How much coin can y'all earn with MONAT, the new MLM coming to the U.k.?

Considering joining or using MONAT, the new pilus product MLM hitting the UK? Discover out how much y'all can expect to earn with MONAT (and why they're involved in a scandal in the Us).

So, MONAT, the infamous pilus production MLM is headed to the UK. Already nosotros're seeing frantic social media posts from reps attempting to make it at the 'elevation' and build big United kingdom downlines nether them.

But how great are MONAT products? And what kind of concern opportunity does information technology represent? We decided to do some investigating to find out.

Trethowans

Trethowans

What is MONAT?

Launched in 2014, MONAT Global is an MLM (multilevel-marketing visitor) that sells "natural" and "cruelty-gratuitous" hair products. It'south currently available in the USA and Canada, and is launching in the UK.

Why has MONAT acquired such a scandal in the US?

In that location'due south an increasing amount of scandal around MONAT in the US. Many users complain that they've experienced terrible side-effects from the products, and we have been informed that in that location are currently 11 class action lawsuits in the United states of america and one in Canada against the visitor.

From what we tin can assemble, this seems to be a common experience of people who complain:

  • Client starts using MONAT for the outset time.
  • Their scalp becomes itchy and breaks out in minor sores.
  • They're told by their MONAT rep this is the 'detox phase' and to persevere.
  • The sores get worse and their hair becomes brittle and begins to autumn out.
  • They're told by their MONAT rep this is nonetheless the 'detox phase' and to persevere.
  • The symptoms continue to worsen and they either terminate using MONAT or are recommended to stop using information technology past an independent tertiary party.
  • The rep tells them they gave up too early, or weren't using the shampoo 'properly' (or blame something else).

Some users that we have been in contact with say they are told by their MONAT reps that "the detox can last more than half-dozen months".

During this time one customer in item was experiencing significant hair loss and itchy scalp, and says they were told to go on using (and buying) MONAT products – and even to use them more frequently! (Bearing in mind, every bit nosotros'll find out later on, these products are extremely expensive.)

Hither's only one example of a MONAT rep telling customers that sores, bumps and scabs are a 'good thing' (read on to discover out why these symptoms could, in fact, be allergic contact dermatitis):

Desire to learn more than most MONAT? We recommend checking out the 26 Seconds blog.

The FDA is processing scores of complaints against MONAT

The U.s.a. Nutrient and Drug Administration (FDA) has also apparently "received and is in the procedure of assessing 187 adverse event reports related to Monat products". (As you can read beneath, 576 complaints accept likewise been made to the Better Business concern Bureau.) Some customers have even launched lawsuits against MONAT (there are equally may every bit 9 suits currently filed).

Here are just some of the experiences from MONAT customers on Trustpilot. From Kristi:

"I ordered back in March 2017 their renew line.

The beginning wash was okay, might I add I followed their instructions with each utilize. I also used the pilus masque.
By the 2d week, I noticed a lot of my hair kickoff to fall out and pause. I was told to continue using. By the third week, I had sores developing, a called-for scalp, greasy hair at the roots, dandruff like build upward, breakage of my hair and baldheaded spots.

Of course I was told to go on using!!

At iv weeks, I quit using the products all together. A hair product should not crusade sores and bald spots!!!!! It needs to be pulled from the market.

I had 6 inches removed from my one time beautiful hair. And what hair was left that had contact with monat products is even so brittle and frizzy."

And Jennifer:

"I used Monat for iv months and within the get-go 2 weeks of using their products I started to accept a very itchy scalp with lots of tiny bumps all around my hairline, I was told from my rep that it was detox and my pilus follicles were waking up and the itching was from new growth. I wanted to believe that.

The products fabricated my pilus dry and frizzy and my scalp very oily, once again this was blamed on detox; I just wanted to get through the detox and take nice hair and scalp once more. Things got worse, I started getting bumps/pimples all Downwardly the back of my neck and extending down my back and forehead and breast. My hands started having an eczema breakout ( I haven't had a flare up in 3 years).

I went to my family dr and he said to stop using those products. I accept since done my research into the ingredients listed in their products which claim to be "naturally based" and I am surprised.

This MLM company has deplorable customer service. I was only given a partial refund and I take lost over 2 hundred dollars in products that I will never apply. Hope this can salve someone else from my feel."

Here'southward what MONAT users are proverb

Over the past few months nosotros've seen thousands of desperate women come forward online, many of them challenge to have serious long term health symptoms from using MONAT. Hither's what one former MONAT user says of her experience:

And here's a particularly sad story, shared on Reddit and allegedly virtually MONAT, with some of the most shocking hair loss photos nosotros've seen:

MONAT reps are encouraged to overflowing sites with positive reviews

Ane issue nosotros accept with all MLMs (including MONAT) is that the reps are, in effect, the customers. This makes 'independent' review sites and any contest that relies on client voting naturally skewed.

Call up about it, if yous sell a product it's in your interest to vote for that product in a competition and to ensure that websites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau are overwhelmed with positive reviews. Particularly if your company starts to get a poor rating due to unfavourable reviews – every bit we are seeing wth MONAT.

So what do you do if you're an MLM rep? Easy, you ask your network to write a positive review to counterbalance the negative ones. Like this MONAT rep:

And she wasn't the only one to post the exact same message:

This is why, in our opinion, you lot can't trust positive reviews of MLMs on sites like Trustpilot. Because they're not 18-carat reviews from people y'all assume are unbiased customers like you. They're quite possibly fake reviews written past an ground forces of desperate reps who want to heave their company'south ranking and so it's easier for them to sell.

Indeed, the Better Concern Bureau (BBB) was so suspicious about the amount of positive reviews it received about MONAT in a short flow that it suspended any new reviews:

MONAT'south ads don't feature models using its own products

It's easy to exist tempted past the stunning images of models with perfect hair in MONAT's ads. Who wouldn't love hair that was that healthy and perfectly styled? Simply not even MONAT's models use their products it appears! Here'southward just one instance of a MONAT ad, and the original Shutterstock paradigm they used:

As y'all tin run into, MONAT don't fifty-fifty style their own models for their ain photoshoots. They simply, based on this example (and nosotros take many more similar examples of MONAT ads and the original stock images), purchase publicly available stock shots and retouch the model'southward hair. So not even MONAT models have genuine MONAT results it seems… is anything as information technology's claimed to be with this company?

You tin can read more than most MONAT, and the scandal surrounding it in this article by The Anti-MLM Coalition.

If y'all sell MONAT, shouldn't your hair be in amend condition?

MONAT's products claim to "strengthen and thicken hair" and keep "strands protected and strong". Hither's an ad claiming that information technology takes just ninety days to get "visibly longer, fuller, stronger, younger-looking hair":

So if MONAT gives yous such good for you looking pilus surely their reps should be sporting pilus that looks just like the (stock image) models in their ads?

Sadly (but unsurprisingly) this isn't the case. Many reps we've seen appear to have dry, thin pilus, and an increasingly number seem to be wearing MONAT baseball caps. (Doesn't information technology seem odd that a visitor that allegedly gives you hair worth showing off, makes branded caps to comprehend it up?)

Perchance this is why:

This is, obviously, Canada's top MONAT salesperson. We don't know about yous, but that doesn't expect like aspirational pilus to us. In fact, it looks dry and littered with with divide ends. Not much of an ad for what claims to exist superior pilus products, particularly given the cost of MONAT (we'll get into this more presently).

What's the MONAT business opportunity?

So, products and scandals bated (for at present!), what tin can you expect forward to if y'all join MONAT as a rep? The cheapest manner of getting started is with a Starter Kit at a cost of £99. As you can see from the image below, you don't get much for your money:

That's correct. For £99 you don't even become whatever actual bottles of product! Instead, all you lot get are some sample sachets (like the ones y'all get gratis in magazines), and some marketing literature. Hither's a full listing of the contents:

  • Assorted product samples
  • Jelly bag
  • SMART Kickoff Roadmap
  • SMART Commencement Workbook
  • VIP Customer Plan brochures
  • Product magazines

If you lot want to actually go your hands on bottles of products, you'll need to spend at least £199 on a Concern Product Pack. And fifty-fifty then you lot merely get eight products, making them, in effect, over £24 each at cost.

Are MLMs really pyramid schemes? Why y'all can't brand money selling their products

How much money can you earn with MONAT in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland?

And what happens in one case you lot exercise start selling? How much coin can you expect to earn with MONAT? Like all MLM companies, MONAT apply confusing levels of ranking and terms like PV in their compensation plan, and don't openly publish how much their reps are being paid (nor how much they're spending to build their 'business').

Here's their qualification table for their near inferior ranks (there are another 6 ranks above these!):

And here are the commission levels for these ranks:

A 'typical' MONAT participant earns between Cdn $22 and $one,188 a year

It's only at the very end of MONAT's compensation plan guide that the real truth emerges. In what looks like pocket-size print, they admit that "A Typical Participant in the Program earns between Cdn $22 and $i,188 annualized":

Aye, that's ANNUAL earnings, and it doesn't take into account expenses (including your initial investment to bring together – a minimum of Canadian $125) and taxes.

Read here how a MONAT rep was apparently caught stealing a hair stylist'south photo and falsely insinuating the results were accomplished using MONAT products. (Their response when defenseless out is shocking!)

How much practice MONAT products toll?

As we've heard, there's an increasingly vocal grouping of women in the US who are claiming that MONAT products accept damaged their pilus. And so how much do these products cost? And how like shooting fish in a barrel would they be to sell?

As an example, allow's take their Revitalize Conditioner. This retails at £45 for 178ml:

We compared the cost to products bachelor for sale online at Boots. Their most expensive conditioner is £39.99 for one litre. And Superdrug's most expensive conditioner is £xvi for 300ml. This makes MONAT'south conditioner outrageously expensive past comparing.

MONAT'due south pricing even puts Aveda in the shade – their Pure Abundance Volumising Clay Conditioner is just £17.65 for 200ml. Luxury haircare make Kerastase, meanwhile, sells their Fondant Densite (lifting, bodifying care fondant) conditioner for a mere £22.90 for 200ml.

Given the high pricing of MONAT'southward products (it's nearly three times more expensive than Aveda) nosotros'd imagine information technology'southward not going to be easy to convince people to buy. Even less so when you cistron in that it'south an as notwithstanding an unknown brand in the UK, and has an increasingly hands-searchable amount of negative reviews (this shocking commodity came up as the 2nd search result on page one of a search for 'MONAT').

"I wish I'd had the sense to read the reviews before purchasing"

The price of MONAT seems even less bonny when you consider the alleged experience (product and customer service) of U.k. users similar this, taken from Trustpilot:

Get a MONAT 'VIP'

You may have noticed that the MONAT conditioner has two more prices: £31 for MP (we presume this means Marketplace Partner and is the cost to MONAT reps) and £38 for VIP.

To become a MONAT VIP you must pay an upfront toll of £18. This entitles you lot to 15% disbelieve on products (this is the VIP toll shown in the prototype above) and free aircraft.

However, equally a VIP you must commit to three 'Flexship' orders of at least £60. The first order will ship automatically 30 days after y'all enrol, and the 2nd ii can be pushed back for a maximum of 60 days (if you lot don't place an social club by then one will be shipped to you and you will be charged):

"By joining as a VIP Customer, you must place an initial Flexship order of £threescore (a Qualifying Flexship Order) and two more than Qualifying Flexship Orders afterward you enrol. You schedule your first Flexship during enrolment, which by default will ship approximately xxx days after you enrol. These two additional orders can exist pushed out upward to 60 days at a time, and there is no ready borderline on when you must complete your three orders. If you practice non push out your order, your gild will exist shipped and you will be billed."

This means within a maximum of seven months you lot are committing to spend £180 on products, plus £eighteen membership.

An boilerplate of 99.6% of MLM reps actually LOSE money

When you run into the existent average earnings of reps like MONAT, and Stella&Dot (according to Stella&Dot themselves, "The typical stylist (including inactives) during 2015 earned between $0 to $100…") you understand why MLMs have such a high turnover of reps.

Because, when expenses are taken into account, an average of 99.6% of MLM reps lose coin in their 'business organization opportunity'. They pile debt onto their credit cards and fake smiles in their Facebook live videos, hoping enough people will buy their lies and assistance them out of their hole… and on track to the work-from-home dream they were sold.

"Contaminated with filth"

Given the loftier price of MONAT products, you'd expect them non only to exist of a high quality, only prepared and packed in a sterile surroundings. But that'southward not allegedly what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plant in a surprise inspection of MONAT's Florida manufacturing plant in March 2018.

MONAT's take on the FDA inspection results were bullish, stating in a postal service 'setting the record straight' that:

"…the FDA representatives informed the Company that they plant no violations or other matters of significant business organization. They left a listing of five minor observations, none relating to formulas or production ingredients."

Only the truth appears to exist quite different. Here'due south an apparent excerpt from the FDA report:

Other observations the FDA evidently fabricated are:

  1. On 03/12/2018 I observed reactor located in the manufacturing room with an open up lid while for Men Shampoo + Conditioner Lot# 18J0308038 was held within as an in-process product.
  2. On 03/12/2018 I observed residues of products in the upper part of reactor and in the lid after a cleaning was performed to information technology on 03/08/2018 and a re-cleaning performed on 03/12/2018. Reactor was ready to process a new batch of hair care production. The chapeau of reactor was open. Reactors and are located adjacent to each other.
  3. On 03/12/2018 I observed white hoses used to pump production to the hopper of the filling lines resting on a table near filling line The hoses were already cleaned and sanitized and both ends were without the protective caps that serve as a method to prevent contamination, leaving the interior surfaces exposed to the environment.
  4. On 03/12/2018 a personal item (employee jacket) was stored in shut proximity to filling line while Blackness Shampoo + Conditioner Lot# 18J0308039 was being processed in this line. The jacket was specifically located adjacent to the air hose used by this filling line and a white hose used to fill the hopper with a product.
  5. On 03/19/2018 I observed that empty containers of Rejuvabeads (2.4oz) Lot# 18J0305030 were left uncovered and exposed in filling line afterwards the employees finished their working day. The containers take an open up end where the production is filled in.

We don't know about you, but preparing, packing or property cosmetic product "nether insanitary atmospheric condition whereby information technology may have become contaminated with filth" is hardly a minor observation, and we certainly wouldn't wish to purchase or sell products from a visitor that viewed it as then.

"Nosotros are FDA approved"

Nosotros already know how happy many MLM reps are to lie in order to sell and recruit (indeed, MONAT reps have been defenseless ruby-red-handed stealing other people'southward photos and passing them off as results from their products). So it'southward no surprise to u.s.a. that, despite the report from the FDA above, MONAT reps are proudly claiming (incorrectly) that their lab is "FDA canonical":

This video isn't the but time this MONAT rep has been caught being liberal with the truth. Here are more than MONAT reps falsely challenge their products are "FDA canonical":

Indeed, people are and then sick of MONAT reps lying well-nigh FDA approval that a petition has been launched to hold the company answerable.

Lying well-nigh FDA approving status wasn't plenty for MONAT 'superstar' rep Mandie. She has also apparently claimed that well known hair stylist and social influencer Guy Tang had tried and loved MONAT, only was unable to say publicly due to contracts. A 'fact' he was very happy to deflate:

"I personally would not use this shampoo even if they sent it to me for free"

MONAT's Revive Shampoo was investigated past Irina Webb from I read labels for you. For all it'due south 'natural' marketing messages, Irina says: "Monat Revive Shampoo has the longest listing of ingredients I take ever seen in my experience reading shampoo ingredients almost daily for the past 5 years."

Hither they are:

(Ingredients underlined in light-green are considered safety past Irina, yellowish are of some concern and reddish are of keen business.)

The results of Irina's investigation also explicate many of the side-furnishings people claim to experience:

"There are two ingredients – Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Benzyl Alcohol – that are associated with contact allergy. Typical symptoms of a contact allergy (its clinical manifestation is allergic contact dermatitis) includes redness, swelling, itching, and fluid-filled blisters."

MONAT claim that their ingredients are "naturally-based, safe and sustainable". However, Irina disagrees, proverb "I encourage you not to fall prey to this marketing technique and read what the medical branch of Dermatology has institute in its inquiry."

MONAT'southward shampoo contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB), which is derived from coconut oil. And so far, then good. Even so, "CAPB is manufactured by reacting coconut fatty acids with 3-dimethylaminoproplylamine (DMAPA) to produce amidoamine, which is then combined with monochloroacetic acid to become to CAPB."

DMAPA and amidoamine are apparently known skin allergens. In 2004, the American Contact Dermatitis Society fifty-fifty named CAPB the Allergen of the Yr. And in the Environment Canada Substance List, CAPB is listed as beingness toxic to aquatic life.

2 more ingredients (Trideceth-6 and C11-xv Pareth-7) are made with a process called ethoxylation. During this process, ethylene oxide is added, and 1,4-dioxane is created – both of which "can remain in the shampoo." Which is rather worrying:

"The International Agency for Inquiry on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide every bit "carcinogenic to humans" and 1,4-dioxane as "probably carcinogenic to humans." "Probably carcinogenic to humans" is defined past stating that "there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals."

Does MONAT fifty-fifty thicken your hair?

Simply what about the claims that MONAT thickens your pilus? (A central reason for it's outrageous cost tag.) According to Irina this isn't the case.

She has been unable to find a single independent scientific study that proves that shampoo thickens hair. However, she did notice that there are at least 7 ingredients in MONAT's Revive Shampoo that she says can coat the hair and make it look and experience thicker.

And, again, the ingredients involved don't brand reassuring reading:

"I have non seen and then many coating agents in one single shampoo including even Acrylates Copolymer that I usually come across in smash polish as a moving picture onetime and in hair sprays as a hair fixer."

Irina concludes her independent review by stating "I personally would non use this shampoo even if they sent it to me for gratuitous."

MONAT is rated F by the Better Business Agency

With 714 complaints (at the time of writing) it'southward non much of a surprise to larn that MONAT is rated an F by the U.s.a.' Better Business Bureau (BBB) – its everyman score – and is non accredited:

Here are the reasons the BBB gives for its rating:

Here's but ane former customer's frustration that helps explicate MONAT's poor rating:

To requite context to MONAT'south appalling score, other pilus care businesses score the following with BBB:

  • Aveda scores A+
  • L'Oreal scores A-
  • Schwarzkopf scores C
  • Garnier scores A+
  • Paul Mitchell scores C+
  • Johnson & Johnson scores C

Avert joining an MLM

Many MLMs deliberately target mothers – we're oft looking for ways to make coin working from home and accept networks of fellow-mum friends we can sell to and recruit. But the truth, as nosotros've just explained, is rarely close to the dream y'all're sold.

We would strongly advise you to avoid joining an MLM – or purchasing products from i (they're oft overpriced for their quality). There are far better means to earn coin and avoid debt (and heartache) than investing your time, coin and hope in a business model that apparently leads to failure for more than 99% of participants.

Even if you looked for a minimum wage job, or first your own freelance business from scratch, such equally taking existent manor stock photos, you lot'll be better off than jining an MLM, co-ordinate to the research published past the FTC.

Read more about MLMs

If you'd like to learn more near MLMs we recommend reading these articles:

  • How can y'all brand money with MLM LuLaRoe? Why the sums don't add upwardly
  • How much money can you really brand working for MLM Arbonne?
  • How much money tin you really brand working for MLM Stella&Dot?
  • Read the complete lowdown on MLM Juice Plus+

And these income investigations:

  • How much coin can yous really make working for MLM Herbalife?
  • How much can you earn with MLM Younique? (Why it's probably less than $xiv a month)
  • How much money can you earn with MONAT, the new MLM coming to the UK?
  • How much money tin can you earn with MLM Isagenix?

And finally, here some of our manufactures looking at the MLM business model:

  • The 10 ugly truths MLMs don't want you to know
  • Fake it 'til you make information technology – how MLM reps lie to recruit and sell
  • Thinking of joining an MLM? Read the truth behind the 'income opportunity'
  • Seven lies an MLM rep will tell y'all – and the Real truth you lot need to know
  • Are MLMs really pyramid schemes? Why y'all tin't brand money selling their products

Photo by Henri Pham

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