Milk KUSH Mascara Review: It Will Give You Big Volume

We all want the volumized lashes of our dreams. Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara is supposed to give us just that while also keeping lashes soft. In 2021, it won a Byrdie Award for Best Innovation thanks to its unique, CBD infused formula. (More about that below!)This mascara has been raved about amongst the beauty community for a few years now, and I thought it was time I finally gathered my own thoughts about it. Let’s review Milk KUSH Mascara.

Promises vs. Performance: Award winning volumizing mascara?

As stated on Milkmakeup.com, KUSH Mascara claims to be a mega volume mascara that gives “super thick, full, badass lashes from root to tip.” The formula is infused with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, which made quite a stir in the beauty community at launch! The CBD oil conditions lashes, keeping them soft and never stiff. This mascara is said to have buildable volume and to be layerable to your desired intensity. The formula is vegan, cruelty free, alcohol free, and coal tar free.

My Review Thoughts on Milk KUSH Mascara

Before the review I thought, Milk KUSH mascara has a lot of promise. Mega volume and thick, nourished lashes? Sign me up! I’ve tried KUSH Mascara with and without an eyelash primer, specifically KUSH Lash Primer. With the lash primer, this mascara held up to its claims. It gives me volumized, thick lashes. Without the lash primer, my lashes sort of just fell flat. It didn’t work to help hold curl at all with or without the lash primer underneath. The formula is a bit of a drier, more wispy formula so I do get flaking almost immediately after applying. After a few hours of wear, mascara does begin to transfer under my eyes. This isn’t the worst mascara, but it’s not my favorite formula (clean or not).

How It Compares: I’d say this vegan mascara is just “Meh.”

I mean, for a vegan mascara it’s not terrible! Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara is volumizing and thickening as claimed, but doesn’t hold curl. I do love that it doesn’t dry out lashes or irritate the eyes. But, this isn’t the most long wearing mascara. It is not smudge proof or flake free. My favorite mascara in this price range is Lancome Lash Idole. It is volumizing, lengthening, and separating. It is flake free, and it lasts all day on the eyes.

If you are specifically looking for a clean mascara, I would recommend ILIA Limitless Lash. It is a much better performer in the clean beauty category, giving lashes definition and length.

Milabu Beauty Method: The best way to wear KUSH Mascara.

1. First, apply a coat of lash primer (my favorite is Lancome Cils, $26).
2. After letting the lash primer dry down to a semi tacky finish, begin applying your mascara. Wiggle the brush from root to tip, making sure to coat each lash. The tapered tip of the brush helps reach and define both inner corner and bottom lashes.
3. Layer mascara to your desired intensity. The more volume you want, the more layers to add!

Tip: Let mascara dry down a bit in between coats. I typically find the time it takes to apply a coat to my other eye is enough.