There’s no shortage of treatments and in-office procedures out there that promise to make your lips look the best they possibly can, whether your concern is loss of volume, lip lines or an absence of youthful color. And while the newly launched Signature Lip Blush by Merit is far from a permanent solution for all your lip woes, it’s definitely the most flattering product I’ve ever applied to my lips and vastly different from any other product I’ve tried.
Not to be confused with lip blushing — a cosmetic tattoo that can enhance the color and shape of the lips — lip blushes are very much temporary, but can still offer all the same level of enhancement. Not quite a lipstick, closer to a lip stain, but not at all like a balm, Merit’s creation has a soft matte and velvet-like finish that “blurs” lips to give the impression of a just-bitten, freshly blotted, my-color-but-better look. Lines appear softened and less noticeable and the vermillion border of the lips looks less defined to give the impression of a fuller pout. I have crooked lips, so I can use the Merit lip blush to help buff out the smaller side to look larger and more even with the other side of my lip.
A Merit reviewer described it best when they said that it gives a pop of color that looks “lived in.” And unlike typical lipsticks or even tinted balms that tend to move and slip, lip blushes stay in place, wear evenly throughout the day and imperceptibly fade for a very low-maintenance wear. When I’m wearing the Merit lip blush, I’m never paranoid that it’s smudged onto my lower chin or faded awkwardly after a meal.
Before you run for the hills at the words “matte finish,” the Signature Lip Blush is nothing like the matte lipsticks of the 2010s that would dry out your lips and exaggerate every line and flaking patch of your lips. This extremely lightweight formula applies like silk and dries down to almost feel like nothing, while also feeling shockingly nourishing.
“At 64, my ‘mature skin’ needs all the moisture it can get, especially my lips. This matte formulation enhances my lip shape without exaggerating lines,” one Merit shopper said.
She also claims that the wear contintues to feel comfortable and hydrating throughout the day, which I also agree with.
According to the brand, the formula contains “gel-wrapped pigments,” which is the reason it feels unconventionally silky and smooth on the lips, while a sesame-based active boosts hydration.
In terms of color payoff, don’t expect a super opaque smear of color. Available in eight shades, the Signature Lip blush is intended to be much more wearable than the high drama of its distant lipstick cousin. It goes on pretty sheer at first, but is very buildable and much more obvious after a few more swipes of color.
My favorite shade is Kitten Heel, which has a coral orange hue, and September, a very wearable brick-red color. I even like layering a more neutral shade first (Gamay), blurring it above the border of my lip to create a shadow, then applying Kitten Heel over the top to make my lips appear even more plump.
Experience this hybrid lip product for yourself or, ahead, hear from others who are just as in love with the Merit Signature Lip Blush as I am.
Promising Merit reviews:
“This was not what I was expecting, but in the best possible way!! This new lip blush glides on so smoothly, feels incredibly lightweight, and gives the prettiest sheer matte finish while staying hydrating all day. It’s sheer but buildable and lasts beautifully. It’s honestly stunning and so amazing. I think I just found a new favorite.” — Athziry G.
“At 64, my ‘mature skin’ needs all the moisture it can get, especially my lips. This matte formulation enhances my lip shape without exaggerating lines. One swipe glides softly across the lips delivering a consistently rich color payoff with a velvety texture that feels modern, not stiff. The Framboise shade is a natural muted raspberry tone which brightens my face that does not deliver the drama that traditional matte lipsticks can, which is a perfect choice for everyday wear. From the moment you uncap it, this matte lip blush feels sophisticated and clean. It remains in place, comfortable and hydratingly smooth throughout the day, lasting a good 6-7 hours without signs of smudging or fading. It also pairs well with the Merit lip liner or lip oil to elevate and transform to a more dimensional look. If you are looking for polished lips that last and deliver a timeless look, this is a must have addition to your makeup routine. Signature Lip Blush is the one you will reach for more than you think!” — Jackie R.
“This is a great hybrid between a full matte lipstick and a tinted lip balm. Super moisturizing — even with my dry winter lips this went on smooth and didn’t crack or dry out my lips more. Wears really evenly throughout the day so even if you don’t touch it up it just fades naturally. Beautiful packaging that feels highly quality. I will definitely try out more colors!” — Rae D.
“This new signature lip blush is EVERYTHING! It goes on like butter, feels super nourishing, and it dries matte but isn’t cakey or crackly like some mattes tend to be. I chose the shade Bespoke as I have the signature lip liner and flush balm in the same shade and the combo of all three is just WOW! Bespoke is a gorgeous earthy mauve and just the right shade to give my fair skin some color but still look natural and lived in. I would highly recommend this product! GET IT—you won’t be disappointed!” — Kelsye C.
The author received complimentary items to test for the purposes of this story. Prices and availability are subject to change.
If you want to see other lip blushes that we have previously covered, take a look at the collection of options below:
A blurring "lip velvet" that's a viral seller on Amazon
Over 41,500 Amazon customers have rated the Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint, possibly one of the most popular lip formulas of this kind and the most pigmented. Available in an astounding array of shades, this has a creamy mousse texture, a velvet finish that smooths the look of lip lines and feels silky soft on the lips, according to reviewers.
"[It's] one of the only lip products that actually stays on my lips without feeling crusty or dry. It won't smudge as long and you apply and blot away any excess. The color is accurate to the pictures and the product applies unbelievably soft," one Amazon shopper describes in a review.
This soft matte lip blush is also formulated with ingredients like jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and marine collagen — all reliable hydrators that will keep lips feeling soft and nourished and never crusty like most matte lip products.
A Korean lip pudding that doubles as a blush
I personally heard of the Korean beauty brand Fwee solely through this unique lip and cheek product with a delightful pudding texture. The soft and bouncy formula promises a buildable application and a finish that is soft, blurred and blends seamlessly onto your lips using the included squishy-tipped applicator. Available in 21 colors, this dreamy product promises to be the perfect halfway point between a cream and a blush and has some Fwee users claiming it's the best lip color they have used.
A HuffPost editor-loved Bisou Balm
“I’ve honestly stopped buying any other lipsticks since I found Bisou Balm," said Aiken in a previous story about this sheer matte lipstick that got the attention of many readers. "My lips are asymmetrical and most lipsticks just draw attention to that, but this stuff has a blurring effect that mattifies the texture and makes it look almost like you’ve been airbrushed, erasing any need for precision when applying it (which is great, because I’m rarely even looking in a mirror when I put it on)."
Aiken did say that the lipstick isn't actually very hydrating, so take the "balm" title with a grain of salt, but its buildable coverage and blurring effect make it so easy for even a casual lipstick wearer to enjoy using. The lipstick comes in nine shades.
A newly launched lightweight lip blush from Merit
Fresh onto the lip blush scene is Merit's brand new Signature Lip, an extremely lightweight lip blush that provides a sheer, yet even, pop of color that's buildable in case you like things a bit more pigmented. Infused with sesame-based actives to help hydrate and reduce the appearance of lip lines, the Signature Lip promises a soft, blurred finish but the feel of a balm. You can shop this new release in eight universally flattering shades.
Nyx's "Smushy" matte lip balm
Nyx is the beauty brand behind some of my favorite drugstore formulas, so although I have never tried the Smushy matte lip balm for myself, I have high hopes for its performance. Available in 12 shades, the Smushy assures its wearers of pillow-soft lips, a perfect wash of color and a perfectly diffused finish. The delightful "smushy" texture is infused with some equally important ingredients, such as mochi rice powder and sugar lipid ceramides, which help strenghten skin barrier and lock in moisture.
A lip blush and treatment all-in-one
According to one Sephora customer, it's surprising these Refy lip blushes haven't gone viral, while others appreciate how their finish still manages to be truly matte, without being drying. Instead, they promise to smooth the look of lip lines and lip aging.
"One of the best lip products ever! So soft and hydrating. Makes lips look fuller and bigger," another Sephora shopper insists.
Available in up to eight extremely wearable shades, the Refy lip blush has a lightweight and blurring formula infused with a well-studied skin conditioner and coconut emollient to hydrate and nourish lips.
Promising review: “Absolutely beautiful color and product in general. Not sure why these haven't gone viral. I was influenced by someone online (can't remember) to buy Orchid and Wine, and I will definitely be using them on a daily basis. 10/10. Beautiful colors. I hope these are never discontinued.” – Cate38
A cloud-like lip and cheek mousse
You're most likely familiar with the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, an early 2000s formula that seems to be somewhat replicated in the form of the Cloudtopia cheek and lip mousse. This fluffy and versatile formula applies like a cream and dries down to leave a blurred swath of color that resists fading, smudging or creasing. Snag this velvety finish mousse in 10 shades.
A smoothing cashmere lip blush
Available in five neutral shades, the Versed Cashmere Color Smoothing Lip Blush is a tinted balm with a soft matte finish and formula that supports the health of lips using shea butter and camellia oil nourish. As its name suggests, the result is cashmere-like softness and an overall smoothing effect on the lips.