Merle Norman Cosmetics

Merle Norman Cosmetics is a family-owned beauty company with deep roots in the American retail landscape. The brand was founded in 1931 by Merle Nethercutt Norman, who opened her first studio in Santa Monica, California, developing and selling her own line of cosmetics. Over the years, Merle Norman built its reputation on personalized service and a distinctive “try before you buy” approach, which helped it become a familiar name in communities across the United States.

As of November 2025, Merle Norman operates around 1,000 independently owned studios, maintaining a footprint in nearly every U.S. state and select Canadian markets. The company’s product range includes skincare, color cosmetics, and anti-aging treatments, with a continued emphasis on quality and customer education. Throughout its history, Merle Norman has empowered women entrepreneurs through its franchise model, which remains a core part of its identity.

In the past five years, Merle Norman has focused its expansion on suburban and secondary markets, with particular attention to high-traffic retail centers and mixed-use developments. The company actively supports new franchisees with site selection, buildout, and marketing, and is seeking qualified operators for available territories in both the United States and Canada. This approach has allowed the brand to maintain steady growth while adapting to evolving retail environments.

The Nethercutt family remains closely involved in the company’s leadership, ensuring continuity and stewardship of the brand’s legacy. Merle Norman’s ongoing commitment to brick-and-mortar retail, combined with its established franchise network and preference for prominent retail locations, positions it as a stable and recognizable tenant for shopping centers and mixed-use projects.