenters have been buying a fucktonne for themselves.

So where can you find a better value, better quality rose water product?

Let’s take a look at the Eau Roma Water by Lush…

Initial observations:

Price: £4.95 for 100g (3.3 fl.oz) or £9.50 for 250g (8.4 fl.oz)
[all prices correct on Lush’s website at time of going to press]

Packaging: Simple, straightforward! 😉  Obviously not as pretty as Younique’s pink bottle, but Lush puts more efforts into its ethics and products, as opposed to its packaging!

Cruelty-free and never tested on animals – unlike Younique, Lush can safely declare this very important fact.

8 ingredients – they sound a lot less suspect than the list on Poonique’s website, and Lush also provide a link to each so you can remain informed:  Lavender Water, Rose Water, *Citronellol, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben.

*occurs naturally in essential oils.

Does it help?  Definitely.  Very kind to my skin, and helps to calm it down during bad acne flare-ups.  Or, it gives me a boost whenever my skin is feeling under the weather.  I recommend it for problem skin, or just for giving yourself a treat.  They also do a Lavender and Tea Tree version.

Any other thoughts?  The value for money speaks for itself.  Younique want you to pay £23 for 1.35 fl.oz, but with Lush, their biggest bottle is priced at £9.50 for 8.4 fl.oz – need I say more.

 

 

Where can I find this?  Look out for your local Lush store, or visit their website.

 

To conclude – obviously, Younique’s “Royalty” Rose Water is not good value for money, its revamped packaging is tacky, the ingredient list dubious, and thus not worth your hard-earned cash.  Stay away, buy better – definitely give the Eau Roma Water a try if you’re tempted by a rose water product.

Don’t forget to share any of your cosmetic recommendations with me – its always good to share.  You can comment below, or contact me via Facebook, Twitter and now Instagram!

What’s next for Elle Beau?

On reflection, I do feel that I would like to rewrite my Poonique story into a proper novella – whether its an ebook, or if I find someone who would put me in print.  The main reason being, I missed out “the smaller stuff” for the purpose of keeping the reader interested and driving the tale forward.  When I wrote this blog, I wanted to mainly focus on the dodgy tactics I experienced, but on reflection I would like to talk more in-depth about everything I can remember.

I would like to rewrite my tale with the spreadsheet as more of a prominent reference point – it will also help me recall things in chronological order (i.e. when certain monthly kudos were released, little paltry orders etc).  Mia is still lurking in some of the training groups, and is finding me screenshots to illustrate certain chapters.  So, as well as writing anti-MLM articles, I will be working on producing a full, comprehensive story in the interim.  I hope to set up a Kickstarter for this once I have an idea of costings.

If you like the anti-MLM aims I am working towards, please consider supporting me via Patreon.  Anything is gratefully received.

Stay subscribed for upcoming anti-MLM news and articles, and of course the ever-popular #ShitHunsSay screenshots.

Are you stuck in a MLM and are looking for a way to leave?  My friends at Bot Watch have produced a fantastic guide on how to get out – read it here.

Or, are any of you concerned for a loved one who is totally and utterly wrapped up in MLM?  Bot Watch have advice for you on what to do and how to remain supportive – read it here.

Please, also check out the good work of the people of Bot Watch, Juice Plus/MLM Lies Exposed and Timeless Vie.  They work tirelessly to expose the truth and lies of the MLM industry, so anyone considering this line of work can make a fair, informed decision .  In fact, I now have a Recommended Reading page for Anti-MLM writers and interesting lifestyle bloggers I think you will enjoy, such as Chammy in Real Life and my first Patreon, @yourolly.

For something a little different to pyramid schemes, I would also recommend a look at what Bad Psychics are up to.  Award-winning and seen-on-TV, they have worked to expose false claims made by psychics, mediums and the paranormal since 2003.