We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook.

We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook.

      Few beauty brands have editors this enthusiastic. Merit is the one my friends seek freebies from, the brand celebrities turn to for effortless glam, and one that all beauty editors unanimously agree is genuinely exceptional. The acclaimed brand, launched in 2021 by Katherine Power (also a co-founder of Who What Wear, thank you very much), was created to streamline your beauty regimen in a crowded market. Since its launch, Merit has become a luxurious haven for both beauty novices and experts, providing high-quality skincare, makeup, and fragrance lines for those interested in clean beauty products that offer skincare benefits while performing effectively. If this seems like a challenging task, it is, but Merit not only met the challenge; they exceeded it with creative passion, asking, "What’s next?" The WWW editors undertook the tough job of picking their favorites from Merit's distinguished collection and shared insights about each one. Below, discover the 13 makeup, skincare, and fragrance selections that have transformed the beauty landscape forever.

      Is Merit a clean beauty brand? There’s no strict definition of "clean beauty," making any answer to this subjective. However, Merit addresses this in the FAQ section on its website. "We emphasize safe and effective ingredients, both natural and synthetic," the brand explains. "In addition to incorporating beneficial ingredients into every formula, we’ve removed many potential irritants, such as added artificial fragrance." Going beyond the norm, Merit collaborated with Biba de Sousa, a renowned celebrity aesthetician, while formulating the brand's skincare and complexion items to serve as a reliable advisor. De Sousa is famed for her "no list," which includes 73 clean ingredients known to clog pores, lead to breakouts, or induce irritation. You can verify the safety of your favorite products by checking the ingredient list with her customized Pore Clogger Checker, illustrating the commitment Merit has made to create high-quality, effective products.

      The Best Merit Beauty Products at a Glance:

      Best Overall: Flush Balm Cheek Color

      Best Complexion Product: The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

      Best for Quick Eyes: Solo Shadow Eye Color

      Best for Everyday: The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45

      Best Lipstick: Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick

      Best Fragrance: Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum

      Best Overall: Flush Balm Cheek Color

      Merit

      Flush Balm Cheek Color

      Size: 0.31 oz. | Shades: 13 | Key ingredient: Vitamin E | Finish: Satin

      If there's one product WWW editors swear by for makeup—ranging from everyday natural looks to full glam—it’s Merit's Flush Balm. Light, incredibly creamy, and available in a stylish range of shades, this versatile cream blush is a dream for beauty editors. Whether you’re after a light baby-pink tint or a bold plum pop, a thoughtfully curated shade awaits. Plus, these balms blend easily—whether with your fingers, a brush, or a sponge—and leave a beautiful satin finish. Pro tip: Apply this blush with a brush after your face makeup and powder for a healthy glow without disrupting your foundation. The chic packaging makes it not only delightful to display but also convenient to carry, and its multifunctionality (it can also be used as cream eyeshadow and lipstick) speaks to why this balm ranks at the top.

      Customer review: "Wow! First off, the packaging feels luxurious. I was amazed by how it feels on my skin and the beautiful natural flush it gives. This is undoubtedly going into my list of holy grail blushes. It looks stunning alongside my other blushes."

      Alyssa Brascia wearing the Flush Balm in Archival.

      Best Complexion Product: The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

      Merit

      The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

      Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 30 | Key ingredients: Fatty acids, sea daffodil extract | Finish: Natural

      If you're looking for a complexion product that does it all—blurs like foundation, conceals dark circles and blemishes, and even serves as an eyeshadow primer—then you've found your new essential. Branded as a top foundation stick by our editors, Merit's Minimalist is a desert-island favorite. "I'm obsessed with the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick," says WWW Beauty Director Erin Jahns. "It buffs, blends, and melts seamlessly into the skin, and unlike many foundations or concealers, it looks even better the longer you wear it. By the end of the day, it still appears freshly applied. I usually wear my makeup for about 10 hours, and even at hour 10, I see no creasing." Jahns often uses different shades from its 30 available options for contouring and concealing, demonstrating the versatility of these sticks. "The formula is super buildable yet retains its velvety, demi-matte finish without becoming greasy or

We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook. We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook.

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We've evaluated Merit's top-selling makeup items for four years—here are the 13 that you shouldn't overlook.

The beauty brand of the It-girl.