Merit Raspberry Beret Flush Balm Cream Blush Review & Swatches

Raspberry Beret

Merit Raspberry Beret Flush Balm Cream Blush Merit Raspberry Beret Flush Balm Cream Blush ($28.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium-dark berry with subtle, cool undertones and a glossy finish. It had semi-sheer color coverage that could be sheered out further or layered for more semi-sheer to medium coverage if desired.

The texture was very emollient, thin, and slippery, but it applied better than anticipated–I didn’t struggle to have it sit evenly and stay in place on my cheeks, whether that was over bare skin or on top of foundation. It never dried down, so it was movable if I wanted to blend out later on (even an hour in!), which may not work for everyone’s routines. The product applied evenly and blended out well, and coupled with the sheerer color, it was hard to over-apply or go wrong. It lasted well for six hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

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ILIA A Fine Romance (P, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
MAC Here You Go (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
MAC Under My Plum (LE, $31.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Merit Cheeky (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
LYS Beauty Passion (P, $16.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
NARS Ferocious (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
CoverGirl Deep Mauve (DC, $9.99) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
Fenty Beauty Bordeaux Brat (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Fenty Beauty Cool Berry (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
MAC Wrapped Candy (P, $31.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).

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Formula Overview

$28.00/0.31 oz. - $90.32 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to give a "transparent veil of color" with a "light, balmy finish" that is "long-lasting." It's one of the more emollient consistencies I've come across in cream blushes these days! It looks like a solid, dome-shaped balm, but as soon as I touched it, the texture had high slip and felt almost oily as a result. They delivered on the "transparent veil of color" with sheer to semi-sheer coverage that blended out to a more watercolored-effect on skin.

I was surprised--but in a good way--to find that it applied well over foundation and didn't seem prone to lifting up my base products as often, very emollient textures can interact more noticeably when layered over other things in my experience. It worked well over bare skin, too, and didn't "sink" into pores like some cream blushes have for me.

It didn't dry down and remained movable hours later, so the shorter-wear time (six to seven hours) wasn't a surprise. The product didn't feel tacky, just emollient throughout; I have more "normal" skin on my actual cheek area where I tested this formula (I'm drier near my nose and on my nose).

Browse all of our Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush swatches.

Ingredients

Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Poly (C6-14 Olefin), Polyethylene, Silica, Diisostearyl Malate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic Wax, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax, Cire Microcristalline), Tocopherol, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Methicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, BHT, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77492/77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake).

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.