Sometimes, it is easier to wear makeup that is simple to use, and hard to mess up! One of my favorite, no-nonsense, easy to use, brands is Gucci Westman’s Westman Atelier Makeup. Above all, I love the products that come in stick-form. One, the sticks are easy to use. And, two, they are easily transportable. Even more, the brand is clean, sustainable makeup. Although, in Gucci’s case, the clean makeup is very expensive. Another clean, sustainable and easy to use brand, new this year, is Merit Makeup. Both brands feel that less makeup is more. Furthermore, Merit Beauty is easy to figure out, as there are only seven products , six are makeup, and one is a makeup brush!
LIke I said, makeup sticks are a favorite of mine. Therefore, I purchased all three sticks in the Merit Collection. First, is the MInimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick. Also,this stick is a makeup hybrid. As a result, it is somewhere between a foundation and a concealer. Next, is the Merit Blush Balm. And, the last stick,is the Day Glow HIghlighter Balm.
You can find the entire Merit Beauty Collection at Sephora and on the Merit Beauty Website. Also, the MInimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick (0.13 oz. / 3.7g) costs $38. And,the Blush Balm ( 0.31 oz. / 9g) costs $28. Last, the Day Glow HIghlighting Balm ( 0.14 0z. /4g) costs $30.
The Packaging For The Merit Makeup Sticks
To start with, the Merit Makeup Sticks outer packaging is recyclable,reusable,or compostable. Also, the tubes are 43% recyclable plastic. And,the solid tube sticks twist up and down for easy application. Another feature , the products are shaped according to where they go on the face. In this way, you can apply them directly from the stick. For example, the blush stick is short and squat. And, the blush is a squat dome shape. As a result, it fits your cheeks.
Then, the highlighter is a taller, thinner stick. And the highlighter is also dome shaped. Therefore, it is easy to apply to the highlighter to your cheekbones, the center of your nose, and your brow bones. Finally, the thinner foundation/concealer stick has the thinnest dome on top. In this way it is easy to apply under your eyes, as a concealer. Also, even though you can apply it all over your face, you are really supposed to spot apply the stick where you need it.
Finally, the sticks are travel-worthy. Therefore, you can throw them in your bag, and apply them wherever and whenever you want a quick fix.
To begin with, the Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, a foundation/concealer hybrid, has a smooth, creamy texture. Therefore, it blends and layers easily. And, the lightweight formula has a second-skin finish. Also, the breathable formula gives you a light to medium coverage.
Even more, the long-wearing formula includes Sea Daffodil Extract to help diminish the look of darks spots and pigmentation. Finally, fatty acids condition your skin and lock moisture in.
Shades
First, there are 20 Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Sticks in the Merit Makeup Collection. Also,the shade range starts with Fair, in cool, warm, or neutral undertones. Then, Light has warm, neutral, cool or peach undertones. Medium has yellow, neutral or peach undertones. Next, Medium Tan has golden undertones. Tan has neutral undertones. Deep tan has caramel, red or peach undertones. Last, Deep has neutral, yellow, red,or cool undertones.
Merit Makeup Blush Balm
Formula
To start,the cream blush gives you the look of a light stain. It melts right into your skin. Also, the flexible balm gives your skin a creamy, transparent veil of color. In other words, your skin will show through.
First, the formula includes Microfine pigment powders. Even more, the pigment powders deposit a touch of color, without covering up natural skin texture. And, the blush balm formula has a light, balmy finish. As a result, the finish leaves a long-lasting glow that’s never cakey. In addition, this is a low weight emollient. As a result, it won’t clog your pores. Last, the formula includes Vitamin E to condition your skin skin.
Shades
The Blush Balm comes in five shades. First, Terracotta, a warm cream shade, has a sheer glowing finish. Also, this terracotta shade is for fair, light and medium skin tones. Next, the following three Blush Balms, Beverly HIlls, Cheeky and Raspberry, can be worn for anyone who wants a natural flush of color. To begin with, Beverly Hills, a soft peach shade, has a sheer, glowing finish. Next, Cheeky, a cool pink shade, has a sheer glowing finish.
Then, Raspberry Beret, a deep berry shade, has a sheer glowing finish. Finally,shade number five, mood, a soft burgundy shade, has a sheer, glowing finish. In addition, Mood is for medium to deep skin tones.
Merit Makeup Day Glow Highlighting Balm
Formula
First, this is a highlighter you would use during the day. Additionally, there is no sparkle in the ingredients. Instead, you will get a balmy, dewy sheen. In other words, the highlighting balm will give you a natural-looking glow.
Even more, the formula includes a base that is vitamin-rich. As a result, it works to replenish moisture. And,it will give you a long-lasting dewy glow. Also included in the formula is squalane. This squalane is plant based. It works to lock hydration in. And, it works to condition the skin. Evenmore, it supports the skin’s elasticity. More, included in the formula, Olive Fruit Oil, nourishes your skin with monounsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E, an antioxidant.
Last, Phytosterol and amino acids blend to minimize moisture loss. Additionally, they promote a healthy skin barrier function.
Shades
Finally, the Day Glow Highlighting Balm comes in two shades.
First, Cava, a champagne shade,has a natural glowing finish. Second, Bounce, a rose gold shade, has a natural glowing finish.
My Final Thoughts ON The Merit Makeup Sticks……..
To begin with, I wouldn’t wear these sticks if I was going out to dinner. Also, these are a no no if you are going to a party! New Years Eve, forget it! Instead, I would probably slide some of the sticks on if I was in a big hurry to go to the supermarket.
One reason is, these sticks are so sheer, it is as if you are wearing nothing at all. In fact, I wouldn’t consider this makeup! Maybe, this could be considered a hybrid makeup/skincare, gloss with a very barely there hint of color. Most of all, I love color. Therefore, the Gucci Westman Atelier makeup line has a lot more color than the Merit Makeup.
Too Carried AWAY
I think some brands are getting way too carried away with clean beauty, and they forgot about pigments! Some days it is nice to throw a little shine,a dewy glow, on. But,that is not how I want to walk around. Maybe if I were younger. LIke, a pre-teen, or teenager, who has not yet worn makeup. But, and there is a big B in but, this really isn’t what makeup is all about. Furthermore, it is a different category all together! Maybe it is just not fair to pit this “less is more” concept against makeup. My question here is, more what? Dewy, glossy, glow?
Don’t Try To Copy The Best!
Finally, don’t even try to copy the best of the best. In other words, Gucci Westman’s line Westman Atelier, is luxury makeup. Yes, it is clean makeup. However, they included the pigments when they made that formula. Also, it isn’t as glossy as Merit. However, it costs about twice the money. Again, But- with a Big B-, it is worth it. Did you ever hear the expression “you get what you pay for?”
xoxo
One last thought, “everything in moderation” Don’t get too carried away with this concept, “makeup, no makeup, less is better, less is more”! IN other words, don’t carry this concept to the extreme. In fact, this is just another fad. It’s just like everything else in the makeup world. Please let me know if I got too carried away. I just think it is a waste to buy products that barely do anything for you. Makeup enhances your beauty. And, it covers up your flaws. What does less is more have to do with it. Now, less is more if you are not into makeup, and are too lazy to put it on. I would really love to hear from you in the comments below!!!!
Sookie and Sylvie reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We created our mother and daughter in law partnership because we MUDDLE THROUGH really well together (highly unusual for a mother-dogter relationship), we share many interests and love the same things. read more