Merit Beauty review: It’s the Birkin Bag of the make-up world – here’s what’s actually worth buying
APPLYING make-up in public is always a bit awkward, thanks to the tattered, peeling products I pull out of my cosmetic bag.
Make-up has always been a very functional item for me - as I prioritise hardworking, innovative formulas over pretty packaging - but something has changed, and I blame make-up brand Merit Beauty.
Whether sitting on the train or networking at an event, I now flash my Merit products like a designer bag or sparkly earrings, taking pride in touching up my lipstick or fixing my brows.
I carry my Merit products in every going-out bag, work satchel, and suitcase I own, and have passed on to friends and family.
It all started in 2023, when the American minimalist make-up brand, founded by beauty mogul Katherine Power, hit the shelves in the UK.
After all, Merit is the type of brand that a cool Aunt, wealthy neighbour, or Rachel from Friends would use - or, rather, it’s a brand that Bella Hadid and Cameron Diaz actually use.
AT A GLANCE:
- What is Merit Beauty?
- Merit Beauty full review
- Where to buy Merit Beauty in the UK?
- Does Merit Beauty offer discount codes?
- Is Merit Beauty a clean brand?
What is Merit Beauty?
Luxury make-up brand Merit is fondly referred to as a ‘grown-up ’, thanks to its universally flattering formulas and cult-like following, but I like to think of it as the Birkin Bag of the make-up world.
Its products have a simple yet chic appearance - trust me, you’ll want to move them to the front of your dressing table - and feature compact designs that are perfect for taking them on the go.
Merit formulas tend to have a lightweight and buildable finish, enabling you to create your desired look and feel, whether directly to bare skin or as part of a full face.
Its products sadly aren’t cheap, with most sitting around the £25 mark.
But they are some of the longest-lasting tools in my makeup bag, so you definitely get your money’s worth.
Now we're acquainted, let’s jump into some of the products I have tried and tested (and loved)…
READ MORE MERIT BEAUTY
Merit Beauty full review: Tried and tested flagship products
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
- Pros: Buttery-smooth formula, compact and sturdy applicator
- Cons: Chunky applicator
This product has received a lot of love from beauty editors, make-up artists, celebs, and pretty much everyone else.
Half concealer, half foundation balm, it can cover up pretty much anything on any part of your face.
Featuring a compact, yet sturdy, wind-up design, it looks and feels like a crayon (though a very chic one).
Its balmy, buttery-smooth formula strikes the perfect balance between hydrating and non-greasy, and it sinks into the skin with a few taps of your finger - no brush or sponge required.
Merit Flush Balm
- Pros: Formula effortlessly blurs into the skin, soft and balmy texture
- Cons: Some shades are very sheer and subtle
I’ll be honest - it’s taken me a while to fall in love with this product.
When I first tried this blusher, I opted for shade Stockholm, which is a gorgeous rosy-pink hue that I thought would suit me perfectly.
While I enjoyed this product's soft, balmy texture, I wasn’t mad about its finish on my skin (which was very sheer and subtle) or how shortlasting its wear was.
Merit Bronze Balm
- Pros: Creamy, buttery-soft formula, easily buildable
- Cons: If you prefer a heavy makeup finish, this will be too sheer
Most people tell me that the one product they can't live without is bronzer.
Considering this product can instantly wake you up, fake a holiday, and chisel your complexion, it’s no surprise, but I've never been much of a fan.
I typically find that most formulas are too sticky, tricky to blend or have a sparkly, unnatural finish, so I didn't have high hopes for the .
- Pros: Convenient pump dispenser, brightens and adds radiance
- Cons: Not as suitable for oilier skin types
Achieving a radiant, glowing complexion always begins in your skincare - but this serum fast tracks the process.
Formulated with complexion-boosting ingredients, like hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening niacinamide, creates the perfect canvas for make-up.
On first inspection, I was impressed with its pump dispenser, which is much cleaner and more precise than a pipette.
Under makeup, it’s a brilliant replacement for primer, helping smooth and set your look, and it’s also a good radiance booster for those who don't have oily skin.
I wouldn’t advise you to use it in place of your favourite skincare, so instead think of Great Skin Serum as more of a make-up product - and a great way to help fake a glowing complexion.
Where to buy Merit in the UK?
Despite its huge success - even selling one product every 30 seconds on launch day - Merit can only be bought in one place.
To get your hands on the brand’s cult Flush Balm, Creamy Bronzer, or glow-inducing Great Skin serum, you’ll have to head to , where you can shop the entire range.
Evri standard delivery starts from £7 (which takes 3-5 business days), with fast-track delivery at £13 (which takes 1-2 business days).
While this is pretty steep, the good news is that shipping on orders over £50 is always free.
Is Merit Beauty a 'clean' brand?
A brand is typically considered 'clean' when it has a responsible, sustainable approach, which applies to .
However, no set criteria determine a brand as 'clean', so this is fairly subjective.
Firstly, Merit products are formulated without well-known toxic, harmful, or irritating ingredients, such as Sulfates, Phthalates, and Parabens.
Merit's formulas are Leaping Bunny certified, which ensures they are cruelty-free and vegan, and most of the products have recycled paper packaging.
The brand has also partnered with aesthetician Biba de Sousa, who specialises in identifying acne-triggering ingredients, to help ensure that Merit formulas are suitable for all skin types.
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