I went from having almost all powder blushes with one or two cream blushes, to now having almost nothing BUT cream blushes in my makeup bag. Cream blush formulations have come so far over the past few years and there are so many different textures and options now that there is definitely something for everyone. My skin used to be primarily combination so I was always hesitant to use cream blushes because I was worried that would be too creamy or get too shiny throughout the day. Now there are cream blushes for all skin types and they are almost exclusively what I use every single day in my makeup routine.
I’m in my mid 40’s now so my skin is much more dry and textured so I have found cream blushes to work the best and look the best on my skin. Cream blushes are incredibly easy to use and blend and can give the face a healthy flush without looking like you are wearing too much makeup. Merit Beauty Flush Balms have been on my radar for a long time and I finally got to test the formula and see how it compares to all the buzz surrounding them!
Merit Beauty Flush Balm Review
If you are unfamiliar with Merit Beauty, it’s a relatively newer brand to the market and is a focused on providing products that are easy to use and perfect for everyday wear. They call themselves a modern minimalist brand with products that are “impossible to mess up” and I definitely agree with that. Most of their formulations are user-friendly and moderately pigmented so you will get a very natural makeup look with them. Nothing is too dramatic and the shades they offer are all relatively neutral.
The Merit Beauty Flush Balms have become particularly popular because of their ease of use, chic packaging and lit-from-within finish that they give to the cheeks. I have definitely become a fan now that I’ve been using them for quite a while but I definitely feel they are best suited to the customer who wants a very sheer and natural look. I’ll share an in-depth review of them in this post, who they would be work for and whether I think they are worth adding to your makeup collection.
About the Merit Beauty Blush Balm
The Merit Beauty Blush Balm is a cream blush designed to give a tint to the cheeks and a “lit-from-within” finish to the skin. The texture is very emollient and balm-like so it melts into the skin. Microfine pigments provide a touch of color without covering up your natural skin texture. They claim it is a long-wearing buildable formula that leaves a gorgeous glow on the skin that’s never cakey or heavy. I agree with most of this but I don’t agree that it is a long wearing formula.
Because of it’s exceptionally creamy and balm-like nature, it does move around on the skin and slowly fades throughout the day. This is not a deal breaker for me because I love how it makes my cheeks look and I don’t often need my makeup to last 10-12 hours but it is worth mentioning if you need something to stay put for long periods of time, this may not be the best option for you. The way it makes my cheeks look and the color options are absolutely beautiful so I do reach for it quite often. And as my skin gets older, I prefer a creamy cheek color because it looks healthier and gives me a more fresh-faced look. Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of the formula and how it performs.
Shade Range
The Merit Flush Balm shades are absolutely stunning and there are 13 different options to choose from. From vibrant pops of color, to everyday neutral shades and then classic pink options for those who want a subtle flush. The range is quite inclusive in my opinion but since the shades are quite sheer, they could expand a bit more for those with deep dark skin tones.
Ingredients
This is primarily a makeup product and not necessarily a skincare/makeup hybrid but there are certain ingredients that do help to provide nourishment to the skin. One of the Merit Flush Balm ingredients in vitamin e which helps to condition the skin and is one of the reasons I love it for mature and dry skin types.
Pigment
While the description does state these blushes to be buildable, this really only applies to the shades that are more vibrant and rich in color. Some of the more subtle and paler blush shades are very sheer and won’t provide a ton of color payoff even if you apply it a few times. Also, it’s worth noting that due to the balm-like texture of the blush, it’s best to build up the color when the first application has fully dried down. If you apply it too soon after the first swipe, the color will just move around and not necessarily build up in richness. As someone who has very fair skin, I actually prefer the bolder and more vibrant blush shades because they give the most perfect amount of flush to my cheeks!
Longevity
These are not long wearing in my opinion and often wear off after 5-6 hours. As I shared earlier, this is not a deal breaker for me because I often only need my makeup to last that long but if you do, these may not be the best option for you. For a longer wearing cream blush option, read my Rhode Pocket Blush review and my review on the best cream blush for mature skin.
Texture
As the name implies, these are a balm so they are very emollient and creamy. They are easy to apply and blend out effortlessly.
Skin Type
The Merit Beauty Flush Balms are a dream for those with dry or mature skin types. They look absolutely beautiful. For those with oily or combination skin types, they may be a tad too dewy or creamy on the skin.
Price Point
Merit Beauty is a mid-range beauty brand with price points that are a bit higher than drugstore but still less than luxury brands. The Flush Balms are $30 for .31 oz.
Is Merit Beauty Worth It?
This really depends on what you want out of your makeup and how you want it to perform. All of Merit Beauty’s formulations are best for creating an easy everyday makeup look. All the shades offered are very neutral and subtle, and the focus is on enhancing your natural features while still allowing your skin to show through. They don’t do a ton of new launches and stick to a core group of products that you can use to create a polished makeup look. If this is something you are looking for then I definitely think you will LOVE the entire Merit Beauty line.
How To Apply Merit Flush Balm?
Apply directly to your cheeks
The rounded dome shape of the blush makes it perfect for applying directly to the cheeks.
Blend with fingers or a brush
I always prefer to blend my makeup with a brush but because this formula is so sheer and easy to work with, it does easily blend out using fingers.
Allow the blush to set
Because this is a creamy balm-like product, you need to wait until it has dried down a bit before you apply a second layer if you are trying to build up the color. If you apply product too quickly, it will simply move around on the cheeks instead of building up the color payoff.
Merit Flush Balm Swatches
I love all the shades of the Merit Beauty Flush Balm Cream Blush that I have though I find myself reaching for Rouge the most. It is the perfect pop of color for my cheeks that gives my face the most gorgeous flush. Here is a quick rundown of all the shades available and a description of each:
- Le Bonbon – bright pink
- Lusitano – soft peach
- Stockholm – baby pink
- Rouge – sheer red
- Postmodern – deep pink brown
- Bespoke – medium pink brown
- Terracotta – warm creme
- Fox – warm taupe
- Persimmon – soft orange red
- Archival – cool mauve
- Beverly Hills – soft peach pink
- Cheeky – cool pink
- Apres – soft berry
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