I did my entire face using Merit products. Photo: Krista Bennett DeMaio
Merit has always struck me as a brand that appeals to women around my age (I’m 46). Its products lend themselves to more of a minimalist routine. The line is streamlined — an intentional collection of products that create that natural-beauty look in a matter of minutes. And who doesn’t love that more than a busy woman who doesn’t have time for the lengthy makeup routine?
So when my teen asked for the Merit Instant Glow Serum, something she no doubt saw on TikTok, I was surprised to hear it resonates with Gen Z and likely elder alphas, too. At 15, my daughter doesn’t wear foundation — just some concealer where she needs it. She likes the serum because it gives her skin glow and warmth. It doesn’t contain bronzers or self-tanner but cacao seed oil, which stimulates microcirculation creating a flush, and has a sheer, golden-brown tint. It also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, two hydrating ingredients that aren’t harsh on young skin. Her love for the serum (which is quite nice on my skin, too) made me curious what the rest of the line is like, so I tried nearly everything.
My overall take: I am now a Merit fan and multiple products have found their way into my regular routine. They all create a sheer and pretty look that doesn’t try too hard. While the products are quite different from Jones Road, one of my favorite makeup lines, Merit products give me a similar natural, glowy, and fresh-looking result. My daughter found a few new favorite, too, which she quickly claimed after I tested the line. I think we’ll have to agree to share some of them.
