Review: Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
I'm historically a frequent foundation wearer - but in these recent hot, sweaty months I've been going for either my Glossier skin tint or a random smattering of concealer where I need it the most. I feel like getting the chance to try the new Milk Makeup foundation came at the best time, when I'm actually ready for a bit of a 'foundation revival' in my routine (slightly dramatic for makeup? don't tell me how to feel). I was sent these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, and received the shades medium-light & medium, with medium being the closer match although ever so slightly too light thanks to my 9-hour water park day in the sun. I figure once that tan fades in a week or so the shade will be spot on.
Claims: this foundation is (according to Sephora.com) an ultra-weightless, full-coverage foundation with an oil-free, silicone-free formula that lets skin breathe ($40).
Application: I tried application two ways, with a beauty blender and their Dab & Blend gel applicator ($14) that came with the box. I preferred my beauty blender - but regardless of how it's applied I found that it took quite some time to blend because of it's thicker consistency. I only need about three or four dots to cover my face, although I prefer as light a layer as I can get with foundation. The beauty blender gave me a more natural, less full-coverage look. My skin was evened out, but if I had a spot here or there it still poked through. With the gel applicator, you just dab and blend in circular motions around the face, and it gave a much fuller coverage than my sponge because it wasn't soaking up any of the product. I found it tricky to get a seamless finish with the foundation, and getting into the sides of my nose or little crevices in my face were tough to get into with this applicator.
Wear: The finish is matte, but I didn't feel like it was chalky or sinking into my fine lines at all. It's definitely the lightest feeling full coverage foundation I've ever worn, but I could still tell I was wearing foundation when I looked in the mirror. One warning, if you have ANY dry spots, proceed with caution. Use a moisturizing primer, or maybe mix this foundation in with a more dewy foundation you might have, but if you have dry spots this formula will grab on and never let go. I had a dry face day, and I used a mattifying primer before applying the foundation and it was NOT cute. Mac Fix+ couldn't even save me. But, if you stay moisturized or lean on the oilier side, then this is solid.
Longevity: I put this through some long and hot days, and it stuck around for the long haul. I even checked in around the 8 hour mark, and it still looked good aside from a slightly oily t-zone, which was probably just me sweating. I also felt like the longer I wore it and the more it warmed up on my skin, the better it looked.
Overall, I like the foundation's coverage & finish, I love that they have a pretty decent shade range, but I probably will reach for my beauty blender over the gel applicator to apply. I can see this as more of a summer foundation that might require some cocktailing in the winter so I can get more of a glow, but so far it's a keeper!
Find the Blur Liquid Matte Foundation here
Find the Dab & Blend Gel Applicator here