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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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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.
beauty beauty blogger beauty haul beauty review cosmetics indie beauty makeup milk makeup milk makeup KUSH Mascara milk makeup review
kattieh says
April 4, 2019 at 5:53 amI 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!!
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 10:18 amaw thank you so much, girl! 💜 I was so surprised at how much I liked these products.
gillianfinn says
April 4, 2019 at 8:01 amI 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
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 10:22 amOmg 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. ☺️
jennifertarheelreader says
April 4, 2019 at 8:23 amLove these reviews, LP! I am all about natural beauty with quick application! Music to my ears. I’ll check out the products you liked. ♥️
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 10:22 amAw I’m so glad – these definitely may be worth checking out then! 💜
chantellewright94 says
April 4, 2019 at 12:13 pmAh! I love this post! I’ve been wanting to try Milk Cosmetics for ages. It’s nice to read your opinions first. The blusher sounds great and actually thats the part of my makeup collection I have least of! Maybe I’ll have to get one of these!
Chantelle
xoxo
http://thatyorkshiregirlchantelle.com
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 2:17 pmThank you so much for your comment! 😀 Definitely let me know if you try anything!!
Simone says
April 4, 2019 at 12:47 pmLoved reading this! I never tried Milk Makeup products before but I really want to try some soon.. definitely checking out their blush!
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 2:16 pmYay! 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
gabbyabigailll says
April 4, 2019 at 2:53 pmI’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
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 10:37 pmOMG you are the sweetest! 😀 It is always such a bonus when a brand offer vegan and cruelty-free products.
Estée Izaola says
April 4, 2019 at 3:36 pmI’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
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 10:35 pmAw I’m so glad that you were able to learn more about them through this post!! Definitely let me know if you try anything! <3
Tayler says
April 4, 2019 at 9:00 pmBeautiful pictures! I think Milk Makeup has some hits and misses but I absolutely love the KUSH mascara! LOVE all your reviews and this format. 🙂
The Newbury Girl says
April 4, 2019 at 10:33 pmAw thank you so much, girl! I agree with you – so many of their products are either so good or so bad!!
Geraldine says
April 4, 2019 at 11:27 pmoo 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 🙂
Castles and Hurricanes says
April 5, 2019 at 12:50 pmI 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!
The Newbury Girl says
April 5, 2019 at 1:32 pmAh I’m so glad you found this helpful! 💜 They’re definitely a super trendy brand right now and have been releasing a lot of new products!
Nancy says
April 7, 2019 at 12:42 amI 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
Jackie | The Vibrant Dreamer says
April 7, 2019 at 6:48 pmThank 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!
The Newbury Girl says
April 8, 2019 at 1:58 pmAw 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!! 😀
molly rose says
April 8, 2019 at 8:01 amMilk 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
The Newbury Girl says
April 8, 2019 at 1:57 pmYes 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!! 😀
Jessica says
April 17, 2019 at 3:40 pmLove 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! 💕
The Newbury Girl says
April 17, 2019 at 11:27 pmThank you so much!! And my skin is SO oily … but these products work well on light makeup days or when set with a powder!! 😀
Jessica says
April 18, 2019 at 7:37 amOkay cool !! I’ve never used that kind of makeup with powder before! And you’re welcome ❤️
ThatAutisticFitChick says
April 17, 2019 at 8:33 pmI’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.
The Newbury Girl says
April 17, 2019 at 11:33 pmhah I never thought about that, but I suppose their are vegan milk options.. right? Love a good almond milk any day. 🙂
ThatAutisticFitChick says
April 18, 2019 at 8:20 amAlmond milk….drooooool
glamourwithchristine says
April 24, 2019 at 1:55 pmGoodness! 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
The Newbury Girl says
April 26, 2019 at 1:23 pmThank 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.
betterdaywithme says
April 25, 2019 at 9:04 amI 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
The Newbury Girl says
April 26, 2019 at 1:21 pmAw so glad this was helpful for you!! Definitely try the mini version to save some money! 😀
betterdaywithme says
April 26, 2019 at 5:15 pmGreat idea, will defenitly do that! 🙂
sophienaylor1 says
May 15, 2019 at 2:48 pmI’ve been meaning to try Milk makeup for ages! Great post 🙂 x
The Newbury Girl says
May 15, 2019 at 3:11 pmThey’ve become one of my favorite brands at the moment – they’re kind of like an edgier Glossier. <3
annisbeautyboutique says
May 19, 2019 at 3:22 amLoved this post!! I’ve wanted to try some of the Milk range for a while now. Will definitely give the lit highlighter a try now.
The Newbury Girl says
May 19, 2019 at 11:53 pmAw 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!
hayden lawler says
May 22, 2019 at 2:37 amThis is such a great series of posts. Their so unique and so honest, I just love them !! 💛
The Newbury Girl says
May 22, 2019 at 1:27 pmThank you so much 💜💜💜
jamnesreen says
May 22, 2019 at 12:37 pmI 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 👀
The Newbury Girl says
May 22, 2019 at 1:27 pmThey sell it in a mini so you don’t have to invest a lot & this year it comes in one of the free Sephora birthday kits! 💜
antonia_ says
June 13, 2019 at 9:32 amI must try milk makeup! Looks superb
The Newbury Girl says
June 15, 2019 at 6:23 pmI really love the brand – their products are always so easy to apply and really great for quick makeup days! <3
Grace says
June 18, 2019 at 1:08 amYou have to try the water melon brighting gel! As a highlighter or a highlighter base it is amazing! (:
The Newbury Girl says
June 18, 2019 at 5:44 pmSo 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.
Grace says
June 18, 2019 at 6:16 pmSorry to hear! I have super dry skin so it worked wonders for me! 💞😅