A new cosmetic studio had a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning in downtown DeKalb.

The Merle Norman studio, 209 E. Lincoln Hwy., provides a full service hair salon, nails and pedicures.

“We offer free skin care and cosmetic application lessons,” said manager Kim Little. “We help people update their look for their lifestyle.” Merle Norman has a “try before you buy” policy that helps customers perfect their image, she added.

The studio is having a door prize drawing Friday at 5 p.m. Customers who visit can enter to win gift certificates for their choice of Merle Norman products in amounts of $100, $50 and $25.

Merle Norman regional representative Susan Swann said the studio is a place a student can come to change her look from a college girl to a career woman. “The beauty advisors are helping women enhance their own beauty,” she said.

The owner, Shirley Drendel, has had 10 years of experience in the hair and cosmetic business. She owns another Merle Norman studio in Crystal Lake. Drendel said she hopes to open a third salon next month in Sycamore.