I've always loved Merit's makeup bag, but this new edition is the chicest yet - and right now, it's free with every beauty buy
This could be the chicest gift-with-purchase of the year...
Merit's Signature makeup bag, famous for its distinctive sack shape and for being gifted with first-time Merit orders, just got reimagined - and for a limited time only, anyone can get their hands on the 2026 edition, simply by buying one Merit beauty product.
While I wouldn't ordinarily wax lyrical over a makeup bag, or really any bag for that matter, Merit's Signature one is a special case. It's sleek and stylish, the sort that you could carry about as a clutch and not be questioned over. It houses your best foundations and cream bronzers with ease - tying up neatly and opening into more of a flat-lay style for quicker access to all your favourites. As fans of Merit Beauty's products will know, the original bag was a camel-brown corduroy, but as of September 10th, 2026, it's had quite the makeover.
Now slate-blue and made from a beautiful pleated, satin-y material, dare I say the beloved bag has never looked so good, and it can be all yours with your next beauty order.
A look at Merit's Reimagined Signature bag
Designed to be 'carried beyond the bathroom' and elevate your everyday routine, the Signature bag has become a key fixture of Merit's identity. Since launching five years ago, more than one million have been distributed worldwide, and while the original russet colourway will always be in our hearts, the new iteration is just as chic - if not more so.
This reimagined version not only boasts a new blue colour and fashionable, pleated fabric, but it also has longer handles and a more structured shape - to house your beauty buys (or whatever you wish to stow away) even more securely.
Of course, this isn't the first time Merit have launched different, limited-edition versions of the Signature bag, but from the sound of it, this one is replacing the original corduroy one.
As for how to get your hands on it, between the 10th and 13th of September, it is available to all customers, new and returning. During this window, it will be automatically shipped with your beauty purchases - you don't need to add it manually or anything like that. After this, though, it will return to being a complimentary gift with first-time orders.
What to shop to secure the bag
Hands down, my favourite complexion product of all time, Merit's The Minimalist stick is definitely one to try if you haven't already. I use it almost every day, as it combines both a concealer and foundation into one quick and seamless step. It blends like a dream, offering just the right amount of coverage, whilst still looking natural. It makes my skin look so fresh and glowy, plus I've never noticed any separating or pilling, especially under other cream products. I really recommend it for dry skin (like mine) and those looking for buildable, versatile coverage.
If you're in the market for a new best lip liner, I highly recommend Merit's, specifically in the shade 'Mayfair.' The formula glides on so smoothly; it's creamy and easy to blend, and even comes with a built-in sharpener on the other end - which I love. The Signature liner is available in a range of flattering shades, all of which can be mixed and matched with the brand's other lip products.
For a blurred and comfy everyday lip look, Merit's Signature Lip Blushes are my go-to. My favourite shade, 'Bespoke', which is a soft rose-brown, never leaves my handbag thanks to the soft and seriously chic wash of colour it gives my lips. It feels so lightweight and velvety on the lips, but it's buildable and, again, works well with both the brand's lip liners and tinted oils.
As mentioned, this chic makeup bag is free with any order between the 10th and 13th of September, before once again returning to a complimentary gift with first-time orders from new customers. So, you can shop whatever you like from Merit's lineup; there's no minimum spend, but if you're after personal recommendations, I have several all-time favourites to share.
