4 beauty writers try new £34 SPF that had a 20,000 person waitlist

The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 by Merit launched at the end of May and our beauty writers were eager to test outs coverage and protection
Summer is the best month, in our humble opinion: the sunshine beating down, the natural sun-kissed glow, the ice cold Aperols, the light mornings and evenings, visits to the beach, floaty dresses, sandals - the list could go on and on. But one thing many of us do not appreciate during the height of June, July and August, when the temperatures creep up to a stifling number, is the disappointing rate at which our make-up melts off due to the heat - not to mention the slight rouge glow of sunburn due to said (rather heavy) make-up not having ample protection.
It's why when summer comes around, most of us tend to switch out our normal, potentially heavier foundations (for me, it's Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation) for a tinted moisturiser that ticks both the coverage and protection boxes.
And one new launch from skincare brand Merit has had our beauty writers in awe over its silky smooth, blurring and protective formula that gives skin that air-brushed finish, whilst nourishing it and protecting from the sun with factor 50 SPF.
Four of our beauty writers tested out this new and highly anticipated product (whose waitlist had over 20,000 people) to see if it was worth the hype.
Eve's thoughts
While my go to during the warmer days (since its launch last year) is Charlotte's Unreal Skin Tint foundation stick as a pretty lush, lightweight formula that gives that lovely hydration, my new discovery of Merit's new SPF 50 tinted moisturiser has me momentarily questioning my loyalty to the cult British MUA.
The launch of this tinted moisturiser is a significant milestone for the brand as its second-ever complexion product and one that had a pretty monumental waitlist before it even launched - showcasing its quality before even landing on shelves.
I have since discovered that Merit's The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is a bit of a summer makeup icon thanks to its broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Unlike many chemical-heavy sunscreens, 'which absorb UV rays and convert them into heat', The Uniform is a mineral sunscreen that 'reflects UV rays, forming a protective barrier against potential skin damage'.
This formula omits the need for sunscreen underneath foundation (avoiding the dreaded potential pill) which is great for my holiday travel bag - although for those who want to be extra careful, additional suncream will never harm. The formula contains ultra-fine zinc oxide, which is a 100% naturally sourced active ingredient that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It also includes a plant-derived emollient - instead of the usual silicones - which provides the product's silky, velvety texture that is far from sticky (a dream, especially during summer) and an airbrush finish.
This is most likely down to The Uniform moisturiser 's plant-based mineral SPF booster, which works to enhance the skin's softness, as well as its pigment dispersion technology, which we can confirm delivers a lovely 'blurred, seamless look'.
A great option for trips abroad, as it's unbelievably lightweight, it stays put and offers solid, buildable coverage. A recent trip to France in 25+ degree heat, where I wore it every day, showed me that and left me pretty impressed. I will say that when spots are present (and staring us down in the mirror), the product isn't the best product on its own to cover them up. Concealer is definitely needed.
Costing £34, it's a little more expensive than your usual tinted moisturiser - such as e.l.f's Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50 at £18 and Nivea's £4.99 NIVEA 24H Moisture Tinted Day Cream with Vitamin E Light Skin Tone SPF15 - and comes in 15 different shades. It feels silky smooth on application and is easy to rub in with your fingertips if a brush is not to hand.
The pump applicator offers a generous amount of product and requires only one or two squeezes to dispense the right amount, hiding smaller blemishes, pores and smoothing out texture and pigmentation.
After a few hours in the sun, I found that my complexion needed no touch-up (except a little on my nose), and my skin still had a nice glow without being too shiny, too matte, or too cakey.
The brand also has a good shade-matching process, as it showcases the 15 shades on real women to help shoppers find their perfect hue for their skin tone. I personally went for number 22' light neutral-cool' - in anticipation of gaining a little bit of a sunkissed glow - and it was my perfect colour.
My only gripe with the product is that the pump applicator has a risk of making the lid messy, especially if too much is pumped out, so I'll need to be cautious not to spill or pump out too much. However as a product, it's a pretty dreamy addition to the industry. It's not just me who has found this tinted moisturiser to be pretty hot for summer.
Lauren's
Whenever I hear about a product with a waitlist before it's even launched, you can bet I'm already signed up. This time, the buzz was around Merit's The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF, with 20,000 people in line ahead of its launch in mid-May.
When it finally landed on my doorstep, I was seriously impressed. I opted for shade 28, a fair-neutral warm tone, which blended seamlessly into my skin. Plus, it felt lightweight and didn't have a cakey finish.
It's buildable, too, so can be dialled up if you prefer extra coverage. I tend to suffer from inflammation around my nose, so it's helpful to have the option to ensure my skin looks even.
But it's the built-in SPF that's the real winner here. It means I don't need to think about smearing sunscreen on before I head out for the day, knowing I already have strong protection to see me through.
The Uniform has now become part of my makeup routine, meaning I've finally swapped out my beloved MAC foundation after years of use. In fact, I love The Uniform so much that I've already purchased a second.
Saying that, another SPF I rate highly is Trinny London's BFF. I raved about it non-stop last year for its hydrating feel and glow-boosting finish.
Bethan's
I was introduced to Merit's The Minimalist complexion stick earlier this year and have absolutely loved using it as a quick, easy, lightweight daily base over my usual SPF. But when Merit announced that they were releasing a tinted SPF formula, I have to say I was intrigued.
I've tried a handful of tinted SPFs over the past few years and never really found one I enjoyed using - but I have never met a Merit product I didn't immediately love and add to my routine. There's a reason for that 25,000 people waitlist - Merit's fuss-free, beginner-friendly formulas deliver, and The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 is no exception.
The formula has been in development for over two years, undergoing more than 50 rounds of formulation. It's a mineral sunscreen, with UVA and UVB protection, working by reflecting UV rays and helping to prevent skin damage, something I'm into as I approach my 30s.
I knew what shade I would be because Merit had handily matched their SPF to their The Minimalist shades. For those that wear Silk in the complexion stick are likely to be shade 28 in The Uniform, and the colour match was spot on. Designed for effortless, everyday wear, it offers light to medium, sheer, buildable coverage with a natural, skin-like finish - no need for foundation, making my morning routine so much faster.
Available in 15 shades, it's a really silky consistency that blends effortlessly without any sticky residue. I have found that on particularly dry areas, the formula can cling, but with the right prep and hydration, it's easily resolved. If you're looking for a reliable, multitasking product to see you through the summer, this is it.
Zoe's
I may be a little late to the 'I love SPF party', but I have picked a good year to become a devotee. I've seen more and more launches from SPF brands promising tinted coverage to rival foundations, water-light textures to rival your usual day serum, and pore-diffusing formulas that mimic a good primer.
I love Merit's The Uniform, and I never thought I'd say that about an SPF. I went a shade darker in the tint than I normally would in a foundation, and it gave me both the look of instant bronzing drops and a lightweight foundation. I felt like my skin looked healthier and smoother, and even my patches of pigmentation were covered. It's definitely lighter than a foundation, but it also meant I could skip a base layer. In fact, I tested layering it under my regular foundation, and I have to say it looks much better on its own. It's very quickly become my holiday, weekend and working from home go-to– and it's definitely worth the price.

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