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Here at StyleCaster, we’re constantly testing tons of products and brands so that we can share with you, our dear reader, the best of the best. One gem we’ve been obsessed with since it first launched in 2021 is Merit Beauty. If you’re not familiar with Merit, it’s a clean, vegan, cruelty-free minimalist makeup brand that hopes to simplify your routine.
If we’ve learned anything from trying Merit’s offerings, it’s that you don’t need a bazillion products in your collection, let alone in your everyday makeup routine. You really only need the basics, like a solid serum and moisturizer to create a smooth canvas before you get into your minimalist glam, as well as a multifunctional complexion stick, blush balm, lengthening mascara, and more. But if you want to jazz up your look, Merit also makes matte eyeshadows, tinted lip oils, and even makeup brushes!
The Best Merit Beauty Products at a Glance
Get ready the minimalist Merit way for a final product that’s natural-looking, dewy, glowy, and effortless. After all, the brand counts on no-makeup makeup queens Hailey Bieber, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hilary Duff, and Greta Lee as some of its celebrity supporters.
I’ve covered and tried almost every product Merit has to offer (seriously) and can’t sing its praises enough. It’s my favorite makeup brand to date and will probably continue to be for the long haul. Its formulas are just that easy-to-use, versatile, and timeless! But I’m not the only one at StyleCaster who’s hooked on Merit. Several editors put the brand’s makeup and skincare products to the test and couldn’t wait to share the results so that we can convert everyone we know, including you!
Don’t forget, a complimentary Signature Bag (AKA the most beautiful makeup bag you’ll ever lay eyes on) ships with every first order, and also that StyleCaster previously collaborated with the brand on our own custom gift set (yes, it’s still available to shop!).
But enough of the chit-chat. It’s time to get into our team’s honest thoughts on Merit Beauty’s products. We tried a bunch of different products and shades on various skin tones and types, so there should be something for everyone in this comprehensive review.
Flush Balm Cheek Color
Shades: 9What it is: “A cream tint that melts into skin for lit-from-within color that stays flush all day,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Miranda Kerr, Hailey Bieber, Kaitlyn Dever, Whitney Port, Jenna Lyons, Sienna Miller, Lola Tung, Sarah Jessica Parker
Photos Courtesy of Robyn Merrett and Merit Beauty. Robyn is wearing the Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Beverly Hills.
“If you’re in your ‘less is more era,’ Merit’s Flush Balm in Beverly Hills is a great option. It gave my skin a soft and subtle pink pop that felt natural and effortless, and I loved how the product felt more like skincare than makeup. It is not highly pigmented, so I had to apply multiple coats to build up the color. Because it is light, this shade may not work for deeper skin tones.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
Photos Courtesy of Gina Vaynshteyn and Merit Beauty. Gina is wearing the Merit Beauty Flush Balm in Cheeky.
“Merit just knows how to make a good, convenient makeup product. Its Flush Balm blushes are truly elite in that they create a natural pop of color that’s not too much, and not too little—the Goldilocks of blushes if you will! In the photo above, I only applied the shade Cheeky to my right side (left in the photo), so you can see what one side looks like with blush and what one side looks like without. It’s fairly long-lasting, although since I have oily skin I do find that I need to touch up mid-day.” —Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer
Bronze Balm Sheer BronzerShades: 5What it is: “The easiest bronzer ever. A sheer, buildable formula that gives a wash of natural warmth and depth,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Kaitlyn Dever, Sienna Miller, Sarah Jessica Parker
Photos Courtesy of Robyn Merret and Merit Beauty. Robyn is wearing the Merit Beauty Bronze Balm in Leo.
“I am so obsessed with the Bronze Balm’s creamy and silky formula. It glides perfectly onto the skin, it almost feels therapeutic. I tested the shade Leo, which is meant for medium-deep skin tones. Like the blush, I recommend applying several coats to build up the color as this product is extremely sheer—which is ideal for someone like me who doesn’t normally use bronzer. It is not meant to be bold, but instead naturally warm and light.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
Great Skin Instant Glow Serum
Great Skin Instant Glow SerumWhat it is: “A lightweight, bi-phase serum (50ml) that instantly hydrates and plumps skin for a healthy glow,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebs who have worn this product: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cameron Diaz, Emma Stone, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hilary Duff
Photos Courtesy of Robyn Merrett and Merit Beauty. Robyn is wearing the Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum.
“The glow is real thanks to Merit’s Great Skin Instant Glow Serum. With just two pumps, my skin immediately felt supple and moisturized. While super lightweight, on the skin it mimics the feel of a face oil, which I really love. My go-to look is always super hydrated skin, and despite a current breakout around my nose, my skin looks smooth and satiny. I was also surprised by how long it lasted. Usually, towards the end of the day, my skin has dried up a bit, but on this particular day, it was still plump and dewy.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
Day Glow Highlighting Balm
Day Glow Highlighting BalmShades: 4What it is: “Made for daytime, this highlighter gives a dewy, balmy sheen with zero sparkle,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Nicole Richie, Kaitlyn Dever, Whitney Port, Sienna Miller, Sarah Jessica Parker
Photos Courtesy of Gina Vaynshteyn and Merit Beauty. Gina is wearing the Merit Beauty Day Glow in Cava.
“Merit’s Day Glow highlighter is so moisturizing and dewy (my shade is Cava, which is a pearly-Champagne), I feel like it brings instant life back to my face. It’s a must in my routine, especially in the winter when my complexion gets super dull and dry. The formula is long-lasting, and the product itself is long-lasting too—I’ve had this balm for about two years now, and I’m nowhere near running out I’ll use this on my checks, right under my brows, and on the bridge of my nose. It’s one of the better highlighters out there, for sure.” —Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
Photos Courtesy of Katie Decker-Jacoby. Katie is wearing the Merit Beauty Day Glow in Bounce.
“I used to run away from highlighters because I thought they’d make my naturally very oily skin look even oilier. However, I’m happy to report that Day Glow in Bounce converted me into a highlighter girl! The sheerness and dewiness of this formula are superb and so natural-looking. The balm really does add a beautiful glow to your complexion instead of a layer of bright, shiny glitter. If you’re a highlighter novice or searching for something subtle, Day Glow will help you look like you just drank eight glasses of water. I have a medium skin tone with neutral undertones and found the shade, Bounce, to be the perfect match for my complexion.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil
Shade Slick Tinted Lip OilShades: 12What it is: “A wash of moisturizing color for healthy lips all day,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Whitney Port, Jenna Lyons, Sienna Miller, Sarah Jessica Parker
Photos Courtesy of Gina Vaynshteyn and Merit Beauty. Gina is wearing the Merit Beauty Shade Slick in Pink Beet.
“The Shade Slick tinted lip oil is superb, and Pink Beet (what I’m wearing) is my favorite neutral pink of all time. The formula is really nice and moisturizing—not sticky at all. The pigment is intense enough (but not too intense), and it’s often the gloss I quickly swipe on before a Zoom call; I find that it ties everything I’m wearing together and makes me feel more put together. It’s definitely a lip product keeper. My only complaint is that I do wish it lasted a BIT longer, but I find I have this issue with most glosses.” —Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion StickShades: 20What it is: “It’s not a foundation or a concealer, but it’ll replace both in your makeup bag,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Sienna Miller, Kaitlyn Dever, Nicole Richie, Lola Tung, Ashley Tisdale, Behati Prinsloo, Whitney Port, Jenna Lyons
Photos Courtesy of Katie Decker-Jacoby and Merit Beauty. Katie is wearing The Minimalist in Bisque.
“As someone with oily skin who doesn’t love wearing a ton of makeup, The Minimalist in shade Bisque is the perfect lightweight, base product. I use it as a concealer for my everyday routine, applying it on top of blemishes, acne scars, and redness. I love how I can tap the cream into my skin using my fingers. Application is quick, easy, and efficient, which is just what I need when I’m rushing to get out of my apartment before work. But when I’m going for a full face of makeup for a special occasion, I put this concealer-foundation crossover all over and reach for Brush No. 1 to blend. When I use The Minimalist as a concealer, it lasts all day long. However, I did notice that when I use it as a foundation, my complexion doesn’t always hold up throughout the entire day or night. That’s why I much prefer relying on the complexion stick as a spot concealer. I’ve already gone through, I think, three Minimalists!” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Photos Courtesy of Maya Gandara and Merit Beauty. Merit Beauty The Minimalist in Linen.
“I’ve been a fan of this multi-use stick for a while because it truly caters to your makeup needs on any given day. While it’s described as “not a foundation or a concealer,” I’d argue it’s capable of being both. I’ve applied it all over my face as a lightweight, buildable foundation and also used it underneath my eyes and across breakouts as a concealer. Best of all, the stick design makes it easy to throw in your bag for quick touch-ups on the go.”—Maya Gandara, Shopping Editor
Brush No. 1 Blending Brush
Brush No. 1 Blending BrushWhat it is: “The No.1 tool in your kit — use it to blend your complexion products and you won’t be able to tell where your skin and your makeup meet,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Jenna Lyons
“This brush has the softest bristles that are packed tightly enough to really pat The Minimalist into your complexion quickly and seamlessly. I’m also a fan of its small, compact size because I can easily toss the brush in my bag or save space when traveling. I once tried a different brush to blend out the complexion stick and it didn’t get the job done like Brush No. 1. I immediately had to switch back to the Merit Beauty blending brush. Brush No. 1 and The Minimalist are truly two peas in a pod.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade
Brow 1980 Volumizing PomadeShades: 4What it is: “A nod to the brows of the ‘80s, this pomade gives you soft, fluffy brows with light hold and zero crunchiness,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Kaitlyn Dever, Whitney Port, Sienna Miller, Lola Tung, Sarah Jessica Parker
Photos Courtesy of Katie Decker-Jacoby and Merit Beauty. Katie is wearing the Merit Beauty Brow 1980 in Dark Brown.
“I like to leave my brows alone most of the time, but if I’m going into the office or have plans with friends, I’ll swipe Brown 1980 through my arches. It checks off all my boxes for a low-maintenance, low-effort brow routine. It takes two seconds to apply, adds a subtle tint, looks super natural, doesn’t flake or clump, and doesn’t make my brows feel hard or crusty. This volumizing pomade is a must-try if you’re a lazy girl like me.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Solo Shadow Matte Eye Color
Solo Shadow Matte Eye ColorShades: 4What it is: “A buildable, cream-to-powder shadow for a soft-matte wash of color,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson, Kirsty Hume, Jenna Lyons, Bethenny Frankel
Photos Courtesy of Katie Decker-Jacoby and Merit Beauty. Katie is wearing the Merit Beauty Solo Shadow in Midcentury and Social.
“You’ll notice a recurring theme of me opting for minimal makeup. What can I say, I’m a firm believer in less is more! The Solo Shadow, one of Merit’s newer additions, is a staple for achieving a minimal makeup look. I don’t need a bulky eyeshadow palette, I just need one to three max of the Solo Shadows. The tiny pots of cream-to-powder shadow last forever—I’ve used mine so much but have yet to put a dent in it. I love a matte eye look that only requires one or two shades that you can messily swipe onto your lids (using Brush No. 2, of course). That’s literally all I do when I’m applying more than just mascara on my eyes. Midcentury is a warm brown tone, the perfect neutral base shadow for my lighter skin tone. If I’m feeling a little extra, I’ll add a bit more dimension with the shade, Social. I was intimidated when I first realized the shadow is a soft mauve color, but as soon as I tried it on, I was surprised at how subtle it appears on the lids. It’s a lot more manageable and natural-looking than you’d expect, but if you want a bolder look, keep packing on more layers. The Solo Shadow is buildable, but be careful because it sets pretty quickly, so you don’t get as much playtime. Also important to note, I have oily skin and therefore oily lids, but fortunately, this product doesn’t crease or budge throughout a day of wear.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Brush No. 2 Eyeshadow Brush
Brush No. 2 Eyeshadow BrushWhat it is: “A soft, dual-ended brush that can be used for a wash of color and precise lines,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Jenna Lyons
“Brush No. 2 is the only eyeshadow brush I need to create a minimal eye look using the Solo Shadow. I love how it’s dual-ended, so you can blend with the fluffy side and try a smudgier liner look with the tapered side. I mostly just use the fluffy side, but can confirm that its bristles are as soft as the ones in Brush No. 1. Again, if you’re constantly on the go or traveling, this tiny brush is the perfect option to pack.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Associate Commerce Editor
Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara
Clean Lash Lengthening MascaraShades: 1What it is: “Your go-to mascara for every day. It tints, lengthens and lifts lashes, with no smudging. Ever,” according to Merit Beauty.Celebrities who have worn this product: Cameron Diaz, Kaitlyn Dever, Whitney Port, Jenna Lyons, Sienna Miller, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jenna Lyons
Photos Courtesy of Maya Gandara and Merit Beauty. The Merit Beauty Clean Lash in Perfect Black.
“I’ve recently been gravitating towards more natural-looking mascaras, and this one checks every box for me. The brush separates each individual lash with ease while lengthening and volumizing (all without leaving behind clumps). It’s been my go-to for low-effort makeup days when I want to look put together but not totally glam.” —Maya Gandara, Shopping Editor
Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Great Skin Priming MoisturizerWhat it is: “This lightweight cream (50 ml) does it all — it preps skin for makeup application and wear, helps soothe the skin barrier, provides time-release hydration throughout the day, and makes skin feel firmer and more elastic in just one week,” according to Merit Beauty.
Photos Courtesy of Maya Gandara. The Merit Beauty Great Skin Priming Moisturizer.
“I wasn’t sure if this formula would be anything special, but I was actually quite taken with it. If you want to give your skin a little bit of moisture ahead of applying makeup (and without worry foundation or concealer will slip right off after), it delivers pretty well. I particularly like that the priming moisturizer sinks right into the skin without leaving any sort of residue, which is much needed for my oily skin. I also appreciate the added skincare benefits, like how it firms the skin over time.” —Maya Gandara, Shopping Editor
