Merle Norman: Still A Fragrance Powerhouse For Men?

Founded in 1931 by Merle Norman, the American cosmetics company manufactures skincare, personal care, and makeup products. The company has expanded its business over the years and now has locations in 7 countries, primarily in North America. While the brand is primarily known for its makeup and skincare offerings, it has also ventured into fragrances. One notable fragrance associated with the brand is Decollete, a floral perfume for women launched in 1987. However, it is unclear if Merle Norman still actively creates and sells cologne as of recent years.

Decollete by Merle Norman

Decollete has been described as a traditional, elegant, and romantic fragrance, reminiscent of a French perfume. While some reviewers have noted that it may be better suited for more mature women, others have mentioned that it can be worn at any time of the day or season, except for hot summer days. The fragrance has also been praised for its long-lasting effect and its ability to elicit compliments.

One reviewer shared their experience of working at Merle Norman and described Decollete as a "masterpiece" that is now difficult to find at a reasonable price. They noted that it is a strong and elegant scent, comparable to Coco and Chanel #5. Another reviewer who has been wearing Decollete since its launch also mentioned that it is not an "old lady perfume" and that it smells like a real French perfume at a more affordable price.

While Decollete by Merle Norman may be harder to find, some sources indicate that it can still be purchased from select Merle Norman salons or dealers. Fragrance Revival also offers a similar scent, specializing in creating nearly identical fragrances to discontinued perfumes and colognes. Their version of Decollete is available in a 3.4-ounce bottle and is handcrafted after each order, with delivery taking around 8 business days.

Fragrance Revival's version of Decollete

Fragrance Revival is a company that specialises in creating scents that are nearly identical to discontinued perfumes or colognes. They have an extensive library of thousands of expertly recreated fragrances, built over the last 12 years.

The company's website states that they have the expertise and technology to create a nearly identical fragrance. The process takes many hours of skilled labour, and the company strives to keep prices low while using high-end ingredients. If a customer is unhappy with the scent, Fragrance Revival will keep revising the scent until the customer is happy, sending free bottles.

One Reddit user who ordered a dupe of Karl Lagerfeld's Sun Moon Stars from Fragrance Revival reported that the scent was spot-on, although a little sharper. Another user who ordered a dupe of Estee Lauder's Beautiful Sheer was disappointed with the product, describing it as smelling like a cheap discount store splash.

A third user who ordered a dupe of Un Amour de Patou was also unhappy with the product, describing it as vile and smelling like cheap men's cologne. They added that Fragrance Revival initially ignored their request for a refund, but eventually provided one.

Another user who ordered a dupe of Chloe Narcisse was pleased with the product, reporting that it was nicely packaged and identical to their favourite perfume. However, they added that it was more of a body spray than a perfume and should be priced at no more than $30-40.

Overall, Fragrance Revival appears to be a legitimate company that makes a genuine effort to recreate discontinued fragrances. However, as with any fragrance, individual experiences may vary, and some customers have been disappointed with the accuracy of the recreations.

Discontinuation of Decollete

Decollete by Merle Norman was a floral fragrance for women that was launched in 1987. It was a unique blend of tangerine and bergamot oils, jasmine, tuberose, rose, and woody notes. Unfortunately, this elegant and romantic scent appears to have been discontinued, much to the dismay of its loyal fans.

A Beloved Scent

Decollete was more than just a perfume to its wearers. It evoked strong emotions and fond memories, with one reviewer describing it as ""one of my scented memories I would love to get back." The fragrance was elegant and romantic, drawing comparisons to iconic perfumes such as Chanel No. 5 and Coco Chanel. It was a signature scent for some, and its complex blend of florals, spices, and woodsy notes made it stand out.

A Difficult Search

The discontinuation of Decollete has left fans searching for ways to recapture its unique scent. It has become challenging to find the perfume at a reasonable price, with some resorting to purchasing it from estate sales or Merle Norman salons or dealers. However, even these sources may not guarantee a reasonable price, as one reviewer lamented the difficulty of finding it at an affordable cost.

Recreating the Scent

Some companies, such as Fragrance Revival, specialize in creating scents that closely resemble discontinued perfumes and colognes. They use their expertise and technology to craft near-identical fragrances, offering a way for disappointed fans to potentially recapture the essence of Decollete in a new bottle.

The discontinuation of Decollete by Merle Norman has left a void for its devoted wearers, but the memories and emotions evoked by this fragrance will undoubtedly linger, even in the absence of its physical presence.

Availability of Decollete

Decolleté by Merle Norman is a fragrance that is no longer produced by the cosmetics company. However, Fragrance Revival specializes in creating scents that smell identical to discontinued perfumes and colognes. They offer a 3.4-ounce bottle of their recreation of the original Decolleté fragrance. The company guarantees that the scent is the same, only presented in a different bottle and by a different company.

Fragrance Revival has expertise and technology in fragrance creation, and they invest many hours of skilled labor into producing high-quality scents with affordable price tags. They invite customers to decide whether their version of Decolleté smells like the original, and if not, they will revise the scent until the customer is satisfied. The company hand-makes each bottle after it is ordered, and delivery typically takes about eight business days.

Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc., founded in 1931 by Merle Norman, is an American company that manufactures skincare, personal care, and makeup products. The company is known for its "try before you buy" philosophy, allowing customers to try on products for free. With a background in chemistry, Norman initially created homemade cosmetics in her kitchen and sold them to neighbors with the help of her nephew, J.B. Nethercutt.

In 1931, during the Great Depression, Norman opened her first official cosmetics studio in Santa Monica, California, for $150. The company rapidly expanded across the United States, with independently owned studios predominantly owned and operated by women. By the 1940s, the company had expanded overseas to Asia, marketing its products in Thailand. During World War II, the company temporarily halted cosmetic production to supply gun oil and camouflage sticks to the U.S. Military.

Today, Merle Norman Cosmetics operates through e-commerce and its beauty store studio franchises, as well as day spas under the Merle Norman Spa brand. As of 2021, the company had 1,007 locations across seven countries, primarily in North America. The company is privately held and family-owned by the Nethercutt-Richards family, with its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

History of Merle Norman

The history of Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. began in 1931 when Merle Norman, with a background in chemistry, started making makeshift cosmetic products in her home kitchen in Santa Monica, California. She sold her products to her neighbours while her nephew, J.B. Nethercutt, worked as the delivery boy.

Norman's business grew in local popularity, and in 1931, she opened her first official cosmetics studio in Santa Monica for $150 during the Great Depression. By 1934, the company had expanded to dozens of independently owned studios across the United States, predominantly owned by women.

During the 1930s, Norman created the '3 Steps to Beauty': Cleansing Cream™, Miracol®, and Powder Base Foundation™—the pillars of what would become a beauty empire. In 1935, Norman's nephew, J.B. Nethercutt, became the first employee of the company. By 1939, there were 94 franchises flourishing in America, offering women an opportunity to become entrepreneurs in an era of limited work options.

In the 1940s, the company expanded overseas to Asia, marketing in Thailand. During World War II, the company was called upon to produce gun oil and camouflage for American troops. By the 1960s, the brand had become a household favourite, receiving the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for its '3 Steps to Beauty' in 1959. In 1961, Merle Norman was the first to launch signature Lip Bubbles, allowing women to sample lip products hygienically.

In 1963, Norman stepped down as chairman and passed the company to J.B. Nethercutt. In 1969, the company became publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). In 1971, a secondary plant was opened in Los Angeles, and a forward distribution centre was opened in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1973.

In 1974, the family bought back all the public stock due to a lack of trading interest, and the company reverted to being privately held. In the 1980s, Merle Norman was named one of the ten largest American cosmetic companies by People magazine. The company launched its first national advertising campaign and was the primary sponsor of the 1981 Met Gala.

In 1999, the company redesigned its studios to have a common interior. In 2004, J.B. Nethercutt passed the company to his son, Jack Nethercutt II. In 2007, the company was ranked No. 21 in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500.

In 2011, Merle Norman expanded to the Middle East. In 2012, the company began offering day spa services at select studio outlets in the United States and Canada. In 2019, the company's products became available for purchase online through e-commerce.

Throughout its history, Merle Norman has received hundreds of accolades and has been a leading cosmetics franchisor. The company remains family-owned and operated, with Jack and Helen Nethercutt at the helm, dedicated to Norman's original mission: "To give every woman a more beautiful life."

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