Is Merit Beauty Good Makeup? An Honest Review.

There comes a point where the way you shop for makeup quietly changes. Not because you’ve stopped caring, but because you care differently. You want fewer steps, better formulas, thoughtful design, and products that work with your skin, not against it.

So when people started asking, “Is Merit Beauty good makeup?”, especially for women in their 40s and beyond, I finally decided to try it for myself.

I ordered the Merit Intro Set, added a Shade Slick, and ended up with not one but two beautifully designed free gifts plus a deluxe serum sample. And after wearing it for several weeks now, here’s my honest take.

Is Merit Beauty a Good Brand?

Short answer: yes, and it’s very intentional.

Merit feels like a brand created for women who are confident enough to simplify. The branding is clean, elevated, and quietly luxurious. Nothing feels trendy or overdone. From the packaging to the formulas, everything feels purposeful, modern, and calm. I’m not going to lie, I was 100% sold on trying Merit because of the packaging and neutral palette ALONE. Packaging and branding like this just makes me happy so I was an easy sell.

I also went into Sephora prior to placing my order to see which colors were right for me. They have the full line and it was helpful to have someone gice me feedback on which shades were right for me. She scanned my face and surprisingly (or not?) Merit popped up as a recommended brand I should try – she said because of my coloring and also, I assume, because of some of my similar brand purchases from Sephora like OSEA Malibu, Westman Atelier, etc.

This isn’t makeup designed to transform your face. It’s makeup designed to enhance your face.

And that distinction matters, especially as skin changes with age. And, I’ve really made it a goal the past year or so to focus on good, healthy, quality skincare so a lighter enhancing makeup like this makes sense for me right now.

Is Merit Makeup Good for Mature Skin?

Mature skin? Is that what we are calling our skin now? Well, as someone over 40, this was my biggest question. Mature skin doesn’t want heavy pigment, thick formulas, or anything that settles into fine lines.

Merit gets this exactly right.

The textures are sheer but buildable. Cream-based, forgiving, and hydrating. Nothing feels cakey. Nothing exaggerates texture. The finish is skin-like and soft, which is exactly what mature skin needs. And, The Minimalist Complexion Stick is easy, peasy to use for spot or all over coverage which makes it easy.

If you’re searching “is merit makeup good for mature skin”, I can confidently say yes, especially if you prefer a natural, healthy look over full coverage.

What I Ordered (and Why It’s a Great Starter)

I started with The Intro Set, which is hands down the smartest way to try the brand. I repeat, if you want to give Merit a try, find a set you like and go for it!

My exact order included:

The Minimalist Complexion Stick in Sand – this, to me, is the product they became known for and one of the biggest reasons you should try the brand. This is the perfect effortless makeup workhorse, perfect for under eye, spot and allover coverage with the brush. A must-have if you’re trying Merit and I know you’ll love this little guy.
Flush Balm Cream Blush in Archival – I love the lightweight nature of the blush, it’s just enough coverage and blends in well. If you’re a cream blush fan, or again, for more of a dewy summer look, I love this personally over a powder blush because I think it just makes your skin feel more hydrated than a flatter powder look.
Bronze Balm in Clay – this turned out to be probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite product from the line. I love a little contour / bronzing and this one is so great because it adds the hint of sun look wihout being super shimmery / glittery (which I tend not to love). I feel like the Clay colorway is probably the most universal shade for most skintypes but I use this daily on my forehead crown, and below my cheekbones.
Brush No. 1 – I have never been a makeup brush kind of girl for some reason and I have super sensitive skin, so alot of synthetic brushes make me itchy and breakout my skin. This brush is just a perfect and must-have tool for blending all of the products. I apply dabs & lines of the complexion stick, blush, & bronze balm and then blend them all with the brush for a flawless look. I love the “sets” for this reason because they just include the brush.
Shade Slick Lip Oil in Jeté – if I’m being honest, I’m not much of a lipstick girl. I am SUPER particular about the feel / stickiness of the product and I honestly don’t love this lip very much. It was a little too pinky for my taste (I prefer totally nude) so I gave it to my tween daughter. I will say she LOVES it and it’s actually the perfect subtle lip for a teen/tween. Most people would probably like this product but its just not for me.

This set gives you a full face in minutes and lets you experience Merit’s core formulas without committing to everything at once.

If you’re more of a set person, the 5 Minute Morning Set is another excellent option and an easy way to reach their current spend threshold. But, I really love my Thrive tubing mascara (despite the teal packaging .. that’s how good it is).

Please note, I’ve updated this section, as I have continued trying more of their products ….

The Uniform SPF tinted makeup in shade 22 – this is an incredibly lightweight and dewy SPF tinted makeup and I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I sometimes like a little sheet coverage and having the SPF built in is a no-brainer for summertime. I have worn this daily since I got it, and plan to grab a slightly lighter shade for the fall/winter when my tiny tan fades a bit.

Day Glow highlighter in rose gold – OK I might contradict myself a tad here but I really love this product. It is super sheer and lightweight and I use it as a highlighter. My go to has always been this Westman Atelier (in nectar) which if I’m being honest I love equally as much as this product (not sure which i’ll end up sticking with, they are very similar). But this actually has a little shimmer and is great on the bridge of your nose, high cheekbone and lip bow for a sunkissed, glowing touch.

Clean Volume Mascara in black – first, in black for mascara. Always. OK, first you must know that I’ve used the Thrive mascara for probably 10 years. It’s a tubing mascara and I’m obsessed with it but again, I really dislike the teal packaging (I know) so I decided to give the Clean Volume mascara a try. I’ve worn it for a few days now and I actually love the product. I think it applies cleanly, has a good rich black color and lengthens and coats my lashes well. My only comment is the applicator is a bit thinner and shorter bristled than I’d prefer (or at least am used to) so it just applies a little differently than I am used to. It also comes off well with an oil cleanser and doesn’t run (which is why I only use tubing mascara now, I’m a crier and HATE an unexpected raccoon eye).

Signature Lip Blush – I haven’t purchased this because the shades are all too dark and rich for me (again, I’m in the minority here and love a nude lip). I wish they’d come out with something similar to their blush that is super sheer, lightweight and applies like a lipstick in some effortlessly nude colorways (hello Merit!) but this is a no-go for me for now.

Let’s Talk Skin Types: Dry, Sensitive, and Beyond

Merit’s formulas are gentle, minimal, and fragrance-free, which makes them a strong choice if you’ve ever wondered “is merit makeup good for sensitive skin?” or dry skin. My skin is very sensitive, especially these days with my histamine issues, so I wanted something very gentle. I don’t have overly dry skin usually it’s more of combination, however in the winter it is certainly drier.

The complexion products glide on without clinging to dry patches, and the blush and bronzer melt into skin rather than sitting on top of it. Everything layers beautifully without feeling heavy. It’s very light but still enough coverage.

And then there’s the Great Skin Serum. This was not something I was looking to purchase or try, but since I got the large sample with my order I figured I would and I was really impressed with the instant boost of moisture. I’ll be trying the rest of their skincare soon, so stay tuned for an update.

I received a deluxe 8ml sample, and it alone is reason enough to try the brand. Lightweight, hydrating, and instantly smoothing, it makes makeup apply better and skin look healthier even on no-makeup days.

Is Merit Makeup Good Quality?

This is where Merit really stands out.

The quality is excellent, especially for everyday wear. The packaging feels substantial and timeless. The formulas perform beautifully without requiring touch-ups all day. And everything feels thoughtfully edited.

If you’re asking “is merit makeup good quality?” or “is merit makeup a good brand?”, the answer is yes, particularly if you value restraint, simplicity, and well-made essentials over endless options.

The Free Gifts Are Worth Talking About

Right now, Merit is offering one of the best first-order incentives I’ve seen.

Free Signature Makeup Bag with your first order
Free Merit Canvas Tote when you spend $125+
Plus generous deluxe samples

Both bags are incredibly well-designed, functional, and chic enough to actually use daily. These are not throwaway freebies. They feel like extensions of the brand, and honestly, they make trying Merit feel even more worthwhile. Always check first because I’ve seen a sweatshirt, baseball cap & more as “extra” freebies and promos they may throw in from time to time.