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Makeup Review: Comparing Westman Atelier to Merit Beauty

Nan Philip

I am continually on the hunt for minimal makeup products made of clean and non-toxic ingredients; therefore, it should be no surprise that my vanity includes both Westman Atelier and Merit Beauty products. 

At first glance, both beauty companies could seem quite similar. However, to me, the products serve different purposes in my makeup routine and I wanted to share my personal experience and thoughts with you all. (Any time I share about Merit Beauty or Westman Atelier on my Instagram account - I quickly get DMs asking about the similarities and differences - so I hope to answer all your questions here.) 

What is Westman Atelier? 

  • Gucci Westman, the acclaimed celebrity makeup artist who works with everyone from Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston, launched her namesake beauty line, Westman Atelier, in 2018.  

  • The ethos behind the Westman Atelier is that makeup should be your 'second skin'; simple products that make your life easier and your skin feel as good as it looks.

  • The plant-based ingredients and technology behind the formulas help nourish your skin as you wear it. Gucci has rosacea, so she wanted to create a clean foundation that she could trust to cover her redness and improve her skin issues over time.

Where Can I Purchase Westman Atelier Makeup? 

  • Westman Atelier makeup can be purchased at many retailers around the globe, from Net-A-Porter and Violet Grey to Sephora and Credo Beauty, as well as the Westman Atelier website.

  • If you are planning to buy/try Westman Atelier makeup online, I suggest ordering from Credo Beauty, Sephora or Westman Atelier. All three retailers allow you to return 'gently used products' which is ideal when ordering makeup online / trying a new foundation color.

  • I personally shop for Westman Atelier at Sephora because I find their return policy to be best (60 days since purchase, free return shipping.)

  • WestmanAtelier.com return policy is 30 days with free return shipping.

  • CredoBeauty.com also has a 30-day return policy, but the customer has to cover the return shipping fee.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP WESTMAN ATELIER

What is Merit Beauty? 

  • Merit Beauty is a minimal makeup line with clean ingredients founded by Katherine Power, of Clique Brands/Who What Wear.

  • The new clean makeup brand launched in January 2021 with an edited collection of seven products (it will be interesting to see how they expand the line in the future.)

  • Biba de Sousawhen, the acclaimed Hollywood aesthetician, consulted with Merit as they developed their product formulas to make sure that no ingredients could be harmful or damaging to the skin.

    • For example, no Merit products use coconut oil which can cause often cause breakouts. Merit Beauty's ethos is 'responsible luxury that's safe for body, skin and planet.'

Where Can I Purchase Merit Beauty? 

  • As of April 2020, Merit Beauty is only available at MeritBeauty.com or Sephora.com.

  • Merit Beauty will accept returns within 30 days, with the customer incurring the return shipping fee. Therefore, as I noted previously, I suggest purchasing from Sephora so you can have a better return policy (60 days + free returns) and build up reward points (to use on future purchases and during Sephora Insider Sales.)

CLICK HERE TO SHOP MERIT BEAUTY

How Clean Are The Formulas? Are the Products All-Natural? 

  • Both Westman Atelier and Merit Beauty comply with the European Union's rigorous standards (much stricter than the standards within the United States)

  • Both brands highlight their desire to create and develop 'clean' formulas with their labs and I appreciate their transparency. You can find more about the exact ingredients from each brand.

Price Difference: 

  • Initially, Merit Beauty looks much more budget-friendly. Still, it seems Westman Atelier can at times be the better investment (depending on the product) when you look at the product volume.

  • Let's compare the foundations from both brands - in this comparison, the Westman Atelier Foundation is the better value.

  • However, when comparing the Highlighter Sticks, the Merit Highlighting Balm is a better value ($7.50 per gram) in comparison to Westman Atelier's $9.60 a gram.

  • Of course, price is not everything; the feel and wear of the product also matter. As you will see in my video, I personally like the WA highlighter stick better...so like all things, it can come down to preference.


Interested in trying Merit or Westman Atelier makeup - this week could be a great time to buy thanks to the

Sephora Spring VIB Beauty Insider Sale! 

discount code: OMGSPRING

The sale is broken up into three time blocks based on their (free) membership rewards program. As you shop at Sephora throughout the year (be sure to sign up for a free account) so you can accumulate points and as you gain points you will fall into one of the following levels: 

  • Rouge - spend $1,000+ 

    • Friday, April 9 - Monday April, 19th

    • 20% off site wide

  • VIB - spend $350+

    • Tuesday, April 13th - Monday, April 19th

    • 15% off site wide

  • Insider - available to anyone! $0- $349 spend (you could sign up today / the day you shop to receive this discount)

    • Thursday, April 15th - Monday, April 19th

    • 10% off site wide

*check Sephora for sale exclusions (I know that only one Dyson product is available per shopper) 

*many other beauty retailers or individual brands will offer similar or competitive sales - so if you are on the hunt for the best deal be sure to look around.

About the Sephora Rewards Program: All members earn 1 point per $1 spent and at each level you get different benefits. You can find all the details on the Sephora site. Countless other beauty retailers offer similar reward programs. I find the Sephora reward program beneficial for this Insider Sale they offer 2x a year and the free shipping that is offered once you hit certain levels. 

CLICK HERE TO SHOP AT SEPHORA NOW

Side by Side Comparison of Merit Beauty and Westman Atelier


I wore both brands simultaneously to see how they performed.

Here are my thoughts. 

  • Head over to my instagram, @nan-philip, to watch my IGTV, where I apply the makeup from both brands and to hear my thoughts.

  • On the right side of my face, I wore my Merit Beauty products.

  • On the left side of my face, I wore the Westman Atelier products (with some Saie products as well.)


Merit Beauty Products I used: 

*reminder, the links on this page and throughout the blog are commissionable links. The means that we may earn a small commission off your purchase at no extra cost to you. Your use of these links means so much to me, as it supports Simply Elegant Blog and the time it takes to create these posts. Thank you!

Westman Atelier Products I used: 

Other Makeup Products Used: 

My review of the Merit and Westman Atelier makeup during application: 

  • Foundation Sticks - Personally, I like the feel and texture of the WA foundation. It seems more smooth and moisturizing and therefore able to cover my full face. In contrast, the Merit stick seems better for light makeup days where you might just cover one blemish or under-eye.

  • Highlighter Sticks - In the video and images, both look great to me. But I seem to reach for the WA highlighter more often.

  • Blush - I love both! I think the WA Baby Cheeks might be slightly more pigmented, but both formulas feel nice on your skin and are really easy to wear.

  • Eyebrow Gel - WA does not have an eyebrow product but I did take this time to compare the Merit Eyebrow product to Saie's Eyebrow Gel. I prefer the Merit Brow Gel as it seems to have more pigment and hold. (I often compare it to the clean makeup version of Glossier's Boy Brow.)

  • Mascara - I used Merit mascara on my right eye and Saie mascara on my left. I have been using Saie's mascara for over a year and am such a fan, but as soon as I tried Merit's mascara I have also incorporated it into my regular beauty routine. Both are great clean, non-toxic mascaras!

  • Lip - A good lip gloss can be hard to find (I hate when they are sticky in any way.) I have loved the Merit Lip Gloss (I already ordered a second) as they are more of a tint/oil than a gloss and not sticky at all.

My review of the Merit and Westman Atelier makeup during application: 

  • Foundation Sticks - Personally, I like the feel and texture of the WA foundation. It seems more smooth and moisturizing and therefore able to cover my full face. In contrast, the Merit stick seems better for light makeup days where you might just cover one blemish or under-eye.

  • Highlighter Sticks - In the video and images, both look great to me. But I seem to reach for the WA highlighter more often.

  • Blush - I love both! I think the WA Baby Cheeks might be slightly more pigmented, but both formulas feel nice on your skin and are really easy to wear.

  • Eyebrow Gel - WA does not have an eyebrow product but I did take this time to compare the Merit Eyebrow product to Saie's Eyebrow Gel. I prefer the Merit Brow Gel as it seems to have more pigment and hold. (I often compare it to the clean makeup version of Glossier's Boy Brow.)

  • Mascara - I used Merit mascara on my right eye and Saie mascara on my left. I have been using Saie's mascara for over a year and am such a fan, but as soon as I tried Merit's mascara I have also incorporated it into my regular beauty routine. Both are great clean, non-toxic mascaras!

  • Lip - A good lip gloss can be hard to find (I hate when they are sticky in any way.) I have loved the Merit Lip Gloss (I already ordered a second) as they are more of a tint/oil than a gloss and not sticky at all.

My thoughts on the Westman Atelier makeup compared to Merit after wearing both for a full day: 

  • After wearing both makeup brands for over 11 hours, a good amount has disappeared/fallen off, which I think is expected...I do not have unrealistic expectations for my makeup to last all day long and I am happy to do a quick touchup if needed before going out to dinner or the like.

      • I will sometimes finish my makeup routine by spritzing my face with Tata Harper's Floral Essence to set the makeup. (I forgot to do it when I did this makeup review/test.) I find spaying my skin with this essence can help hold everything in place.

  • Both mascaras held up very well throughout the day with no smudging below my eyes. I wear contacts and have bad spring allergies, so any mascaras that smudge easily do not work for me...so A+ for both of these mascaras.

  • On my right side (the Merit side) the foundation seemed to collect a bit around my nose and undereye and look a bit dry, in a way that the Westman Atelier foundation did not.

In Conclusion, My Final Thoughts of Merit Beauty vs. Westman Atelier Makeup? 

  • As someone who loves trying new brands and products, I am happy to have products from both companies and suspect that I will keep using most of the products from each line.

  • For foundation, I suspect that I will reach for the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick on days where I want a real full face of makeup as it feels like the better option for full coverage all-day makeup. In contrast, on the days where I don't want to wear much makeup at all, I could easily see myself putting on some SPF and a quick swipe of Merit's Perfecting Foundation and Concealer Stick under my eyes and being done. (The Merit Foundation stick also feels like a great product to keep in your purse/travel makeup bag.)

  • For lips and blush - Merit's products seem a bit more muted or on the coral/orange side, where Westman Atelier has some great bright/deep pinks. So that might help point you in one direction or another.

SHOP THE MAKEUP PRODUCTS NAN USED:

See this content in the original post

What is My Favorite Westman Atelier Product? 

  • I have been using Westman Atelier for years...and could really praise one product or another for days and days! I am continually so impressed by the brand. I think I own almost everything in the line except for the eyeshadows and makeup brushes (don't worry, they are on my wish list!)

  • But right now, if I had to pick, one favorite from Westman Atelier is the Vital Skin Foundation Stick.

    • I think this foundation can work for so many people, it is so easy to use (just swipe a few lines directly on your face from the stick and rub in) and it really just helps make you look like a better version of yourself!

    • Truth be told before I bought this foundation two years ago, I was a bit intimidated by a stick foundation (as I had always previously used liquid foundations.) So don't let that intimidate you like it did for me. But Gucci and the Westman Atelier team have countless video tutorials to help you get the hang of how to apply.

    • Before you apply the foundation, I suggest making sure your skin is well moisturized. The foundation will absorb and blend in better, creating a more seamless overall glow. The combo of my Vintner's Daughter Serum and then Vital Skin Foundation is pure gold.

What is my Favorite Merit Beauty Product? 

  • I am a bit stuck here on picking just one favorite - I think it would have to be a tie between the Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara or the Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Pomade Gel in Brown. I have been so impressed with both products!

  • The Merit Brow Gel is the closest' clean beauty' product I can find that is similar to Glossier's Boy Brow - my brows always need a little bit of taming to stay in place and some extra pigment - this does just the trick.

  • Merit Mascara - I would describe this as the perfect everyday, smudge-free mascara. This mascara gives you soft, long, but also subtle lashes, for that, 'i'm not trying too hard' look.

    • If you like super bold, clumpy lashes -- this mascara is NOT for you.

    • Also, the Merit mascara's unique 'tubing' technology makes the formula smudge-free - a saving grace for anyone (like me!) who wears contacts or has allergies.

Interested in more of my favorite beauty products? Shop all the beauty products I own and love HERE. And learn about my favorite face serums from Follain in this blog post.

And there you have it, my honest review of Merit Beauty and Westman Atelier makeup after using both brands for months and wearing the products side by side.