Since arriving in the UK in 2023, Merit Beauty has built a reputation for its elevated take on minimalist beauty, with a tightly curated range of make-up, skincare, and even a first fragrance. The brand's products sit between high-street and luxury prices, so our writer put several bestselling items to the test.
The bronzer, a creamy chubby stick, impressed with its buttery smooth formula that blends easily without patchiness or clinging to dry areas. The natural, subtly defining finish comes in shades like 'clay', though a darker shade may be needed for summer. It is buildable and fool-proof.
The perfecting complexion stick, designed as a foundation and concealer in one, offers light to medium coverage with a glowy finish. It blended well and evened skin tone, gently blurring discolouration and brightening under-eyes. However, the formula clung to dry patches from topical blemish cream, even with primer. It felt lightweight but needed setting on the T-zone, and staying power was good except on dry areas.
The flush balm blush in 'Beverly Hills' was described as a fool-proof product with a sheer, luminous finish that blends with a finger tap. It provides a subtle rosy effect, though the shade tested is not the most pigmented; for a brighter pop, 'le bonbon' is recommended.
