MERIT built its name on minimalist makeup you can apply in minutes, so it makes sense that the brand\u2019s fragrances follow the same idea: One scent that will become the signature you reach for every day. Today, the brand launches New Wave L\u2019Extrait de Parfum ($92 for 30ml), which has an entirely different personality than MERIT\u2019s first fragrance, Retrospect, which launched in 2024. I met with the brand and the perfumers responsible for the new scent to get the inside scoop.<\/p>\n
The Inspiration<\/h2>\n
New Wave was created in collaboration with French master perfumer Dominique Ropion (the nose behind dozens of iconic fragrances) and Irish perfumer Meabh McCurtin (part of the industry\u2019s new guard), both of IFF. \u201cThe warm, spicy-floral scent was inspired by surrealist art and feelings of power, sensuality and optimism,\u201d says Lola Gonzalez Marra, vice president of creative at MERIT Beauty. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cOne particular week, the [MERIT] team came over, it was very intensive, almost like a workshop,\u201d says McCurtin. \u201cEvery day we\u2019d make a tweak, smell it on the skin, and it was so nice that it was such a collaborative experience. The whole message they kept giving back to us was about confidence, sensuality and something that is contemporary, but also somewhat classic\u2014they weren\u2019t afraid not to follow the trends.\u201d<\/p>\n MERIT<\/strong><\/p>\n New Wave L\u2019Extrait de Parfum<\/p>\n BUY NOW – $92<\/p>\n This scent makes a statement. \u201cWe were trying to capture this idea of something that feels very classic and familiar, but is kind of pushed into the future in a way that feels newer, pristine, exciting and confident,\u201d says Gonzalez Marra. The perfumers achieved this with top notes of crisp pink pepper and herbal angelica seed; a floral heart of Tunisian orange flower and Madagascan ylang ylang; and a bold dry-down of benzoin, labdanum, olibanum, patchouli, Ambroxan, musk, cypriol, vetiver, a tobacco accord, cedarwood, oakwood, vanilla bean and tonka bean.<\/p>\n The result is a smoky, resinous warmth with a gentle gourmand sweetness from the vanilla and tonka. \u201cWe wanted to start with a classical base with patchouli and add new raw materials to this starting point,\u201d says Ropion. <\/p>\n If you like amber florals with some heft (the territory between a classic oriental and a modern skin scent), New Wave is one to try. As an extrait (the most concentrated tier of fragrance), it\u2019s also a great pick for anyone who wants their perfume to last longer. MERIT says the formula contains close to 30 percent perfume oil, which is far higher than a typical eau de parfum (15 to 20 percent). It\u2019s a fitting choice for fall and winter, too, with its warmth and big sillage. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"merit-new-wave-perfume\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.sanity.io\/images\/0vv8moc6\/newbeauty\/50f0f7c4f0320336208273501a047ee35d4d16d1-1000x1000.jpg?w=1200&auto=format&q=70\")
<\/figure>\nWhat New Wave Smells Like<\/h2>\n