M E R I T
Merit Beauty is the brainchild of Katherine Power, CEO of Who What Wear and founder of clean skincare brand Versed. As a simple makeup wearers, she wanted to offer a scaled-back, minimalist approach to beauty, where she prioritized “well-edited essentials that have earned a place on your vanity.” She also outlined in the press release:
“BEAUTY AND SELF-CARE HAVE REACHED A FEVER PITCH, A SATURATED MARKET WITH PRODUCTS COMING OUT EVERY FEW DAYS, PALETTES WITH 50 COLORS WHEN WE ONLY USE TWO, AND MORE AND MORE ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF WHAT IT TAKES TO ‘LOOK GOOD.’ THIS YEAR, WE’VE RESET. WE LEARNED WE DON’T NEED MUCH. WE’RE ACCUSTOMED TO BARE NAILS, NATURAL HAIR, AND DAYS WITHOUT MAKEUP. WE’RE INDULGING IN COMFORT AND MINIMALISM AND BRAND THAT BRING US MORE WITH LESS. MERIT WAS CREATED TO REIMAGINE LUXURY BEAUTY BY MAKING IT WELL-EDITED, HOLISTIC, AND ACCESSIBLE. WE’RE FOCUSED ON RESPONSIBLE LUXURY, CREATING PRODUCTS THAT ARE SAFE FOR THE BODY, SKIN, AND PLANET.”
MERIT - The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Let’s start with my favorite: The Minimalist Complexion Stick: it is neither a foundation or concealer, but one product to replace both. It’s described as being lightweight with medium coverage. it feels lightweight on the skin and offers a solid light-medium coverage. Upon first application, the formula seems thicker than anticipated, but blends out smoothly and leaves your skin with a natural, skin-like texture and finish.
The Minimalist Complexion Stick retails for $38 for .13 oz. of product and comes in 20 shades. It has recently been redesigned with slicker packaging for durability on the go, and 1.7x more product since I have taken this photo.
The Minimalist Complexion Stick
You might have guessed by now , due to the numerous Instagram posts I have on the brand, that this has become one of my top, most loved brands to use and work with. If you ask me, it fits perfectly in a French girl makeup wardrobe: the simplicity , the elegance, the quality!
The newest addition to MERIT family is GREAT SKIN Instant Glow Serum
Weightless formula absorbs quickly into skin with zero residue, leaving it plumped, hydrated, and prepped for makeup
Designed to complement The Minimalist but can be used with any complexion product to give skin a healthy glow
4 types of hyaluronic acid target multiple layers of skin to lock in hydration for all-day moisture
Niacinamide helps brighten skin and smooth texture
Caffeine-rich cacao seed extract stimulates blood flow for an immediate plumping effect
Japanese goldthread root helps soothe skin
Supports a healthy skin barrier over time
Non-comedogenic formula
A lightweight, bi-phase serum that instantly hydrates and plumps skin for a healthy glow.
Brush No.1 - BLENDING BRUSH
The No.1 tool in your kit — use it to blend your complexion products and you won't be able to tell where your skin and your makeup meet. Retails for $30.
Clean Lash - LENGTHENING MASCARA
Your go-to mascara for every day. It tints, lengthens and lifts lashes, with no smudging. Ever. Retail price $26.
Day Glow - HIGHLIGHTING BALM
Made for daytime, this highlighter gives a dewy, balmy sheen with zero sparkle. It comes in 3 shades and it retails for $30.
Brow 1980 - VOLUMIZING POMADE
A nod to the brows of the ‘80s, this pomade adds color and volume for healthy, fluffy arches. It comes in three shades and it retails for $24.
Shade Slick - TINTED LIP OIL
A slick of sheer color infused with rosehip oil and shea butter, for healthy lips all day. It comes in eight shades and it retails for $24.
Flush Balm - CHEEK COLOR
A cream tint that melts into skin for lit-from-within color that stays flush all day. It comes in five shades and it retails for $28.
Signature Lip - LIGHTWEIGHT LIPSTICK
Lipstick you can live in — a hydrating, buildable lipstick with a soft satin finish. It’s so lightweight, you’ll forget you’re wearing it. It comes in eight shades and it retails for $26.
Bronze Balm - SHEER BRONZER
The easiest bronzer ever. A sheer, buildable formula that gives a wash of natural warmth and depth. It comes in 5 shades and it retails for $30.
MERIT faq
When did MERIT Beauty launch?
MERIT Beauty launched direct-to-consumer on meritbeauty.com in January 2021 and in stores and online at Sephora in February 2021.
Where is MERIT Beauty?
MERIT Beauty is based in Los Angeles, California, with teams operating on both the East coast and the West coast.
How do you get the MERIT Signature bag?
The MERIT Signature Bag automatically ships free with your first order at meritbeauty.com. It’s reusable, washable, and double-lined, so it’s made to last. To keep it looking brand new, toss it in the washing machine on cold and lay flat to dry. You’ll only get one with your first order because that’s all you need!
What is minimalist makeup?
MERIT is the antidote to the overwhelming, saturated world of beauty with too many steps and 50 shadow palettes. We simplify what it means to get ready by creating well-edited essentials that help you do more with less. All of our products are designed to be buildable, easy to use, and impossible to mess up, so you can look like you but better. We also curate our collections to give you only the products and shades you need, making it easy for you to get ready in five minutes or less.
Welcome to your routine - simplified.
What is Responsible Luxury?
At MERIT, responsible luxury means creating products that are safe for body, skin and planet. All of our products are formulated to EU standards, and we have an internal list of ingredients that we eliminate in addition. We eliminate any ingredients that may be inflammation triggering, like artificial fragrance and occlusive ingredients. We partnered with Biba de Sousa, a longtime Hollywood favorite aesthetician, who is famous for her “no-list” — another 73 ingredients that are clean but potentially inflammation or acne-triggering (like coconut oil).
We also focus on our impact on the planet. Our products are vegan and cruelty-free (certified by Leaping Bunny). We aim to eliminate as much virgin material as possible from our packaging and components, and this will continue to evolve as more post-consumer recycled plastic options develop and become available. Our mailer packaging is all either reusable (the MERIT Signature Bag that ships with every first order is a double-lined, durable fabric bag that can be tossed in the washing machine for a refresh), recyclable (our mailer box is made from post-consumer waste and is fully recyclable), or compostable (any orders after your first will ship with Green Cell Foam, a cornstarch derivative that dissolves in water).
We’re proud of where we currently stand but also believe in continuing to develop and innovate —we’re always thinking about how we can continue to push the envelope and minimize our global impact.
Are your products all-natural?
No. We’re a clean brand, meaning we use non-toxic ingredients, both natural and lab-created. While there is no regulated definition of “clean" beauty, we focus on ingredients that are safe and effective, whether natural or synthetic.
In addition to adding good-for-you ingredients to every formula, we eliminated many potential irritants, like added artificial fragrance. We partnered with Biba de Sousa, a longtime Hollywood favorite aesthetician on our complexion products, who is famous for her “no-list” — another 73 ingredients that are clean but potentially inflammation or acne-triggering (like coconut oil).
Are you vegan and cruelty-free?
MERIT is vegan and cruelty-free, and certified by Leaping Bunny. We are also Sephora Clean.
Are you paraben and sulfate-free?
We’re free of parabens, sulfates, and over 1300 additional ingredients. We're happy to provide our full "no list"— please email us at hi@meritbeauty.com to request it.
Do any of your products contain soy or soy derivatives?
None of our products contain soy derivatives.
Do any of your products contain nuts?
Most of our products are nut-free.
Are your products gluten-free?
While we do not add gluten, there is no active testing for gluten in our products.
Are your products ethically made?
We hold our manufacturing processes to high standards, when it comes to ethics and the environment. Our manufacturer selection process includes vetting the quality of formulas, their ability to produce safe, reliable products; and their commitment to good manufacturing processes (GMPs). MERIT condemns forced labor of any kind, and we are committed to supporting fair and safe workplaces throughout our business. Our GMPs forbid forced labor, underage labor, hazardous work environments, harassment and discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, political opinions, religion, age and disability unrelated to an individual’s ability to perform the work required by the job.
Where is MERIT makeup made?
Our products are made in the U.S., South Korea, and Italy. Our warehouse is located in Mississippi.