The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for all retail sales reps will decline by 2 percent from 2018 to 2028. Despite this prediction, retail selling is such a huge industry that there are always openings to replace those leaving the field, but the hours are long and the wages start out very low.

While it is easy to get started in cosmetics sales, most who choose it work only part time, and many leave the field for other career opportunities. Avon alone has 6 million representatives selling products in more than 100 countries. Mary Kay has more than 3.5 million independent beauty consultants in nearly 40 countries. This is a good choice for people needing supplemental income or who are in transition, or young mothers who want to stay at home with their children, but most people need an additional job—their own or their spouse's—to provide enough income, health benefits, vacations, or just a day off. Growth in cosmetics companies seems to be international, directed toward opening up new markets in more and more countries; Avon, for example, has stores around the world, from Canada to Thailand, from Greece to Argentina, from Russia to Japan. Avon also sells cosmetics online, as do other companies, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the company's need for individual sales reps.

Cosmetics Sales Representatives

Overview

Introduction

Quick Facts

Earnings

Work Environment

Outlook

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