Founded by Katherine Power (she also heads up Who What Wear and Versed Skincare), Merit Beauty is one of the newest entrants to the clean makeup scene. The brand first launched stateside in 2021 and already has a loyal celebrity fan following — Hailey Baldwin, Mandy Moore, and Bella Hadid are all fans of the brand’s minimally-formulated yet high-performance products.
A lightweight blush that leaves your cheeks with a natural-looking glow. The formula is long-wearing and blends like a dream. Available in nine shades. A dewy balm with shimmer to highlight the cheekbones, nose, and eyes. It’s super lightweight and has a natural-looking, soft pink shimmer. The brand says it’s easy to use and “impossible to mess up.”
An illuminating lip oil that provides a healthy pop of color without being too shiny or drying. It’s infused with fatty acids that moisturize and add softness to the lips. The formula is also formulated to be non-sticky and quick-absorbing. The brand’s clean mascara and volumizing pomade are both free of acrylates, which is an ingredient found in conventional makeup that can cause breakouts and irritation. They’re also free of preservatives, silicones, and PEG compounds.
MERIT Beauty is cruelty-free and vegan, as well as certified Leaping Bunny. Their products are also held to EU standards, which are more strict than US regulations. They’re working on eliminating virgin plastic packaging and are shipping their products in reusable and recyclable materials. However, their claims of being ‘EU compliant’ do not appear to be backed up by any third-party verification. This is a big red flag for me as a consumer, as I want to be sure that brands are truly holding themselves to the highest ethical and environmental standards. Merit Beauty Reviews