Merit Terracotta Flush Balm Cream BlushMerit Terracotta Flush Balm Cream Blush ($ 28.00 for 0.31 oz.) Is light brown with warmer undertones and a glossy finish. It had a sheer to semi-transparent pigmentation that like was available in the market, applied evenly to my skin and spread out slightly around the edges for a soft, watercolor-like effect.
The formula didn’t dry out, so it stayed sleek and shiny throughout wearing, which made it shorter to wear (six hours), but had a flattering fade that didn’t slide around and only gradually faded over time. The consistency was very smooth with a lot of slippage, thinner but easy to apply on bare skin and on top of the foundation as it didn’t lift off base products or stain. It was six hours before it faded noticeably.
MORE READING: Formula overview for details on general performance and properties (such as fragrance).
- Fenty Beauty Fenty Glow (LE, $ 20.00) is more shimmery and lighter (95% similar).
- By Terry Tropical Sunset # 6 (LE,) is shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC Gingerly (P, $ 24.00) is darker, less shiny (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Nude Beach (P, $ 36.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Suntan (P, $ 36.00) is shimmery, lighter, and cooler (90% similar).
- Kosa’s Tropic Equinox (Blush) (PiP,) shimmers more (90% similar).
- MAC So Natural (LE, $ 30.00) is more shimmery and lighter (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Sunkissed (P, $ 36.00) is shimmery, lighter, and cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Meteor Rite (LE, $ 8.00) is darker and cooler (85% similar).
- Flower Beauty Cinnamon (P, $ 9.99) is darker, less shiny (85% similar).
Formula overview
$ 28.00 / 0.31 oz. – – $ 90.32 per ounce
The formula is said to result in a “transparent veil of color” with a “light, mild finish” that is “long-lasting”. It’s one of the most emollient textures I’ve come across in shades of cream these days! It looks like a solid, dome-shaped balm, but as soon as I touched it the texture had a high slip, making it feel almost oily. They provided the “transparent color veil” with a transparent to semi-transparent cover, which led to a more watercolor effect on the skin.
I was surprised – but in a good way – that it was applied well over the foundation and didn’t tend to raise my base products as often. Very smooth textures, in my experience, can interact more clearly when placed on top of other things. It also worked well over bare skin and didn’t “sink into” pores like some cream blushes did for me.
It didn’t dry out and remained mobile hours later, so the shorter wearing time (six to seven hours) was no surprise. The product was not sticky to the touch, but consistently pliable. I have more “normal” skin on my actual cheek area where I tested this formula (I’m drier near my nose and on my nose).
Browse all of our Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush swatches.
ingredients
Octyldodecanol, hydrogenated polyisobutene, hydrogenated poly (C6-14-olefin), polyethylene, silicon dioxide, diisostearyl malate, synthetic fluorophlogopite, synthetic wax, sorbitan isostearate, Cera Microcristallina (microcrystalline wax, Cire microcrystalline), BHT, CI 77891 (titanium dioxide), CI 77491 / 77492/77499 (iron oxides), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are available from the brand (or dealer) at the time of publication. Please always check the product packaging, if any, on the ingredients list for the product you are purchasing or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date list of ingredients.
