In just three years, Merit Beauty has established itself as the go-to brand for a fresh clean-girl aesthetic. So when the Merit perfume, Retrospect, launched recently, we weren't surprised to see it pick up an immediate devoted fan base.
Sticking to its principles of elevated, elegant minimalism, the brand ran with a soft, effortless skin scent. It's been described as, personal, pheromonal and nostalgic, and with notes of bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, violet, vanilla, musk and moss, it's a subtle shape-shifter, opening with a clean laundry blend of juicy petals and powder, before drying into a warm musk.
The bottle itself is a work of art (which, let's be honest, further helps sway discerning beauty girls). The sculpted blue-grey teardrop glass decanter – complete with thumb hold for easy spritzing – and gold curved lid look gallery-worthy, plus the pocket-sized shape make it easy to carry with you.
Unsurprisingly, interest in the scent has peaked in the lead-up to Christmas, so we tasked the GLAMOUR team with spritzing it and reporting back on the scent, the longevity and whether it truly deserves the hype…
The product:
Robyn, GLAMOUR's Social Media Manager
The Merit perfume was a stunning surprise. As someone who’s loyal to my signature scent, it's rare for other fragrances to turn my head, but I think this one has. From first glance, the bottle is gorgeous — elegant, with soft edges that give grown up and sophisticated vibes. But it’s the fragrance that really shocked me. It's floral, yet deep, with a zen-like calm that reminds me of a spa day. It’s a delicious balance of rich, oud-like notes that still feel light and girly. The combination is sophisticated but accessible, making it a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a luxurious, airy scent. I rarely fall for new perfumes this much, but Merit has definitely earned a spot on my Christmas list. If you're someone who enjoys soft, complex fragrances, this is a must-try.
Rating: 10/10
Elle, GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor
This is an effortless, comfortable wear. It drifts through clean, pretty floral top notes, before a sophisticated, powdery lipstick scent makes its way through, lending a little vintage-y nostalgia to the fragrance, while still keeping enough airiness to feel casual. The fragrance has range, it unfurled slowly throughout the day, eventually landing on musk, vanilla and moss which brought the warmth in the base. It's like the linen shirt of fragrances – chic, low-key, un-flashy but an instant outfit elevator.
Rating: 8/10
Fiona, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director
When it comes to my makeup look, I'm a fan of chic minimalism and a healthy skin glow – both of which Merit excels at with its cream blushers and complexion enhancers. When I heard it was launching a fragrance I assumed it would be a skin scent, but no, Retrospect is a little more punchy than that. At first spritz, pear rubs shoulders with woody ambrette seeds before landing on a bed of sweet jasmine, creamy vanilla and earthy moss. All of those ingredients – bar the jasmine and pear – have a woody facet to them, making this the beating heart of the perfume. For me this is the type of evening scent that seductively unfurls in the dark corners of a bar. It's sexy, it makes me feel more grounded and it's perfect for party season. The bottle itself is a work of art so fittingly, Merit's new collaboration with Completedworks pairs Retrospect with a pair of earrings. I'm wearing The Gold Set, as both the earrings and the fragrance are the final touch to my outfits right now.
Rating: 8/10
Rosie, GLAMOUR's Acting Fashion Editor
I usually prefer more citrusy scents and stay away from sweet, cloying ones. While quite floral, this Merit perfume smells fresh and has a very comforting note to it, like an old friend. It's not too heavy, which means even after more than a few spritzes I didn't feel totally overwhelmed by the smell. It settles well into the skin long into the evening.
Rating: 8/10
Georgia, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer
My go-to fragrance is usually something woody and dark, so the fact that Merit's Retrospect has been described as a soft floral with clean notes that settles into a second skin finish – and I like it – has me shook. Ambrette, rose and bergamot are my favourite initial takeaways from the scent, but the musky moss finish is what had me coming back for a second spritz. At £79, it'll make the perfect gift for every woman I know this Christmas, too.
Rating: 9/10
For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
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