Cosmetics Magnate, Philantropist. Norman, who established her business out of her home in the late 1920s, was a contemporary of cosmetics legends Helena Rubenstein and Max Factor. She encouraged women to found their own franchise businesses where customers could enjoy free makeovers, an idea which she pioneered, and try products liberally before buying them. In 1931, she opened her first Studio in Santa Monica, California, where her nephew, J.B. Nethercutt, soon joined her in developing and manufacturing the products she sold. Today, there are some 1,500 Merle Norman studios around the world, mostly concentrated in North America. Norman donated generously to local medical institutions – the Merle Norman Pavillion at Santa Monica hospital is named in her honor. (bio by: Louis M.)