I’ve been eyeing up MERIT makeup since they blew up on social media, so when they offered to send a few items to me I gladly accepted.
In this post I’ll share my thoughts on these, as well as several other beauty products I’ve tried and loved recently.
Before we begin, I’d like to clearly disclose that MERIT has kindly sponsored this blog post, though the opinions are (as always) my own.
MERIT is very much about a natural, minimalist makeup look which is exactly what I look for on a daily basis. I had super high hopes and I am pleased to say I was not disappointed at all.
My custom MERIT discounted set
With the products I liked the most, MERIT have assembled a discounted kit named Natalie’s Finishing touches, saving you £12 instead of buying the items individually.
They don’t offer promo codes or do sales otherwise so if you’re interested in trying some products out, I would recommend getting my set while it’s currently available to save some £.
The link is not an affiliate, so I won’t earn anything if you choose to buy it.
They are just my top picks from everything I was sent, and I think they’re ideal for anyone wanting a natural, glowy makeup this summer.
MERIT beauty shade slick review
The first item I reached for was the Shade Slick tinted lip oil in shade Marrakech.
I’ve always had quite naturally pink lips, which makes it hard to find neutral-ish shades of lip products that don’t give me a 2006 concealer lip look.
As soon as I tried the Shade Slick I immediately knew it was for me. Lately I find that every brand is releasing identical lip glosses and oils, with an emphasis on being super shiny.
The super shiny look just isn’t for me, and Shade Slick is the perfect balance of pigment and shine without looking like a Bratz doll (cool for some, just not for me!).
The colour also just seamlessly works with my skin tone and blends with my favourite lip liner – sold.
I’d recommend Shade Slick to anyone looking for a lip colour that isn’t overwhelmingly shiny, lasts and feels nourishing. The type of lip colour you can wear without any other makeup and not feel strange going out in it.
A new facial tanner favourite
For years I’ve clung to my favourite face tan, the Tan Luxe original drops, mostly because they didn’t break me out as most tans do.
However, I’ve always disliked the fragrance in them and how drying they felt the next morning.
Bondi Sands sent me their new Technocolor face tan serum and I was immediately tempted because of the simple, fragrance free formula.
The first time I used it, I used it very sparingly because I didn’t want to wake up orange and patchy. When I woke up, I realised I probably could have been more liberal.
The sapphire colour is designed to suit very pale skin tones and it is absolutely not too much. Because I used so little it felt a little dry in the morning, and the tone was noticeable but subtle.
When I tried it again, I used a lot more and it came out much better – it felt less dry in the morning, too!
I recommend this for anyone looking for a tan that somehow blends itself evenly into your skin without much effort at night, ideal for the perfect base to natural, minimalist makeup look the next day.
Shop Bondi Sands Technocolor face tanner in Sapphire (affiliate link)
Signature Lip – the perfect pink and brown nudes
Moving onto lipstick, MERIT’s Signature Lip was another pleasant surprise for both shade and formula.
Due to the colour of my lips, it can be really frustrating to use a lipstick that has a beautiful formula but the colour just isn’t quite right. In fact I often just wear lip liner and a clear gloss because it’s what feels best to me.
However, both shades Antibes and Classic (two of their new matte shades) really suited me from the moment I tried them.
Shade ‘classic’ is a classic pink nude shade that perfectly matches my favourite Charlotte Tilbury lip liner (Pillowtalk Medium II).
It makes me super happy to have found something that does, because I was really surprised and let down by the matching lipstick for the liner.
Antibes is a peachier, more brown toned shade that is similar to the Marrakech Shade Slick.
The formula is definitely matte but not drying, it has a very natural finish. I would liken it to a Chanel lipstick with a velvet finish.
Is the pink setting powder trend for natural makeup looks?
Something I felt very wary about trying one random Friday night is the Huda Beauty Easy Bake powder in ‘Cherry Blossom Cake’.
I always felt this might be just a trend for TikTok MUAs but I actually really love the way it looks on me, too.
I’ve always gone for a translucent or nude coloured setting powder, but since trying the pink powder I’ve reached for it every time I’ve done my makeup since!
The pink is barely noticeable on the skin and nicely ties into even the most natural pink-brown toned look.
The lasting power of the powder itself is well known to be good, and I found this played out on my skin too.
Overall, this was a wildcard for me that worked out as me finding a new favourite.
The most underrated £1.99 lip balm
The trend for ‘unsexy products that just work’ is one of my favourites on social media lately, and I think I discovered one of my new HGs in the search for a perioral dermatitis-friendly lip balm.
The Abena chapstick doesn’t look like much but has literally been a godsend for me, ever since I developed perioral dermatitis in June 2023 – and it’s only £1.99 on Amazon.
When you have perioral dermatitis, pretty much most lip products can irritate the skin around your mouth (yes – even if it’s not touching it, it’s incredibly annoying).
This is the only lip balm I can wear overnight that doesn’t irritate my PD further. I’ve bought 3 tubes and I keep one in all of my bags.
Not only does it not irritate my PD, but it also hydrates my lips so well and preps them for a lip makeup look in the evening. I would go as far as deeming this the best lip balm for perioral dermatitis – and I tried so many in my quest!
Shop the Abena chapstick (affiliate link)
Brow 1980 volumising pomade
I’ve been stuck on my current brow gel of Benefit 24 Hour Brow for quite a few years now, feeling uninspired by it but not finding anything better.
I think the MERIT Brow 1980 compliments it well and gives me quite a reliable brow duo.
The shade ‘brown’ is tinted with quite a deep brown that suits my natural brow colour really well, too.
I have tried and failed so many times to fill in gaps and give my brows a little more shape with a pencil, but since they’re quite dark it tends to just look quite amateur.
With the Brown 1980, the difference is subtle but definitely there. It’s a nice middle ground for anyone who simply wants to shape and tint their brows, rather than restructure them with a pencil (and like me, clearly doesn’t have the skills).
Finish-wise, this is for the girls that like a natural, fluffy brow.
Overall I think this is the perfect product to take on a summer holiday for post-pool, pre-dinner makeup that looks natural but definitely still ‘done’.
The perfect SPF for a glowy base
Ever since my favourite Boots SPF was discontinued last year, I’ve been on the hunt for an SPF that meets my (very specific) criteria and gives the glowy finish I like.
A friend recommended the new Altruist primer fluid which offers SPF 50 and a super runny, workable texture.
Not only is it free from everything I avoid: fragrance, alcohol, essential oils, but it’s also a really nice, minimal formula.
I prefer formulas which are relatively short, just so that my (very fussy) skin is less exposed to tonnes of new ingredients at once.
At first the formula does feel a little bit heavy, but after an hour or so it sinks into the skin really nicely. It doesn’t pill at all, or give a white cast. I am very pale but I’d be willing to bet it performs well on deeper skin tones, too.
I wore this SPF for around five days and I did notice a small reaction on my skin – a couple of bumps that turned out not to be closed comedones.
In the end I decided that this would be my ideal sunscreen to wear under makeup to weddings, the beach and special occasions, but that I might keep looking for a new everyday SPF that doesn’t cause that reaction.
For reference, my skin is truly super fussy and plenty of people haven’t experienced that reaction, so I wouldn’t let that put you off.
This SPF would be loved by anyone looking for a glowy base for their natural makeup look.
Shop the Altruist SPF50 Primer
Clean Lash is the perfect clean girl mascara
When I first tried this mascara it reminded me so much of the Bobbi Brown Everything Lash.
They do say that MERIT recreates ‘luxury’ formulas, and I can definitely see that in not only the formula but also the packaging.
The Clean Lash mascara definitely adds more length than volume, which I’m happy with, and I find the real-bristle brush easy to work with.
I didn’t have to use my emergency spoolie to make touch ups or un-clump clumps like I sometimes do with new mascaras I try.
Over the course of the day, my eyes are comfortable and since it’s a tubing mascara there’s no annoying crumbly black bits on my under eyes.
Final thoughts & a discounted bundle
Between these four I feel like I’ve definitely found a couple of new go-to lip shades for upcoming drinks, weddings and everything in between.
As I tried each of the products and my first impressions got better and better, I posted a few of them on my Instagram story.
I ended up with quite a few replies from followers who really enjoy MERIT too, which didn’t come as a shock but was a nice surprise.
If you are interested in trying MERIT, you can pick up a bundle of all of the items I’ve mentioned for £12 off the total price otherwise.
First time purchases come with a free MERIT makeup bag, and if you’ve already purchased before they have a newly launched loyalty program that can get you rewards and early access to new launches.
Next on my list to try from MERIT is the Flush balm, Minimalist complexion stick and the blending brush.
