Merit Beauty has carved out a niche in the minimalist beauty world with sleek packaging, soft-focus branding, and plenty of influencer buzz. But beyond the aesthetic, do the products hold up?

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The Good

• Sophisticated, no-fuss branding “Merit is sort of like Glossier’s sophisticated aunt with a cool job who lives overseas.” (31 upvotes)
• Standout brush quality “I have their brush and it is hands down the best brush I have ever used! No streaking, fast and easy, works with all my creams and liquids.” (31 upvotes)
• Gorgeous packaging “Signature lipstick: very nice and lux packaging… honestly, that’s what makes me reach for it over others.” (89 upvotes)
• Beginner-friendly complexion products “The stick is easy to swipe on and blend. If you need more coverage, just add concealer.” (89 upvotes)

The Not So Good

• Drying lip products “I got the lipstick in Baby—it’s extremely drying and wears off in 30 minutes. I felt duped by the reviews.” (36 upvotes)
• Lip oil doesn’t live up to the hype “Thin formula, kind of pigmented, but weirdly dries out my lips. Not my favorite.” (89 upvotes)
• Feeling the influencer fatigue “I skipped them because too many YouTubers praise them. It’s not that the products are bad—I just don’t buy the hype.” (68 upvotes) “This whole thing feels scripted and weird.” (97 upvotes)

How It Compares

• A more refined Glossier? “Feels like they’re selling a lifestyle—kind of that no-fuss, cool-girl image.” (89 upvotes)
• Fewer, slower product drops “They release fewer products than Glossier and way less frequently.” (31 upvotes)
• Solid formulas, but not revolutionary “It’s a nice, comfortable semi-sheer lipstick—but it’s not breaking any ground.” (89 upvotes)

Tips from Real Users

• Blush is a true multi-tasker – doubles as a lip tint “Dab on cheeks and nose, blend with fingers, swipe on lips, then gloss or lip mask.” (33 upvotes)
• Buy before price bumps “If you’re in Canada and eyeing Merit, buy now. Prices are rising faster than the sales hit.” (86 upvotes)

TL;DR

Merit beauty nails the aesthetic, but results are hit or miss. The blush gets near-universal love, and the brand’s vibe appeals to fans of minimalist beauty If you’re curious, start with the blush, brush, lipstick, or stick foundation products. Just know: you may be paying more for the vibe than for game-changing formulas.

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