You’ve seen Merle Norman stories on advicesisters.com for a long time. But there really was a Merle Norman. Her company has been making the world more beautiful and offering opportunities to women for over 90 years. But she didn’t become a household name overnight. In the 1930’s she began making beauty products by mixing ingredients in her kitchen. She created the “3 Steps to Beauty” which included Cleansing Cream™, Miracol®, and Powder Base Foundation.™ These products are still super popular and sold today.
1931 The First Studio/Giving Women a Chance:
The first Merle Norman studio opened in Santa Monica California. I guess calling her establishment a “studio” made it seem even more glamorous. Today, customers can shop for Merle Norman products online and at over 1100 Merle Norman Cosmetics Studios across the US and Canada. These studios are primarily female-owned. So Merle Norman gave women a chance to be entrepreneurs in a time when that wasn’t the norm.
“Self-care” is one of those trendy phrases bandied about but it’s actually a serious philosophy that women should embrace. There needs to be more “ME” time in our lives, and more self-appreciation. One way to do this is with makeup. For 90 years, Merle Norman Cosmetics has been encouraging women to make their own money. It’s common today, but back then there were fewer opportunities for women to became entrepreneurs.
Also, Merle Norman championed the concept of ‘Try Before You Buy.” She handed out trial sizes of products. She knew that once women tried her products, they’d want more. I have always appreciated the quality of the products (read other advicesisters’ Merle Norman stories).
Being Patriotic!
Merle Norman Colors Your World:
Now that you have been able to appreciate some of the things that Merle Norman innovated, let’s talk about some beautiful cosmetics!
The Spring collection includes the “Pink Party” cheek palette with something for every skin tone. Joyous is a bright dreamy mid-tones pink, while Modern Peach is a light soft neutral-toned peach even though it looks much more warm-orange in the palette in my photo above.
Advicesisters.com also received the Icononic Eyes Palette with four soft pastel eye shadows and a golden shimmer to wear alone or over the shadows for evening drama. From the top clockwise is Lovely Latte (matte), Satin Lilac (semi-matte), Flickering (luminous), and “Pink Balloon” (matte)” Add the semi-matte “Veil” over each, or wear alone. These eye shadows are extremely sheer and light. The powders are petal-soft, — just the thing for warmer weather.
Lip Balms With Beauty Benefits:
Merle Norman lip balms offer plenty of hydration along with color. Top: Peach Bottom: Pink
For those still wearing masks, keeping the color light means you won’t look like a ghoul with lipstick smeared everywhere on your face when you remove your mask. But Norman’s elegant tinted lip balms are more than just sheer. You can layer lightly, or swipe it on full color. They’re just the thing to make it through Spring and Summer. The shiny silver cases are so elegant.
I tried Pink and Neutral. As you can see from the samples I put on my hand, these offer a lot of color if you layer a lot. powered by Shea Butter, Superfruit, and Elderberry. Fresh fruit smoothie scent. Available in Neutral, Blush, and Pink. They smell slightly fruity too. Dermatologist tested. Free of Carmine, Gluten, and Propylene Glycol.
Visit Merle Norman online or at a studio near you.
