The Newbury Girl

Bad or Rad | Milk Makeup Bad or Rad Review and Swatches
Clean Beauty•Cruelty-Free•skincare

Bad or Rad | Milk Makeup Review

April 4, 2019

Like other American, It-Girl indie brands, Glossier and Nudestix, Milk Makeup is a hot, new beauty brand known for its inclusive messaging and unique, clean beauty offerings. This brand champions the no-makeup makeup look for the girl of guy on the go. But does the brand live up to the hype? Please keep reading for my Milk Makeup review.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links (*). If you purchase by clicking on my links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you.

About Milk Makeup

Founded by Mazdack Rassi and Zanna Roberts Rassi, Milk Makeup promises to provide beauty for everyone. The brand emphasizes the importance of creativity, self-expression and #LivingYourLook. Milk Makeup is vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.

Milk Makeup Review | Beauty Flat Lay | Blush, Highlighter, Primer, Toner, Mascara

Milk Makeup Review Tip | The Milk Makeup Minis make it easy to test products without investing a ton of money

Milk Makeup Review

Now that we understand more about the brand, let’s dive into the Milk Makeup Review on five of the brand’s cult classic products.

Mini Blur Stick Matte Primer | $18.00

The Milk Makeup Blur Stick Matte Primer* promises to be a silicone-free, oil-free matte primer stick that will blur the look of fine lines and pores.

Blur Stick Claims

The Blur Stick claims to be a lightweight, silicone-free, matte primer that minimizes the appearance pores and fine lines. Milk promises that this clear, velvety  primer will provide a shine-free canvas that blurs imperfections and makes your makeup last longer.

This primer can be worn under makeup or on its own.  It promises to provide a matte, perfected look without clogging pores. Supposedly, this primer is ideal for all skin tones and for normal-to-oily skin.

Blur Stick Ingredients

The Milk Makeup Blur Stick Matte Primer is Cruelty-Free, paraben-free, vegan, silicone-free, dimethicone-free, oil-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and talc-free. Check out this post for more affordable, Cruelty-Free brands.

Application

The primer is best applied using your fingers to tap the product into the skin. Rub your finger over the top of the stick until the product warms up and softens. Gently pat the primer onto the skin over textured areas.

Reality

This primer is super lightweight. However, it is very stiff. This makes it difficult to apply. To get this primer to do what it promises, I need to rub my finger until the product warms and softens.

Does it blur skin without clogging pores? Sure. Would I purchase this again? Honestly, I want to use something that requires less effort.

Bad or Rad?

This primer hasn’t left a lasting impression on me. Would I buy it again? Most likely not.

Milk Makeup Review | Holographic Highlighter | Lit Highlighter | Werk Blush + Lip

Minis of Milk’s best selling highlighters & blush + lip stain

Mini Lip + Cheek in Werk | $15.00

The Mini Lip + Cheek product* is a multi-use, lip and cheek color stick. Werk is described as a dusty rose.

Lip + Cheek Claims

Milk promises that the Lip + Cheek Multi-stick is easy-to-apply, buildable, and blendable. Also, the Lip + Cheek promises creamy color with a single swipe. Finally, the formula is intended to aborb easily.

Lip + Cheek Ingredients

The Lip + Cheek multi-stick is formulated with Mango butter and avocado oil to provide rich color and hydration. Additionally, this product is free from Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates. This product is vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free. Discover more clean makeup brands, like Milk.

Lip + Cheek Application

The Lip + Cheek product performs best when applied directly to the skin and blended out with the fingers. As with all cream products, this should be applied before setting the face with powder.

Also, it is important to note that the color payoff is drastically different on the cheeks and lips. On the lips, the color is far too light and pink for my taste. However, on the cheeks, the color applies truer to how it looks in the stick.

Reality

This blush is easy to apply and blend. Also, it adds a beautiful, natural flush to the cheeks without looking greasy or shiny. The product is long-wearing, too. Compared to Glossier’s Cloud Paint formula, the Milk multi-stick is much easier to blend. Check out my Glossier brand review to compare.

All-in-all, this is a great ‘starter’ product for anyone looking to try cream products but is worried about blending and application.

Bad or Rad?

This is definitely a rad product. In fact, this is a must-buy for anyone who loves natural-looking makeup but lacks time.

Milk Makeup Review | Mini Holographic Highlighter | Mini Lit Highlighter | Mini Werk Lip + Cheek

The Milk minis come in compact, easy to use twist top packaging

Mini Holographic Highlighter in Supernova| $15.00

The Mini Holographic Highlighter in Supernova* promises “prismatic” shine to the cheeks, lips, and eyes. This highlighter comes in three shades. All sizes can be purchased as minis.

Holographic Highlighter Claims

Milk Makeup claims that the multi-use holographic highlighter leaves the skin, lips, and eyes feeling hydrated and glowing.

Holographic Highlighter Ingredients

The Holographic highlighter boasts ingredients like “meteorite powder”, twilight pearls, mango butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Also, this highlighter is free from Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates. Additionally, the Holographic Highlighter is vegan and cruelty-free.

Holographic Highlighter Application

This highlighter applies best directly to the skin, either bare or overtop makeup. Then, blend with fingers. Apply this prior to setting the face with powder.

Reality

Although I liked this highlighter, I didn’t see a huge holographic effect. Also, I do not typically wear colorful highlighters. Therefore, I don’t mind that the color wasn’t overly silver-purple.

Bad or Rad?

I liked this highlighter. However, I wouldn’t purchase the holographic formula again. Instead, I’d rather pick up another one of the brand’s “traditional” stick highlighters.

Swatches of Milk Makeup's Holographic Highlighter, Lit Highlighter, Werk Lip + Cheek

L:R: Holographic Highlighter, Lit Highlighter, Werk Lip + Cheek

Mini Highlighter in Lit | $15.00

The Milk Makeup Highlighter in Lit* is a creamy, dewy highlighter promises a beautiful, everyday glow. Lit is a champagne-pearl color, while the shade Turnt is a rose-gold color. Both shades are available as minis.

Mini Highlighter Claims

Milk claims that the cream highlighter is easy to apply with one swipe across the skin. Additional layering promises to provide a more intense, luminous shine.

Also, this highlight adds hydration to the skin with an iridescent pearlescent glow. This highlighter is designed to instantly absorb and blend on the skin once the product interacts with the skin’s heat.

Mini Highlighter Ingredients

The highlighter includes ingredients such as micro-shimmer, mango butter, peach nectar, and avocado oil. This is formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates. Milk Makeup does not test on animals.

Mini Highlighter Application

Apply directly to the skin or dabbed on with the fingers. For best results, apply before setting the face with powder. Also, a brush application is workable (with a dense brush). However, brush application wastes more product.

Reality

Lit provides a natural, effortless-looking glow that makes my skin look radiant and dewy without looking greasy. When wearing this highlighter, I received many compliments on my skin’s radiance. However, I don’t notice any additional hydration. See where this highlighter landed in my highlighter ranking.

Bad or Rad?

Lit is a rad highlighter and the Milk formula is killer. Fans of natural-looking, glossy or dewy highlighters will love this highlighter.

Lift, Lengthen, and condition your Lashes with the Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara

Lift, Lengthen, and condition your Lashes with the Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara

Mini KUSH High Volume Mascara | $12.00

The KUSH High Volume Mascara* is a cannabis-infused mascara that is meant to blacken and volumize lashes.

KUSH High Volume Mascara Claims

The KUSH High Volume Mascara promises lasting volume, length, and curl without clumping, flaking, or drying out the lashes. Also, the cannabis seed oil conditions the lashes. Meanwhile the heart-shaped fibers of the formula provide a longer and thicker looking lash.

KUSH High Volume Mascara Ingredients

As previously mentioned, cannabis seed oil is a major ingredient in the formula. Also, the KUSH High Volume Mascara is cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, vegan, gluten-free, fragrance-free, and silicone-free.

KUSH High Volume Mascara Application

For best results, start at the base of the lash and wiggle the wand upwards. Multiple layers will add additional lift, length, and volume. However, this is a wet formula. During application, this may smudge.

KUSH High Volume Mascara Reality

Not only did my lashes look long, voluminous, and lifted, but the mascara opened up the appearance of my eyes. Also, my eyes looked larger and more awake. Additionally, I received countless compliments on my lashes on the days I wore this mascara.

Bad or Rad?

Of the products featured in my Milk Makeup review, the Kush Mascara was the standout product. In fact, his is a product that I’ve repurchased multiple times. See the other mascaras in my mascara collection.

Where to Buy Milk Makeup?

In the US, Milk Makeup is sold at Sephora and Cult Beauty in the UK. Note, if purchased directly on MilkMakeup.com, students can receive 10% of their purchase.

Milk Makeup Review | KUSH Mascara, Lip + Cheek, Holographic Highlighter, Lit Highlighter | Makeup Minis | Beauty Review

Final Thoughts on Milk Makeup

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed many of the brand’s cosmetic products. Milk Makeup’s products enhance my natural beauty. In fact, the products speed up my beauty routine in a noticeable way.

I appreciate the cleaner formula for each product. I will purchased more cosmetics products from the brand. Current items on my beauty wish list Those products include the Matte Cream Bronzer, the Micro Fiber Brow Gel, the Hydro-Grip Primer,* and the Blur + Set Matte Loose Setting Powder.*

Although pictured above, I did not include the brand’s skincare in my Milk Makeup review. In fact, I am hesitant to try or recommend the brand’s skincare in the future as both products I tried irritated my skin.

The Watermelon Brightening Serum caused breakouts. Also, the cooling Water Stick caused an intense burning reaction that lasted for days. To read about my experience with the Cooling Water Stick outside of the Milk Makeup brand review, check out my Worst of Beauty 2018 post.

Let’s connect on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’ | Influenster

Milk Makeup Review

Did you enjoy this Milk Makeup review? Love the no-makeup makeup look? Check out my Glossier haul and my in-depth review of Glossier‘s cult classic products. Looking for new, everyday glamour? Check out this review of the MAC x Disney’s Aladdin Collection.

Have you tried anything from Milk Makeup before or are you interested in any of these goodies? What is your go-to easy beauty staple? What did you think of my Milk Makeup review? Please let me know in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. I love reading your bad or rad posts – it really helps me with deciding whether to try these products, and really makes me to really want to buy the rad ones. The lit highlighter and the werk cheek and lips Aden officially on my want list!! They look so nice!!

    Reply

  2. I loved this post, super informative and very honest! I’m so intrigued to try a few products, definitely going to have to pick up the mascara next month and my lashes are pretty curly so I hopefully will get along with it just as good if not better (I’m doing a Beauty No Buy in April) I’m already SO excited!

    – Gillian x
    http://www.gillianfinn.com

    Reply

    • Omg good luck with your No Buy!! I’m set to start a Low Buy next month haha!!

      Also, you can buy the mini KUSH mascara from Sephora too!! That way you can try it without making a big investment. ☺️

      Reply

  5. Loved reading this! I never tried Milk Makeup products before but I really want to try some soon.. definitely checking out their blush!

    Reply

    • Yay! I’m so glad you discovered some new products through this post – def let me know if you try the blush!! They sell it as a mini so it is a great way to test it out without fully committing! <3

      Reply

  6. I’m just going to have to come to your blog when I need to buy new products. You are definitely my favorite Beauty Blogger – your views are always spot on. I haven’t tried Milk Makeup yet, but I definitely want to now! I also LOVE that they are vegan & cruelty-free. Thanks for sharing.
    –
    GABBY | http://www.gabbyabigaill.com

    Reply

  7. I’ve been hearing a lot of beauty influencers raving about Milk makeup and I was curious to see what the hype was.
    I still haven’t try their products because I thought they were just an ordinary brand. I’m so glad I read this post cause now I have an idea of what the brand represents and have some background on what products to try.
    I’m all for cruelty-free and vegan makeup so that’s a plus. The Kush Mascara and the Lip + Cheek are definitely some I would love to try.

    Thank you for this honest review.

    Have a great day.

    Estée Izaola

    Reply

  8. Beautiful pictures! I think Milk Makeup has some hits and misses but I absolutely love the KUSH mascara! LOVE all your reviews and this format. 🙂

    Reply

  9. oo Interesting brand!! I was disappointed too when I got around to reading the holographic highlighter and how you couldn’t notice much of it 🙁 Good the blush and the mascara worked great though!! I need that mascara in my life 🙂

    Reply

  10. I keep seeing this Milk brand everywhere, but haven’t tried it. This post was super informative, and now I have a better idea of what products would be best for me to try first. I’d definitely check out that mascara, the ‘Lit’ highlighter, and the blush!

    Reply

  11. I like Milk Makeup is about being sustainable and having ingredients that actually help you than hurt you. I like that the primer is super affordable. Big plus that it is lightweight. It is a bummer that you need to put some extra work in, but I rather have that than have added chemicals. It is great that you liked the lip and cheek product! Pretty cool that it is a multi-use product. I love how the mascara looks! Glad you enjoyed their products overall!

    Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me

    Reply

  12. Thank you for the detailed review!! I’ve been curious about Milk Makeup for a long time but I’ve never taken the plunge to reach for their products. I didn’t realize how affordable they were, either. $12 for a GREAT mascara that’s also cruelty-free is a steal!

    Reply

    • Aw thank you so much for this comment – and honestly same! I was hesitant to try them for so long, but when I saw that they sold mini versions of their products, I couldn’t resist!! 😀

      Reply

  13. Milk Makeup has always really interested me although i’ve never tried it as there’s really no where to buy it from in Aus! Whenever I think of this brand I always think of really simple makeup, that seems easy to use, maybe that’s due to the fairly simple and straightforward packaging and branding. You’ve really really interested me in that mascara though, the fact that it has cannabis seed oil is SO intriguing and it honestly sounds like it worked really well! I’m a sucker for a good mascara, I think im going to add that to my ever growing list of products I wanna buy when I go to the states! 😉 Great post! xx

    Reply

    • Yes you’re totally correct – it definitely is that simple, on-the-go makeup with minimalist packaging! I’m glad this review interested you – def check out some of the minis when you’re here in the states!! 😀

      Reply

  14. Love this review ! I like the idea of using this kind of makeup but my skin is already oily so I’m not confident that I’d have a good experience with it! Great post though! I just wanted to come through and show you some loveee! 💕

    Reply

  15. I’m super confused on why a seemingly vegan make up company calls themselves milk make up? I was expecting a bit more Cleopatra…
    I’m not a huge make up girl but I do like the sound of that mascara and I am very tempted for the two odd times a year I wear make up from your review.

    Reply

  16. Goodness! It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to read! I’m so glad I popped on because I love these Bad /Rad posts. I don’t know where I can buy it from here but I’m curious to find it! You have struck my interest. 😂😂🤔 X

    Reply

    • Thank you, Christine! Miss ya – but hope everything is going well. So glad you like this series. <3

      I know Milk recently launched in the UK this year, so hopefully they'll keep expanding across Europe.

      Reply

  17. I really desire to try the highlighter so much, and your review just made me even more set on getting it! It seems so simple and easy to work with that I just have to get it 🙂
    Thank you so much for sharing

    Reply

    • Aw thank you so much – I’ve really grown to love their brand this past year or so! A lot of hidden gems… and I LOVE that they sell minis of their products!

      Reply

  21. I am so interested in trying out Milk Makeup especially their bronzer. Thank you for the review! Now i’m adding Kush Mascara to my list too 👀

    Reply

    • So sad to say that I did try the watermelon brightening gel and it made me break out 🙁

      I have sensitive, oily skin so some hydrating and brightening products just don’t work out for me.

      Reply
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