The Uniform is one summer staple you can use all year long. (Merit)(Merit)
I have fair skin, so I don't tan — I burn. And since a sunburn is painful and, more importantly, can seriously damage my skin, I'm on a perpetual mission to find sunscreens that I actually want to use. So when I heard that one of my favorite beauty brands had a new SPF up its sleeve, I had high hopes. Well, guess what: It's even better than I was expecting.
Merit's The Uniform is the brand's first tinted SPF and second complexion product (you may have heard of its cult-favorite foundation stick, The Minimalist). This mineral sunscreen has SPF 45 protection and guards against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays.
The Uniform's formula is packed with lightweight emollients (instead of silicone) so you're left with a natural-looking, velvety finish.
As the name suggests, The Uniform was designed to be an SPF that you can wear every day and seamlessly incorporate into your beauty routine. The clean formula is weightless and non-greasy thanks to the ultra-fine zinc oxide. It's also dermatologist-tested, silicone- and oil-free, and it won't clog pores.
In terms of coverage, The Uniform is available in 15 shades that correspond to Merit's foundation sticks, and each tint can be built up from light to medium coverage. Plus, each shade has a natural finish that's free of any white cast, so don't let the fact that this is a mineral formula scare you off.
I put The Uniform to the test on a long afternoon walk that turned into lunch and running errands with a friend. After my usual skin care, I applied The Uniform to my face and neck with my hands. While the formula looked like a regular foundation when I first pumped it onto my fingers, it blended effortlessly into my skin and didn't leave behind any streaks. It was so seamless and natural-looking that I applied a second layer because I wasn't sure if I had missed any spots.
I always have some redness around my nose and my cheekbones, so I was pleasantly surprised at how my skin was instantly perfected. My complexion was immediately evened out without looking (or feeling) like I was wearing a full-coverage foundation — it was almost like Instagram's perfecting Paris filter in real life — and it pretty much stayed that way until I washed it off hours later. Full disclosure: I didn't reapply this tinted sunscreen, but if I were using it during a beach or pool day when I'd be in the direct sun for hours, I definitely would have. It's also not waterproof, so I'd reapply after any swimming or sweating!
I know that I'll be reaching for The Uniform all season to protect my skin. I also plan on replacing my usual tinted moisturizer with this formula since it did a great job at covering imperfections and has a much stronger SPF.
While The Uniform only launched in May, it's already garnering glowing reviews.
"As someone who is naturally tan, with an olive skin tone with acne, I was afraid the product would not do anything for me. I was wrong … it applied flawlessly. Over the last few days, I've felt confident going out of the house with The Uniform and only The Uniform on. Merit is on to something here," wrote one five-star fan.
Another happy user raved: "I'm a huge fan of tinted foundations, especially in the warmer months. After testing out Merit Beauty's The Uniform for a week, I couldn't put it down. ... It felt lightweight and not sticky. There's no scent. I absolutely am obsessed!"
A final customer shared: "The Uniform is a dream of an SPF! I use shade 8 and I love how easily it blends, how the formula feels like nothing on my skin and how gorgeous the natural finish is!"
Some fans did point out that at $38, this is a pricey SPF. I agree, but seeing as a little goes a long way (and I won't be using it on my arms and legs!), I can justify the price — especially since I can hold off on buying more foundation, since this is a two-in-one product.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
