Merle Norman cosmetics

Merle Norman is a historic American beauty brand founded by Merle Nethercutt Norman in Santa Monica, California, in 1931. The brand is famous for its early innovations in the cosmetics industry, particularly the 'Try Before You Buy' concept, which allowed customers to experience products firsthand.

Unlike many legacy beauty brands that have been acquired by multinational conglomerates, Merle Norman has remained a family-owned business. It continues to operate its own research and development laboratories and manufacturing facilities in Los Angeles, California. This vertical integration allows the brand to maintain strict quality control over its formulations, ranging from foundations and skincare to color cosmetics.

The company distributes its products through a unique network of independently owned Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios. To this day, the brand represents a significant piece of American beauty history, maintaining its headquarters and production within the United States while serving customers through thousands of franchised locations.