Quick Summary: This Merit Beauty review Australia readers have been waiting for covers nine products – from the foundation stick that genuinely slays to the bronze balm that simply does not work. If you’re thinking about placing your first order, read this first.
Key Takeaways
- The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is one of the best foundation sticks available – full stop
- I found the Sheer Bronze Balm lifts other products off the skin and is difficult to layer over anything else
- The Flush Balm wears best when applied via the back of the hand with a brush or fingers
- The Day Glow Highlighting Balm works as a highlighter, eyeshadow, blush topper, and under-foundation glow
- The Great Skin Instant Glow Serum is a face oil-primer hybrid – those with oily skin should prep accordingly
- The Great Skin Priming Moisturiser is pleasant but basic, not unique enough to repurchase
- The Signature Lipstick in Millennial is a genuine holy grail for those who don’t usually wear lipstick
- The lip oil and lip jelly are strong likes – the tiny doe-foot applicator is the only thing holding them back
- Your first Merit order comes with a free Signature Makeup Bag
- Most products are available directly at meritbeauty.com
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I picked up quite a few makeup products from Merit when they first started shipping to Australia.
I’ve been sitting on this idea for seven months now, but it’s time to quickly rate my Merit products.
1. Merit Signature Makeup Bag, Free Gift With Your First Purchase
This is a free gift with purchase (at least it was when I first bought it). Very cute.
The colour changes – it’s like an orangey-green corduroy situation.
She’s adorable and just ties with the two tabs.
It’s made to last and is easily washable.
Shop your first order at meritbeauty.com to get a free Signature Makeup Bag
2. Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, $38.00
Starting with my absolute favourite, this is The Minimalist in the shade Sepia. I am obsessed with this foundation stick.
There is no foundation stick that even comes close to how beautiful this is.
Even if I’m doing a full face of makeup, or just dotting it in places where I want a little bit more coverage or some brightness, she stuns, okay?
And she will last you all day. Like, properly all day. I’ve been in the rain in this, and my makeup was still slaying.
Read: My Makeup Picks That Last Through a 10-Hour Shift: Current Everyday Staples
Described as:
- Featherlight and layerable for a finish that looks like skin
- Clinically tested for all-day comfortable wear (I agree)
- Softens the look of imperfections and creates a more even complexion
- Versatile! You can wear it all over or spot-apply where needed
- Holds up against transfer, sweat, and humidity
- Won’t clog pores and suits sensitive skin types
- Tested by dermatologists
Shop The Minimalist at meritbeauty.com
3. Merit Sheer Bronze Balm, $30.00
Onto a product I didn’t like at all.
This is the Bronze Balm in Monarch, and I understand what they were trying to do in theory, but why is she so oily?
It’s a beautiful product if you’re not wearing anything else on your face, but the moment you want to put any product underneath it, she’s going to lift it.
Not only is she going to lift it, she’s not even going to be on your skin.
So all it does is just pick up my other products.
Maybe this is a me problem, and I’m not using it right, but I’ve tried so hard to make this work, and I simply cannot.
Claims:
- Sheer cream formula that’s easy to apply
- Delivers natural-looking warmth and soft definition (no orange tones)
- Melts into skin for a seamless, weightless finish that never sits heavy
Shop Bronze Balm at meritbeauty.com
4. Merit Flush Balm Cheek Colour, $30.00
The first shade of the Flush Balm I bought was Mood.
It’s like a burgundy kind of colour, but then I was very kindly gifted by a friend three other shades – Le Bon Bon, Rouge, and Après. I wear them quite often.
I don’t know if I have a favourite. They kind of live in the wine-to-red colour family, but I am a big, big fan.
Sometimes people do have trouble with this lifting foundation.
I don’t always, but I’d say applying it onto the back of your hand and using a brush or your fingers has been the easiest way for me to avoid any of that happening.
If I’m only wearing concealer with no foundation, I can just go straight onto my face and pat it in with my fingers. It’s beautiful.
Claims:
- Ultrafine pigment powders add a hint of colour while letting your natural skin texture show through
- Airy and buildable, with a lasting luminosity that never feels thick or powdery
- Free from ingredients known to trigger breakouts
- Vitamin E helps nourish and condition as you wear it
Shop Flush Balm at meritbeauty.com
5. Merit Day Glow Highlighting Balm, $32.00
Another love. This is Day Glow in Solstice. It’s a goldy kind of colour, and a really beautiful, creamy highlighter.
I found that it works really, really well no matter what I choose to do with it.
If I mix it into my blush – slay. As a highlighter – slay. As an eyeshadow – slay. Underneath my foundation for a little glow – also slay.
She’s beautiful, and Billie Eilish also loves her, so we know it must be good.
Claims:
- A vitamin-rich base that replenishes moisture and leaves skin with a luminous, lit-from-within radiance that outlasts your makeup
- Micro-fine light-reflecting pearls create a soft, natural-looking illumination
- Plant-derived squalane helps seal in hydration throughout the day
- A blend of phytosterols and amino acids works to support a healthy skin barrier
Shop Day Glow at meritbeauty.com
6. Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturiser, from $29.00
This is wasn’t for me. Maybe I just don’t get it as a product, but it feels like just a regular moisturiser to me.
It is nice. I have moisturisers that are basically exactly the same as this, and they are easier to get and less expensive. I don’t hate it, but I have no urge to repurchase.
Claims:
- Featherlight formula that absorbs quickly, leaving skin looking plump, hydrated, and ready for makeup
- Features a proprietary Great Skin™ Complex with peptides, spermidine, and barrier polysaccharides
- Oat extract and glycerin help calm and hydrate the skin
- Hyaluronic acid delivers deep, lasting moisture
- Won’t clog pores
- Dermatologist-tested
- Fragrance-free
Shop Great Skin Priming Moisturiser at meritbeauty.com
7. Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, from $19.00
This, on the other hand, is chef’s kiss. It’s the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum.
As you can see, it’s like a bi-phase formula that you have to shake before you use.
If you have oily skin, I would say be very adamant with your prep – maybe do a primer, use this, and then do a Jackie Aina trick and powder before foundation, because it’s basically a face oil.
It’s a little bit of a face oil-primer hybrid, but it’s beautiful, and the way it makes everything melt into your skin and look incredible is unmatched.
Claims:
- Weightless, oil-free formula that absorbs instantly with no sticky or greasy residue
- A bi-phase delivery system is designed to maximise bioavailability
- Four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid work across multiple skin layers to replenish moisture for up to 24 hours
- 2% niacinamide helps brighten and refine texture for a visibly smoother, more even-looking complexion
- Cacao seed extract is rich in caffeine and has been shown to help stimulate circulation for an immediate plumping effect
- Won’t clog pores
- Dermatologist-tested + Carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- Fragrance-free
Shop Great Skin Instant Glow Serum at meritbeauty.com
8. Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil, $38.00
These are strong likes to love. The lip oil is in Falcon (now discontinued), and the jelly is in Mapleton. They are very, very cute lip products.
My only qualm? The doe-foot applicator is tiny. Please take a moment to look at the size of my lips. With this, it doesn’t pick up enough product for me to apply with just one dip, which is frustrating.
I need a fatter doe-foot from my lip products. That’s why they’re a strong like and not a love. The packaging needs work.
Notes:
- A touch of rich, buildable colour that can be sheered out or layered up
- Infused with rosehip oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids known to help support healthy skin barrier function
- Shea butter and grapeseed oil work to replenish, condition, and soften lips
- Jojoba oil helps form a protective layer on the lips to assist with moisture retention
Shop Tinted Lip Oil at meritbeauty.com
9. Merit Signature Lipstick Lightweight Lipstick, $28.00
Last, but certainly not least, is something that became a holy grail the first time I tried it: the Merit lipsticks.
If you know anything about me, or if you can see what I’m currently doing, I don’t wear lipstick that often. I’m a huge gloss/stain girlie. So for a lipstick to capture my heart, it has to be incredibly special.
And these did just that. I have the shades Millennial and Classic. They’re both quite light, nude shades. Not something that a brown-skinned girl like myself could wear without lip liner, but that’s kind of my favourite lipstick look anyway.
I love a lip liner with a nude lipstick in the middle. Millennial is that purple-y sheer one, Classic sits underneath, and I’m obsessed with both.
But especially Millennial – it’s my signature lipstick. Anytime I’m wearing a lipstick, it’s going to be Millennial. I love her so much.
Notes:
- Delivers sheer, satin-finish colour without the weight or heaviness of a traditional lipstick
- Lightweight and buildable. Wear alone for a wash of colour or layer up for a more saturated look
- Plant-derived squalane and sunflower seed oil help provide long-lasting moisture for a comfortable, barely-there feel
- Vitamin C and papain enzyme work to smooth and help lips look their healthiest
Shop Signature Lipstick at meritbeauty.com
Final Thoughts on Merit
And that’s everything that I’ve got so far. If you’ve tried anything from Merit, let me know what your favourites are, or if there’s anything I need to give another chance.
What would you add to this list? What should I give another go?
Let me know in the comments below.
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