Review: Milk Makeup Headliner Set (#1 On A Budget?)

If you have heard or read about Milk Makeup but aren’t willing to take the full plunge yet, Milk Makeup Headliner Set may be the solution for you.

While we have previously reviewed other starter collections and sets from the brand including the infamous “Meet The Fam” starter set and bestselling “Sunshine Oil,” those who have never tried the line before and still have any degree of uncertainty about splurging that there is still a suitable a lower cost option available to try out a smaller variety of products with a discount in comparison to retail.

The Headliner Mini-Must Haves Set features 4 popular items from the cosmetics company, including a mascara, micellelar facial wipe, nourishing lip color, and the cult-favorite Cooling Water product.

This set is likely ideal as either a smaller gifting option or for those rather new and unfamiliar with the line previously. Alternatively, if you are a current fan and interested in one or more of the included products without taking the plunge and paying the full retail price yet, it can also be a great way to test them out as a trial run prior to purchasing a full sized item or items.

Because of the sizing of the items included, this is also ideal for travel, whether you are new to the brand or returning.

While you certainly do not have to be vegan or gluten-free to enjoy the cosmetics line, for those who are, the company practices full vegan standards in conjunction with eco-friendly practices and never uses talc, parabens, or any sulfates in their products. Every product is formulated with very safe and clean ingredients and ideal for any skin type, even the most sensitive skin.

This review will cover some main product overview features, briefer reviews for the included products, some main positives and negatives to bear in mind prior to purchase, as well as a final verdict, to help you make a more informed purchasing choice prior to any potential point of sale.

Review: Milk Makeup Headliner Set

Milk Makeup’s Headliner Mini Must Have Set is a pocket size compact with trial versions of some bestselling products, including a hydrating and illuminating cooling stick, a volumizing mascara product designed to product a jet black finishing aesthetic, a universally flattering and hydrating lip color, and a micellar water makeup remover.

This kit is modest in size but designed to be a perfect fit for newcomers to the brand that still may have initial trepidation in making a potentially costly investment.

Even if you are a current fan, you may also be interested in some of the products included in the set and wish to opt for a trial collection prior to that same investment. The kit is also perfect for travel, and despite the small sizing, the products do last much longer than anticipated (over a month).

Fans of clean cosmetics will have a keen interest in this line, as it typically beats out other lines on the market packed with chemicals or drying agents that are potentially harmful to the skin (with little known or researched longterm effects). Despite the natural nature of the formulations, the products exceed initial claims of benefits and actually tend to perform much better than other lines in the category.

While individual pricing is not always modest in nature, an investment in products that truly work and help to nourish the skin and promote overall skin health (while supporting a transparent company with fair practices), is enough to persuade even younger consumers to take the plunge despite resources available.

As an avid personal fan, I can say that even on a modest budget, I have never regretted a purchase and would rather trade in a few cups of brand name coffee for products that truly benefit the skin and produce such a natural and radiant aesthetic after use.

Part of the product efficacy is the reason this company was not even very well known in the past few years, and now it is difficult to even get in to look at different items considering how packed the sections become.

Ultimately, even if price becomes a limiting factor, I would highly encourage sampling the line at some point. As someone who only wishes this post was sponsored in any way, and coming from a background in the cosmetics industry, these products are definitely some of the best I have tried to date.

Milk Makeup Headliner Set Products

Milk Makeup Cooling Water

Milk Makeup’s cooling water was originally designed as and eye treatment product to alleviate any puffiness, however upon further research and experimentation, the product can actually be used in several ways and offers excellent multi-use benefits.

It can be used to revitalize, hydrate and freshen up the skin if you are feeling dry, or applied to the neck, collarbones and face for brightening benefits and a more luminous finishing aesthetic if you are experiencing any dull or sallow skin.

Upon application, the product glides on smoothly and feels incredibly refreshing following first time use, without ever feeling greasy or sticky on the skin, and offers a great mid-day or morning pick me up for both the eyes and face.

The product is devoid of any harsh additives and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, barring any ingredient to a specific product formulation.

Even with acne-prone and sensitive skin, as with other Milk Makeup products, I experienced no redness, reaction, acne, or irritation following use.

You may apply the stick applicator directly to the under eye area gently for cooling and de-puffing benefits, but if desired, you may use on the neck, face, and body for a cool burst of invigoration.

It can also be used as a primer prior to a makeup regimen, for a more radiant finishing aesthetic. One of my favorite ways to use this product is in conjunction with Milk Makeup’s Sunshine Oil, which is not included in this set, but offers incredible benefits with continual everyday topical use.

It’s designed to treat dry skin (but can be used for balance in combination complexion), dullness, puffiness, and uneven texture, but it’s not comparable to the vast majority of serums on the market, in terms of those seeking retroactive or more advanced anti-aging benefits. You may even opt to put the product in the fridge for a while prior to use as it feels even better to use, and lacks any “slip”.

If you are seeking to treat puffiness under the eye area, prime the skin, or generally hydrate and illuminate areas on the face, this is definitely an everyday go-to.

Milk Makeup Ubame Mascara

Ubame Oak Charcoal in the product formulation helps to add depth and dimension to the lashes, while providing a deeper, darker and smokey color, which results in a sexy finishing aesthetic that is still formulated using clean ingredients (devoid of parabens or sulfates)

The product helps to add full-volume while also lengthening lashes, and provides a jet black finishing look that works with any eyelash color. The best part is, it fails to smudge or smear throughout the day and never leave the lashes feeling crunchy or cakey in any way. It is highly breathable and never feels like you are “wearing makeup” and never bothers the eyes even at the end of the day.

It lengthens and defines the lashes so well that it is almost comparable to extension products, but with a fairly more natural aesthetic and is also very nourishing and gentle (does not irritate the eyes even if you are sensitive).

The wand applicator is ideal for reaching inner and bottom lashes, and after use I received compliments about my eyes, which I can only attribute the use of this product to be transparent.

The product lasts all day and has incredible long wear and hold (for up to 12 hours), but is also easy to remove using a suitable cleanser (and toner if desired). It is also highly buildable, so you can apply more than one or two coats for a more dramatic or evening look without any clumping effect.

Milk Makeup Lip Color in “Dip Out”

This wine colored demi-matte finish provides a 30% pigment (an average in the industry is around 10% or less), meaning less product goes a longer way and users can expect a more rich and radiant color that proves long wear and hold throughout the day.

Unlike other products on the market that can dry out the lips or lead to cracking, this formula is enriched with Shea butter, coconut oil, and grapefruit peel oil, which actually leaves the lips feeling more conditioned after application.

If desired, you may also wish to apply a gloss over the product or a balm over or underneath the product. One of my favorite ways to use this for a natural and radiant finish is applying a tiny bit of balm after application (which is quite easy and does not spill or get on to the teeth or skin)

One of the best features to this lip color is not just the smudge-proof finish that has staying power even following food or drink, and does not require frequent reapplication.

The rich and sexy wine color is perfect for day or evening, and is also highly buildable, depending on if you’re seeking a slight swipe of natural color or a more dramatic look.

Milk Studios Micellar Water Makeup Remover Wipe

As with other Milk Makeup sets, while this product works great and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and radiant following first time use (without the need for any gel cleanser or soap), it truly serves the purpose of making the set look larger or more valuable from a psychological perspective.

Manufacturing costs on this type of product are so low that it is a bit of a shame more wipes cannot be included in the set, especially as even from a marketing perspective it would help the company sell more full sized items.

With that in mind, due to low margins and manufacturing costs, this likely may not be the item they are trying to push in the set. While it is a gentle product that soothes the skin and the best cleansing wipe I have tried to date in comparison to others on the market, I feel the inclusion of more than a single item would be more appropriate in this case.

Milk Makeup Headliner Set Positives & Negatives

Here are some main pros and cons to bear in mind prior to purchase:

Pros

• All included products are safe and suitable for all skin types, including the most sensitive skin (even with sensitive and acne-prone skin I did not experience any redness, rash, reactivity or breakouts following use)
• Vegan and cruelty-free company- company does not test on any animals, use any animal product for any of its formulations, or during any of its manufacturing processes
• All of the products are travel friendly, for flights or simply easily tossed in a gym bag or purse
• All included products are free of any parabens, sulfates, harsh chemical additives, talc, and gluten (for those who are sensitive
• This serves as a perfect introductory item for newcomers who have not yet tried the collection and may not be ready to take a larger splurge or make a commitment yet, and this is a great way to get an initial feel for the line in general to see if you would want to purchase full sized items or try out the products again
• Great smaller gifting item for those in your life who enjoy cosmetics and beauty products
• Despite the small sizing, the mascara, cooling water, and lip color actually lasted much longer than anticipated and tend to prove suitable longevity benefits despite the small size (as they are only trial versions)
• The lip product provided is a fairly universally flattering color that works with varying complexions, skin colors, and varying undertones, and is actually hydrating (it never dries out the lips, while providing a long wear coverage with a high pigment concentration)
• The Cooling Water provides excellent multi-use benefits and can be used for the eyes, face, and even as a makeup primer

Cons

• While the cleansing wipe product is a great product itself, it seems (as with another Milk Makeup starter set), it serves more as a function to psychologically make the set seem larger than it really is, and considering the low production costs involved, an inclusion of more than one would be nice to truly understand the benefits of use in this case
• Price: while the set offers variety, and a great way to test out new products, it also may seem like a splurge to those for trial sized products- however, it is important to note they do last longer than anticipated and are formulated with extremely high quality ingredients

Money-Back Guarantee

Especially if you are a newcomer to Milk Makeup and that is the reason you are opting for this specific set, the return policy in this case may be a highly important factor for you.

The manufacturer, Milk Makeup, has a strong return and exchange policy that honors full refunds upon dissatisfaction or allergy, and this policy favors the consumer, both new and returning.

If you are dissatisfied with the use of any of the included products in the collection, or if they do not work for your skin or provide suitable cosmetics benefits, or you experience any product allergy or reaction to any of the formulations, you may elect to return it at any time.

In this case, you will receive a full refund equal to the entire purchase price of the item.

If the item was received as a gift (without receipt), the policy applies for an even exchange, and this policy is applicable to online purchase, as individual store policy may vary depending on location and distributer. You will have to consider that in this case, the entire set will need to be returned, as individual products are not available for return or exchange.

If you feel the policy if not taken into consideration, you may contact customer service, and you can remain ensured you will receive a full refund and have any issues taken into consideration.

I was happy to discover that the formulations were all gentle enough to use even with very sensitive skin  and did not cause any breakouts, but due to any prospective concerns this policy may help assuage fears, as individual allergies are highly variable.

With that said, I have not yet experienced any product allergy using the Milk Makeup brand in general, as it designed for all skin types and conditions.

I was quite pleased to discover that compared to every product included in the set, even though sizing is small, proved to provide excellent benefits with use, and it seems to be a great way to get a feel for the line in general and consider purchasing other products.

Milk Makeup Headliner Set: The Final Verdict

If you’re a newcomer to Milk Makeup and looking to try out some bestselling products on a budget, this set may be an ideal solution.

All of the included products provide benefits that generally exceed initial claims, and are extremely gentle and nourishing on the skin, with only the cleanest and finest ingredients used in every formulation.

This is also a great gifting option for those who are uncertain of their recipients preferences, and may make a good option for a smaller gift.

For those with sensitivities or an interest in the vegan or gluten-free category, that certainly serves as an additional bonus, however even if you do not fall into those categories, these products absolutely work in providing excellent benefits with use and are great for those of all preferences, complexions, and skin types.

Recommended!