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During the holiday seasons, I saw on Sephora (yes, I know not Ulta. I rarely venture to the other store) that Milk Makeup was doing a set of their best sellers that includes mini versions some of their face products and the kush mascara. Now I was too late to get the bundle so instead as a little Christmas present for myself I purchased the mini versions of Kush Mascara, Matcha Toner, Watermelon Brightening Serum, Blur Stick, and Cooling Water. The only thing from that bundle I didn’t get was the mini holographic highlighter as I have tried it and knew I wouldn’t reach for it. I have heard great things and influencers praising each of these products so I wanted to find out myself if they each were worth the hype.
So let’s dive into each of the reviews and at the very end I will give my final thoughts on all the products. I have been trying each of these products for a month before I formed my opinions.
Kush Mascara
If you have been on my blog, Instagram or YouTube for the past six or so months you’ll know the only thing I’ve been reaching for is the Essence Volume Stylist Curl & Hold Mascara. I have actually been trying to be insanely good about not having more than two mascaras on hand at a time so they get the full use before expiration. Well both of my Essence Mascaras hit the end of the road and since I was already going to be testing a bunch of mini products from Milk Makeup, I figured I might as well give this mascara a try. I’ve heard glowing reviews of it from Jeffree Star, JKissa, and Ateeeely.
So what is the Kush Mascara?
You can get it in two sizes: 0.34 oz/10 mL for $24 or 0.13 oz/4 mL for $12. The second option is the one I went with just so I could try it out before making a full commitment. This mascara is supposed give you high-volume with nourishing hemp-derived cannabis seed oil and thickening heart-shaped fibers. As well as be clump-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free and phthalate-free.
Why formulate with cannabis?
Ever since its inception, Milk Makeup has wanted to create a product that showcases the amazing properties of hemp-derived cannabis seed oil. When they started talking about coming out with a fully vegan volumizing mascara with fibers, they knew they couldn’t use beeswax, a common binding component in mascara formulas. Enter: hemp-derived cannabis seed oil. Hemp-derived cannabis oil fuses the heart-shaped fibers to your lashes without fallout. It whips the formula into a creamy texture that allows for smoother application on lashes and an easier, tug-free removal. It also provides an additional conditioning benefit. KUSH Mascara is the vegan way to get major volume and healthier-looking lashes in one hit.
Milk Makeup
Matcha Toner
The Matcha Toner is a solid toner stick infused with matcha to detoxify pores and balance skin. As well as help with dryness and dullness in your skin. This solid toner comes in two sizes: 1 oz/28 g for $26 (full size) or 0.33 oz/6.25 g for $14 (mini). The toner is paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, talc-free, and alcohol-free. Which is not something you see in toners… and mainly the last one I’m referring to there.
About the product:
The world’s first solid facial toner removes oil and detoxifies pores. Use Matcha Solid Toner after cleansing and before your preferred serum and moisturizer to banish excess oil and balance skin. It’s packed with matcha green tea to detoxify and purify pores, while ingredients like kombucha and witch hazel help diminish the appearance of pores and absorb excess oil. Cactus elixir calms and hydrates skin. The unique gel stick formula gently glides onto skin and provides a cool, refreshing sensation upon application. The TSA-friendly solid formula is perfect for refreshing skin at home or on-the-go. It’s ideal for sensitive and oily skin.
Milk Makeup
Watermelon Brightening Serum
Watermelon Brightening Serum is supposed to be a brightening and hydrating solid serum stick that evens skin tone, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and revitalizes the complexion for luminous skin. Like the other products I’m reviewing today comes in two sizes: 1.2 oz/34 g for $36 or 0.22 oz/6.25 g for $14. This serum is paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free. Also it’s supposed to be good on all skin types.
About the product:
This on-the-go solid serum diminishes the appearance of dark spots with Swiss garden cress sprout extract, delivers hydration with watermelon fruit extract, and smooths by supporting skin’s elasticity with matrixyl, a biomimetic peptide complex. The TSA-friendly solid formula means no spilled serum messes.
Milk Makeup
Blur Stick
Next up is the Blur Stick. Which I may have tried in the past as a sample but I can’t honestly remember. This is supposed to be a matte primer that glides on sheer to blur pores and fine lines. Similar to every other product mentioned there are two sizes: 1 oz/28 g for $36 or 0.19 oz/5.4 g for $14. The blur stick is paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, oil-free, talc-free, silicone-free, dimethicone-free, and soy-free.
About the product:
Blur Stick is a lightweight, silicone-free, matte primer stick that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines with powder-filled, blurring microspheres. Blur Stick’s smooth, velvety formula goes on clear to create a flawless, shine-free canvas that helps makeup look better and last longer. Warm up the creamy primer with your fingers, then swipe it onto your face. Wear it alone to banish oily spots and blur flaws, under makeup as a priming base, or use it throughout the day to soak up T-zone oil. Blur Stick primer is thoughtfully formulated with ingredients that won’t clog pores. Blur Stick is designed for all skin tones and is ideal for normal-to-oily skin types.
Milk Makeup
Cooling Water
Lastly the Cooling Water is a cooling, de-puffing stick packed with stimulating caffeine and soothing seawater for energized skin. And it’s supposed to be good on all skin types. Like everything else it comes in two sizes: 1.2 oz/34 g for $24 or 0.12 oz/6 g for $14. The cooling water is paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, oil-free, and talc-free.
About the product:
Swipe this wake-up-call-in-a-stick under your eyes (or all over) to de-puff and hydrate. Infused with seawater to calm and hydrate sensitive skin and caffeine to support micro-circulation, Cooling Water Stick’s energizing and restorative powers are like a cup of coffee for your eyes.
For extra rough mornings, keep Cooling Water in the fridge to boost its de-puffing and cooling effects.
Milk Makeup
Overall Thoughts
Okay final thoughts. I find it slightly odd that the full sizes though almost identical in weight all are different prices though the mini size is all priced at $14. Would love to see those all match the same price point, but I’m not Milk Makeup so I can’t set the prices. I don’t think the prices are crazy by any means either for a mid-range brand. They are on the lower end of the spectrum for what I consider mid-range which I strongly like.
Throughout the month as I didn’t try each of these individually my skin broke out yet remained smooth. So I don’t know if the break outs were related to the products from Milk Makeup or due to stress, but it did pair up with the days I used the blur stick as my primer as compared to something else. I did noticed with use of these products that I no longer had dry patches around my face, which is something I was experiencing in a few choice spots prior to using these. Another thing I noted while trying these skin sticks was that they would be sticky for several minutes after application. But after patting it in, then the tackiness would eventually go away.
I don’t think the dark circles under my eyes was drastically changed by the cooling water, though it did feel nice to apply it onto the skin. So that helped me wake up in the morning, but ultimately didn’t do much for the skin there. And I’m half tempted to say the bags look worse than before. Again that could be just from me struggling to sleep lately, but the cooling water didn’t do much bottom of the line.
So ultimately, I’m not sold on the skin sticks that I tried out. They are cute in concept but I didn’t honestly see them doing much for me. They do have other skincare products and makeup in general so I might try out other things from them in the future but these are getting a pass from me.
Moving onto the Kush Mascara. I actually really enjoy this mascara for what it did for my lashes. Even though it’s a mini version, the mascara feels luxurious to use. I notice my lashes look longer without any clumps, I don’t end up getting the mascara all over my lower lash line. My lashes also look fuller when I wear this. However, I do notice on some days I have flakes under my eyes from this mascara. And I’ve noticed my eyes are way more watery since trying this mascara, which I have noticed other people mentioning as well. So I’m kind of leaning towards I might be allergic to it though it makes my lashes look super pretty. So that’s disappointing if that’s true, if it’s not I don’t know what’s happening then. But the only correlation I can put up is that it must be the mascara as I didn’t have this issue when I used Essence Volume Stylist Curl & Hold Mascara. I’m going to finish up this mascara but second it’s expired or used up, I’m going back to ones I know work and don’t irritate my eyes.
What Milk Makeup products work wonderfully for you or do you have similar experiences as me? Since all of these more or less didn’t work out for one reason or another.
Love ya,
Mae Polzine
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