• The Minimalist
MeritBestseller

The Minimalist

"Foundation and concealer in one stick, for people who hate both."

Our take
$38 Price at Merit, checked Oct 2026.
The short answer

MERIT's The Minimalist is a lightweight, buildable complexion stick that replaces foundation and concealer. It's for people who want skin that looks like skin, just more even. At $38, it does two jobs, which makes the price easier to justify.

Shop at Merit

We may earn a commission when you buy through this link. It never changes our take.

  • Picked, never paid for
What it is

A lightweight, buildable complexion stick that replaces foundation and concealer. It visibly blurs imperfections and evens skin tone for natural-looking coverage. MERIT says it's transfer, sweat and humidity-resistant.

  • Key ingredient: sea daffodil extract, plus conditioning fatty acids
  • Buildable, natural skin-like finish
  • Oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic
  • Wide shade range with a 30-day shade match promise
How to use
Swipe where you need coverage, or all over, then blend with fingertips or a brush. Use a shade lighter under the eyes to brighten.

Our Take

Why it made the edit.

Why we love it
You can spot conceal or go all over, and it stays natural. It's oil-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, and MERIT says it resists transfer, sweat and humidity.
Skip it if
You want full, flawless, camera-ready coverage.
The catch
Shade matching a stick online is tricky, though MERIT offers a 30-day shade match promise. Very dry skin needs good prep.

Keep scrolling

More for makeup.

MakeWaves® Mascara Shop at Tower 28 ↗
Tower 28

MakeWaves® Mascara

"Volume and length for eyes that water if you look at them wrong."

$20
SunnyDays™ Tinted SPF 30 Shop at Tower 28 ↗
Tower 28

SunnyDays™ Tinted SPF 30

"Sunscreen and foundation in one step. Your morning just got shorter."

$32
BeachPlease Cream Blush Shop at Tower 28 ↗
Tower 28

BeachPlease Cream Blush

"The cream blush that made sensitive-skin people stop being scared of cream blush."

$20
Swipe Serum Concealer® Shop at Tower 28 ↗
Tower 28

Swipe Serum Concealer®

"Concealer that acts like a serum and does not cling to dry patches. Under-eyes, rejoice."

$24
Mini Glowy Super™ Gel Shop at Saie ↗
Saie

Mini Glowy Super™ Gel

"The cult glow gel, shrunk to fit your micro bag and your commitment issues."

$18
Sun Melt Shop at Saie ↗
Saie

Sun Melt

"Cream bronzer that looks like a long weekend, not a contour tutorial."

$34
Mascara 101™ Shop at Saie ↗
Saie

Mascara 101™

"No-nonsense mascara that does mascara things, cleanly."

$26