I Tried Merit Beauty's Newly Launched Primer & It's a Game-Changer for My No-Makeup, Makeup Routine

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Although I love writing about beauty products, I don’t always enjoy using them. For instance, I wouldn’t say I like wearing makeup. Maybe it’s because I wore stage makeup growing up when I was on a dance team — or perhaps it’s because I came of age during the era of YouTube tutorials and “baking” and felt like I spent my college years wearing cakey makeup *shudders in horror*. Either way, it’s my least favorite part about getting ready. When I have to wear makeup, I typically opt for the most minimal amount possible that still offers coverage — which is where Merit Beauty comes in. 

If you know Merit, you know they’re the minimalist makeup brand. With only a certain number of products, the company prides itself on creating a simple, streamlined routine that’s easy for all women. They’re loved by plenty of celebrities, including Nicole Richie, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, and many others. And no matter if you’re like me, who enjoys wearing a limited amount of makeup or loves to pile it on — there’s something for everyone: especially their latest addition, the Great Skin Moisturizer. 

The new priming moisturizer is the brand’s second step into skincare after releasing the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum two years ago. The latest skincare product aims to simplify your beauty routine even further. It’s a moisturizer and a primer that preps skin for makeup, helps to calm the skin’s barrier, and provides hydration throughout the day. It’s made with the brand’s exclusive Great Skin™ Complex that’s formulated with peptides, spermidine – an organic compound that helps to slow down the signs of aging and cell damage, and barrier polysaccharides – that are also organic compounds that maintain skin’s hydration and help to retain water. Pretty much all the good things to help skin look younger. It also has oat extract, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. 

I’ve been testing the Great Skin Moisturizer for two weeks now, and I have to say it definitely lived up to my expectations and the quality of Merit’s other products. It has a lightweight feel that gives my skin a soft and subtle glow. I think it works well as both a primer and moisturizer but is better as just a moisturizer. 

It’s recommended to use after applying the Great Skin serum and says to “follow immediately with your next step — sunscreen or makeup — before the moisturizer dries down.” My skin can be pretty dry at times, so it soaked up the moisturizer, which is terrific, but there was little time left to apply anything else. However, when I did use a little concealer, my makeup looked skin-like. It blended so perfectly that you couldn’t tell where my skin ended and the makeup began, which is exactly what I want when I do a no-makeup makeup look. If you ask me, it’s made for just that. Since there isn’t much time between application and when it dries down, you really can’t do a full face of makeup. Instead, it’s for the days when you just want to do a light touch for a natural look. 

Merit’s new Great Skin Moisturizer officially launched today and is available for $38 on MeritBeauty.com and Sephora.com.

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