There’s a particular kind of beauty product that makes you reconsider your whole routine and Merit Solo Shadows have that energy. They’re the antithesis of fussy eye makeup, those creamy little pots of colour that somehow make looking put together feel almost suspiciously easy. Because they are and our inner lazy girl says: thank you.
Technically, the Solo Shadows have a cream-to-powder formula, so they wear less like traditional cream shadows, which can crease, migrate or demand maintenance. They’re more like a softly blurred veil of colour that melts into our lids and stays there. All day. All night. It’s all very effortless French girl meets downtown minimalism.
The formula also comes in two finishes, matte and sheen, and both have distinct personalities. The mattes are velvety and diffused, almost like a wash of suede across the lid. The sheens are luminous without venturing into sparkle territory, more grown-up gleam than shimmer. Finely milled pigments give the shades richness and depth, while smoothing emollients help them glide on seamlessly and keep our eyelids looking smooth, never dry, crepey (thank goodness) or textured.
The line’s eight matte shades range from cool taupe “Studio,” warm beige “Vachetta,” deep brown “Brun” and warm brown “Midcentury” to soft grey “Nelson,” soft mauve “Social,” warm green “Viper” and (our current favourite) classic navy “Midnight”—all perfect for a smudged-out eye. The six sheen shades range from soft plum “Iris,” soft rose “Glacé,” and soft burgundy “Matchbook” to bronze “Sartorial,” warm silver “Palladium” and gold “Surrealism” and all catch the light in that expensive looking way we adore. But maybe the best part, while each hue can be buffed on with a brush for definition, they’re most fun to apply with our fingertips. Minimalism with polish. Merit just gets that.
MERIT Solo Shadow, $36 each, available at Sephora and online at www.meritbeauty.com.
