The Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush Is As Good As TikTok Says (We Tried It)

Blush is the most underrated beauty product. So, when I learned that Merit Beauty dropped four new shades of its fan-fave Merit Flush Balm cream blush, I knew I had to try them. This blush formula has been on my radar for a while thanks to all the rave reviews it's racked up—not to mention hundreds of TikTok creators who've shown the product's versatility as a blush, an eye shadow, and a lip balm.

When Merit Flush Balm first dropped stateside, in 2021, the product came in just four buildable shades — Terracotta, Beverly Hills, Cheeky, and Mood. Hoping to offer more variety for different skin tones (while still staying true to the brand's pared-back beauty aesthetic), the brand has just debuted an additional four hues. Say hello to Stockholm (a bubble pink), Fox (a warm taupe), Persimmon (a soft orange-red), and Apres (a moody berry). 

Housed in a chic gold tub, the blush is meant to be swiped directly onto your cheeks and/or the tip of your nose. And the new shades are supposed to be warmer (and better for medium skin tones). The waxy, balmlike texture is also said to impart a dewy, effortless flush — you can thank nourishing vitamin E in the formula for that — whereas most cream and powder blushes tend to leave a matte or shimmery finish, so this is ideal if you want something more natural-looking. 

The cherry on top of it all is that Hailey Bieber uses Merit's Flush Balm to get her sunkissed glow, which her makeup artist, Leah Darcy, confirmed in a press release shared by the brand.

Once swiped on, the blush leaves a naturally flushed look that makes skin look more alive. The formula glides on smooth and needs just a few gentle finger taps to blend in. All the colours look good on medium skin with cool undertones, but Persimmon is the warmest, with a bit of peachiness. The formulas are pigmented enough to stand out on their own but could just as easily work as bases for a powder blush for an extra pop of colour.

In terms of application, it doesn't get easier than Flush Balm: You can use your fingers to blend the product in or diffuse the colour with a sponge or a brush. The staying power is pretty solid too, though its compact size means you can throw it in any bag for necessary touch-ups throughout the day. 

Merit Flush Balm Blush Cream in Stockholm and Persimmon

Merit Flush Balm Blush Cream in Fox and Apres

As for TikTok's verdict, it's got the internet's seal of approval

This feature originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.

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