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I was not a big makeup wearer in a pre-pandemic world, and now, I can probably count on one hand how many times I've worn it in the last 10 months. I'm a big fan of skin care, and when I do wear makeup, it's very minimal. My one go-to is concealer, because I like to cover up any spots or darkness, but I've never found a great base product I really love. Most tinted moisturisers feel too thick, and so many foundations leave my skin looking either cracked and flaky or greasy and slick, when what I'm going for is dewy and natural. I had yet to find an option that actually gave me the "your skin but better" look, until I tried the new Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick ($38).
It's not technically foundation or concealer, but this product really does it all. I either use it as a spot treatment or swipe it all over my face, and then blend with the corresponding Brush No.1 ($30). The only way I can describe it is that it's everything I've been looking for in a makeup product. It blends like a dream, I can use it with one hand, and the results actually look like my skin. The product was formulated in partnership with esthetician Biba de Souza, who is known for working with acne-prone skin, and I can report that unlike most base products, it has not clogged my pores. The coverage is light to medium and buildable, which is perfect for me. You might just catch me wearing makeup more often.