After becoming a mom of two, I quickly realized something. Sleep is a rare luxury. Lack of sleep meant that most of the time I would be startled in the mirror when I caught Medusa staring at me. As a beauty editor, I’m always taking my quality time—which has made me realize: time is just a construct in mom’s land. What was once “me time” is now collective “their time,” which means my beauty routine needs to be efficient, fast, and simple. Selfishly, I also want to look effortless and beautiful, just like my kids who generously let me use my two free hands to apply makeup. Which all led me to MERIT, a brand that clearly shares my love for a streamlined beauty routine to achieve a complexion that’s miraculously radiant, like I just woke up (cue tired laughter).
That said, I think MERIT designed the Complexion Kit with moms in mind—it’s a simple set of essentials that has everything you need for a natural, inside-out glow. The set contains seven full-size products at a discounted price of $218. If this is your first time purchasing on the site, you’ll also receive their signature bag which doubles as a cute wallet so you can That Stylish, busy mom next time you play.
Mom, make you glow.
If there’s one thing you need to know about the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, it’s that it’s been a success on the runway since its launch. In fact, one is sold every two minutes, and for good reason. Just a few drops instantly hydrate and plump skin with zero residue. Think of it like your morning cup of coffee (now non-negotiable), only for your skin. Caffeine-rich cocoa seed extract helps stimulate blood flow to the skin for instant plumping effects. It is a bi-phasic serum, which means you have to shake it well to mix the layers before massaging it into your skin. It feels like silk and smoothes my texture in seconds.
To really seal the deal after my skin gets its first dose of glow, I pair the serum with my knight in shining armor: The Great Skin Primer Moisturizer. MERIT just launched this new all-day moisturizer to help relieve tired skin and long term benefits. Clinical studies show it can actually help skin feel firmer and more elastic in just a week. The best way to describe its texture is: if the serum feels like silk, then it’s pure cashmere. I love how it softens my face and provides a base for makeup. Its formula also pleases the beauty nerd in me, mostly due to its proprietary triple blend of plumping peptides, firming polysaccharides, and skin barrier-supporting spermidine. The oat extract and glycerin provide me with instant hydration, it absorbs quickly (especially during the change of seasons when my skin tends to feel tight and dry), and it easily sets the foundation for my makeup.
simple strokes
Now for the fun part: I grabbed the shade Minimalist in Light Yellow and applied it to my face like my son’s latest artistic masterpiece. Here are my simple steps for applying an even coat of pigment for an all-over base. I then used the No. 1 brush to buff it to a perfect airbrushed finish in seconds. The soft bristles feel like a reassuring “Mom, you did a great job!” Massage for a skin-light finish.
soft sculpture
Trust me, the tiniest outline will make you look like you’re supervising your gua sha routine—even though you and I both know that’s totally not going to happen after the kids are asleep. I use Bronze Balm in the shade Leo to apply soft shadow in the hollows of my cheeks, along my jawline, temples, and along the sides of my nose. When I need something extra, I even apply some in the crease of my eyes to give it some depth. It glides on like butter and blends seamlessly. The result is a soft, clear second skin.
blush
MERIT truly created a douche balm for those of us who need to be prepared in a pinch. I apply it directly to the apples of my cheeks and blend it in with my fingers. I love the cool pink Cheeky for everyday use, or the soft peach Beverly Hills when I want to kick the elegance up a notch. It’s a flexible paste that adds a touch of color. Vitamin E helps nourish, while microscopic pigments still leave your skin visible. I like to apply a little on the bridge of my nose and then a little on my lips for a matching sheer color.
Glow icing on top
This is for that clean girl glow that I – well, all of us – crave. Day Glow is a gentle, lightweight highlighter that delivers incredible glow thanks to plant-sourced squalane and olive oil. Ultra-fine pearls deliver just the right amount of brightening effect that almost blends into the skin. I feel like the Citrine shade was designed for my medium skin tone and provides just the right amount of dewy soft golden texture that doesn’t look over the top at all. I like to use a swipe on my eyelids and inner corners to look extra awake on days when I need a little more help (so, like every dayVaried).
Once you look like you’ve been kissed by an angel, you’re done. While daily life sometimes feels like a never-ending jigsaw puzzle of balancing appointments, meal times, and work calls, this routine at least helps me organize my beauty routine with products that are effective, simple, and gentle on my skin, And make it look like I’ve unlocked the secret to glass skin. Now, all that’s left is to figure out how to tackle the mountain of laundry shame that’s piled up in my living room…
