By Mary O’KEEFE

Nine years after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 19th Amendment, granting the women the right to vote, Merle Norman was working in her kitchen mixing ingredients in a large coffee pot. She had a background in medicine and chemistry and used this knowledge to create an innovative skin care line she called the “3 Steps to Beauty:” powder base, cleansing cream and Miracol, the cornerstones of her new business, Merle Norman Cosmetics, according to the Merle Norman website.

She opened her first studio in Santa Monica in 1931. This was during the Great Depression and women were not normally business owners but that didn’t seem to faze Norman. In just three years she had opened more than 94 independently owned studios throughout the U.S., which were predominantly owned by women.

“Merle Norman was giving hundreds of women the opportunity to own their own business and transform their lives and the lives of their customers with Merle Norman Cosmetics,” according to the company’s website.

That pioneering and women-centric spirit has not been lost on sisters Kim Kelly and Kris Kline, owners of the Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio in Montrose. They have owned the studio in Montrose for 28 years but their connection to the company began long before – thanks to their mother’s entrepreneurial background.

Their mother, Elloise Konrad Huschle, opened her clothing store, The Band Box, in Montrose on Feb. 1, 1979. The store incorporated Merle Norman Cosmetics, and became increasingly popular.

The young girls watched as their mother built a loyal customer base and built on that when they opened their own studio.

Kelly and Kline were recognized for Excellence in Sales by Merle Norman Cosmetics, and have built up their own loyal customer base over the past 28 years.

“Women are very loyal to their cosmetics company,” Kris said. She added that once customers find a product that they can trust they stay with it.

Kim said that just because the company has been around for 90 years doesn’t mean it hasn’t continued to grow and change.

“This isn’t your grandmother’s makeup,” she said.

Merle Norman is cruelty free, meaning it does not test its products on animals, or use ingredients in their products that are tested on animals.

Kelly said the company is very forward thinking and is always coming out with new products while continuing with the standard trusted items.

The sisters’ business mirrors the foundation of Merle Norman’s original business plan of “try before you buy” allowing clients to actually see how the makeup works as opposed to looking at colors on a cardboard chart and hoping they are choosing the correct makeup. The sisters know their customers, keep records of what works and what does not work for them.

The pandemic has been an unusual time for the Montrose studio, as it has for many businesses. They have lost their share of customers but have found new ones who have come to them in support of local business or like a more personal approach to makeup and skin care.

“We haven’t closed,” Kelly added.

The business had a strong mail order service prior to COVID-19, which helped when restrictions were issued.

“When our doors were locked, we delivered but we haven’t closed,” Kelly said.

They are experiencing a lull in business due to the pandemic with restrictions placed on weddings and the cancellations of proms, but they have been in this business for over four decades, beginning by helping their mother, and they have been able to adjust.

Kline said as she reflects over the years she feels lucky to have been able to work with and learn from her mother. She and her sister discovered at an early age they loved working with people and have learned that, during this pandemic, that skill has helped in many ways.

“People just want to talk,” Kline said.

She has found that with the isolation of the times the studio has been a place where people can share their life, whether it is over the phone when they place an order, when they pick up their makeup or are making an appointment to find just the right products. And she loves talking to her customers.

Kelly has become concerned at times when she hears people talking about no longer taking care of their skin because they aren’t “going anywhere.”

“Time marches on,” she said, “and you still need skin care.”

The sisters are celebrating their 28th year with Merle Norman as the Merle Norman Studio celebrates its 90th year. They continue their love of the company and love working with each other.