Summary
Highlights
Merit is presented as the ultimate beauty line for makeup minimalists, aiming for a naturally beautiful look with minimal products and time. The video begins by trying skin prep options: the Great Skin Instant Glow serum, a lightweight dual-face serum intended for hydration and glow, and the Great Skin Priming Moisturizer. The host, with oily skin, expresses concern about the serum's potential for excessive shine, but notes its lightweight, watery texture might be suitable. She applies the serum and finds it gives a subtle glow and feels soft without being greasy, recommending it as a first step for dry skin or a single product for oily skin. The priming moisturizer, with a denser and more hydrating formula, is skipped due to her oily skin type.
The only complexion product from Merit, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, is introduced. The host praises its elegant packaging and its unique 'micro-editing' concept, allowing users to camouflage specific areas without a full face of makeup. She applies it to cover breakouts and hyperpigmentation, noting its buildable, hydrating, and lightweight nature. It blends well and can be used as a targeted concealer or a cream foundation for fuller coverage. Positive user reviews highlight its suitability for mature skin, its creamy texture, and its natural, luminous finish, though cautions are raised for very oily skin types. The host agrees it's excellent for mature, dry, or normal/combination skin, but might be too 'wet' for very oily skin.
The Bronze Balm, in the shade 'Clay', is applied as a bronzer and contour. The host notes its creamy, sheer, satin finish, contrasting it with other contouring sticks. While some reviews critique its thin, oily formula and lack of longevity, others praise its natural glow and ease of application, especially for those seeking a minimalist look. The host acknowledges its 'wet' consistency, which might be problematic for oily skin, but appreciates its easy blendability due to its sheerness. Following this, the Flush Balm blush in 'Rouge' is applied. Described as 'watercolor for your face,' it offers a sheer, buildable flush of color that mimics a natural, sun-kissed look. Positive reviews highlight its smooth, emollient formula suitable for dry, aging skin, and its versatility across skin tones. However, some negative reviews complain about its greasy feel and patchiness, and lack of staying power.
Merit's brow products, the Brow 1990 Brow Pencil and the Volumizing Pomade, receive high praise. The Brow 1990 pencil is lauded for its skinny tip, allowing for precise hair-like strokes or shaded effects, and its versatile neutral brown shade. The Volumizing Pomade is appreciated for its ease of use, providing natural density without being sticky or having an overpowering hold, making it suitable for quick application. The host considers both products 'top of the line' and exceptional in the market.
The Solo Shadow, a cream-to-powder eyeshadow, is reviewed. The host applies the color 'Viper' (a green shade) in a smokey eye style to test its wear. She notes that while the 'Mid-Century' (brown) shade is excellent, the 'Viper' shade highlights the products' wetness, making her look 'shiny' and 'sweaty'. She concludes that while the product quality is high, its wetness isn't ideal for oily skin, but might be beautiful on dry or normal skin. The Clean Lash mascara is a highlight, praised as an 'amazing tubing mascara' that resists smudging and effectively bulks and lifts lashes, even for thin lashes. She contrasts it positively with a much more expensive, low-performing luxury mascara.
The Merit lipstick, with its luxurious packaging, is reviewed. The host uses the 'Slip' shade (a nude/neutral). While she finds the formula creamy and pigmented, she notes the limited color selection and the absence of a lip liner, which she believes is essential for optimal lip definition. She demonstrates the significant improvement a lip liner makes. The host clarifies that she is not Merit's target audience (a makeup minimalist), yet appreciates the brand's aesthetic. She shares a critique of Merit's marketing, specifically their emphasis on the 'signature bag', which she finds overly pushed and disingenuous, especially in sponsored content that often lacks disclosure.
After eight hours, the host provides an update on the makeup's wear. She acknowledges her oily skin contributes to shine, which she considers a 'skin issue' rather than a 'product issue' for the complexion products. However, she is disappointed by the creasing of the Solo Shadow, especially the more dramatic 'Viper' shade, noting that the 'Mid-Century' shade's natural color makes creasing less noticeable. The blush and bronzer have largely faded. The Clean Lash mascara remains a standout, maintaining lift and showing absolutely no smudging. Ultimately, Merit is recommended for minimalist, easygoing individuals with dry to normal skin types who prioritize a natural look over long-wear and intense pigmentation, and don't mind if the makeup fades throughout the day. It's not suited for those seeking bulletproof, long-lasting makeup or with very oily skin.