LimeLife Scam: MLM or Pyramid Scheme? [Review]

If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash from home, joining LimeLife as an independent distributor may seem like a tempting option. But before you take the plunge, there are some things you should know.

As an online entrepreneur, I have reviewed many similar online opportunities over the years. So I can tell you what you need to know.

In this review, I’ll share my honest thoughts on LimeLife and why I believe success with this MLM program is unlikely for most people. It seems like only experienced salespeople and those with well-funded recruiters have a shot at making it big.

Just to be clear, I’m not affiliated with LimeLife in any way, so you can trust that this review is unbiased.

And to sweeten the deal, I’ll also share with you the best alternative to LimeLife’s MLM program that has helped me achieve a full-time passive income online.

So, are you ready to get the scoop on LimeLife? Let’s dive in!

What Is LimeLife?

LimeLife is a subsidiary of Alcone, a company that has been in the makeup and beauty industry since 1952? In 2013, Alcone made its foray into the world of direct sales with the launch of Alcone at Home, which later became known as Limelight by Alcone. In 2018, the company rebranded as LimeLife by Alcone, and has since become a go-to brand for makeup, skin care products, and makeup tools.

Alcone has a long-standing reputation in Hollywood as the go-to source for creating the stars’ looks in movies, TV shows, and plays. And now, with LimeLife, you can get that Hollywood glow for yourself! LimeLife’s products are distributed through a group of independent salespeople called Beauty Guides, who can provide you with personalized recommendations and advice.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is LimeLife An MLM?

Yes, LimeLife is an MLM. But what does that mean?

Basically, when you become a member of LimeLife’s MLM program, you’ll become an independent distributor of their products. This means that you’ll be running your own business and won’t receive a regular salary. While it’s possible to make money by selling their products, it’s unlikely that you’ll make a substantial income that way.

In fact, most MLMs, including LimeLife, rely heavily on recruiting new members to work under you. This is where the “multi-level” part comes in. As a member of an MLM, you earn a commission on the sales and new recruits generated by the people you hire once they begin producing results.

To help you understand the commission structure, let’s imagine a triangle. Everyone in the triangle is in your direct downline, meaning they are beneath you in the MLM hierarchy. If the person at the top recruits ten people, and each of these ten recruits ten more, then you’ll earn commissions from everyone in the triangle.

So, if you can bring in just 10 people, you’ll make $1100. However, most people in MLMs prefer to earn a lifetime passive income from recruiting others than a one-time commission from selling products, even if the MLM offers a wide range of products.

The downside to this commission structure is that those at the top of the triangle have the most financial success, while those at the base have the least. Having a large number of people in your “downline” is essential for success in a multi-level marketing company like LimeLife.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is LimeLife A Pyramid Scheme?

No, LimeLife is not a pyramid scheme. They offer members the opportunity to make money by selling their products.

One of the biggest differences between LimeLife and a pyramid scheme is that you don’t have to rely solely on recruitment to make money. As a LimeLife distributor, you earn money by selling products, not just by bringing in new members.

In contrast, a pyramid scheme lures people in by promising them money or services in exchange for recruiting others. The problem with pyramid schemes is that they are unsustainable and often end up being a scam. The people at the bottom end up losing money while the people at the top benefit the most.

Pyramid schemes require new members to pay a membership fee to the company, which is then used to reward those who recruit more members. LimeLife distributors, on the other hand, do not receive any direct financial incentives for bringing in new members.

Pyramid schemes usually don’t sell valuable goods or services. The only way they generate revenue is by recruiting new members and asking for more money from current members. This is where LimeLife differs because they offer high-quality products that people want to buy.

It’s important to note that pyramid schemes are impossible to sustain because they would have to keep growing infinitely to make money for everyone who participates. This is not possible since the planet’s population is finite. Eventually, the pyramid will collapse, and most people will lose their money.

A good example of a pyramid scheme is Vemma, a company that sold energy and weight loss drinks. The FTC accused Vemma of operating a pyramid scheme because it paid more to recruit new members than to sell products. Sadly, the majority of Vemma participants lost money.

You may read our article on the difference between MLM and pyramid schemes here.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is LimeLife A Scam?

LimeLife is not a scam. You won’t lose your money without receiving any products in return. You can make some money with LimeLife, but it’s not as easy as they make it out to be.

To succeed with LimeLife, you have to put in a lot of hard work and effort upfront. However, there’s no guarantee that your hard work will pay off. The commissions are not significant, and you may only end up with a small check after months of effort. That’s not a great opportunity, right?

If you’re new to multi-level marketing companies, you might struggle with understanding LimeLife’s compensation plan. It can be overwhelming with all the new terms and concepts.

Now, you may be wondering why companies like LimeLife use multi-level marketing strategies. Well, it’s due to something called complexity bias, where people prefer complex explanations over simple ones. Ironically, keeping things simple usually produces the best results.

Many people have expressed their disappointment with LimeLife, and you can find lots of complaints online. So, if you’re considering LimeLife, keep in mind that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, and success requires a lot of effort and hard work.

How To Make Money With LimeLife?

First things first, once you sign up with LimeLife, you’ll become a “Beauty Guide.” This means your main role is to promote and sell LimeLife’s cosmetics and skincare products, and of course, recruit new members to the team.

To get started, you’ll need to purchase a starter kit. LimeLife offers two different options, which I’ll explain in a moment.

Signing up as a Beauty Guide is a breeze. Just head on over to their website and fill out a short form to get started.

Now, let’s talk about those starter kits. The first is the Basic Starter Kit, which costs $169 and includes a selection of popular LimeLife products, business tools, and training materials.

If you’re looking for something a little more comprehensive, there’s also the Pro Starter Kit, which costs $495. This kit includes a wider variety of products and marketing materials, as well as additional training and support.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

LimeLife’s Compensation Plan

If you’re curious about LimeLife’s compensation plan, I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that it’s available for you to view right now. The bad news? It’s 32 pages long and, let’s be honest, a bit overly complicated.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Who has time to read through a 32-page document?” Well, fear not! I’ve got a solution for you. Instead of sifting through pages of information, why not check out this handy video? It’s a great way to get a complete understanding of the plan without having to wade through all the nitty-gritty details.

So sit back, relax, and let us break it down for you. We promise it’s not as complicated as it may seem at first glance.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Join LimeLife?

For $99, you can go for the Business Starter Kit, which includes a range of makeup products, moisturizers, cleansers, and training materials. Alternatively, if you have $169 to spare, you can choose the Silver Business Starter Kit, which offers even more items, including lipsticks, face oils, makeup sponges, and scrubs.

It’s worth noting that you need to buy one of these starter kits before you can sign up to become a LimeLife beauty guide through their website.

In addition to the starter kit cost, you’ll also need to factor in annual website hosting fees, which come in at $119.40 per year. That means the total cost for using the Business Starter Kit for one year is $218.40, while the Silver Business Starter Kit comes in at $288.40.

While the price tag might seem steep, it’s worth remembering that there are other costs associated with being a beauty guide in an MLM business like LimeLife. For example, hosting home parties can be expensive, and there’s no guarantee that these events will be successful.

Additionally, some people have reported that the pressure from their upline to keep selling can be intense, which can lead to some beauty guides leaving the program.

That said, if you’re still interested in becoming a LimeLife beauty guide, there are plenty of exciting products to choose from, depending on your starter kit. The $99 kit includes essentials like lip gloss, eyeliner, and mascara, while the $169 kit comes with a wide range of additional products, including a face mask, lipsticks, and a blush/powder palette.

Ultimately, the decision to become a beauty guide with LimeLife by Alcone is up to you.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

LimeLife: Unhappy Customers and Refund Issues

Have you heard about the latest complaints about LimeLife? Some of the Beauty Guides I’ve talked to are expressing their disappointment with the MLM industry and its products. It seems that LimeLife is not offering refunds to customers who cancel their subscriptions, leaving them frustrated.

According to reports, many customers are trying to cancel their subscriptions just before the next billing cycle, only to find out that they’ve been charged for multiple months. So, what’s LimeLife’s response to these issues? Apparently, they claim that it’s all in the contract that their beauty guides sign when they join, along with other explanations.

Despite the cancellations by their beauty guides, LimeLife has continued to bill them month after month, ignoring their requests to stop. This behavior is unacceptable, and it raises concerns about LimeLife’s integrity.

One female customer even complained that she might have to visit a dermatologist because of the cosmetics she purchased from LimeLife. Sadly, this is not an isolated case, as there are numerous complaints on the BBB’s website.

In summary, LimeLife needs to address these complaints and improve its customer service. Refusing refunds and billing customers without their consent is unethical and disrespectful.

Pros and Cons of LimeLife 

Thinking of joining LimeLife but not sure if it’s the right fit for you? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide.

Pros:

• Applying for LimeLife is a piece of cake – the process is super easy.
• The annual membership fee is quite reasonable, starting at just $99 or $169, so it won’t break the bank.
• The training is included in the initial package, so you’ll be all set to get started.

Cons:

• Unfortunately, it can be tough to get a refund if you’re not happy with your purchase.
• Some folks may have skin allergies that can cause problems when using LimeLife products.
• A number of unhappy customers have posted complaints online about their experiences with LimeLife.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Reasons Why I Don’t Recommend LimeLife

If you’ve been looking into LimeLife or any other multi-level marketing (MLM) company as a way to make money, you might want to think twice. Here are a few reasons why:

Making money with LimeLife is tough

The odds are not in your favor when it comes to making money with an MLM like LimeLife. According to statistics, between 72.5% and 99.9% of MLM members lose money. That’s because MLMs typically require members to keep selling products to stay active and eligible for commissions. If you don’t meet the sales quota, you won’t get paid. This means many MLM members end up losing a lot of money before they even recruit anyone into the company.

Losses are often reframed as investments

LimeLife uplines (the people who recruited you) might try to convince you that your financial losses are actually investments in your business. But the truth is, you’re unlikely to get that money back. In fact, in most cases, the return on investment is negative. So, calling it an investment is misleading.

MLMs can have cult-like company cultures

It’s not uncommon for MLMs to have a company culture that feels like a cult. Critical thinking is often discouraged, and reps who question the company’s practices can be isolated or chastised. MLMs may even encourage reps to cut off contact with anyone who questions their involvement. 

Those who leave the MLM are often labeled as failures or bad influences, and reps are not allowed to contact them. This kind of social pressure can be devastating for those who leave and lead reps to prioritize their MLM events over their personal lives, creating distance from their family and friends.

You may have to buy LimeLife products yourself

One of the downsides of joining LimeLife is that you may have to purchase their products yourself if you don’t have a big network of friends, family, and neighbors to sell to. This can be expensive and eat into your profits, making it difficult to make money in the long run.

LimeLife products are overpriced

Another issue with LimeLife is that their products are overpriced compared to similar products on the market. This makes it challenging to sell the products because your prospects can find the same items elsewhere for much cheaper. Many MLM distributors end up focusing on recruiting instead of selling the actual products.

LimeLife’s MLM business model has a bad reputation

MLM companies like LimeLife have a flawed business model. The majority of the profits go to those at the top, leaving those at the bottom struggling to break even. As a result, many people view MLMs as illegitimate business opportunities.

Exaggerated claims of income

Like many other MLMs, LimeLife makes exaggerated income claims that are unrealistic for most distributors to achieve. Their low retention rate is also discouraging, with less than 41% of distributors active. According to their payouts, over 99% of LimeLife distributors never make a profit.

Recruiting is required to succeed

Finally, if you want to make money with LimeLife, you’ll need to focus on recruiting. Eight out of ten ways to earn money with LimeLife require recruiting. This means that if you’re not comfortable with recruiting, this MLM may not be the best fit for you.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Final Verdict

I wanted to share my thoughts on LimeLife and whether or not it’s a good idea to join their program to make money. Long story short, I don’t recommend it.

First off, it can be pretty tough in the beginning when you’re trying to find recruiters to add to your LimeLife commission. Plus, you basically have to ask your family and friends to join your LimeLife business opportunity, which isn’t exactly fun.

On top of that, your upline will keep encouraging you to buy more Business Support Material even if you’re struggling to get people to join your downline. It’s not a great situation.

But the worst part is that the statistics aren’t in your favor. According to a case study on the FTC’s website, 99% of people who join an MLM break even or lose money. Yikes.

I think a big part of the problem is the pressure people feel to succeed when they join these MLM-type businesses. And that’s one of the main reasons they end up leaving.

So, instead of trying your luck with LimeLife, why not consider starting your own online business? You can promote what you want and work on your own schedule. And don’t worry, I’ll show you how to do it in a legit way to make passive income online.

In fact, I’ve been able to make a full-time income in just a year using this approach. And the best part? It’s 100% legit and sustainable. So, let’s dive into how to build your own online business and start earning some real money.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is There a Better Way to Make Money Online?

Starting an online business can be tough, especially if you don’t have the right tools and guidance. That’s why I’m here to recommend Wealthy Affiliate – a platform that offers everything you need to build your affiliate marketing business from scratch.

You may read our article about the difference between MLM and affiliate marketing.

Wealthy Affiliate provides top-notch web hosting, keyword research tools, community support, comprehensive training, writing tools, and other software that can help you build an online business step-by-step. And the best part is, you can start for free!

By registering a free account with Wealthy Affiliate, you can dive into affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny. If you like what you see, you can upgrade to the premium membership to access everything on the platform. No upsells or hidden fees.

But, you may be wondering how much you can earn with Wealthy Affiliate. Well, let me share with you some inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members. One 21-year-old student earned $7,395 in just one week, applying what they learned inside Wealthy Affiliate.

You can read our full review of Wealthy Affiliate here.

Compared to other programs like LimeLife and Authority Hacker, Wealthy Affiliate has a much longer history of success, with over a million members in the past decade.

The pricing scheme is simple – a free starter membership or a premium membership that costs $49/month or $395/year. As a starter member, you’ll have instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, and access to the keyword tool – all for free!

So, if you’re ready to upgrade your online business journey, I strongly recommend registering for a free account with Wealthy Affiliate and seeing for yourself. No credit card required, and you can be a free member for as long as you like.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative