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Merit Beauty launched in the UK earlier this year and I’ve been itching to get my hands on some of their products ever since. Famous for their ‘less is more’ approach to makeup – they even released a limited edition baseball cap with this slogan at one point(!!) – the brand is all about making products that are sleek, simple, and easy to apply.
I was sent two of their products to review: the Perfecting Complexion Stick and the Flush Balm. Here are my thoughts on both…
About Merit Beauty
Founded in 2021, Merit Beauty is a US-based minimalist makeup brand that’s focused on pared-down, skin-loving products. Not only does Merit avoid potentially acne-triggering ingredients in their formulas, they also go out of their way to create products that are vegan, cruelty-free and EU-compliant.
Their beauty offering currently consists of 10 products, which is relatively small for a popular makeup brand. But, since Merit’s goal is to simplify your makeup routine, this makes a lot of sense! I love that they’ve gone for a few well-made essentials rather than a ton of ‘trendy’ products people will likely use only a handful of times.
Merit Perfecting Complexion Stick
What is it?
Merit’s Perfecting Complexion Stick sits somewhere between a foundation and concealer. It’s perfect for days when you’re looking to even out your complexion, whether this means simply covering pesky blemishes or creating an all-over flawless makeup base.
Grab one of these complexion sticks in a darker shade and you can also use it to contour!
What’s the coverage like?
This gives light-to-medium coverage so it looks really natural on the skin. If I use this as a foundation, I do tend to go back in afterwards and spot conceal (which is really easy to do because the formula is so buildable). As a concealer, this might not fully cover redness or dark marks on first application but, again, letting it sit for a bit and applying a second layer usually does the trick.
How’s the shade range?
This complexion stick comes in 20 shades. Most skin tones will find a match but there probably is room to expand. I’ve got the shade ‘Silk’ which is for fair skin with neutral undertones, and it’s a pretty good match for me. Since I’m not too fussed about concealing with a lighter shade, I can use this as both a foundation and corrector, so it’s a really great multi-use product to have in my collection.
Merit’s not available in UK stores yet, and I often struggle to pick the right foundation shade online, so I was a bit worried that the shade I’d picked would be completely off. Fortunately, the Merit website makes it as easy as possible to find a shade match. They’ve got a ‘Shade finder’ tool that allows you to compare their shades to products you already use, as well as an extensive gallery of swatches.
What’s the formula like?
The formula is soft and creamy, and it blends really effortlessly (which is why I like it so much). I’m often put off of stick foundations because I feel like I have to tug at the skin to buff the product out – that’s definitely not the case here! I also love that it’s not drying at all – I can wear this all day and my skin feels as hydrated as it did on initial application.
Most importantly, this really doesn’t feel like you’re wearing foundation. It sits so lightly on the skin that I often forget I’ve got makeup on at all!
How about the finish?
On the whole, I’d say this has semi-matte finish. However, this does vary depending on the skincare prep I’ve done beforehand. If I’m wearing a super dewy sunscreen underneath, it definitely makes the complexion stick appear more dewy when I apply it.
Any cons?
My only gripe is that, because the product doesn’t fully retract, I keep catching it when I try to take the lid off. I’ve taken a few chunks out of the side, which is a bit annoying, but I’m sure the more of the stick I use the less of an issue it’ll be!
Merit Flush Balm
What is it?
Merit’s Flush Balm is a cream blush, or a ‘cream tint’ as the brand’s website describes it, which is designed to deliver a natural-looking long-lasting touch of colour to the skin. Its microfine pigment powders provide a gorgeous flush that neither conceals the skins texture nor highlights it – you’ll find zero creasing or cakey-ness here!
How many shades are there?
At the moment, Merit’s blush offering consists of nine shades – I think four new ones were added earlier this year. I have ‘Cheeky’, which is a cool pink, and – true to the name ‘Flush Balm’ – this really does give a healthy flush-cheeked look.
While there are brighter shades, like Stockholm, for the most part Merit’s blushes run pretty natural. They do just replicate the natural flush your cheeks might get after exercising or being out in the cold.
Is it easy to apply?
Merit’s Flush Balms obviously have a really unique format (I think that’s half the appeal!), so I was really curious as to whether they’d be awkward or uncomfortable to use. But applying them is actually really effortless. Because of the blush’s convex shape, you don’t even need a brush or sponge to pick up the product. It’s as simple as swiping it on and gently patting it in with your fingers.
What’s the finish like?
I love a soft, dewy blush so it’s no surprise that Merit’s Flush Balm is right up my street. It’s hydrating and glowy without feeling at all sticky, and it’s so lightweight that it doesn’t mask or clog my skin. This does go on fairly sheer, but it can be built up if you’re looking for more intense colour.
How long does it last?
Because the formula isn’t as thick and tacky as other cream blushes I own, the wear time is a bit shorter. Still, this lasts a good few hours on me before it starts to fade, and I only really need to touch it up once during the day.
If you want to increase it’s longevity I recommend topping it with translucent powder or a powder blush in a similar shade.
Any cons?
Like the Complexion Stick, I think my only issue with the Flush Balm is the packaging. The lid doesn’t seem to screw on very tightly which makes me a bit hesitant about taking this out and about. This might just be an individual issue with my blush though!
Have you tried either of these products yet? Is there anything you’d like to try from Merit? Let me know in the comments!
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