It’s also no surprise that the brand has attracted celebrity fans including Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Aimee Lou Wood, known for their love of low-key makeup.
So whether this is your intro to the brand or you’ve been waiting to load up your basket for the first time, I’ve done all the leg work and put together an edit of the best Merit Beauty products. And as an ecommerce beauty writer who has adored Merit Beauty since its launch back in 2021, you can say I was more than happy to do the job.
My Merit Beauty review…
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Pros
- Very creamy, hydrating formula
- Lends a pigmented sheen in one swipe
Cons
- Top ups are necessary every few hours
When Merit first came on my radar, my eyes immediately went to the chunky crayon-like blushes (more on those later), but boy, was I wrong. One swatch of these lipsticks on my lips and I gasped (like an out loud gasp).
These formulas coat lips in the most effortless muted hues and apply like butter on warm toast. They feel so comfortable it’s almost balm-like, without compromising on pigment. They dry down a tad after the first application but don’t leave lips feeling tight or dry, and feel so comfortable, I forgot I had lipstick on, but when I went to freshen up, no top-up was necessary.
If I had to pick a favourite shade, the browny nude, ‘1990’, literally does what it says on the tin and provides lips with a tawny pout that even Hailey Bieber would be envious of.
Pros
- Super buttery, blendable formula
- Leaves a radiant glow
Cons
- Some may find the coverage too sheer and dewy, especially for a full glam look
If you’re looking for a full glam contour stick, this is not the one. However, it’s perfect if you want to look like you’ve been sunnin’ it up on the beaches of Ibiza for two weeks (a girl can dream).
It provides a natural expensive-looking glow to cheeks – as if you really have been kissed by the sun. As it’s not incredibly pigmented, I would worry it might be too subtle to bronze up deeper skin tones, but I do love the healthy finish it leaves on the skin and how quick and easy it is to blend out.
Pros
- Infused with plant-based oils to keep the lips hydrated and to boost shine
- Buildable tint
Cons
- Some may find the colour payoff lighter than expected
Leaving your lips as juicy as the maraschino cherry garnish in your cocktail, these unique jelly-esque lip oils leave pouts looking plumper from the get-go.
As lip oils go, I was surprised by how non-greasy these were and loved the warm flush that the shade ‘Warm Brown’ provided. However, if I had to pick one lip product, the lipsticks are the winners of this collection for me.
Pros
- The fine tip creates the illusion of natural brow hairs
- Super creamy and pigmented
Cons
- No notes from me
I’ve developed quite the obsession with brow pencils, specifically this one. If you’re looking for a pencil that will create the look of effortlessly natural brows (we’re not talking block arches of 2016) the Merit Brow 1990 needs a spot in your kit.
It has a suuuper fine nib that can be used to create the look of brow hairs and a spoolie to brush the product out for a natural look. And no matter which shade you go for, the undertone is very cool (btw, I am the shade ‘Dark Brown’) which will have people thinking that these full, perfectly-shaped arches are your own.
Pros
- Offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection with lightweight coverage
- The finish is natural, skin-like and glowy
Cons
- Some may find the coverage too sheer
This is the tinted sunscreen that had a 20,000 person waitlist – and after trying it, I now understand why. Being Merit, I expected this to be much lighter in coverage than what it is, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it blurs pores and does a decent job at smoothing my complexion, fading discolouration and even knocking back the redness of a pimple.
As for the finish, I love the natural-dewy finish that makes my skin look super healthy and radiant, although I do need a dusting of powder over my oily zones to keep shine at bay. And while it’s impressive that this formula contains SPF50, one layer won’t be enough to protect you from UV rays, so you’ll need to double up with a facial sunscreen.
I have combination-dry skin and I’d say this formula is perfect for me, however those with oily skin may find it too lightweight and dewy for day-to-day wear.
Read our full review here.
Pros
- Creates the *perfect* Nina Park lip
- Super blendable and creamy
Cons
- Those who like a bolder lip may find the pigment too sheer
I’m unashamed to say that I love over-lining my lips – what can I say, I just love the look of a plumped pout. So usually I opt for a highly-pigmented liner to do the job, which is quite the opposite to Merit’s Signature Lip Liner.
This is created with a gel formula that almost glides on like a balm, leaving a sheer stroke of colour in its wake. See the finish similar to the ‘Nina Park lips trend’, if you will. It softens the lip line and can be used over the cupids bow to add sheer tint of colour,
The finish is slightly glossy and, like most products in the Merit range, it leaves a sheer tint of colour rather than anything too harsh. To be honest, this isn’t something I’d reach for daily as I prefer something a little bolder on my lips, but for barely-there, no-makeup-makeup looks, this is perfect.
Pros
- Has a hydrating, balm-like feel despite being a matte formula
- Lends a beautiful, soft-matte finish
Cons
- Would LOVE more shades please
The latest launch to be introduced to the Merit wardrobe is the Signature Lip Blush. If you’re au fait with the Merit members, you may notice this looks fairly similar to the Signature Matte Lip, but they are very different in many ways.
The new Lip Blush lends a matte wash of colour – giving that effortless, blurred finish – while the Matte Lip is your classic matte lipstick, with a bolder and more pigmented payoff. In both cases, crucially, they are formulated with hydrating ingredients so they never dry out the lips.
What I particularly love about the new Lip Blush is the light and effortless finish. Without a mirror, I can glide the formula over my lips giving that blown-out, soft-matte look. Better yet, I tested this bb on a trip to Paris and not even a flakey, buttery croissant could budge it.
Pros
- Offers a soft-matte pigment that feels comfortable and hydrating
- Has an impressive wear time
- Contains sesame seed extract and hyaluronic acid to soothe the lips
Cons
- Would love an extended shade range
Like the Signature Lip – which I rave about below – the Signature Lip Matte Lipstick features the same balmy formula, but with a matte finish.
These feature the same comfortable and lightweight qualities as the other lipstick offerings in the range, but the shine-less finish leaves you looking less “done”. Perfectly effortless.
Unlike other matte formulas, these didn’t leave my lips bone-dry after wearing and the gentle warmed-tone colour range is *chef’s kiss* – seriously, you won’t be able to pick just one. I loved how diffused and velvety my pout looked, leaving an almost blurred effect, which gave my skinny lips a welcomed boost.
Pros
- Super blendable and offers a sheer pigment
- Available in both matte and shiny finishes
- Wears with minimal creasing
Cons
- Those after a bold eye look may want something more pigmented
The era of the eyeshadow palette is well and truly over (Seriously, can you remember the last time you hit pan on one?) and tbh, until these hit my desk I couldn’t remember the last time I had ditched my winged liner for a single eyeshadow, but I’m glad I did.
The range of shades is unusual – think 90s grunge – but all were surprisingly wearable. The texture is like a creamy putty that mattifies once applied to the lid. It’s safe to say, one swipe is all you need but you can easily blend and build up the colour.
Longevity-wise, these do not budge. I experienced zero-creasing on the lighter shades, but some occurred with the darker shades (not really all that surprising in my experience). However, I’m so besotted with the grungy look of the darker options that I can forgive it. Be ready to fall in love with eyeshadow again.
Pros
- Combs through brows and helps keep them in place
Cons
- The colour payoff is quite minimal, so consider doubling up with a brow pencil
The formula of this one is on the drier side, which allows you to grab hairs and create fluffiness but doesn’t have enough colour payoff for me personally to use it on its own.
Its applicator is also larger than your average brow gel, which makes it easy to create that bolder look. It works great as a brow topper for me and I appreciate the cooler-toned shades that avoid any orangey-ness.
Pros
- Perfect formula for priming skin – keeps your base fresh and hydrated throughout the day
- Has a velvety and non-greasy feel
Cons
- Can pill if too much product is used
We’ve spoken to countless makeup artists and the one tip they all swear by for achieving that off-duty model look on and off the runway is ensuring your skin is well-prepped before makeup application. Thanks to trusty products like Merit Beauty’s Great Skin Moisturizer, it’s now easier than ever to achieve.
This ultra-lightweight moisturiser is perfect for priming the skin before makeup. It’s non-oily, making it suitable for all skin types. Trust us, your makeup will glide on effortlessly after just one pump of this magical formula.
Formulated with Merit Beauty’s Great Skin™ Complex, it features peptides, spermidine and barrier polysaccharides to support skin elasticity, firmness and tone.
How long does your morning routine take you? Cut it in half and then some with this killer kit.
Featuring everything you need to achieve a glowy look on even the most packed of trains, this set includes a Perfecting Complexion Stick, Cheek Colour, Tinted Lip Oil, Highlighting Balm, Blending Brush, Lengthening Mascara and Volumising Pomade – phew.
What is Merit Beauty?
Envision of the most effortlessly chic woman you can think of. With an elevated quiet-luxury aesthetic, she’s sipping on an espresso wearing minimalist, high-quality clothing accentuated with statement accessories. Because she believes in less is more, and quality over quantity. Can you see her? Now if you were to turn her into a makeup brand, that would be Merit Beauty.
Merit Beauty is all about minimalist makeup routines that feel very considered and streamlined. Its curated line-up of products are designed to enhance your features with its sheer pigments, glowy bases and buttery formulas. It’s very much in line with what I would call a “Nina-Park-Style” aesthetic: very understated, neutral 90’s tones and sophisticated makeup looks. Plus, I’m literally obsessed with the sleek packaging which instantly elevates my makeup bag.
How we tested Merit Beauty:
Quite literally, I have tested every single product from Merit – I guess it helps that they have a relatively small capsule collection of products, and that it’s my job to test makeup products. Truthfully, I could feature every Merit product in this edit as everything is brilliant, but the point of this article is to bring you the *very* best Merit products that your hard-earned money can buy.
The job was a tricky one, to say the least, but I found the best by analysing how well they apply, the overall finish and the lasting power. And, as with all my reviews, I gave my honest, truthful opinion so you’re best advised on the Merit products that will be suited to you.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
- Clare Stephenson is the senior beauty ecommerce writer at Cosmopolitan, with three years of experience testing beauty products. She has reviewed a wide range of brands, from REFY to Rare Beauty, giving her honest thoughts an opinions about the products. With years of experience testing Merit Beauty since its launch in 2021, she’s got all the knowledge and expertise to present the best Merit beauty products of all time.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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