I’ll just go ahead and say it: blush is the most underrated beauty product. It makes all the difference in a standard makeup routine, and a little goes a long way. So, when I learned that Merit Beauty dropped four new shades of its fan-fave 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, eyeshadow, and lip balm.
When Merit Blush Balm first dropped 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 debuted an additional four hues in January 2023. 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. I hadn’t tried any of the original four shades, but was particularly excited to try the new ones since they’re supposed to be warmer (and better for medium skin tones like mine). The waxy, balm-like texture is also said to impart a dewy, effortless flush—you can thank nourishing vitamin E in the formula for that—whereas the cream and powder blushes in my current rotation tend to leave a matte or shimmery finish, which I like but sometimes I just 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 Bieber’s makeup artist, Leah Darcy, confirmed in a press release shared by the brand.
After applying my concealer and foundation, I swiped on the blush and was left with a naturally flushed look that made my skin look more alive. The formula glides on smooth and needs just a few gentle finger taps to blend in. All the colors looked good on my medium skin with cool undertones, but the persimmon was my favorite because it was the warmest. (I like my blush to be a bit peachy for adding color to my face.) I also appreciated that the formulas were 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 color.
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 color with a sponge or a brush. The staying power is pretty solid too, though its compact size means I can throw it in any bag for necessary touch-ups throughout the day.
Merit Flush Balm Blush Cream in Stockholm and Persimmon
Courtesy of Andrea Navarro
Courtesy of Andrea Navarro
Merit Flush Balm Blush Cream in Fox and Apres
Courtesy of Andrea Navarro
Courtesy of Andrea Navarro
As I mentioned earlier, some people like to apply Flush Balm onto their eyelids and lips as well, but I prefer to just use it on my cheeks and nose. I like how natural-looking the results are with this formula; I haven’t been able to give my complexion the same warmth with the products currently in my arsenal (think Milani and Nars powders and Rare Beauty cream blushes). I’ve also spent $40 on blush before so the $28 price tag here feels reasonable to me—especially considering it’s multitasking abilities. Final thoughts? Whether you opt for one of the coolsy blues or the warm peach tones, you’ll probably love Flush Balm as much as I do.
