While we often find ourselves patiently waiting for beloved beauty brands to make their way over to Aussie shores – we’re looking at you Rhode Beauty – slowly more and more labels are making it happen.
Vegan minimalist makeup brand Merit Beauty is now shipping to Australia. Already available in the US, UK and Canada, we’ve been eagerly waiting to get our hands on the products to see if they live up to the international hype.
Founded in 2021, this cult beauty brand is like a one-stop-shop for a flawless makeup routine. From complexion sticks to cream blushes, the whole range is vegan and cruelty free, with celeb endorsements from Hailey Bieber, Kelly Rutherford and Cameron Diaz, no less.
Perfect for Australian’s love of a glowing complexion, the brands chief marketing officer Alia Morin says; “our brand’s ethos has clear alignment with the Aussie approach to beauty… the kind of natural, glowy look that is the hallmark of our products and philosophy”
While the curated collection contains just twelve products, we’ve picked out four stand-out formulas we believe are really worth the money.
01
Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, $61 at Merit Beauty
As we all know, the key to a glowy complexion really does come down to your skincare. And most importantly, the products used.
This serum is a game-changer for hydrating the skin. It’s super lightweight, absorbs easily, and makes a smooth base for makeup without leaving any residue behind. Although it doesn’t contain any shimmer, just a few drops will make skin appear glowy and glazed.
Try warming a couple of pumps in the palm of your hands before gently pressing into the skin.
02
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, $61 at Merit Beauty
The beauty world is proving that less really can be more, so we’re ditching heavy foundations for lighter alternatives.
Enter Merit’s complexion stick, a creamy formula that is so easy to apply and build depending on the coverage you’re after. You can either use it as a concealer, foundation or even as a contour wand if you purchase a couple of shades darker than your complexion.
Take a browse through the website and you’ll see the 20 shades on offer. Each modelled on 20 different individuals, the goal is to remove the guesswork from virtual shade matching.
Side note: If you’re keen to test drive the whole makeup range, we recommend purchasing a set to get more bang for your buck!
03
Flush Balm Cheek Colour, $48 at Merit Beauty
The blush movement really has made blushes the focal point of our makeup. Especially if you’re going sans-foundation, adding a pop of colour to your cheeks is all it takes to look a little more put together.
Merit’s cheek colours are the perfect size for an on-the-go glow and offer a gorgeous range of subtle colours from soft peach to burgundy. You can easily swipe them over your cheekbones to sculpt and define features.
In true Merit form, these blushes are completely build-able so you can achieve the exact amount of rosiness you’re after.
04
Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil, $38 at Merit Beauty
It seems Merit jumped ahead of the lip oil trend with their non-sticky formula. Offering a hint of build-able colour, there’s a blend of rosehip oil, jojoba and shea butter to keep lips feeling silky soft. In a clear glass tube and gold lid, it’s just as luxe as it looks.
Pop one in your handbag and you’ll find yourself reaching it for regularly.
