Does the Merit 'Minimalist' stick live up to the hype for us in Italy?

Why I became obsessed with Merit Beauty in 2026

I kept seeing the Merit Beauty 'The Minimalist' Perfecting Skin Stick all over my social feeds. While it is currently the top trending 'effortless' brand in Hong Kong, I realized we are in the same boat here in Italy because we still don't have a physical store to test the shades. I wanted that specific 2026 formula update which promises more hydration, but getting it meant looking toward the US. I follow many us trends, and this one felt like it was worth the extra effort to source directly from the source.

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Buy It For Me

My skin has been feeling a bit dull lately, and I wanted something that acts as both a foundation and a concealer. The 'Minimalist' stick is famous for that 'no-makeup' look, which is exactly my vibe. Since the full shade range is only available in the States, I knew I had to use a freight forwarder to get it to my door in Rome.

How I bought it from the USA to Italy

I started my journey by visiting the Merit website and Sephora US. I quickly found out that they don't ship directly to Italy. I decided to use a tax-free us address provided by comGateway. This helped me avoid paying US sales tax, which is a nice little bonus when you are already paying for international shipping. If you are new to this, you can always check their FAQ for the basic steps on how the process works.

I also made sure to check if makeup was allowed. I visited the guide on prohibited items to ensure that a cream-based skin stick wouldn't cause any issues at the warehouse. Thankfully, it is perfectly safe to ship!

The credit card problem and how I fixed it

I ran into a major snag when I tried to check out at Sephora. My Italian credit card was declined immediately because the billing address didn't match the US shipping address. This is a common issue with big US retailers like Nike or Sephora—they often block international cards or orders sent to known forwarders. I almost gave up, but then I remembered the "BuyForMe" service.

I used comGateway’s BuyForMe service where their team in the US purchased the item for me using a domestic US card. This is honestly the safest way to guarantee your order doesn't get cancelled by picky retailers. I just gave them the link to the shade I wanted, and they handled the rest. It saved me a lot of frustration and allowed me to finally get my hands on the 2026 formula.

Shipping estimates for the Minimalist stick

I know many of you are worried about the cost of shipping a single beauty item. I used the shipping calculator to get a rough idea before I committed. Here is a breakdown of what I found for the Merit 'The Minimalist' stick:

To make the shipping even more cost-effective, I suggest adding a few more items to your shipment. Shipping one small stick might feel expensive, but if you bundle it with other US-exclusive beauty products, the price per item drops significantly.

Handling customs and import tax in Italy

My package arrived in Italy via DHL in about six days. Since I was shipping to Italy, I had to be aware of the local regulations. I always recommend reading up on import tax before your package arrives so there are no surprises at the door. Generally, for beauty products coming into Italy, you should expect to pay VAT and potentially some administrative fees.

I found that the process for ship to Italy was quite smooth. The tracking was updated at every stage, and I was able to pay my duties online before the delivery driver arrived. If you have been hesitant about ordering from the US, I can tell you that as long as you use a reliable partner, it is much easier than it looks. The Merit stick is finally in my makeup bag, and yes, the 2026 formula is every bit as creamy as they say!