Table of Contents
About Milk Makeup
Whether you dabble in YouTube tutorials or are a full-fledged beauty guru, you’re probably already familiar with Milk Makeup. Focused on developing high-quality makeup and skincare with exceptional payoff, you’ll find essentials like mascara and lipstick in its collection, in addition to unique products, like the KUSH Lip Balm.
Milk Makeup wants its collection to inspire customers to experiment with their self-expression and appearance. And, with 1.9 million followers on Instagram and another 200k across YouTube and Facebook, the brand is definitely succeeding.
The company is no stranger to attention, either. News and entertainment outlets like Nylon, Elle, and E! News have raved about its line. And, world-famous pop singer Billie Eilish used only Milk Makeup products for her 2020 Grammy Awards look.
Oh, and the brand has won numerous awards, too. Some highlights include being one of the 2016 Teen Vogue Beauty Game-Changers and winning multiple Allure Best of Beauty awards.
But, is it worth the hype? This Milk Makeup review plans on figuring that out. We’ll take a look at the company, its bestsellers, customer feedback, promotions, and more so that you have everything you need to make the most informed purchasing decisions possible.
Overview of Milk Makeup
Milk Makeup first launched in 2014 in New York City. This will come as no surprise to those familiar with the brand, but a team of true creatives is behind it: co-founder Mazdack Rassi, product developer and COO Dianna Ruth, brand ambassador (or, “Milk Girl”) and creative director Georgie Greville, and E! News beauty and fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi.
Together, the team launched the cruelty-free, paraben-free, and 100% vegan makeup and skincare company.
The brand’s customers, often referred to as the “Milk Mob,” are incredibly active on social media, continually sharing new looks using the company’s products while responding enthusiastically to new item drops and releases.
The brand became even more popular when it released its KUSH line in 2019—a range of products featuring hemp and cannabis ingredients. You’ll find the Milk Makeup KUSH mascara, which is infused with cannabis oil, in this line. (An instant, viral hit.)
Before jumping into the product assessments, this Milk Makeup review will weigh several pros and cons of the company, including:
Pros
- Wide range of makeup and skincare products
- Formulas are cruelty-free and 100% vegan
- No talc, sulfates, formaldehyde, parabens, or mineral oil
- Inclusive and socially conscious brand identity
- Thousands of positive testimonials
- Multiple ways to save and free gifts/samples with purchase
- Easily accessible at multiple retailers, in-person and online
- Offers Afterpay as an alternative payment method
Cons
- No international shipping
- Cannot return or exchange opened products, despite high prices
In the next section of this Milk makeup review, we’ll introduce you to the brand’s best-sellers. Made in the USA, everything in its collection is vegan and cruelty-free, and formulated without the use of sulfates, formaldehyde, parabens, mineral oil, or talc.
Milk Makeup Review
Milk Makeup has been in business for several years now and is continually releasing and dropping new products. But, this Milk Makeup review will only focus on a select few of customers’ favorites.
Want an alternative payment method? The brand offers Afterpay, through which customers can pay in four interest-free installments for its products, including the Milk Makeup blotting papers.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer Review
The base to any flawless makeup look is a good primer—literally. The role of primer is to smooth over your natural, clean face and provide a base for long-lasting makeup wear. Of course, this is exactly what the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer does.
Formulated using 94% natural ingredients, this primer is a makeup-gripping gel that includes hemp-derived seed extract and blue agave extract for a guaranteed 12-hour wear. Meant to be hydrating, this formula is also fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin.
Whether you have dry, oily, or combination-type skin, the Hydro Grip Primer works across all skin types and tones. To use, simply pump 1-2 shots onto the back of your hand and apply it onto freshly cleansed skin before putting on your makeup. Easy, right?
But, the company does suggest you allow the formula to dry on your face for one minute before applying anything else. You can think of this as the activation time.
Prep your skin with this Milk Makeup primer for $32 (1.52 fl oz).
Milk Makeup Blur Stick Review
If typical gel-type primers aren’t your cup of tea, maybe the Milk Makeup Blur Stick is more your style. Though the function of this product is similar to other primers, it comes packaged in stick-form for easy matte blurring and spot correction.
Using what Milk Makeup calls “blurring microsphere technology,” this primer is proven to minimize the appearance of pores up to nearly 70%. The blur stick also primes skin, leaving it silky and matte for flawless makeup application.
Formulated with jasmine oil, the Blur Stick is silicone-free, oil-free, and won’t clog pores.
Given that this is a pretty unique product, the brand provides a video tutorial on how to use it. But, we’ll quickly summarize the steps here:
- Cleanse your skin
- Those with dry skin should moisturize
- Warm up the product on the back of your hand
- Apply it to the center of your face, swiping outward away from your T-zone
Ready to try something new? Get the Blur Stick for $36 (1 oz).
Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation Review
A generic foundation might cover imperfections. But, a superior product also provides a natural finish, lasts all day, and feels lightweight (in other words, not cakey). The Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation claims to do all of that.
Providing full coverage while remaining lightweight, this silicone-free product feels almost like a serum. It is formulated to blur pores and fine lines while leaving a light, smooth, and matte finish.
This Milk Makeup foundation is available in 24 different shades, ranging from porcelain to espresso. Packaged in a sleek and mess-free tube, it includes an innovative airless tip to keep the foundation fresh and true to its original color.
Get the Blur Liquid Matte Foundation for $40 (1.01 fl oz).
Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Review
Perhaps the best beauty tip of all time is to have a good, daily-use sunscreen in your arsenal. And, what better way to protect your precious skin from the sun’s harmful rays than with something that also provides light coverage, feels lightweight, and provides a glowing finish?
Meet the Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. This silicone-free game-changer comes in 14 shades to blend seamlessly into your complexion—think of the coveted no makeup, makeup look.
The inclusion of grapeseed, avocado, mandarin, jojoba, and olive oils also means that this tint is hydrating and nourishing. Oh, and the best part? It’s coral reef-safe. No guilty conscience here!
For protection from UVA and UVB rays, get the Sunshine Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen for $42 (16 ml).
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer Review
Unless you’re blessed enough to live somewhere hot year-round, you likely had to skip out on your beach vacay in 2021. To fake the sun-kissed glow, try the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer.
But, this product does things a little differently than your traditional bronzer. Formulated using mango butter and avocado oil, this vegan formulation is nourishing and gives the wearer a hydrated glow.
On the product page, you’ll find two colors: baked, a medium golden tan shade, and blaze, a deeper, radiant brown hue. Don’t worry—both are natural and non-cakey.
If you’re in the market for a glowy, tanned look, this Milk Makeup bronzer is going to be a favorite in your makeup bag. Get it for $30 (1 oz).
Milk Makeup Mini Holographic Stick Review
Adding some out-of-this-world dimension to your glam look, the Milk Makeup Holographic Stick is definitely for those looking for something new, unique, and attention-grabbing.
Available in peach, lavender, and pink, this highlighter combines “meteorite powder and twilight pearls” for a dramatic sheen. You’ll also find more down-to-earth ingredients, like mango butter and coconut oil.
Now only available in mini size, the Holographic Stick costs $18 (0.19oz). To complete the look, don’t forget to throw on some Milk Makeup holographic lip gloss.
Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Review
The modern woman is a busy woman. And, she doesn’t like to lug around big purses in 2021. So, opt for multitaskers that perform double-duty to kick your look up a notch while on the go.
Saving you space and time, check out the Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek. This creamy stick-based product is perfect for creating dazzling sheer lips and delivering pigmented cheek color.
Formulated with mango butter, peach nectar, and avocado oil, this multitasker gives your skin an instant flush. You’ll find 8 colors available, including Milk Makeup werk.
Hydrating, pigmented, and buildable, get the Lip + Cheek for $30 (1 oz).
Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara Review
We all love the faux lash extension look, but who has time to keep up with them on a monthly basis? Kick things up a notch at home with the Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara.
This product, like the others in the KUSH line, is formulated with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil for “intense black, clump-free, fluffy lashes.” The mascara’s heart-shaped fibers lock onto your lashes to give volume that is going to last all day.
This product is also equipped with a tapered tree-shaped puff puff brush that coats lashes evenly and without clumps. Get it for $25 (10 ml).
Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser Review
It wouldn’t be a thorough Milk Makeup review if we didn’t dive into one of its skincare essentials. The Vegan Milk Cleanser is made with vitamin-rich fig milk and shea butter to “soothe, soften, and refresh skin.”
Of course, since cleansing is the first step in our skincare routines, we want a product that’s going to do some good for us. To deeply nourish and hydrate your skin, you’ll find Kalahari melon, baobab, jojoba, and aloe vera in each tube.
To use this product, apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser onto damp skin to form a “milky lather.” Then, after massaging the product into your skin, rinse thoroughly to remove. Simple, easy, and effective, this product is a must-have.
With a pH level of between 5.5-6.5, this cleanser is restorative and ideal for dry to normal skin types. Fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin, the Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser retails for $30 (4 oz).
Another favorite skincare product is the Milk Makeup watermelon brightening face mask.
Does Milk Makeup Have Milk In It?
Despite the name, Milk Makeup products do not contain any animal milk. In fact, all of the company’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, meaning they do not contain any animal products or byproducts and are never tested on animals.
Is Milk Makeup Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Milk Makeup is a cruelty-free brand, meaning that the company does not test their products on animals, nor do they pay any external agencies to test products on animals.
Is Milk Makeup Good For Sensitive Skin?
Some of the brand’s products are suitable for sensitive skin, such as the Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser. But, it is important to always read product ingredient lists before purchasing to avoid potential known allergens.
Who Is Milk Makeup For?
Milk Makeup is an inclusive brand and is not just suitable for one type of person. Regardless of gender, age, ethnic background, or ability, the company is dedicated to having something for everyone. The brand also tries to have varied shade ranges within all skin makeup products, but there is always room for improvement.
Comparison: Milk Makeup vs. Glossier
Milk Makeup is already a titan in the cosmetics space, but how do its products compare to other companies? To find out, we put the brand head-to-head with another beloved brand—Glossier. We’ll take a look at the similarities and differences between the businesses. In the end, we’ll let you crown your winner.
Glossier has been around since 2010 and is known for its natural, glow-inducing face products, as well as its brow formulations. Like Milk Makeup, this company also provides a skincare line.
Let’s take a look at a similar product from each lineup to learn more:
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint:
- What it does: provides light coverage to even skin tones without hiding freckles
- Shade range: 12
- Key ingredients: diamond powder
- Price and size: $32 for 1 fl oz
- Other features: vegan, cruelty-free
Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen:
- What it does: provides light coverage and a dewy finish while protecting from UVA and UVB rays
- Shade range: 14
- Key ingredients: avocado, grapeseed, jojoba, and mandarin oils, as well as olive-derived squalane
- Price and size: $42 for 0.54 fl oz
- Other features: vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free, coral reef-safe
As you can see, Milk Makeup is definitely pricier than the competitor. But, you do get more for that price tag. Ultimately, both brands have a well-loved collection and a solid reputation. Our featured company seems to provide more multitaskers, while Glossier’s products have a more specific use.
Want to learn more about Glossier, then check them out in our full Glossier Review.
Milk Makeup Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
High-quality ingredients, innovative formulations, and fun packaging—what more could you ask for? Well, to see how its products perform, this Milk Makeup review turned to online testimonials to get the scoop.
On the brand’s website, its top-selling products have received hundreds to thousands of ratings. Here’s an overview of how some of them stack up:
- Hydro Grip Primer: an average of 4.6/5 stars from 1.5k reviews
- Blur Liquid Matte Foundation: an average of 4.2/5 stars from 155+ reviews
- Matte Bronzer: an average of 4.2/5 stars from 105+ reviews
- KUSH Mascara: an average of 4.3/5 stars from 2.7k reviews
- Vegan Milk Facial Cleanser: an average of 4.6/5 stars from 560+ reviews
We chose to dive deeper into the KUSH Mascara, not only because of how popular it is but also because we’re curious about the infusion of hemp-derived cannabis seed oil. Overall, shoppers seem to love it.
Comments frequently mention the non-clumpy, non-flaky, very pigmented, and long-lasting formulation of this mascara. Take this user’s glowing testimonial:
“It stay on all day and doesn’t flake. You can put on more than one coat without it clumping or weighing down your lashes. It lengths and separates your lashes… It’s a great everyday no makeup makeup look kind of mascara.”
Next, we headed over to Sephora to see how these sentiments hold up. Here, customers mostly discuss the Hydro Grip Primer and the Flex Foundation Stick. The former product earned 4/5 stars from 3.7k ratings and the latter earned 4.1/5 stars from 1k ratings.
Of the primer, shoppers write that it helps makeup stay on all day, feels good on their skin, and successfully blurs their pores. Here’s what one woman had to say:
“I’m usually not one for tacky primers since I need all the hydration I could get, but this is the only one I’ve tried that keeps my skin glowy and set ALL day. I use it with my Nars foundation and it’s my go to combination on long days. You get a lot of product as well so I feel like this will last me a good while.”
Finally, we took a look at how the brand’s products hold up on Influenster. With a collective average of 4.4/5 stars from across its collection from 44k ratings, it’s safe to say that Milk Makeup comes recommended by shoppers.
We did struggle to find feedback on the brand’s shipping and return policies—we’ll take no news as good news. With a collection that mostly consists of highly-loved products that are effective, pigmented, and long-wearing, Milk Makeup has a solid reputation and comes highly recommended.
Is Milk Makeup Worth It?
Without a doubt, this Milk Makeup review thinks that the brand is worth it. From its clean and vegan formulations to its cruelty-free practices, this is clearly a socially conscious brand.
But, the company doesn’t let these standards get in the way of it producing high-quality formulas. In fact, thousands of shoppers attest to how effective they are. Though the prices might be on the higher end, customers report that a little bit of product goes a long way for more items—and confirm that the costs are worth it.
Plus, Milk Makeup offers multiple promotions to help you get the most bang out of your buck. Its wide range of clean makeup and skincare is definitely worth checking out, whether you’re looking for something more traditional or something truly innovative, like the KUSH line.
Milk Makeup Promotions & Discounts
This Milk Makeup review kept an eye out for any promotions and deals available on the brand’s site. Here’s what we found:
- Students save 10% on every order
- Head to the Sale page for up to 50% off
- Get a free headband when you buy the Vegan Milk Cleanser or the Vegan Milk Moisturizer
- Free Milk Makeup Cooling Water Sample with every purchase
- Free US shipping on orders over $30 (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
Where to Buy Milk Makeup
Customers can head to MilkMakeup.com to shop for the brand’s collection. Other options include Sephora, Amazon, Walmart, and JCPenney.
FAQ
Who is the owner of Milk Makeup?
Milk Makeup is a part of the Milk Group, owned by Moishe Mana, Erez Shternlicht, and Mazdack Rassi.
Where is Milk Makeup made?
All of the company’s products are designed and produced in New York City. The brand does not do any manufacturing in China.
What is Milk Makeup’s Shipping Policy?
Milk Makeup only ships to the US. Shipments are processed and delivered within 4 business days, with the following shipping options available:
- Continental UPS ground (10-15 business days): $8 (free on orders over $30)
- Hawaii or Alaska: UPS ground (10-15 business days): $25 for orders over $50 or $33 for orders under that amount
What is Milk Makeup’s Return Policy?
If you are unsatisfied with your Milk Makeup products, its customer service team is happy to remedy the issue. Simply reach out to its team within 90 days to begin the return or exchange process for any unopened merchandise.
How to Contact Milk Makeup
Have any questions for the brand after reading this Milk Makeup review? Reach out to its team via:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1-888-686-MILK
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