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About MERIT Beauty
On the hunt for a glowing complexion via Zoom and IRL? All with a minimalist beauty routine no less? Look no further than MERIT beauty, a brand dedicated to providing silky smooth formulas that have seamless application and a stunning, dewy finish.
With only 1 year under its belt, the brand has amassed an impressive Instagram following of 122k. Not only has MERIT made a name for itself in the world of beauty — it’s been featured in business magazines like Forbes and FastCompany, while remaining the talk of the town for beauty mags like Glamour, Vogue, and Allure.
Interested in perfecting your beauty round-up? Brush through our MERIT Beauty review — we’ll be your guide through all the little (and big) details of the brand, its most popular products, customer testimonials, important FAQs to help you make up your mind.
Overview of MERIT Beauty
MERIT beauty was designed with one goal in mind — to be the “well edited essentials that have earned a place on your vanity.” Founded by Katherine Power in the early days of 2021, the brand was quickly admired for its simple yet stunning collection of beauty products.
A serial entrepreneur, Power had already founded popular skincare brand Versed in 2018, co-founded a clean wine startup with Cameron Diaz, and the Who What Wear fashion brand.
The idea for MERIT was born after her 5-minute makeup tutorial went viral on IG, and she realized there was a gap in the market for products that were luxurious, natural, and buildable.
Speaking of, all of the products are formulated and manufactured to be clean, meaning they’re safe to use and have a low environmental impact. On top of that, the brand has also partnered with Baby2Baby, helping children in poverty gain access to important necessities, shoppers can even donate at checkout.
Before we go any further, this MERIT beauty review will start off with a list of the brand’s highlights:
Highlights
- Collection of essentials with a minimalist, natural finish to simplify your mornings
- Clean and beneficial ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Inclusive shade range
- Bundles available
- Free shipping over $40 (US only)
- Free makeup bag with first purchase
Since this brand is a little newer, there aren’t as many products available. But you know what they say — good things take time. We’ll cover all 7 of the brand’s current products down below.
With a simple base, a brush for easy application, plus mascaras and lip glosses to finish the look, this brand has the natural look completely covered. And who doesn’t love a simplified, minimalist routine that takes zero time but still looks completely natural?
MERIT Beauty Review
While the brand currently has a short list of 7 products, it’s all any natural makeup line needs. Below, our MERIT beauty review will check out the entire list, which also happens to be some of the best sellers on Sephora.
MERIT Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick Review
Foundations and concealers have long been known for their cakey, uncomfortable finish that clogs your pores and washes you out. That’s why The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick identifies as neither, and provides a seamless all-over coverage that starts off sheer but is super buildable.
The formula is designed to be lightweight, so you won’t even feel it on your skin, and is formulated with hydrating fatty acids to bring a little life back to your complexion. You’ll even find sea daffodil extracts to lighten hyperpigmentation in it, so the product you use to cover up will heal your skin at the same time.
Wondering how to use it? Here are the details:
- Apply using the stick or a brush, wherever you need it on your skin.
- Build to the coverage you’d like.
- Use the brush to blend upwards and outwards.
Available in 20 different shades, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick retails for $38.
MERIT Beauty Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil Review
Lip glosses can sometimes be too sticky while lipsticks too thick or matte, which is why MERIT created the Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil. Infused with rosehip and shea butter, this lip product is ultra moisturizing.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Jojoba oil locks that much needed moisture in, while the selection of tints provides a buildable color for the juiciest, most kissable lips.
Available in 8 different shades to flatter any skin tone, including taupe, deep berry, and soft red orange, the Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil comes in a minimalist clear and gold packaging, retailing for $24.
MERIT Beauty Brush No.1 Blending Brush Review
When it comes to blending, no one does it quite like the Brush No.1 Blending Brush. With a rounded kabuki shape and a long handle, this brush makes it easy to get into every nook and cranny for a flawless finish.
The vegan bristles are densely packed for a seamless blend, while the short length is ideal for buffing. With a simple black handle, the award-winning Brush No.1 Blending Brush is all you’ll need for your makeup needs, retailing for $30.
MERIT Beauty Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara Review
If you’re looking to add a little length and color to your natural lashes, welcome the Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara into your life. This formula uses a special tubing technology that hugs each lash to give you that bright eyed look and it’s super easy to remove.
The fatty acids keep your lashes hydrated while the brush creates defined and clump-free lashes. For perfectly separated, lifted, and lengthened lashes, try the Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara for $26.
MERIT Beauty Flush Balm Cheek Color Review
A natural looking flush brings shape, dimension, and life back into your face. While not all of us are lucky enough to be blessed with naturally rosy cheeks, we can achieve the same look with the Flush Balm Cheek Color for a lasting blushing look.
This creamy formula comes as a balm for super easy application — simply swipe, blend, and go. Plus, the microfine pigments and vitamin E create a natural finish while hydrating the skin, not covering it.
Available in 5 shades ranging from terracotta to cheeky, the Flush Balm Cheek Color retails for $28.
MERIT Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Balm Review
The highlighted and dewy “glow from within” look we’ve all been after has found itself perfected in the Day Glow Highlighting Balm. This translucent balm features all sheen with no sparkles for a seamless and natural finish.
It has a base of hydrating vitamins for an all-natural glow and hydration, while squalane and fatty acids provide even extra moisture. The subtle highlight comes in two colors that are blendable and translucent enough to pair with any skin tone.
For a little light in your life and makeup bag, try the Day Glow Highlighting Balm for $30.
MERIT Beauty Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade Review
There’s no leaving your house without finishing your face, and there’s no finishing your face without some good ol’ brow gel. And if we’re talking about easy-to-use and natural finishes, the Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade is your match.
Simple yet effective in design, this teeny tapered brush picks up pigment to fill in any gaps and keeps your brows in place all day. The blend of kaolin clay and mineral pigment is ideal for building your natural-looking brows while vitamin B5 keeps them healthy and hydrated. Available in 3 versatile shades, the Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade retails for $24.
Who Is MERIT Beauty For?
More and more shoppers are opting for minimalism in everything from packaging and products to looks. And yet, the industry is saturated with over-the-top eyeshadow palettes and bold purple lips when all we’re really looking for is peachy tones and the ease of swiping a single shadow across our lid.
Does that sound like you? If so, this MERIT beauty review concludes that this is the brand for you. They carry a list of essentials you’ll reach for every day, coming in a stunning package you’ll want to display on your vanity.
Is MERIT Beauty Really Clean?
MERIT beauty is clean in more ways than one — each product is carefully formulated and manufactured to be safe for your skin, body, and the planet.
When it comes to being safe to use, there are no hormone or endocrine disrupting ingredients in any MERIT beauty products. On top of that, they are in line with Clean at Sephora, which means the makeup is formulated without a list of ingredients deemed harmful.
Since makeup is a form of self-care, why not make it a part of your skincare routine? To rewrite what it means to indulge in any beauty routine, the brand kicked 73 pore-clogging ingredients commonly found in makeup, such as coconut oil, to the curb.
Instead, they decided to use ingredients that are actually good and safe for the skin, such as plant-based squalane, which keeps skin hydrated and supple, two things that are synonymous with the brand.
When it comes to the planet, this brand is completely vegan and cruelty-free, so shoppers can rest easy knowing their makeup was made with the planet in mind. On top of that, all of the packaging is recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable.
MERIT Beauty Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Nearing the end of our MERIT beauty review, it’s safe to conclude that there’s a lot (of good things) to be said about the brand. But it doesn’t just stop with us. There are customer reviews too, and we’re here with the roundup from the brand’s website, Sephora, and Who What Wear.
Let’s start off by taking a look at how some of the top sellers are rated:
- The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick: 4.3/5 stars, 1,184 reviews
- Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil: 4.4/5 stars, 790 reviews
- Brush No.1 Blending Brush: 5/5 stars, 583 reviews
- Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara: 4.3/5 stars, 678 reviews
When it comes to the brand’s best seller, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, one shopper from the brand’s site mentions they love the formula, ease of use, and the customer service:
“The Camel color blends perfectly into my olive / mediterranean skin tone. The packaging is beautiful and simple. My first product arrived broken and I couldn’t get it unstuck from inside the cap. The customer service team was AMAZING and responded immediately and shipped me a new one. I am so happy with this brand.”
Another highly rated item, the Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil, is revered for its smoothing, moisturizing, and buildable qualities. One customer puts it nicely, writing, “This. Is. Amazing. A tiny hint of color, just to make you look awake and healthy, a gorgeous moisturizing texture, no smell of flavor.”
On Sephora, the Flush Balm Cream Blush is rated 4.5/5 stars out of 377 reviews. One impressed buyer shares they’ve inspired all their friends to try the brand, loving the buildability and versatility:
“Favorite cream blush and I’ve got so many people hooked on it. It looks so natural and yet can totally be built for a more dramatic look. This specific color (Beverly Hills) I love because I think it is a universally good color— this blush can genuinely work on almost every skin tone.”
On Who What Wear, one reviewer was impressed by the Brush No.1 Blending Brush, explaining, “It gives me a much more seamless look than just blending with my fingers, so my skin looks like the best version of itself, and you can’t see where I applied makeup. It also helps that it’s so fluffy and soft.”
Another shopper tried out the Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade and loved the results: “The brown hue is light enough so that you don’t look like you took a whole crayon to your face but dark enough to really make what you have pop. For anyone looking for the simplest way to accentuate your brows that still looks au naturel, you don’t have to look any further.”
Now that we’ve leafed through the reviews, our MERIT beauty review knows one thing for sure: shoppers are in love with these products. They deliver on all fronts, from blendability to coverage to resting naturally and seamlessly on the skin for a full yet simple look.
Is MERIT Beauty Worth It?
At this point, you may be wondering if our MERIT beauty review deems the brand worth the buy. With a collection of top-selling products, backed by its customer base, and a set of clean ingredients, it’s safe to say these items deserve a spot in your routine.
The products are effective in enhancing natural beauty, fluffing eyebrows, volumizing lashes, and adding a natural, long-lasting blush to the cheeks. They’re blendable and super easy-to-use, making them an ideal choice for beginners or pros who want a seamless, simple, and stunning look.
MERIT Beauty Promotions & Discounts
Unfortunately, there are no MERIT beauty discount codes floating around at this time. That being said, shoppers can get free shipping when they spend a minimum of $40. Plus, every first order comes with a free signature MERIT beauty makeup bag.
Where to Buy MERIT Beauty
If something in our MERIT beauty review has caught your eye, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s available through the brand’s website and in-store or online at Sephora.
FAQ
Who owns MERIT Beauty?
This MERIT beauty review found the brand is currently owned by its founder, Katherine Power.
Does MERIT Beauty ship internationally?
A newer brand on the scene, MERIT beauty currently ships within the US and Canada. We hope to see expansion soon so everyone can get their hands on these minimal and glowy products!
What is MERIT Beauty’s Shipping Policy?
When it comes to shipping, MERIT beauty makes things super simple. Standard shipping, which takes about 4-7 business days, is free on US orders over $40, otherwise it’s a flat rate of $8. For Canadian shoppers, shipping is free on orders over $50, or a flat rate of $15 (delivery may take a bit longer).
The brand offers tracked standard shipping through USPS and DHL, though FedEx 2-day shipping is also available at checkout.
What is MERIT Beauty’s Return Policy?
This MERIT beauty review found that the brand has a large focus on customer satisfaction. So, shoppers have 30 days to return if they’re not fully satisfied for any reason. In saying that, items that come as bundles must be returned as a complete set. Otherwise, the brand offers to exchange the product for another equal or lesser value item.
Once the return has been received, the refund or exchange will be processed within only 2-5 business days.
How to Contact MERIT Beauty
We hope you enjoyed our MERIT beauty review! If you have any further questions about the brand or its products, you can contact them by emailing [email protected].
Their customer service team is available from Monday to Friday, between 9 am to 5 pm PST.
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