If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
In a crowded beauty aisle that doesn’t cost a dime to launch, Merit Beauty stands out with its minimalist approach that prioritizes fewer, better products. Today, the cult-favorite line has expanded into the fragrance category with the introduction of Merit Beauty’s Retrospect Extraite de Parfum, a powerful and classic perfume that our editors have been testing for weeks.
Merritt applied the same thoughtful, less-is-more ethos when developing Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum to its 2021 launch. It took over two years and more than 200 revisions to get the scent just right, working with renowned fragrance artist Fanny Boll. In an exclusive interview with WWD earlier this month, Merit Beauty founder Katherine Power explained that the perfume was designed to “evoke personal memories and nostalgia while feeling modern.” The name of this fragrance reflects the desire to make a classic perfume feel modern and new.
Pier Riverola
Reminiscence is subtle. There are notes of bergamot, pear, jasmine and musk, as well as aldehydic notes typical of classic perfumes like Chanel No. 5. This formulation makes Retrospect more sophisticated than the gourmet and single-note florals flooding the for-you pages today. Notably, Retrospect is an Extra de Parfum, meaning it contains 30 percent fragrance oil, compared to the average concentration of 15 to 20 percent in Eau de Parfum. This improves the longevity of the juice, making it last about twice as long as traditional perfumes (this is true of Benefits’ unpretentious, time-saving approach to beauty).
Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum by Merit Beauty is available for $92 at Meritbeauty.com and Sephora.com. Read our editors’ test reviews of women’s perfumes.
register to WWD Shop Newsletter Get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and a buyer’s guide to finding the products you need to try ASAP.
Merit Beauty Retrospect L’Exte de Parfum
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $92
Merit Beauty Perfume Review — Editor’s Test Notes
I distinctly remember the first time I picked up a Merit Beauty product, right before the line launched in 2021. The debut collection included just seven products with a creamy consistency, intuitive to use, and near-perfect, attractive shades. . Even for someone who considers herself to be more of a beauty maximalist (after all, I test products for a living), this was refreshing. For example, Merit offers a unique compression stick that evens out and brightens your skin with minimal blending, instead of worrying about liquid foundation, concealer, makeup sponges, and brushes.
When I heard about Merit’s fragrance launch, I had my money on a single-note scent. After all, this would be in keeping with the brand’s minimalist approach of highlighting the eyes, face, and lips. So you can imagine my surprise when I sprayed on the perfume and had a hard time identifying the scent lineage, let alone the juice’s unique scent. Retrospect L’Extrait has a fresh, floral scent at first, but becomes warmer and richer as it blends into the skin. This is a perfume that wears differently on different people, similar to the grown-up “Glossier You” in this respect, with a more refined scent as it dries down.
I was also surprised by the small size of the sculptural bottle (designed to imitate modernist jewelry, according to the brand). However, due to the high concentration of the fragrance oil, I found that just two sprays were enough to achieve my desired scent intensity level.
Merit Beauty’s Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum has nuanced classic notes that give it a timeless feel that most perfumes don’t have. Balanced and elegant, this is the type of fragrance you’ll want to claim as your signature.
Merit Beauty Retrospect L’Exte de Parfum
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $92
Editor’s Favorite Benefits Shop More Beauty Products
Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
Editor’s test and review notes: “It can be difficult to match lipstick shades when shopping online, but when you order Merit Beauty’s Signature Lipstick, you don’t have to worry about choosing the wrong color. I’ve had numerous shades of this formula in my rotation over the years, and even colors that I normally find difficult to pull off look perfect on my skin, like this brick red. I prefer a satin finish and it feels like a tinted lip balm.” sullivan
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $26
Merit Beauty Flash Balm Cheek Color
Editor’s test and review notes: “This pocket-sized cream blush is short and chunky, which helps spread the color evenly over your cheeks when you apply it (rather than dotting it on a highly pigmented liquid blush and blending it until your arms hurt). I love that it has a buttery consistency and blends with any other cream bronzer or foundation I apply underneath to create a statement blush look. sullivan
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $30
Merit Beauty Clean Lash Longening Mascara
Editor’s test and review notes: “Tube mascaras are some of my favorites to wear during the day. They highlight and lengthen the lashes without adding too much volume. However, many of these formulas dry out after a few weeks of regular wear. That’s not the case with Merit, which lasts up to three months with flawless results.” sullivan
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $26
Merit Beauty Shade Slick Tint Lip Oil
Editor’s test and review notes: “When I find traditional lip glosses too dry on my lips but want some shine, I reach for this tinted lip oil. Like a good lip balm, it moisturizes my lips, so I don’t have any leftovers. You don’t have to worry about hair getting caught in your lips.It doesn’t feel sticky or sticky even after applying it several times. sullivan
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $24
Merit Beauty Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Editor’s test and review notes: “The Minimalist Perfecting Stick is one of my go-to travel beauty products. Rather than cramming liquid foundation or multiple concealers into heavy glass bottles, this crayon can hide imperfections and brighten dark circles all at once. Ok, I usually use a makeup brush to blend my foundation, but I found that with this formula I was able to use my clean fingertips to quickly tap the pigment into place for even coverage. Ta.” – sullivan
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $38
Why trust WWD?
Since 1910, WWD, also known as the “Fashion Bible,” has been the industry’s leading authority voice for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail, and beauty communities, as well as the leading consumer media outlet covering the market. We have also provided information. Today, WWD’s latest news and trend coverage remains a trusted source for fashion professionals and consumers alike. Our shopping editors uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with expert, high-quality product selections. Learn more about us here.
meet the author
claire sullivan She is the senior beauty and lifestyle commerce editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle articles. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She stays up to date on all things beauty and health related, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan received a pre-sample of Retrospect Extraite de Parfum from Merit Beauty to test for two weeks before writing this review.
Source: Shop – wwd.com
