I’m not always one to hop on the latest beauty trend. But I was immediately intrigued when I started seeing “blurred makeup” pop up on my FYP. Centered around diffused color on the lips and cheeks, the look has gained popularity in large part due to celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, known for creating looks centered around a soft-focus finish.
While the concept sounded appealing, the reality of a blurred lip also seemed like an impossible one to achieve for me. My lips are always dry (comically so) and no amount of lip therapy products has been able to create enough magic for a matte lip product to work for me. So imagine my surprise and delight when MERIT announced their own take on a blurred lip: a new lip product that promised to be sheer matte with a balm-like feel. Could I have possibly found the solution for all my fellow dry-lipped girls? Challenge accepted.
MERIT Brand Overview
A lot of beauty brands tout simplicity, but MERIT actually achieves it. Every MERIT product is simple, intentional, and easy to use. They offer streamlined essentials designed to help you achieve a polished look in just a few steps.
The brand has developed a pretty loyal following thanks to its formulations and effortless aesthetic (I count myself among them!). For those of us who really, truly only have five minutes to get ready in the morning, MERIT is a brand that makes it possible. Products like the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick and Flush Balm have become daily go-tos for me to achieve that coveted “your skin but better” style of makeup. With all that in mind, the launch of a buildable, lightweight lip seemed like a pretty perfect fit.
The MERIT Signature Lip Blushes In Question
MERIT first launched the Signature Lip Blush as a limited edition, with the collection making its permanent debut in February. The new collection promises to fill the space of an essential lip product for the makeup brand. It’s a “sheer matte lightweight, buildable formula with a comfortable, balm-like feel.” The formula aims to mimic the look of a natural flush, creating a soft, diffused effect that feels effortless. Available in eight shades, the product makes a lot of promises right out the gate. So, obviously, I had to test it out myself to see just where it delivers.
My Experience Wearing MERIT’s Signature Lip Blushes
The Signature Lip Blush is available in eight shades, ranging from a sheer nude to a bright red. As someone who typically stays in the rose or mauve category of colors, the range, as it is now, doesn’t give quite as many options as many other brands. But it does fit well within the streamlined ethos of the MERIT brand.
Most days, I’m not looking for a perfected lip that involves liner or any additional steps. And I’m happy to say that in ease of use, the Lip Blush definitely delivers. You don’t need to do much work to give the diffused blurring effect. One swipe, and you’re left with those coveted “just bitten” lips. I’ve been reaching for Archival (a pink mauve), as well as Gambay (a bordeaux) on a near-daily basis for the past several weeks.
The finish of one swipe is slightly blurred, which is going to be especially flattering for those who prefer a softer lip like me. I even found it easy to apply without a mirror, which is always a good (and rare!) sign for an everyday product. The promise of being buildable with coverage also delivers. While a single swipe is more of a sheer tint, layering a few more builds up the color without ever feeling heavy or cakey.
And that leads me to perhaps my favorite quality of the product, which is the comfort. While I’ve been burned by many matte products that promised to be hydrating, this one actually delivers. The formula is balm-like, as promised, and never feels drying on the lips, even after several hours.
That being said, because it’s a bit more balm-y, I also didn’t find that the color had the longest wear. If you’re drinking coffee or eating, expect to need to reapply every once and awhile throughout the day to keep up on color payoff. But, frankly, I don’t think long wear is the aim of the Lip Blush. So reapplication seems like a fair trade-off.
Final Verdict: Are the New Lip Blushes Worth Your Money?
At $28 each, I would say the new Lip Blushes are well worth the money. Even more so if you can find a signature shade among the options. While the concept of blurred makeup may be trending now, I don’t think this is a product that will be part of a one-and-done trend. The idea of a comfortable, sheer matte lip is pretty timeless. Plus, the ease of application and wear makes this a great fit for just about any lifestyle.
Do you need every shade in the line? Definitely not. But, just like with all MERIT products, if you can find one or two that fit into your day-to-day, it makes for a great addition to a streamlined makeup collection you can come back to time and time again.
Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is an NY-based writer and editor. Beyond The Everygirl, Morgan’s editorial work has been featured in publications like Scary Mommy, InStyle, Business Insider, and Cubby, among others.
Products included in graphics linked within article. Feature graphic images credited to: Morgan Flaherty.
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