As a beauty enthusiast who juggles a busy schedule, I’m always hunting for products that streamline my routine without sacrificing quality. When I stumbled across MERIT Beauty’s The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick via an Instagram ad, I was drawn to its bold claim: an all-in-one foundation and concealer that delivers a flawless, natural look in minutes. After weeks of testing, I’m ready to share my honest thoughts on whether this clean beauty gem lives up to the hype.
What is The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick?
The Minimalist is a clean, vegan, and cruelty-free complexion stick designed to simplify your makeup routine. It combines the benefits of a foundation and concealer, offering buildable, light-to-medium coverage in a convenient stick format. Available in 20 shades, it’s formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients like fatty acids, which condition the skin, and sea daffodil extract, which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots. Its non-comedogenic formula is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, and it’s marketed as a go-to for effortless, on-the-go application (MERIT Beauty).
My Experience with The Minimalist
When I first swiped The Minimalist onto my skin (I used shade Bisque), I was impressed by its creamy texture and how effortlessly it glided on. Using the recommended Brush No.1, I applied it under my eyes, around my nose, and on a few blemishes. The formula blended seamlessly, leaving a natural, radiant finish that didn’t feel heavy or cakey. As someone with combination skin—oily T-zone, dry cheeks—I appreciated that it didn’t cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines.
The coverage is light-to-medium, perfect for a “no-makeup” look that evens out skin tone while letting your natural skin shine through. I found it ideal for casual days, like working from home or running errands, when I want to look polished without spending too much time. However, if you’re aiming for a full-coverage look for a photoshoot or event, The Minimalist might fall short. I also noticed that without proper skin prep (like a good moisturizer), it could look slightly patchy on drier areas.
One fun moment? I applied it in my car before a coffee run, and the stick format made it so easy—no spills, no mess. It’s now a staple in my purse for quick touch-ups!
How to Use The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
For the best results, start with clean, well-moisturized skin. If you have dry skin, a hydrating primer or moisturizer is a must to prevent patchiness. Twist up the stick and apply directly to areas needing coverage—under eyes, around the nose, or on blemishes. Blend with your fingers or the Brush No.1 for a seamless finish. For a natural look, use it sparingly; for more coverage, layer it lightly, but avoid over-applying to prevent a cakey appearance. A light dusting of translucent powder can help set it, especially for oily skin types, to ensure it lasts all day.
Pro Tip: Pair it with MERIT’s Great Skin Instant Glow Serum for an extra dewy base that enhances the stick’s glowy finish.
Comparisons with Other Products
To put The Minimalist in context, I compared it to other complexion products I’ve used:
- ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint: This is another clean beauty favorite, known for its lightweight, serum-like texture. While ILIA’s product is ultra-hydrating and great for very dry skin, The Minimalist offers slightly better coverage for concealing redness or blemishes, making it more versatile for my needs.
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter: This liquid illuminator is fantastic for a glowing base but requires mixing with foundation for full coverage. The Minimalist’s all-in-one design eliminates that extra step, making it more convenient for quick routines.
- Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick: This stick is more of a highlighter than a foundation, so it serves a different purpose. If you’re after a dewy highlight, Westman Atelier is great, but for coverage, The Minimalist is the better choice.
The Minimalist stands out for its balance of coverage, simplicity, and clean ingredients, making it a strong contender in the stick foundation category.
What Real Customers Are Saying
To get a broader perspective, I checked out customer reviews on Sephora. Oshrit gave it a glowing 5-star review: “I’m obsessed with how effortlessly this complexion stick melts into the skin! The shade Silk is a perfect match, giving me a natural, radiant finish without feeling heavy. It’s easy to blend, buildable, and ideal for quick touch-ups. A true minimalist’s dream!”
On the flip side, Ella gave it 3 stars, noting, “I had read a lot of reviews and watched many videos before buying it, and all were saying very good things. However, when I received this product, I used it and it was very dry and patchy. The shade range isn’t very accurate to what it looks like in real life either, which caused me to get a shade too light. However, I have recently discovered that with this product, you have to have very good skin prep and need to be heavily moisturized for this to not dry up in flakes and crease a lot.”
These reviews highlight the importance of skin prep and shade selection, as results can vary based on individual skin types and expectations.
Pros and Cons
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pros | Lightweight, blendable formula; natural, radiant finish; versatile as foundation and concealer; clean, vegan, cruelty-free; convenient stick format; suitable for acne-prone skin |
| Cons | Limited coverage for full-coverage needs; may be dry/patchy without proper skin prep; shade range may not suit all skin tones |
Why It’s Worth Trying
The Minimalist is a game-changer for anyone who values a streamlined makeup routine. Its clean, skin-friendly formula and portable design make it perfect for busy lifestyles. Whether you’re a minimalist makeup lover or someone who wants a quick, natural look, this stick delivers. It’s not perfect—those needing heavy coverage or with very dry skin might need to look elsewhere—but for most, it’s a reliable, ethical choice that performs well with the right prep.
Final Thoughts
MERIT Beauty’s The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is a standout for its simplicity, clean ingredients, and natural finish. It’s become my go-to for effortless, everyday makeup, though it requires proper moisturizing for optimal results. If you’re curious, I recommend checking it out at MERIT Beauty or Sephora to find your shade. It’s a worthy addition to any clean beauty collection, especially for those who want to look polished in minutes.
