Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Merle Norman Cosmetics develops, manufactures and distributes its own full line of skin care and color cosmetic products. These cosmetics are sold through approximately 2,000 independently owned and operated Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

THE LINE
Today, Merle Norman's vision carries on. The Merle Norman line includes hundreds of tried-and-true products, addressing the full spectrum of skin care and color needs for all women.

QUALITY
To ensure optimum quality control, the company researches, develops, manufactures and packages its own products, shipping them daily to Studios from major warehouse facilities in Los Angeles and Memphis. Using state-of-the-art technology and the finest ingredients available, the company takes pride in its pioneering use of advanced formulations - sometimes years ahead of competitors.

ABOUT MERLE NORMAN HERSELF
The company’s beginnings are an American success story. It started in the late 1920s when an ambitious young woman named Merle Nethercutt Norman began sharing skin care products of her own creation with family and friends. She demonstrated the products as an added service, believing if she could “get it on their faces” they would become customers.

"Try Before You Buy"

It was from this concept that the famous and much imitated slogan, “Try Before You Buy” originated. Merle Norman is also the inventor of the legendary “Before and After” makeover. As demand grew, she opened her first Studio in 1931 in Santa Monica, CA, with the help of her nephew, J.B. Nethercutt, who assisted in the development and manufacturing of her products. Decades before working women were the norm, Merle Norman gave hundreds of women the opportunity to achieve business success by owning and operating their own Studios. Her single Studio has evolved into the successful corporation it is today.

These dynamic franchisees benefit from intensive training, strong marketing support and the same spirit of enthusiasm that inspired Merle Norman more than 75 years ago.

Dedicated to Merle Norman's original vision of superior products, individual service and the "Try Before You Buy" philosophy, and bolstered by a contemporary new design, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios are positioned for continued expansion and even greater success in the years ahead.

Although Merle Norman passed away in 1972 and J.B. Nethercutt in 2004, the company, under the guidance of Jack B. Nethercutt II, remains a family-owned business dedicated to helping women everywhere look their absolute best.

MADE IN AMERICA
Merle Norman Cosmetics currently researches, develops, manufactures and packages its own line of skin care and color products which are proudly made in the USA. To ensure optimum quality control, the company houses its own Research & Development department on the premises of its headquarters in Los Angeles. Using state-of-the-art technology and the finest ingredients available, Merle Norman Cosmetics takes pride in its pioneering use of advanced formulations.

Made in the USA
At Merle Norman Cosmetics, we believe in “in” sourcing. From a humble kitchen in California, Merle Norman Cosmetics started as, and continues to be, an American company. For us, “Made in the USA” is not just a cliché. It is a literal translation of who we are. Founded by an American born and bred woman who paved the way for female entrepreneurship, we are a family-run business. We opened our first Studio (franchise location) in sunny Santa Monica and built facilities in both California and
Tennessee. We employ nearly 500 U.S. workers to research, develop, manufacture and package our own line of skin care and color products.




To ensure optimum quality control, we house our own 
Research & Development department on the premises of our headquarters in Los Angeles. Using state-of-the-art technology and the finest ingredients available, we take pride in developing unique, high-quality products that address the needs of today’s consumers while also presenting a broad line of color cosmetics for today’s fashionable consumers. We are proud that our formulas are made right here in the U.S., along with the compacts, jars, bottles, caps and tubes in which our great products are packaged. While we may source a component from overseas, we design our line so that all product and manufacturing of the finished good is done here in the U.S. Except for a few select items such as sponges, puffs, pumps and pencils which are specialized items made overseas, we are 100% American made. That authenticity is beyond comparison in this industry.

In 1931, Merle Norman realized the American dream by building this company with the help of her nephew, J.B. Nethercutt. Today, J.B.’s son Jack Nethercutt continues the legacy with his wife Helen.