Is red the trickiest signature lipstick shade to settle on? We’ve long been led to believe that we should be doing our utmost to find The One (the perfect tone, the ideal texture, the packaging that will make you swoon) – and, crucially, that everyone’s The One will be unique. So when Merit launched Aperitif – a classic red that, according to the brand, will look good on everyone thanks to a sheer finish that allows the skin’s undertones to show through, the Stylist office was more than a little intrigued.

The buzzy brand launched Aperitif in its sheer Signature Lip formula as part of a Christmas collection in November 2022, but only its US customers got to give the lipstick a trial run. Following Merit’s UK launch earlier this year, it’s now back as a limited-edition shade for summer due to a slew of customers requesting the shade be resurrected. The brand obliged, and now that it’s available to buy in the UK, there was only one way to find out whether the shade is as universal as they say. Ten Stylist staffers swiped it on and gave their verdict…

“Merit has nailed the sheer red lip” – Hanna Ibraheem, beauty director

Finding a great red is the beauty equivalent of discovering the perfect pair of jeans – it takes a bit of searching. But Merit may have just nailed it with Aperitif. More of a coral-toned red against my skin tone, it gives my make-up a refreshing pop of colour that I feel helps to make my complexion appear brighter and fresher, too. Plus, the Signature Lip buttery formula means it’s still lightweight and sheer (but buildable), unlike most classic reds.

“I’m not as scared of a bold lip as I used to be” – Amy Beecham, senior writer

I’m very low maintenance when it comes to my beauty routine, so the ultimate test for me is if red lipstick looks natural and, importantly, doesn’t make me look like I’m attending a costume party dressed as a 1950s pin-up. While I have to admit that I was taken aback by the brightness at first (it’s certainly a true red with none of my usual burgundy to soften the shade) the smooth, balm-like consistency stopped it from feeling too dry or lacquered. Will it make it into my everyday make-up bag? Probably not, but I’m certainly not as scared of a bold lip as I used to be.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the summery shade” – Meena Alexander, features director

I love a pared-back make-up look with a red lip centre stage, but my go-tos always lean towards the earthier brown tones that tend to suit my skin, so I wasn’t convinced this shade was going to look great on me. It has a perfect creamy swipe and though it looks fairly sheer at first, I like how the pigment is buildable depending on how bold you’re feeling, and once you get there it does not budge. I was pleasantly surprised by the summery red, and although I may not reach for this shade every day, it has convinced me that Merit deserves my money the next time I’m looking for a luxury lipstick that performs.

“A summer alternative to vampy red” – Shadé Owomoyela, junior commercial writer

This lipstick is the perfect summer alternative to the usual vampy red I like to wear in the winter. As someone whose skin tone changes quite drastically throughout the seasons, I tend to steer clear of bright lipstick when I catch a tan, but this one was just the thing to spice up my monochrome outfit. The product glides on – almost like a lip balm – and considering I applied it just before lunch and didn’t use lipliner, I was impressed with its staying power. My lips were still looking nicely rouged by the time I got home despite an hour’s commute.

“A red lip on so-called bad skin days? I’m in” – Holly Bullock, fashion and beauty writer

I’m a big fan of red lipstick. In summer, I often do a bare face (aside from an unwise amount of bronzer), lots of mascara and a bright red lip. My reds usually skew coral, so this slightly darker (which appeared more orange on me) was a bit of a departure, but I ended up loving it. It’s not as long-lasting as those ultra-matte liquid lipsticks you can eat a burger in without any wear and tear, but I found this sheer, creamy shade a lot more comfortable. I also had an eczema flare-up near my chin on the day I tried it and, while I’d usually avoid anything that draws attention to the lower half of my face when it hits, I was very glad I chose red – the brightness worked wonders.

“I don’t usually love lipstick, but this one won me over” – Miranda Larbi, Strong Women editor

Ahead of an afternoon packed with Teams interviews, I slapped a coating of Aperitif on a bare face. I didn’t have time to put any other make-up on this morning and hadn’t got round to doing my hair, so the lipstick had quite a weight on its shoulders. I found myself staring at my lips in the calls, admiring its flattering shade and then totally forgot that I had it on between sessions – it’s that lightweight. I don’t love wearing lipstick (it usually makes me self-conscious) but this one strikes the perfect balance between low maintenance and super glam.

“This could be my new signature colour” – Lucy Reber, fashion director

This lipstick is exactly what I needed to lift my tired, no-make-up face. I am a big red lip fan, but currently without a signature colour and Aperitif could definitely be it – with a hint of orange, but not too much. The colour went on smoothly and soothed my chapped lips because it felt closer to a balm than a typical lipstick, only with a stronger, long-lasting pigment. Two thumbs up from me.

“I’m sold on the formula. The colour? Not so much” – Ellen Scott, deputy digital editor

I don’t love this colour on me. Maybe it’s too cool-toned? I like more of an orange lip, so that might be the problem. Or maybe it’s just a bit too much with purple hair. What I do love, however, is the formula. It feels neither drying nor sticky and essentially lets me forget I’m wearing lipstick, which is a good thing in my books. Blotting it gives more of a worn-in finish, which I’m a big fan of. Overall, I’m very likely going to buy this lipstick, but in the Cabo or Tiger shades.

“Something bolder is more my thing” – Helen Bownass, entertainment director

I only entered my lipstick era two years ago. I always thought a bold lip wasn’t for me, but after realising the transformative potential of a swipe of The Perfect Red, I’m a convert. The colour of Aperitif was lovely, although it seemed a little pinker on me than it looked in the tube, and I tend to gravitate to a true red. While I know one of the selling points is that you can’t tell you’re wearing it, I found it so lightweight that it slipped off my lips without a trace after a couple of hours. Admittedly I was at my birthday drinks in the pub – a busy time for mouths – but I think something bolder that I don’t need to reapply is more likely to get into my lipstick hall of fame.

“The buildable formula withstood four hours (and a few aperitifs)” – Poppy Malby, art editor

As a no-make-up make-up girl, a red lip is always quite a daunting prospect, but this colour was the perfect shade of muted red, almost a dark orange Campari colour on me, and the creamy formula allows you to build it up as much as you like. I simply dabbed it on to begin with and blended for a more subtle, worn look. I didn’t line my lips, but it still lasted up to four hours (a few aperitifs were drunk in that time), and it gave my simple white T-shirt, baggy jeans and ballet flats outfit the French girl element I was looking for. The packaging also elevates your make-up bag aesthetic: I’m a big fan.

Shop Merit Signature Lip in Aperitif at Merit, £28

Images: courtesy of writers