We Tested Multiple Products From Merit Beauty, Here’s What We Thought

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

What We Tested…

• Five Minute Morning ($176)

  • The Minimalist ($38)

  • Flush Balm ($30)

  • Shade Slick ($24)

  • Brush No. 1 ($32)

  • Day Glow ($32)

  • Clean Lash ($26)

  • Brow 1980 ($24)

Why Martha Tested…

Test Results…

• The Minimalist (Bone): I tend to dislike the way any kind of foundation feels on my skin (I’m a tinted moisturizer user), but after applying this to areas where I needed coverage and color correction, it felt creamy and blended out like a dream. The only downside is if you have dry skin, it can make it a little flaky, so be sure you have a hydrated base before you apply. ($38)

• Flush Balm (Stockholm): I love how easy this is to apply — it fits perfectly in the palm of your hand and blends seamlessly. In the past I’ve been scared to try blush for fear it would be too saturated, but this baby pink shade gave my fair skin a natural, lit-from-within look. ($30)

• Shade Slick (Pink Beet and Maraschino): Hands down my favorite product in the collection. It feels incredibly cushiony on the lips, it’s hydrating, and after reapplying it multiple times throughout a night out, it never once made my lips dry or flaky. The pigment is beautiful, too. ($24)

• Brush No. 1: I’m not a huge makeup-brush user, but I really like this one. It blends The Minimalist seamlessly, and I found I liked to use it for blush as well. The ultra-soft bristles didn’t irritate my reactive skin at all. ($32)

• Day Glow (Cava): Highlighter is probably the one makeup product I can’t live without, but I typically go for liquid options. This one changed the game for me. The stick makes it easier to control, so you don’t suddenly have highlighted under eyes (you know what I’m talking about). It blends so well and really looks like natural, dewy skin. I’ll be keeping this in my makeup bag all summer long. ($32)

• Clean Lash: I'm a real Goldilocks with mascara, so I’m very particular. This made my lashes too long, but if you like lashes super lengthened, then it'll be perfect for you. ($26)

• Brow 1980 (Brown): I loved this brow pomade. It’s easy to apply without overdoing it, lasted all day and night, and the brown color looked like my natural brows. It made me actually see the appeal of doing your brows every day. ($24)

Why Karell Tested…

Test Results…

• The Minimalist (Khaki): The color match on this was great, but I felt like it was a bit drying when I put it on (I already battle dry skin, so I’m not the best candidate). (Editor’s note: we have tried the brand’s Great Skin serum, and it makes a great base for added moisture.) It didn’t glide or blend as easily as I expected when I applied the stick directly to my face. When I put it on the back of my hand, warmed it, and used the makeup brush, it had a nice light application and blended much more easily. I also liked mixing this with some face moisturizer to make a quick tinted moisturizer.

• Flush Balm (Persimmon): This is a quick and simple way to give you a natural flush. I also liked it as a pinch hitter for my lip gloss if I didn’t have any in my bag. I love how creamy and moisturizing it was. It almost felt like skincare. That said, it didn’t last very long. Maybe I needed to set it with a powder, but on its own, it seemed to disappear pretty quickly.

• Shade Slick (Mapleton): This is my favorite product in the whole batch. The pigment is beautiful on my lips — sheer but with just enough color. The lip oil was not sticky at all, and it was very moisturizing. It gives you that whole “my lips but better” look. This has become a daily staple, and might even reach holy grail status for me.

• Brush No. 1: I LOVE this brush. It's both dense and soft — a perfect combo. It blended the complexion stick well, and when I used this with my other foundation products, I liked it equally as much. It’s the perfect size for on-the-go application and left my makeup looking natural and blended. It’s perfect for buffing and makes it look like I’m a pro at application. Can Merit make more brushes, please?

• Day Glow (Bounce): I’m not much of a highlighter girlie, but I liked this product for giving my face more “energy” when I was looking tired. It had a pretty sheer glow, without me feeling like a disco ball, and it just added a little something that made my skin look fresh.

• Clean Lash: First, I love that this is a tubing mascara. I prefer tubing over regular mascaras as they don’t give me raccoon eyes like regular mascara does. Second, this is a perfect everyday mascara. It makes your lashes look full and natural without clumping or drying. It’s super easy to wash off, and it’s pretty buildable too.

• Brow 1980 (Soft Black): My eyebrows are very straight with short hairs, so they don’t generally stay up or hold when I apply brow wax. But this brow pomade was amazing. It neatened up my unruly brows but didn’t make them look overly thick or unnatural. It’s such an easy swipe through your brows, and the pigment was perfect — not too dark at all. Also love that it doesn’t smudge and it dries down quickly.

Why Sarai Tested…

Test Results…

• The Minimalist (Chestnut): This was my all-time favorite out of all the products I tested. The color matched my skin tone perfectly and lasted throughout the day. I used it to cover any spots and tapped the product in place either with my finger or a makeup sponge. If you’re someone who doesn’t like foundation but wants a light touch-up before heading into the office, this product is a must-have.

• Flush Balm (Persimmon): This was a runner-up that I don’t think I’ll ever part ways with. This product made me look alive. There is just something about adding a little bit of color to your skin that can bring vibrancy to the face.

• Shade Slick (Pink Beet and Maraschino): I wasn’t a fan of the Pink Beet shade for my skin tone, but I had a friend test the product on her lighter skin tone, and it looked amazing. I personally prefer the Maraschino on my lips. (Pro tip: I paired this lip oil with my favorite lip liner for a little extra flair and loved it.)

• Brush No. 1: I used the brush to blend in The Minimalist, but only when I applied more product to my face for a full-coverage look. I found a makeup sponge or my finger to be a better option whenever I wanted to quickly spot-correct.

• Day Glow (Bounce): This product leaves a dewy, moisturized look on the skin. Although it looks amazing on first application, if you’re an oily girl like me, you’ll mistake the dewiness for oil and find the urge to blot your face, especially in the T-zone. I am curious to see how this product would look on my skin on a humid day, but I think it adds great moisture on drier skin.

• Clean Lash: I've always been a Better Than Sex mascara girlie (my OG makeup girls know), but I feel like Merit cracked the code on mascara. I don't have the longest lashes in the world, and because I have big eyes, I personally love a dramatic lash look. One coat of this mascara was all I needed for instant length.

• Brow 1980 (Soft Black): I personally didn’t notice a difference when I added it to my brows. But what doesn’t work for me could work for someone else.

Sidenotes…

• The best part about ordering from Merit? Your new makeup routine comes in their Signature Bag that’s made out of soft, washable corduroy. It’s a cute way to take your Merit products with you on the go. FYI, the bag only comes free with your first purchase.

The Fine Details…

• Shop Merit products at meritbeauty.com

• Five Minute Morning, $176, originally $206 (15% off)

• The Minimalist, $38

• Flush Balm, $30

• Shade Slick, $24

• Brush No. 1, $32

• Day Glow, $32

• Clean Lash, $26

• Brow 1980, $24