Milani Coral Crush Cheek Kiss Cream Blush Review & Swatches
Coral Crush
Milani Coral Crush Cheek Kiss Cream Blush ($8.99 for 0.21 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink-leaning coral with moderate, warm undertones and a natural finish. It wasn’t quite matte, but it wasn’t shimmery or dewy on my skin after the initial application. The texture felt lightweight, thin, and emollient with a lot of slip, so it readily glided across my skin in a way that made it harder to over-apply the color but also made it harder to get a more precise placement as it wanted to spread.
It had semi-sheer to medium, buildable pigmentation that applied well over bare skin but was inconsistent in application over base products as it sometimes lifted up base products a bit. It wore well for six hours before moving noticeably as a cheek product. It lasted for two hours as a lip product, though it felt a little thin and clingy on but, thankfully, was non-drying in formula.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sephora Fascinated (P, $14.00) is lighter (95% similar).
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- Victoria Beckham Beauty Major (P, $42.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- ColourPop Picnic Time (LE, $8.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Soft Coral (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Coral Blush (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Salt New York Peach (P, $16.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Showdown (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hotline (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.99/0.21 oz. - $42.81 Per Ounce
It's supposed to be "lightweight, buildable and never greasy" that gives a "luminous wash of color." Though the formula name and actual packaging don't make mention of it, the brand's description online says it's a "multitasking cheek and lip balm-to-gel" product.
The texture was lightweight, emollient, and thin with a touch of tackiness. I found it applied better over bare skin than over foundation, as it lifted my base up a bit--not every single time without fail but often enough that it wasn't foolproof. It was worse over more matte/drier bases (or a set base).
It had semi-sheer to medium, buildable pigmentation that applied evenly and blended out well over bare skin. The product stayed on well for six hours before migrating/moving around noticeably. The finish was more natural-matte--not overly dewy but set slightly. I preferred to pat it on with fingertips and use a separate brush to diffuse the edges, which helped keep it in place better.
As a lip product, it had similar coverage and lasted about two hours or less as it didn't really leave a stain behind, so the thin, more emollient formula didn't offer much in the way of longevity. The formula was more prone to emphasizing lip texture, as it was thin, but it was neither drying nor hydrating as a lip product.
Browse all of our Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Triethylhexanoin, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyethylene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
No bueno! Sounds like a pain in the butt to apply, and then looks kinda splotchy and just not sitting right on the skin. A shame, because this could have been a beauty if formulated better.