These New Makeup Lines Simultaneously Streamline and Elevate Your Beauty Routine
Looking polished doesn't have to be a whole production. That's the resounding and refreshing message from less-is-more brands Merit and Jones Road. Merit has just seven clean and cruelty-free products that glide on with ease, evening out skin and leaving behind gorgeously subtle color. The offerings from Jones Road, created by makeup legend Bobbi Brown, are also formulated without any potentially harmful ingredients and are amazingly intuitive. Just smooth them on with your fingers to achieve the dream: a modern, no-makeup makeup look in minutes.
"These two new lines are exactly what I've wanted: swipe-on color that seeps into skin, looks natural, and feels nourishing. Merit's Perfecting Sticks (and that brush!) are genius, as are Jones Road's Miracle Balms for non-creasing color on eyes, cheeks, and lips," says editor in chief Elizabeth Graves. Ahead, some of our favorite offerings from both brands.
Top Picks
- Foundation-Concealer Hybrid: Merit Beauty Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
- Targeted Complexion Stick: Jones Road Face Pencil
- Subtle Highlighter: Merit Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Balm
- Skin-Enhancing Balm: Jones Road Miracle Balm
- Lip Oil: Merit Beauty Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil
Perfect Complexion
It's neither a foundation nor a concealer—but it will replace both in your beauty bag. Intentionally, carefully formulated sans dozens of the most irritating cosmetic ingredients, this complexion stick is a must-try.
Shop Now: Merit Beauty Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, $38, sephora.com.
Smoothing It Over
Meet the Minimalist's partner—this soft, non-irritating brush blends the formula into your skin, creating a flawless finish.
Shop Now: Merit Beauty No. 1 brush, from $24 each, sephora.com.
Lit Up
Use this natural highlighter (it's subtle, never glittery) anywhere: On your Cupid's bow, on the inner corner of your eyes, or on your cheekbones.
Shop Now: Merit Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Balm, $30, sephora.com.
Wash of Color
A swipe of this tinted lip oil (Sangria is our favorite colorway) and your look is complete.
Shop Now: Merit Beauty Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil, $24, sephora.com.
Pretty Color
Who needs a ring light? This balm bestows a radiant flush, touch of taupe, or bronzy glow anywhere you pat it in.
Shop Now: Jones Road Miracle Balm $38, jonesroadbeauty.com.
Sheer Shimmer
Just one pass of this liquid glitter over lids, and you'll feel extra-special at the grocery store; add another for dinner out.
Shop Now: Jones Road Sparkle Wash Liquid Glitter, $24, jonesroadbeauty.com.
Magic Eraser
Zero in on blemishes and neutralize redness with this face pencil. Blend it in over moisturizer for undetectable coverage.
Shop Now: Jones Road Face Pencil, $25, jonesroadbeauty.com.
Styling by Suzie Myers (Merit); Photographs Courtesy of Manufacturers (Jones Road, Typology)