As a beauty enthusiast with a passion for discovering innovative products, I’ve always been drawn to brands that promise simplicity and effectiveness. When I first saw ads for MERIT Beauty on Instagram, I was intrigued by their minimalist approach and clean beauty standards. As a part-time beauty influencer, I often receive makeup products for free or at a discount, so I rarely pay full price—except for lipsticks and mascaras, where I’m happy to splurge!
When my brand manager offered me the chance to try MERIT Beauty’s Five Minute Morning collection, I eagerly accepted. After using the products for several weeks, I’m excited to share my honest thoughts. This review is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Let’s dive into my experience with MERIT Beauty and whether these products are worth your investment.
Overall Impression
MERIT Beauty is a game-changer for those who want a polished, natural look without spending hours on makeup. The Five Minute Morning collection lives up to its name, offering a quick routine perfect for running errands, working from home, or casual days. It’s not designed for full-coverage needs like photoshoots or events, but for everyday wear, it delivers a fresh, effortless vibe.
Having dry, mature skin (I’m turning 40 this year), I was thrilled with how hydrating and blendable these products are. They don’t settle into fine lines, which is a major win. Many customers echo this sentiment, with one reviewer noting that the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick has a “cult-like following” for its lightweight coverage (PureWow Review). Beauty influencers like Jess Kirby and Ruth Nuss praise the brand’s ease of use and dewy finish, making it a favorite for busy lifestyles (Jess Kirby’s Review, Ruth Nuss’s Review).
Here’s a quick look at my transformation using the collection:
- Before: My skin looked a bit dull, with some redness and uneven tone.
- After: A natural, glowing complexion with a subtle flush and defined features, all in under five minutes!
Product Reviews
Below, I break down each product in the Five Minute Morning collection, sharing my experience, pros, cons, comparisons to other brands, and whether I’d repurchase. I’ve also included customer feedback to give a balanced perspective.
1. The Minimalist – Perfecting Complexion Stick (Shade: Dune)
- What it is: A lightweight stick that serves as both foundation and concealer, offering light-to-medium coverage.
- My Experience: The Minimalist applies smoothly with the included Brush No.1, evening out my skin tone without feeling heavy. It’s hydrating, which is great for my dry skin, but I found it sits slightly on top of the skin rather than melting in seamlessly. Compared to ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint Stick, which blends more effortlessly and offers a dewier finish, The Minimalist fell a bit short.
- Pros:
- Lightweight and buildable coverage
- Hydrating formula with fatty acids
- Easy to apply with Brush No.1
- Cons:
- Less seamless blending compared to ILIA
- May not suit those needing medium-to-full coverage
- Customer Feedback: Customers love its natural finish, with one saying, “It’s perfect for a no-makeup look that still covers imperfections” (PureWow Review). However, some note it’s not as hydrating as competitors.
- Comparison: ILIA’s stick provides better blendability and a more natural finish for similar skin types.
- Would I Buy It Again? No, I’d opt for ILIA’s version for its superior blending.
2. Flush Balm – Cheek Color (Shade: Cheeky)
- What it is: A cream blush that melts into the skin for a natural, long-lasting flush.
- My Experience: This is my favorite product in the collection! The creamy texture blends like a dream, and shade Cheeky—a rosy pink—gives my cheeks a healthy, lit-from-within glow. It’s buildable, so I can go subtle or bold. The only downside is its longevity; I reapply after a few hours.
- Pros:
- Creamy, blendable formula
- Natural, radiant finish
- Wide shade range (The Pops, Neutrals, Classic Pinks)
- Cons:
- Needs reapplication for all-day wear
- Customer Feedback: A reviewer called it “dreamy to blend” and praised its hydrating feel, making it a staple for many (Good Housekeeping Review).
- Comparison: Compared to Glossier’s Cloud Paint, Flush Balm is less pigmented but easier to blend for a natural look.
- Would I Buy It Again? Yes, I’m already eyeing another shade!
3. Shade Slick – Tinted Lip Oil (Shade: Pink Beet)
- What it is: A hydrating lip oil with a wash of color and a non-sticky finish.
- My Experience: As a lip product enthusiast, I was thrilled with Shade Slick. Pink Beet offers a subtle, buildable pink that enhances my lips naturally. The formula is moisturizing and non-sticky, a huge improvement over sticky glosses I’ve tried. It’s perfect for everyday wear.
- Pros:
- Hydrating with plant-derived squalane and quinoa seed oil
- Non-sticky, comfortable wear
- Buildable color
- Cons:
- Too sheer for those preferring bold lip colors
- Customer Feedback: One customer said, “It’s the perfect everyday lip product—hydrating and effortless” (Cosmopolitan Review).
- Comparison: Outperforms other lip oils like Burt’s Bees, which can feel heavier and less pigmented.
- Would I Buy It Again? Yes, I plan to try other shades like The Sheens for a pearlescent finish.
4. Brush No.1 – Blending Brush
- What it is: A vegan blending brush with dense, soft bristles for complexion products.
- My Experience: This brush is a gem. Its soft, dense bristles make blending The Minimalist a breeze, leaving no streaks. It’s compact, perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, and aligns with MERIT’s clean, cruelty-free ethos.
- Pros:
- Soft, vegan bristles
- Seamless blending
- Portable and sustainable packaging
- Cons:
- None
- Customer Feedback: Customers appreciate its versatility, with one noting, “It blends cream products perfectly without irritation” (The Good Trade Review).
- Comparison: Similar to Real Techniques’ blending brushes but feels more premium due to its design.
- Would I Buy It Again? Yes, it’s a must-have for cream makeup users.
5. Day Glow – Highlighting Balm (Shade: Cava)
- What it is: A cream highlighter for a dewy, sparkle-free sheen.
- My Experience: I was skeptical about cream highlighters, fearing a greasy look, but Day Glow delivers a natural, healthy glow. Shade Cava, a champagne hue, is subtle yet effective on my cheekbones. It’s easy to blend and feels moisturizing.
- Pros:
- Dewy, non-greasy finish
- Buildable and blendable
- Hydrating with plant-based squalane
- Cons:
- Too subtle for dramatic highlight lovers
- Customer Feedback: A reviewer praised its “lit-from-within glow” that doesn’t clog pores (Cosmopolitan Review).
- Comparison: Less intense than Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector but more natural and skin-friendly.
- Would I Buy It Again? Yes, it’s my go-to for a subtle glow.
6. Clean Lash – Lengthening Mascara
- What it is: A tubing mascara that lengthens and lifts lashes without smudging.
- My Experience: I was disappointed with Clean Lash. It lengthens but lacks volume, and the color (Perfect Black) feels too light for my taste. It’s easy to remove and smudge-proof, but it didn’t meet my expectations for dramatic lashes.
- Pros:
- Lengthens lashes
- Smudge-proof and easy to remove
- Conditions with fatty acids and vitamin B5
- Cons:
- Minimal volume
- Light color payoff
- Customer Feedback: Reviews are mixed. Some love its natural, smudge-proof finish, with one saying, “It’s perfect for a subtle, everyday lash look” (Amazon Reviews). Others, like a Good Housekeeping editor, found it flakey and lacking volume (Good Housekeeping Review).
- Comparison: ILIA’s Limitless Lash Mascara offers more volume and a dual-sided brush for better application.
- Would I Buy It Again? No, I prefer mascaras with more impact.
7. Brow 1980 – Volumizing Pomade (Shade: Brown)
- What it is: A brow gel for soft, fluffy brows with light hold.
- My Experience: This is my new favorite brow product. Brow 1980 adds volume and color without looking overdone. The flexible formula avoids crunchiness, and the precision brush makes application effortless. It’s perfect for a natural yet defined look.
- Pros:
- Volumizing and conditioning with Panthenol
- Flexible, non-crunchy hold
- Easy-to-use precision brush
- Cons:
- None
- Customer Feedback: Customers love its natural finish, with one saying, “It fills in brows without looking too done” (The Good Trade Review).
- Comparison: Outshines Benefit’s Gimme Brow for its lighter, more natural feel.
- Would I Buy It Again? Absolutely, I might grab a backup!
Ingredient Insights
MERIT Beauty prides itself on clean, EU-compliant formulas, free from over 1,400 potentially harmful ingredients. They exclude 73 acne-triggering ingredients, as advised by esthetician Biba de Sousa. Products contain nourishing ingredients like sea daffodil extract, fatty acids, and plant-derived squalane. Full ingredient lists are available at Sephora, ensuring transparency for conscious consumers.
Conclusion
MERIT Beauty has won me over with its clean, minimalist approach. Standouts like Flush Balm, Shade Slick, Day Glow, and Brow 1980 have become staples in my routine, offering effortless beauty for busy days. While The Minimalist and Clean Lash didn’t impress me, the brand’s hydrating, skin-friendly formulas are perfect for dry or mature skin. I recommend MERIT Beauty to anyone seeking a quick, natural look, though those needing long-lasting or full-coverage makeup may need additional products.
Table: MERIT Beauty Five Minute Morning Collection Overview
| Product | Shade Tested | Key Benefits | Drawbacks | Would I Buy Again? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Minimalist | Dune | Lightweight, hydrating, buildable coverage | Less seamless blending | No |
| Flush Balm | Cheeky | Creamy, natural flush, blendable | Needs reapplication | Yes |
| Shade Slick | Pink Beet | Hydrating, non-sticky, buildable color | Too sheer for bold looks | Yes |
| Brush No.1 | N/A | Soft, dense, seamless blending | None | Yes |
| Day Glow | Cava | Dewy, non-greasy, moisturizing | Too subtle for dramatic looks | Yes |
| Clean Lash | Perfect Black | Lengthens, smudge-proof, easy to remove | Lacks volume, light payoff | No |
| Brow 1980 | Brown | Volumizing, flexible hold, natural finish | None | Yes |
