Since launching in 2021, Merit Beauty has made a name for itself in the beauty world with its minimalist, clean approach. The brand was designed to be effortlessly chic and well-edited, and its signature makeup bag is just one example of its thoughtfully curated vision. Now, Merit is expanding its thoughtful lineup with its first-ever fragrance, Retrospect Extrait de Parfum ($92), available now.
“We have always focused on slow intentionality and making products where we believe there’s white space,” Merit Chief Marketing Officer Aila Morin told Fashionista. “And we believe very clearly that even with the increased momentum of fragrance launches this year, they’ve almost just made our point stronger on where the white space is on having something clean and nuanced and grown-up and long-lasting and high quality. That still doesn’t really exist in the market, and absolutely not at a $92 price point.”
In true Merit fashion, the bottle boasts a minimalist, sculptural design with a gold cap that complements the brand’s existing collection. As a proud owner of the 30ml (1oz) perfume, I can confidently say it not only adds a luxe touch to my vanity but also feels perfectly sculptural in my hand, with a weight reminiscent of a smooth, polished stone.
The brand has reportedly been working on this fragrance since its early days, referencing that same “white space” in an interview with Vogue. “Frankly, there weren’t a lot of fragrances speaking to women in our age group, so we started concepting the Merit scent.” What resulted is a vintage-inspired fragrance that resonates with Merit’s 30- to 40-year-old consumers.
“We created 200 different versions of the fragrance before we settled on the one in the bottle,” French perfumer Fanny Bal told Vogue. “But I have to say, we’re not too far from the original idea.” The final fragrance features notes of vanilla, jasmine, and rose—modernized to feel fresh and contemporary rather than simply nostalgic.
As a 29-year-old fan of the brand, I, too, am a fan. It’s classic and perfect for day-to-night wear. For comparison, it reminds me of Maison Margiela’s discontinued Lipstick On fragrance, likely because both have a powdery, slightly sweet scent that reminds me of the old-school smell of lipstick.
If you’re a fan of Merit’s minimalist-classic-modern aesthetic, Merit Retrospect Extrait de Parfum is a fragrant reflection of that vibe—and certainly worth adding to your fragrance lineup. And while you’re at it, why not treat yourself to a restock of Merit’s bestsellers, like the ones below?