The Perfect Starter Kit: Merit Beauty's The Prep Set Review

If you've been anywhere on social media lately, chances are you've seen the sleek, gold-accented products from Merit Beauty. Founded in 2021 by Katherine Power, Merit has quickly made a name for itself as the antidote to overwhelming beauty routines and questionable ingredients. Their philosophy is simple: minimalist luxury products that help you look like yourself, but better—and accomplish this in five minutes or less.

As someone who appreciates efficiency in my beauty routine, I was intrigued by their Prep Set, which serves as the foundation for Merit's entire makeup system. This bundle includes four essential products: Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, Great Skin Moisturizer, The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, and Brush No.1.

What's Included in The Prep Set

Great Skin Instant Glow Serum

This bi-phase serum is designed to instantly hydrate and plump skin before makeup application. Featuring a proprietary blend of four types of hyaluronic acid, 2% niacinamide for brightening, cacao seed extract for blood flow stimulation, and Japanese goldthread root for soothing properties.

Great Skin Moisturizer (Priming Moisturizer)

A lightweight cream that preps skin for makeup application while providing time-release hydration throughout the day. It contains the "Great Skin Complex" with peptides, spermidine, and barrier polysaccharides to support skin elasticity and firmness.

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Neither a foundation nor a concealer but designed to replace both. It provides buildable light-to-medium coverage that stays breathable throughout the day. Contains sea daffodil extract to help diminish the appearance of dark spots and fatty acids to condition skin.

Brush No.1 Blending Brush

A complexion brush with densely packed, ultra-soft vegan bristles that help blend products seamlessly into the skin.

My Experience Using The Prep Set

First Impressions

The packaging is undeniably beautiful—sleek, minimal, and luxurious. The products feel substantial in your hands, and everything from the weight of the components to the magnetic closures on the caps screams quality. Merit's aesthetic is consistent throughout, with the signature gold accents that have made the brand so Instagram-worthy.

Great Skin Instant Glow Serum

This was possibly the biggest surprise of the set. Initially skeptical about what appeared to be just another watery serum, I was genuinely impressed by how this lightweight formula transformed my skin. After shaking well (important step!), the liquid formula smoothly glided across my face, instantly providing hydration without any residue.

What I found most remarkable was how much more effectively my complexion products applied on top of it. My skin looked plumper, more hydrated, and had a subtle dewy glow that peeked through my makeup. The niacinamide content is perfect for my occasional redness, and I noticed a gradual improvement in my skin tone with consistent use.

Great Skin Moisturizer

This moisturizer strikes the perfect balance between hydration and weightlessness. It absorbs quickly, creating a smooth canvas without feeling heavy or greasy. The blurring, velvety finish makes a noticeable difference in how my makeup applies and wears throughout the day.

While I can't attest to the long-term firming claims after just a month of use, I can confirm it provides excellent hydration without interfering with makeup application—a rare feat for moisturizers. Those with very dry skin might need something richer, but for my combination skin, it was perfect.

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

This was the product I had the highest expectations for, as it's Merit's bestseller. The creamy, hydrating formula glides onto skin effortlessly and blends like a dream with the included brush. It provides a natural skin-like finish that truly embraces the "your skin but better" philosophy.

I found it works best when applied strategically rather than all over—patting it around my nose, on any blemishes, and under my eyes. It melts into the skin when applied over the Great Skin Serum, looking imperceptible while still providing enough coverage to even out my skin tone. For those seeking full coverage, this won't be enough, but for everyday wear, it's perfect.

One issue worth noting: several reviewers mentioned that the product sometimes slides out of the packaging too easily. I experienced this once—not a dealbreaker but something to be aware of.

Brush No.1 Blending Brush

This brush deserves all the praise it gets. The densely packed bristles are incredibly soft against the skin while still providing enough firmness to blend cream products effectively. It's perfectly designed to buff the complexion stick into the skin without streaking or patchiness.

I also found it versatile enough to use with blush, bronzer, and even highlighter. The aluminum handle gives it a luxurious weight and the compact size makes it ideal for travel or on-the-go application.

How The Products Work Together

What makes The Prep Set truly impressive is how harmoniously the products work together. The serum preps and plumps, the moisturizer creates a smooth, receptive canvas, the complexion stick provides customizable coverage, and the brush ensures a flawless finish.

When used together, the routine truly does take just 5 minutes, and the result is natural, radiant skin that doesn't look "made up." It's the perfect system for those mornings when you're rushing but still want to look polished, or for minimalists who prefer an effortless approach to beauty.

Clean Beauty Credentials

Merit prides itself on being "Clean at Merit," which means their formulas comply with EU regulations (banning over 1,400 ingredients) plus an additional 72 potentially acne-triggering ingredients identified by esthetician Biba de Sousa.

All products are:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
• Formulated without parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances
• Non-comedogenic

The focus on skin-friendly ingredients means these products are suitable for sensitive skin and unlikely to cause breakouts, which I appreciated as someone prone to occasional reactivity.

Value for Money

Priced at $124 (versus $146 if purchased separately), The Prep Set offers a reasonable value for luxury beauty. The products are designed to work together, eliminating guesswork and reducing the need for multiple products.

While not inexpensive, the quality, clean formulations, and effectiveness make it worth considering if you're looking to streamline your routine. The complexion stick and brush alone would be worth the investment, with the skincare products being excellent bonuses.

Who Should Buy This Set?

The Prep Set is ideal for:

• Makeup minimalists who prefer a natural, "no-makeup" look
• Busy people who want a streamlined, effective routine
• Those new to Merit who want to try their bestselling products
• Anyone looking to simplify their beauty routine without sacrificing quality
• Those with sensitive skin seeking clean, non-irritating formulations

It might not be for you if:

• You prefer full-coverage foundation
• You already have a complexion routine you love
• You have extremely dry skin that requires richer products

The Verdict

After a month of consistent use, Merit Beauty's The Prep Set has earned its place in my daily routine. The products deliver on their promises, creating a perfect base for a natural, effortless look in minutes. The thoughtful curation of these four essential products demonstrates Merit's understanding of what modern beauty consumers want: simplicity, quality, and effectiveness.

While not every product may become your holy grail (the Minimalist wasn't quite perfect for my needs), the set as a whole offers excellent value and results. The standouts for me were the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum and the Brush No.1, both of which exceeded my expectations.

For anyone intrigued by Merit's minimalist approach to beauty, The Prep Set is the perfect introduction to the brand. It embodies everything Merit stands for—doing more with less, celebrating your natural features, and making beauty effortless.

Rating: 4.5/5

Tips for Getting the Most Out of The Prep Set

1. Shake the serum well before applying to ensure the bi-phase formula is properly mixed
2. Let each layer absorb before applying the next product
3. Start with a small amount of the complexion stick and build as needed
4. Try different application techniques with the brush—stippling for more coverage, sweeping for a sheerer finish
5. Use the complexion stick strategically rather than all over for the most natural finish

Have you tried Merit Beauty products? What's your experience been with minimalist makeup approaches? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!