Countless women dream of owning their own business so that they may set their hours and be a boss while pursuing income of their own. However, startup costs, in many cases, can make this dream quite prohibitive. According to information from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the average startup cost of a microbusiness is around $3000, while prices to set up home-based businesses (in the States) range from $2000 to $5000. However, there are alternatives to the high costs of starting a traditional small business.

Companies like the direct sales cosmetics company, Younique, allow women to start their own business without the tremendous expense of what it usually takes to get a small business up and running.

Brother and sister team Melanie Huscroft and Derek Maxfield founded Younique in September 2012 with the mission to inspire, uplift, and validate women globally. Since its inception, fledgling entrepreneurs, working mothers, college students, fans of the beauty industry, and women from all backgrounds have come together to become Younique Presenters and join in what the company calls its Y-Family. According to the company, in the Y-family, they gain financial opportunities while joining a group of like-minded women in a safe, supportive environment.

Younique also considers itself a charitable company. They founded The Younique Foundation, a nonprofit organization that inspires hope in women who were sexually abused as children and adolescents while providing resources to parents and caregivers. According to information from The Younique Foundation’s website, 10% of the profits from the sales of Younique products go towards benefiting work the foundation does.

When Younique Presenters join the company, they purchase a Younique Presenter Kit, which costs $99. With a value of $448 worth of product, this kit features beauty cosmetics praised by major media like Popsugar and InStyle and allows new Presenters access to exclusives like early cosmetic launches, the potential to earn rewards, even if you didn’t plan to grow your own business as a Younique Presenter.

The Younique Presenter Kit features favorite products from the company that they say will help define your best features while getting acquainted with what Younique is all about. As a company that relies heavily on social media to speak to their customers, you may have seen some of the following products mentioned on your Facebook or Instagram pages.

MOODSTRUCK EPIC Mascara

Mascara is a huge part of the Younique brand experience, and MOODSTRUCK EPIC Mascara is nothing short of its namesake, according to sources like Instyle. The brand says their secret is in the polymer-based formula that builds and flexes to the shape of each woman’s lashes.

MOODSTRUCK EPIC 4D One-Step Fiber Mascara

Building on the momentum of the company’s already successful fiber lash formula, MOODSTRUCK EPIC 4D One-Step Fiber Mascara sold out hours after its launch last year. Younique claims that the mascara is a one-coat formula that combines Y-shaped fibers and a two-sided brush to deliver length, volume, and lift.

MOODSTRUCK ESTEEM Lash Serum

This serum is designed to stimulate the growth of the eyelashes. According to Younique, it contains a host of ingredients to promote the growth and appearance of lashes when used as part of a routine. It also amplifies other Younique eye-enhancing products.

TOUCH À LA MODE powder Luminizer

Highlighters are a big trend right now in the cosmetics industry, and Younique has theirs in this product. Highlighters are lovely for when the skin needs an extra pick-me-up and is looking a little dull, or when contouring the face.

MOODSTRUCK SPLASH Liquid Lipstick

This lipstick line from Younique comes in 10 shades and is made without oil, parabens, alcohol, or fragrance, according to the company. The coverage is said to be buildable so that you can decide how intense you want your look to be with each application. In the Younique Presenters Kit, two shades are included.

DIP & DRAW Eyeliner

According to Younique, this liquid eyeliner is both waterproof and sweatproof. It’s formulated to last for up to 18 hours of wear and comes in a variety of shades.

MOODSTRUCK Liquid Shadow

The doe-foot applicator on this liquid shadow is designed with a hollow reservoir to hold the proper amount of product for smooth and precise application, according to Younique. The product range includes colors in both matte and satin finishes.

YOU·OLOGY Toning Spritz

This toning product is designed to help achieve the appearance of fresh and smooth skin, according to Younique. It also leaves a light and pleasant scent on the skin. Products like this are great for freshening up on the go, whether you pack it in your purse or gym bag.

YOU·OLOGY Hydrating Mask

Younique says that this seafoam-colored mask with a tropical scent is designed to combat the downsides of dry skin. Throw this mask on for ten minutes if you want a quick burst of hydration, or keep it on overnight if you desire even more.

YOU·OLOGY Cleansing Cloths

Formulated with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, coconut derivatives, and jojoba seed oil, Younique claims that these cloths remove makeup without leaving the skin stripped of its essential moisture and natural oils.

MOODSTRUCK Pressed Shadow Quad palette with Four Shadows

No matter your mood, Younique says they have got a MOODSTRUCK pressed shadow to match it. This interchangeable and refillable palette allows you to mix-and-match your shadows and change out the colors quickly.

Younique Fluffy Crease Brush

Younique says that this brush is designed to give your shadows a soft-focus effect. The oval-shaped eye brush sports soft, densely packed wool bristles are ideal for blending powder or cream shadows with precision, according to the cosmetics company.

TOUCH BEHOLD Translucent Setting Powder

Younique says that their setting powder helps lock down any look without weighing down the skin or making it feel cakey or heavy. As it is formulated in one shade for all skin tones, there is no need to match colors with this product.

Y-CASH

In addition to these products, new Younique Presenters also receive $25 in Y-Cash credit. These are credits that may go towards the purchase of more of the company’s products. They will also receive a Rewards Link preloaded with 100 points. If Presenters qualify their link, then they will earn at least another $20 in Y-CASH credit.

Rewards Link

Younique says that Rewards Links give Younique Presenters and customers a simple way to use their influence and share Younique. The company has always been a leader in social media and got its footing in womens’ feeds around the world. Whether you’re a social media sensation or only your friends and family follow you, Younique claims that their newest feature is designed to make it easier than ever to share their products.

To celebrate the new Rewards Link, Younique now includes a Rewards Link that comes preloaded with 100 points with every Younique Presenter Kit purchase from April to July.

With a Rewards Link, Younique Presenters will earn points for every purchase made through a link over the next ten days. Once their Rewards Link reaches 200 points or more, they will receive 10% Y-CASH credit on the total points. For more information, visit Younique’s website.

After performing the review of this company and the Younique Presenter home-based business opportunity, it appears as though this is a great opportunity for those gig-employees or soon to be small business owners to get their feet wet with very little investment required. The business also touts many success stories from those who’ve taken the plunge and have found it to be a wise investment of time and money. If you contact a Younique Presenter you can learn more about their story.