Fab Find of the Week: Merit Flush Balm new shades

We’ve showcased these blushers before (see Beauty Bible Loves…, here). But since then, we’ve fallen deeper and deeper in love with Merit Flush Balms, for sheer ease of use (as well as the flattering, complexion-perkifying effect). They are SO easy, in fact, that we recently heard of an eightysomething mother of a friend who uses these because her sight’s going, and they’re really so easy and goof-proof.

You simply apply the domed tip to the cheeks wherever you want, and blend – either with fingers or a synthetic blusher brush, if you like (synthetics are always, always best for cream or liquid blends). Wherever you want? Where, exactly, is that? Well, we always like the apples of the cheeks – simply smile, and make a circular movement on the prominent bit – but for something more bronze-y, we might stroke along the cheekbone. You can add a touch to the hairline, too, to warm the face. The little pot’s dinky enough to pop into even a small handbag, in case you’re the type (as we are) who tends to start looking a little wan, around teatime. Perfect perk-up, we find.

Jo already had the Cheeky shade in her kit, but a raft of new ones have joined the line-up: soft pink Le Bonbon, (delivers a very Kirsten-Dunst-in-‘Marie-Antoinette’ vibe), peachy Lucitano – and the just-launched line-up also sees the return of a shade called Terracotta, a pale terracotta-y-brown which (if you’re into such a thing) is great for contouring, because it’s so ultra-blendable.

They seemingly last forever, too. If you’re wondering what happens when the dome wears down – well, so does Jo, and she’s been using Cheeky for nearly a year, now. 

And a great piece of news, about Merit? In an age of beauty inflation, they’ve actually reduced the prices across their range; these were £32, and are now £26 – bringing a smile to our lips (as well as a flush to our cheeks).

£26 – buy here

Prize Draws