There is a certain kind of lip product that makes you forget you are wearing anything at all. The Merit Signature Lip Blush is one of them.
I have been testing more from Merit lately, and this latest lip launch landed on my desk right when I needed something easy for spring mornings. It is a lightweight matte lipstick priced at $28 each, available at Sephora and directly from Merit. The promise is simple: a sheer minimalist color with a blurred matte finish that still feels balmy.
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They first launched Archival over the holiday season in a set, then added seven more shades recently. I tried two of them — Andie, which is the prettiest baby pink, and Vendome, a beautiful beige tan. Both feel like everyday colors. I still really like Archival too: a pretty mauve that is cool-toned without ever tipping into blue.
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I paired each lip look with the Merit Flush Balm Cream in Le BonBon. For the full face: It Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm in Medium Neutral 305, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Prada Eyeshadow Palette in 08, Sarah Creal Eyes Up Eyeliner in Jet Black, Maybelline Lash Sensational Body mascara in Blackest Black. Nails were painted in OPI Stunn n Done.
What Works
The formula is genuinely comfortable. It glides on with that balmy softness and never tightens or flakes. I also appreciate that it does not dry out my lips — a detail that matters more than you would think when you wear matte color all day.
You can swipe and layer for more coverage, though the result stays on the sheer side even after building. Think of it almost like a blotted lip stain, only lighter.
The Trade-offs
If you want rich pigment payoff or long wear time, this is not the lipstick for you. The shades I tried pull very sheer regardless of how many layers I add. Lasting power was modest for me — though I did not test them over a lip liner, and that might help.
I suspect the balmy nature is what keeps comfort high but longevity lower. It was not a deal breaker for me, but if you need something that survives an entire workday with only one or two touch-ups, keep this in mind.
Verdict
For a matte lip I usually prefer more coverage. But the colors are lovely and the formula is so easy to wear that I find myself reaching for it anyway. It reads intentional without trying too hard — exactly the kind of no-fuss beauty product that fits into a regular rotation.
The Merit Signature Lip Blush is available now at Sephora and the Merit website. Shop at Sephora or Read the original review.
A note from Lena: I used to buy lipstick by shade name alone. Now I test for how it feels on my lips first — because a color is only as good as its comfort level during hour four of wearing it.