Merit Flush Balm Cream Blushes ($28.00, five shades) is supposed to give a “transparent veil of color” with a “light, balmy finish” that is “long-lasting.” It’s one of the more emollient consistencies I’ve come across in cream blushes these days! It looks like a solid, dome-shaped balm, but as soon as I touched it, the texture had high slip and felt almost oily as a result. They delivered on the “transparent veil of color” with sheer to semi-sheer coverage that blended out to a more watercolored-effect on skin.

I was surprised–but in a good way–to find that it applied well over foundation and didn’t seem prone to lifting up my base products as often, very emollient textures can interact more noticeably when layered over other things in my experience. It worked well over bare skin, too, and didn’t “sink” into pores like some cream blushes have for me.

It didn’t dry down and remained movable hours later, so the shorter-wear time (six to seven hours) wasn’t a surprise. The product didn’t feel tacky, just emollient throughout; 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).

01.

01. Terracotta Merit

Merit

PPermanent. $28.00/0.31 oz.

B+

Merit Terracotta Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light brown with warmer undertones and a glossy finish. It had sheer to semi-sheer...

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Merit Terracotta Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light brown with warmer undertones and a glossy finish. It had sheer to semi-sheer...

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02.

02. Beverly Hills Merit

Merit

PPermanent. $28.00/0.31 oz.

B+

Merit Beverly Hills Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, pinky-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had a...

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Merit Beverly Hills Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, pinky-coral with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy finish. It had a...

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03.

03. Cheeky Merit

Merit

PPermanent. $28.00/0.31 oz.

B+

Merit Cheeky Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, medium plum with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy finish. It had sheer...

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Merit Cheeky Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a soft, medium plum with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy finish. It had sheer...

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04.

04. Raspberry Beret Merit

Merit

PPermanent. $28.00/0.31 oz.

B+

Merit Raspberry Beret Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium-dark berry with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy finish. It had...

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Merit Raspberry Beret Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium-dark berry with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy finish. It had...

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05.

05. Mood Merit

Merit

PPermanent. $28.00/0.31 oz.

B+

Merit Mood Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy finish. It never fully dried...

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Merit Mood Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a glossy finish. It never fully dried...

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Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush  

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush  

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush  

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush