Welcome to Little Lake County’s 12 Shops of Christmas! Each day for 12 days, we will feature a wonderful local retailer as a way of encouraging our community to shop local this holiday season.
When you buy local, you are making an investment in yourself and your community. Learn more about these unique shops by doing business close to home.
Merle Norman Cosmetics
406 Lake Street, Antioch
(224) 788-8820 | Facebook
My time at Merle Norman Cosmetics was just too short- between the gorgeous lip colors, endless foundation options and stellar accessories, I simply have to go back (like tomorrow). Owner Tammy’s shop has something for everyone because she is so much more than a cosmetics counter.
When you visit Merle Norman Cosmetics, you will meet the most enthusiastic, confident and joyful Tammy this world knows. Her passion is to truly help people feel beautiful, and although she sells cosmetics and products that enhance our exterior, after your time with her, you will surely radiate beauty from the inside out. Give yourself the gift of pampering self-care this holiday season. Or perhaps gift a woman you love with something special from Merle Norman Cosmetics in Antioch.
Situated just off of Route 83 in Antioch, you’ll find Tammy and her treasured shop, which has been in the quaint downtown of Antioch for 20 plus years. She opened the store (formerly under different owners) after a facelift in April 2015 and has been impressing her clients since the reopen. Her energy and welcoming heart make her shop so comfortable to even minimalist make-up users (I have become one in my mommy years). Being a small shop allows personalization, privacy (ever shopped at a makeup counter in the mall and felt all of the stares?) and no pressure.
Tammy offers free express facials, skin assessments, foundation checks and express makeovers. Seriously- stop in and get a FREE facial to try out the products; she will tailor the facial to your specific skin needs and help bring forth your healthiest glow. Merle Norman believes you simply must try before you buy; if a product doesn’t feel or look right, there is something else available just for you. With more than 14 types of foundation (and 140 plus color options) she has the quintessential match to literally set the perfect foundation for your personalized makeup routine.
Customizing skin care and makeup wear to each client is key to Tammy’s mission at Merle Norman Cosmetics. However, she has easy-to-grab kits available as well so you can check that special lady off of your Christmas list.
If you wear a full face every day, Tammy has exactly what you need. If you choose to forego makeup, her skin care products are unparalleled, and I can say that with extreme confidence (just meet my Nana, and you’ll know what I mean).
Have you ever waited to purchase cosmetics or skin care products until the ‘free gift’ time? The time is NOW, ladies- and comes SIX times a year with the purchase of two Merle Norman products. This is the best way to try new products! And if you want to know about her Black Friday Specials, keep reading!
After explaining my makeup goals to Tammy, she expertly knew what I’d need and honestly- what I would be willing to buy for myself have my husband buy for my Christmas gift (foundation, blush, mascara, lipstick). As we chatted about my makeup preferences she pulled samples for me to fawn over and fall in love with; as I type, I’m wearing a hot shade of Hussy lipstick. Don’t judge. The color has lasted for hours, even after eating and drinking.
What surprised me most though, was how much I had misjudged Merle Norman. As I said, my Nana has used these products since I was a little girl, and I’ve been using the cold cream at sleepovers with her since I was four. Yet, I had sort of written off Merle Norman as an option for me- unless I was thinking about anti-aging products or sleeping over with my Nana (note: THEY WORK, Self, you’re almost 30, get on it.) But Tammy’s shop has it all.
If your daughter or son is ready to start a skin-care routine she has a gentle line to begin with and yes, a men’s line, too! The makeup line is so vast that I cannot stress enough there is a product for every single makeup user (or newbie). Her kits are a perfect grab-and-go gift, and gift certificates are available to encourage someone to pamper herself.
Lastly, I must mention her boutique items are reasonably priced yet incredibly unique! (Alert: Perfect mother-in-law gifts available!) Tammy’s shop carries the most elegant, trendy watches I have seen at amazing prices! Her scarves and jewelry are reasonably priced around $18-22 per item. If I am being honest, I didn’t realize boutiques could sell these top-quality items for better prices than big box stores.
To make the holiday shopping season even more bright, Merle Norman Cosmetics has joined the Antioch Chamber of Commerce ‘Scrooge U Savings’ where you can find a 10% off Merle Norman products coupon in its brochure. If Black Friday shopping is your jam, stop in to see Tammy, spend $50 in Merle Norman products and buy the purchase with purchase for $37.50 ($180 value), which includes the following items: a full size mascara, two liquid lip colors, generous samples of anti-aging products, an eye shadow palette and a full size makeup remover all in a three pack of beautiful black sparkly makeup bags. This purchase with purchase is huge!
Just before I left, I asked Tammy what her goal was at this shop. She reminded me that the Merle Norman philosophy is “try before you buy,” but for her- for this charming shop- “You deserve to be beautiful.”
When a woman leaves here with a spring in her step, I have done my job for the day, and I feel amazing.
-Tammy, Merle Norman Cosmetics
Tammy handed me lipstick samples and filled my heart with joy in our short time together. I left without a lick of makeup on, and I felt like my soul radiated when I left her store. Afterward I came home and took on the house and kids like a boss. Friends, are you ready to check out what she has to offer you? As the holidays near, take some time for self-care or encourage another woman in your life by visiting Tammy at Merle Norman Cosmetics in Antioch, be sure to tell her Little Lake County sent you! (She also has a store in Buffalo Grove!)
Merle Norman Cosmetics
406 Lake Street, Antioch
(224) 788-8820 | Facebook
202 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
(847) 279-3243 | Facebook
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