NEED TO KNOW:
- Merit’s Black Friday ‘The Sale’ launches Monday, November 24 with 20 per cent off sitewide
- The Sets, curated collections of products, are already discounted
- Use this as your shopping cheat-sheet to get ahead of the sales rush (and beat everyone else to checkout).
Since working in women’s lifestyle journalism over the last decade, I’ve tried probably close to 30 different foundations and 50 blushes. And two of my favourites in those categories are by minimalist beauty brand Merit, which is about to launch its Black Friday sale.
The sale kicks off on Monday, November 24, with the brand offering 20 per cent off sitewide, and an extra 30 per cent off select shades and an extra 20 per cent off select sets. Some buys will also qualify for a free gift with purchase.
But back to my favourites from the brand that should all be on sale. First is The Uniform, a tinted mineral sunscreen that looks and feels like second (more flawless) skin, and always gets me compliments. I have it in shade 20. Then there’s the Flush Balm, a blush I swipe straight onto my cheeks and nose for, exactly what it’s called, a natural flush. Even though I’ve used it almost daily for a year, I’m sure it’ll last me another, maybe even longer.
Ahead of Merit’s sale, it’s good to start prepping your wishlist. So, below, I’m sharing pricing details for those two favourites from the range, plus a few of the brand’s best-sellers. Scroll down for ideas on what to shop.
Read: Editor-Approved: 92 Of The Best Black Friday Deals To Shop—From Fashion To Home
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Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45
The Uniform
Tined mineral sunscreen, The Uniform, launched in May 2025. It uses a 100% natural ultra-fine zinc oxide SPF 45, but with its tint, also delivers a blurred look to the skin. I usually put a pump of foundation on each cheek and one on my forehead, and that’s enough for my whole face. As I said, I often get compliments on my skin when I wear it. I have light tan skin and wear shade 20. Also worth noting: I still wear a non-tinted face sunscreen underneath for extra sun protection.
Cheek Colour
Flush Balm
What I like most about the Flush Balm is that it’s hard to mess up. It’s buildable, so even though I’m applying directly to my cheeks, I can easily control how much goes onto them. The blush comes in categories: The Pops, The Neutrals and The Classic Pinks. I have it in shade Stockholm, a baby pink, part of The Pops category.
Perfecting Complexion Stick
The Minimalist
I’ve used The Minimalist as foundation, about five swipes across my face is enough, but also as a concealer, just to disguise the bags under my eyes and any blemishes. You can blend it into your skin with your fingers, or with Brush No. 1. It comes in 30 shades and if you aren’t sure of your shade, you can plug what you use from other brands in Merit’s Shade Finder, and it’ll match you.
Blending Brush
Brush No. 1
Brush No. 1 was made to be used with The Minimalist, but I’ve used it many other products in my makeup bag. It’s got densely packed, soft bristles so blending’s easy and gentle on your skin. Reading through the reviews online, the recurring comment is that the brush keeps its shape and is the perfect size to fit in a small makeup bag or pouch.
Instant Glow Serum
Great Skin Serum (full-size)
The Great Skin Serum has niacinamide to smooth and brighten skin tone, cacao seed extract which is rich in caffeine so can help stimulate blood flow and Japanese goldthread root that has ancient soothing properties. I shake it a few times before using and then follow with the Great Skin Moisturizer and The Uniform. The serum comes in full size (50ml) and mini size (15ml).
L’Extrait de Parfum
Retrospect
I haven’t tried Merit’s Retrospect scent yet, but I’ve heard great things. Developed in Paris, it’s made with jasmine, pear and musk, and is highly-concentrated so said to last 12 hours. The fragrance is housed in a glass bottle with an indent, designed to sit in the palm of your hand. It comes in full size (30ml) and travel size (9.5ml).
Merit’s Black Friday ‘The Sale’ launches Monday, November 24 with 20 per cent off everything. If you sign up to Merit’s newsletter, you’ll get access from Saturday, November 22. It’s likely to finish around Cyber Monday, which is Monday, December 1.
Merit’s bestsellers include The Minimalist, a perfecting complexion stick, Flush Balm, a cheek colour, and The Uniform, a tinted mineral sunscreen with SPF 45. For best value, buy a ‘set’, a collection of curated products. Sets include The Intro Set, with top-rated essentials, The Prep Set, for skin and complexion, and The Great Skin Trio, with skincare eseentials.
Unfortunately, Merit isn’t available in-store in Australia – you can only buy from its online store. Shipping is free to Australia if your order is over $75AUD. If it’s under that amount, shipping is $20. In the US, you can shop Merit directly, but also at Sephora online and in-stores.
Merit has a Shade Finder where you can plug in what foundation shade you use from other popular beauty brands, and they’ll match you with the right shade among their range.
No, unfortunately Merit doesn’t have any stockists in Australia. It is available at Sephora in the US though.
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