Julie Clarke has been in love with Mary Kay products since middle school.

On her 18th birthday, she signed on to start working as a beauty consultant.

Clarke, junior in apparel merchandising, design and production, said she “fell in love” with the cosmetic products years ago.

Mary Kay’s belief in putting God first, family second and career third is important to her, Clarke said.

“This job provides an opportunity for relationships,” Clarke said. “We form an awesome bond with our customers and fellow consultants.

“It’s so much deeper than just selling makeup. I think girls are attracted to that.”

Mary Kay offers skin care, body care, advanced color, nail and brush clinics as well as men’s products, fragrances and holiday open houses.

“I feel like Mary Kay has helped me with time management and discipline,” she said.

Clarke said she hopes to work for Mary Kay full-time after graduating, making formal gowns for the seminars they hold throughout the year.

Sheri Krumm, Independent Sales Director for Mary Kay, said about 50 ISU students are involved in selling Mary Kay products. Working for the company provides experience in running a business as well as leadership and people skills, she said.

“This job allows for flexibility,” Krumm said. “Classes tend to change from semester to semester for these college students and they can easily work around their changing schedules.”

Mary Kay provides more than extra spending money, Krumm said.

“Most college students start selling Mary Kay for the money, but keep going because they love the products and the people they meet,” she said.

Since the company was founded in 1963, Mary Kay has shifted to target younger consumers, Krumm said.

“Today’s young people are very educated and want careers and to make their own choices,” she said.

“Mary Kay has brought in new products to accommodate that.”

Jessica Starmer, sophomore in political science, said she has met more than 60 new people by selling Mary Kay, and easily finds time in her busy schedule to sell the products.

“It’s easy to sell to people you meet in class, or to your friends or family members,” she said. “If you want too, you’ll find time for it.”

Students living in residence halls can enjoy selling Mary Kay while abiding by the solicitation and flyer distribution policies, said Heather Phillips, Maple Hall director.

“Door to door selling is not permitted, as well as using your dorm room, telephone or mailbox to make a profit or to fund raise,” she said.

In the past, most problems with the policy have been with people coming into the dorms to sell things like magazines or perfume door to door, Phillips said.

“Abiding by the residence hall rules has not been a problem in the past,” Krumm said, “The majority of our beauty consultants are only storing their supplies in their dorm rooms and are out doing appointments elsewhere.”