Is Merit Beauty Worth It—Or Just Really Good Branding?

If I had to choose one standout from the entire lineup, this would be it. I've recently been making a more conscious effort to wear higher SPF daily, so I was immediately drawn to the fact that The Uniform offers SPF 45 with 15% zinc oxide. I wore Shade 24, which matched my post-self-tan complexion almost perfectly.

As someone with persistent redness around my cheeks and nose, I'm always searching for complexion products that even things out without feeling heavy. The formula blended effortlessly, felt weightless on my skin, and gave me enough coverage to tone down redness while still looking natural. What surprised me most was how silky it felt. Many tinted sunscreens can feel thick or greasy, but this truly felt like an extension of my skin. The finish is definitely on the glowier side, so if you love dewy skin, you'll probably be obsessed. I personally added a bit of my usual setting powder to mattify things slightly, and the result was exactly what I look for in an everyday complexion product.

Editor Rating: 10/10

I'll admit it: I'm not usually a stick complexion product person. Foundation sticks often feel unblendable, and concealer sticks can tug on delicate skin. The Minimalist changed my mind.

For this look, I applied it under my eyes, on my eyelids, and around my nose where I tend to experience redness. I used the shade Bisque, which worked well for my current summer complexion, though I could potentially go a shade lighter. The formula glides on effortlessly, even under my eyes where I'm especially cautious about pulling or dragging skin. While I did notice slight creasing on my eyelids before setting everything with powder, my under-eyes remained smooth throughout the day, which is where I typically experience the most issues.

Editor Rating: 9/10

As someone who loves contour, this bronzer had a lot to live up to. I used the shade Clay along my cheekbones, forehead, and nose. Before blending, I worried it might be too subtle, but once blended out, the result was exactly what I wanted for daytime makeup.

The tone leans slightly warmer than my typical contour products, creating more of a bronzed effect than a sculpted one. The formula is incredibly easy to blend and build. I did need a few extra swipes across my forehead to achieve my preferred level of definition, but I appreciated having that control rather than accidentally applying too much product.

Editor Rating: 8/10

Blush and I haven't always gotten along. Because I naturally have redness in my cheeks, I spent years avoiding it altogether before finally learning that strategic color placement can actually make redness look intentional rather than uneven.

For this test, I used the shade Persimmon. Looking at the product, I expected a richer payoff, but the color applied much softer and more natural than anticipated. The formula has a subtle luminosity that almost makes it feel like a hybrid between a cream blush and a skin tint. Rather than applying directly to my cheeks, I tapped my brush into the product first for a softer daytime look. For evening or more dramatic makeup, I'd feel comfortable applying it directly onto the skin for greater color payout.

Editor Rating: 8/10

For Day Glow, I used the shade Cava, a champagne highlighter that I applied to my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, and my cupid's bow. I prefer a blended highlight look rather than a sharp stripe of shimmer, so I applied it with my fingertips instead of applying directly from the stick. The payoff is immediate. The champagne tone catches light beautifully and creates a noticeable glow.

That said, because The Uniform already left my skin looking quite radiant, Day Glow felt slightly redundant in my routine. If you're someone who loves a luminous finish, you'll probably enjoy this more than I did. The formula itself is lovely, but it just wasn't the standout product in the collection for me.

Editor Rating: 6/10

I naturally have fuller brows, so I usually gravitate toward powders rather than tinted gels. In the past, brow gels have often left my brows looking overly dark or dramatic.

What I appreciated most about Brow 1980 was the brush size. The smaller wand made application precise and easy to control, especially around the tail of my brow. The formula added subtle definition and stiffness without feeling crunchy or heavy. While I still found myself wanting a touch more depth in certain sparse areas, I liked the natural effect overall. This is one I'd need to keep testing before fully replacing my current brow routine, but my first impression was positive.

Editor Rating: 7/10

I have short lashes, and finding a mascara I truly love has always been a challenge. In fact, mascara might be the category I'm least loyal to because I'm constantly searching for something better.

After curling my lashes, I applied Clean Lash in black. Without question, this is the most natural-looking mascara I've ever used. If you already have long lashes and simply want definition, separation, and a polished finish, I think you'll love it. The formula created a clean, fluttery effect that looked incredibly natural.

Personally, I tend to prefer more volume and drama, so I found myself wanting a bit more impact. Still, I was genuinely impressed by how elegant and lightweight the final result looked.

Editor Rating: 7/10

For my lip look, I paired Signature Lip Liner in Mayfair with Signature Lip Blush in Framboise.

Starting with the liner: I loved that it's retractable rather than requiring sharpening. The formula glided on smoothly, making it easy to create precise definition around my lips. The shade was slightly darker than I'd typically choose for daytime, but I ended up really liking the contrast.

The Lip Blush surprised me in the best way. The packaging is beautiful, though admittedly not the most practical. I managed to nick the tip a few times while opening it. Thankfully, the formula more than made up for that minor frustration. The color applied much softer than expected and felt incredibly comfortable on the lips. While I initially expected a mauve tone based on the tube, Framboise reads more like a fresh berry-red that instantly added a nice touch of color to the look. It's lightweight, comfortable, and doesn't feel drying at all.

Editor Rating: 8/10