Hit the beauty scene with a bang: Merit unveiled its highly anticipated sunscreen - a product promising skin protection and rave-worthy results. But does it truly deliver on the hype?

Hit the beauty scene with a bang: Merit unveiled its highly anticipated sunscreen - a product promising skin protection and rave-worthy results. But does it truly deliver on the hype?

Swearing like a sailor, let me tell ya about this 💣 new SPF drop from Merit Beauty. Your makeup bag's already probably packed with one of the top facial sunscreens or the best foundation with SPF, but what if you could blend the two? Meet Merit's latest offering: The Uniform Tinted SPF.

After testing their entire product lineup for our red-hot ¹ Merit Beauty review, we couldn't wait to put their newest launch to the test to see if it's worth adding to your daily skincare routine.

The Real Scoop: Our Unfiltered Review of The Uniform Tinted SPF

This SPF, one of the year's biggest beauty launches, has been in the pipe-line for five years as Merit tried to perfect the formula. C'mon, the name gives it away - it's designed to become your everyday "uniform," offering sun protection while giving you a sheer, buildable coverage that'll keep your complexion looking fresh and glowy.

Price Tag: £34

This tinted mineral SPF promises broad-spectrum protection from nasties like UVA and UVB rays, all while its skin-first makeup formula delivers light-to-medium coverage. Gone are the days of the awful white cast - this baby comes in 15 sheer shades, each corresponding to one of the popular The Minimalist Complexion Stick shades, ensuring there's a perfect match for you. Plus, with its lightweight, soft-focus finish, it's comfy enough for everyday wear without going all greasy or cakey.

After receiving a 100% positive buzz from a third-party study, we couldn't resist getting our hands on it to see what the fuss was all about. Our entire team's been road-testing it for a few weeks, here are our raw opinions:

Fiona McKim, Beauty Channel Editor

She wouldn't swap her beloved lightweight foundation for this formula, but she's a big fan of wearing it on makeup-free days as an SPF. "I slather sunscreen on every blasted day (okay, maybe not in the depths of winter) and go makeup-free quite often. Swapping my regular SPF for this on 'naturally-groomed' days gave my complexion a little boost of evenness and radiance that was absolutely welcomed."

"Though it might look like a regular tinted moisturizer on your mug, the texture's a tad thicker, which makes sense since it's a high-factor sunscreen disguised all pretty-like. But it's not foundation - which I rock a few times a week when I'm all about that polished look."

Iona, Beauty eComm Editor

She cheers for the formula's lightweight feel, but suggests that its sheer coverage might not be the best complexion tint for those with oily skin, she says: "The Uniform's coverage is so light and sheer (which, you guessed it, is one of its selling points) that it didn't stick around on my oily T-zone. Merit clearly markets this as sunscreen, not foundation, so I'll admit that the comparison is kinda moot. But in case, like me, you were curious as to if it could serve as both in your routine, I'd say it's an excellent upgrade on one."

Aleesha Badkar, Beauty eCommerce Editor

As someone with fluctuating dark spots and pigmentation, she was stoked to try out this new launch, and she says: "I'm all about any kind of tinted skincare that promises light coverage without needing to, ya know, actually wear actual makeup. So let me spill the tea - I've been waiting with baited breath for this release. And I ain't gonna sugarcoat it, it (almost) lived up for me."

"On first application, I was like, "You had me at hello." Instantly. Pull out the forks. Buy me every spare bottle. Don't let anyone borrow it. I'M DONE. A silky, velvety texture that glides on with just the tips of your fingers, spreads well without pilling and doesn't require much product, it gave me a fresh, glowy and healthy-looking finish that was absolutely perfect for my 'au naturel' days."

"But hey, all good things must come to an end, unless we're talking about the one and only Demi Moore's 40-year strong good hair stint. And for me, that came in the form of slightly dry skin. In spite of my oily forehead revealing otherwise, I actually have remarkably dry skin on the lower part of my face, particularly around my mouth and chin, so wearing this alone didn't pack the moisture punch I'd been hoping for." To tackle the issue, Aleesha whipped out a few drops of Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinamide serum, she adds: "It's one I'll probably save for the hydration-happy seasons, as it's a reliable tint that, as you've gathered, definitely gets along well with others."

Naomi Jamieson, Digital Beauty Writer

She don't typically go for tinted sunscreens as she's never found a formula with the coverage she needs, but as for Merit's, she says: "This sunscreen is similarly lightweight, but its glowy finish and SPF50 protection more than make up for it."

For those who need more coverage, just like Naomi, she suggests: "I do have to pair it with a concealer, just to hide any pesky blemishes and my stubborn dark circles, but even still, the combo is lighter than my everyday makeup, yet leaving my skin looking fresh and radiant. It applies well too - it ain't runny nor too thick - and blends evenly with both fingers and a brush. I can see it being a great choice for the summer heat, when I want to protect my skin and keep my makeup ultra-light."

Sennen Prickett, Beauty eComm Writer

She found Merit's tinted SPF settled nicely on her complexion, helping even her tone and imparting a healthy glow, she says: "This formula offered sheer, lightweight coverage that minimized the appearance of my blemishes and pigmentation. Mind you, I did notice it settled in my smile lines when not set, but hey, you can't win 'em all."

"It's worth noting that it did pill on my complexion, so I'd recommend giving your skin a couple minutes to absorb your skincare products before applying the SPF, in hopes of avoiding this situation. However, I can see myself reaching for this on hot days and especially on holiday, when I'm not wanting to slap on a whole lotta makeup but still want a pick-me-up."

The Lowdown

While it ain't gonna replace your fave foundation, this lightweight formula's great for ensuring your complexion stays protected on casual or minimal makeup days. It's also an excellent base for layering other products for those who prefer fuller coverage.

Individuals with oily or combination skin types may find it useful to set the formula in place with a face powder, while those with dry skin would benefit from a heavily hydrated base for a flawless application. All in all, it's a solid addition for those looking for a lightweight, sheer SPF that evens out your complexion and promotes a radiant appearance.

References:

1. woman&home. (2022). Merit Beauty: The minimalist, multi-functional makeup brand to watch out for. Retrieved from https://www.womanandhome.com/reviews/beauty/merit-beauty-review-the-minimalist-multi-functional-makeup-brand-to-watch-out-for-463186/
2. InStyle. (2022). Merit Beauty The Uniform Tinted SPF 50: Moisturizing Sunscreen With Lightweight Coverage That Matches Your Skin Tone. Retrieved from https://www.instyle.com/beauty/merit-beauty-the-uniform-tinted-spf-50
3. Byrdie. (2022). Merit Beauty SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer Review: Our Honest Opinion. Retrieved from https://www.byrdie.com/merit-beauty-spf-50-tinted-moisturizer-review-8921522
4. PopSugar. (2022). We Tried Merit Beauty The Uniform Tinted SPF 50 and This Is What We Really Think. Retrieved from https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/Merit-Beauty-The-Uniform-Tinted-SPF-50-49962825
5. Elite Daily. (2022). Merit Beauty Drops SPF-Packed, Cruelty-Free Makeup And Skincare That's Good For All Skin Types. Retrieved from https://www.eledaily.com/life/beauty/merit-beauty-drops-cruelty-free-makeup-that-works-for-all-skin-types-15881519/
6. Marie Claire. (2022). Here's What Happens When You Use Acid Toners With SPF. Retrieved from https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/products/acid-toners-spf
7. Skincare.com. (2022). The Question Everyone's Asking About SPF: How Long Does It Actually Last After You Apply It? Retrieved from https://www.skincare.com/content/how-long-does-sunscreen-last
8. Allure. (2022). Can You Really Use Moisturizer Over SPF Cream? Retrieved from https://www.allure.com/story/can-you-use-moisturizer-over-spf-cream
9. Harper's Bazaar. (2022). Is It Better to Wear a Foundation or BB Cream With SPF? Retrieved from https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/g41791831/foundation-with-spf-bb-cream-with-spf/
10. Cosmopolitan. (2022). The One Safe Sunscreen Rule You Never Knew, According to Experts. Retrieved from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a38634800/sunscreen-application-safety-rule/
11. The Uniform Tinted SPF from Merit Beauty, a hybrid between sunscreen and makeup, is designed to be an everyday "uniform," offering sun protection with a sheer, buildable coverage for a fresh and glowy complexion.
12. For those seeking light coverage without heavy makeup, the Uniform Tinted SPF promises to deliver light-to-medium coverage while providing broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
13. The tinted mineral SPF comes in 15 sheer shades, each corresponding to one of the popular The Minimalist Complexion Stick shades, ensuring a perfect match for various skin tones.
14. Health and wellness, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle enthusiasts might find this new product a solid addition to their daily skincare routine as it promotes skin health while enhancing one's appearance.
15. According to the review, the Uniform Tinted SPF works well as a standalone sunscreen on "naturally-groomed" days, providing a boost of evenness and radiance to the complexion.
16. However, for those with oily skin, the sheer coverage might not be ideal, and for some individuals, particularly those with dry skin, additional hydration may be necessary to achieve a flawless application.

Read also: