Advertisement

Merit's revamped Minimalist foundation stick is back in stock — and I tried it first

Merit Beauty's The Minimalist complexion stick is newly reformulated, and I tried it first.
Merit Beauty's The Minimalist complexion stick is newly reformulated, and I tried it first.

Yahoo Lifestyle Canada is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Merit Beauty first burst onto the beauty scene in January 2021, with a focus on simplifying your makeup routine — just look to their “five-minute morning” collection. The brand quickly became an online phenomenon, not only for its luxury products that look effortless on the skin, but for also being effortless in their application.

Of all the products in the line, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick became a bestseller — albeit one that came with some issues. Shoppers complained about defects in the packaging leading to the foundation stick breaking apart, and eventually the product was pulled as the brand went back to the drawing board.

Now, the multipurpose stick is back in stock, and it's better than ever. The newly relaunched version is available to shop today, and comes with nearly twice the amount of product for the same price.

Merit Beauty The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick. Image via Merit Beauty.
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick. Image via Merit Beauty.

$49 CAD/$38 USD at Merit Beauty$49 CAD/$38 USD at Sephora

Available in 20 “easy-to-match” inclusive shades, it seamlessly blends into the skin, replacing both foundation and concealer for a lightweight summer look.

The Minimalist includes a blend of vegan emollients that prevent water loss from the skin to help keep it moisturized. It's consistent with the brand's less is more formula, leaving the skin glowing, and offers light to medium coverage.

Given that customers have been anxiously anticipating its return, I decided to put the revamped Minimalist perfecting stick to the test.

First impressions

For someone with oily skin, I loved the lightweight formula that wasn't cakey or heavy. It literally glides on the skin like moisturizer and easily replaces your concealer or foundation for a light tint.

Usually, I find that cream-based formulas don't work well on oily skin tones, but this complexion stick sat on the skin for hours with a beautiful glow.

I also love that the range of shades work on my skin tone. I change my shades in summer because of my tan, and I was able to find a match with Amber: a deep tan shade with caramel undertones.

Merit The Minimalist. Image via Marriska Fernandes
Wearing Merit The Minimalist in Amber.

What others are saying

With a 4.5-star average rating, it's save to say that reviewers are loving this multipurpose complexion stick.

On the Merit site, one reviewer wrote: "The Minimalist is oh so handy. I can just run it across my face and call it a day...I love the finished result and its ability to conceal and correct my small little imperfections."

Another reviewer liked that the product covered redness, writing,"It’s perfect for me on days that I want my natural skin to shine and I need to just cover quick blemishes, my redness and my under eyes. Blends so easily and leaves your skin looking like skin!"

While some shoppers previously worried about the quantity of product included in the packaging, now that the brand has relaunched with a larger size, that might no longer be an issue.

"Great 2 in 1 product. Coverage is actually pretty good. It is buildable and light weight," reads one review. "I like the packaging, however I felt like the amount of product you get is little, compared to other brands. I would give it 5 stars if they increase the amount of the product!"

Final verdict

The Minimalist is simple, easy to use and a great travel piece that replaces concealer and foundation. The coverage is buildable and non-sticky, which is why I like it as a summer staple. Thanks to the relaunch, an added bonus is that with more formula, it will last for even longer.

Overall, I'm a fan of this product and would recommend this bestseller — especially with its newly improved packaging.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.