Milk Makeup Review
Looking for a healthier take on your makeup routine? If that’s the case, you might already heard about Milk makeup. But is it worth the hype and the price tag? Let’s find out.
If you’re into makeup and cleaner products, I am pretty sure Milk makeup products already caught your attention. Clean ingredients, paraben-free, vegan and cruelty-free. If this wasn’t enough, their products have a fun and distinct concept: colourful and on a stick.
Creativity apart, are these products as good and effective as they claim? Are these worth the money? Milk makeup products aren’t exactly low cost. Their price range is more towards high-end and even though they have mini versions for some of their products (more affordable than their standard format), these aren’t cheap either.
As a minimalist and clean-beauty enthusiast, instead of trying a full-face of Milk makeup, I’ve bought just a couple of products that I didn’t have a similar one on my makeup kit: the cooling water, blur stick, highlighter and brow gel.
Here’s my honest opinion on these Milk makeup products:
Cooling Water
I think this was the very first product from Milk makeup that really caught my attention. Infused with caffeine and formulated with natural seawater, this product helps to de-puff and hydrate the underage area. It’s actually marketed as “sleep in a stick”. But how effective is it?
I have dark circles and after so many sleepless nights during lockdown, my under eye area was in desperate need of some help. So after doing a lot of pondering and reading reviews online, I’ve decided to get the mini version (11,95€). The full-size is 22,95€ for 34 g (a bit expensive, I know).
I’ve been applying it first thing in the morning, before going on my authorised morning walk (I am still under lockdown). Even though I’ve been keeping it in the fridge since I’ve bought it (for a cooler result), it isn’t as refreshing as I’ve imagined and I couldn’t really feel that cold sensation that I was supposed to.
After applying it daily for a few weeks, I can tell that it haven’t done much for my dark circles. And that my Avril eye cream (that is sitting on the bathroom sink) has a fresher effect when I apply it on the same area.
On the other hand, I can tell that this product was quite effective when it comes to de-puffing. Especially after a sleepless night. Making me look more human.
This product can also be used as a face primer. However, I don’t really recommend it if you buy the mini version - as you’ll spend a large amount of product in one go. Given the fact that you’re spending 11,95€ for 6 g of product, I am sure you can find more suitable and affordable options in the market for priming your face.
When it comes to the stick format… I am not the biggest fan. As I don’t find it the most hygienic. However, as I am avoiding touching my eye area with my fingertips, I found this format was really convenient and practical. Especially when I am still sleepy.
Also, I am not really a fan of the package. Plastic, plastic, plastic. I hope I can repurpose it once it runs out of product, using it to store my homemade cosmetics.
Just one last thing… is this product really like “sleep in a stick”? Well, not exactly. It least for me.
How would I rate it? 5/10
Blur Stick
During the lockdown, my combination skin went a bit crazy. From oily to extra dry in a matter of hours. Besides all the extra treatments, my pores are a bit more noticeable these days.
I don’t usually use any primer or blur primers. But when I bought the other Milk makeup products for this review, Sephora offered me a super mini version of the Blur Stick for free. So, why not give it a try?
According to Milk’s website, this product primes the skin and blurs the pores. Gives it a matte finish and prolongs our makeup. Sounds good, right?
I’ve been applying it as the first step of my makeup routine. And right after applying it, I can tell that my skin looks different and that the pores aren’t as noticeable. But when I start applying the rest of my makeup products (I use brushes, in case you’re wondering), my pores become visible again. Nor have it prolonged my makeup for extra hours.
In comparison to similar products in the market (e.g. The POREfessional) it was easier to apply, blended better on the skin and left a more natural look.
Unfortunately, I haven’t worked as expected - at least for me. As it’s not a product that I’ll keep using. Fortunately, it was a sample offer and I haven’t wasted my money on this.
How would I rate it? 2/10
Highlighter
After my disappointing experience with Honest Beauty’s highlighter, I was on the quest for a reliable clean beauty highlighter.
I’ve bought the mini stick highlighter from Milk makeup (11,95€ for 6g). It has a vegan formula, infused with coconut oil, mango oil and avocado oil.
I really love the shade of this product and the natural glow it leaves on my skin. It looks really beautiful. And I thought I’ve found the right highlighter for me, but… the package broke the third time I’ve applied it.
The product doesn’t go up or down anymore. Which is really frustrating. As I don’t want to throw away my money, I’ll try to keep using and applying this product with a concealer brush (or just with my fingertips).
Even though this haven’t happened to me with the Cooling Water or the Blur Stick, this particular product doesn’t leave me comfortable at all.
If I knew this beforehand, I would have spent a few more euros and bought their Flex Highlighter instead (it’s a compact highlighter, in case you’re wondering).
But if I ignore this package malfunction, this product is quite good. The formula feels comfortable on the skin, the product is easy to apply (like if you were using a crayon) but it’s a little hard to blend out.
How would I rate it? 7/10
KUSH Fiber Brow Gel
As face masks become part of our every day lives, suddenly our eye area become the center of all the attentions.
If your brows need some filling here and there (like mine), you might be considering doing some tweaks to make these look a little thicker.
As I am a newbie when it comes to enhancing this area, I’ve opted for one single (and versatile) product instead of a handful of ones. Yes, the brow market is a world of its own.
According to Milk makeup website, the KUSH Fiber Brow Gel thickens the brows by adhering to the skin and hair. Enhancing its fullness, shape and definition.
First things first, the shade I’ve bought (Grind) is the exact same shade of my eyebrows (win!). And I was quite surprised by how natural it looked - especially in the area where my brows need a little bit more filling.
The small wand makes it really easy to apply. But if you happen to have thin eyebrows… it will be quite the challenge to apply the product and get a clean result.
If you’re looking for something to thicken your brows and don’t want to have more than one product for the same thing or going through a lot of fuss, this might be right fit for you. There are 8 shades available (plus a clear one). Just try to find one that match your tone or that is slightly lighter.
How would I rate it? 8/10
So…
Are Milk makeup products worth the hype? I don’t think so. Yes, the products look different than the ones we’re used to. The formulas are good, but haven’t wowed me at all. Yes, I really liked the highlighter formula but… I am pretty sure that I could find one that I would love as much in a more conventional (and probably cheaper) brand.
Are Milk makeup products worth the money? The products are original, different and we all know that good marketing has its price. But when it comes to recommending a reliable makeup product with a cleaner, vegan and cruelty-free formula… I would rather go for Tarte or Urban Decay, instead. Yes, their products are pricey but worth the investment (maybe not all the products, but that’s another story).
Would I repurchase any of these products? Mmm… nope. Even though I don’t consider this investment a total waste, I would rather spend money in a different brand and try different products when I run out of the ones I actually liked (like the highlighter and the brow gel).
