Milk vs. Glossier: Which brand should you buy?

Milk Makeup is known for its edgy, 100% vegan formulas and innovative, multi-use products like their popular stick formats, often at a slightly higher price point. In contrast, Glossier champions a minimalist "skin first, makeup second" philosophy, focusing on enhancing natural beauty with sheer, dewy products in soft, feminine packaging.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right beauty brand for your routine.

Milk Makeup: The Edgy, Multi-Use Innovator

Milk Makeup launched in 2016 from Milk Studios in New York City, targeting consumers who value self-expression, clean ingredients, and efficiency. The entire line is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free, known for its portability and skincare-infused formulas designed for a modern, on-the-go lifestyle. Their aesthetic is minimalist but with a distinctly urban, edgy feel that appeals to a trend-conscious audience.

• Product mix: Known for multi-purpose solid sticks for cheeks, lips, and skincare. Offers a full range of products from their popular Hydro Grip Primer and Kush Mascara to complexion products and bold eye pigments. Many items blend skincare benefits directly with makeup application.
• Price point: A mid-range brand with most products costing between $20 and $40. Their best-selling Hydro Grip Primer is $38, while the Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Sticks are $24.
• Quality: Formulas are high-quality, long-lasting, and packed with beneficial ingredients. They emphasize blendability and skin-like finishes without common irritants like parabens or sulfates.
• Aesthetic: Edgy, modern, and utilitarian. The branding is clean and straightforward, focusing on functionality with a youthful, streetwear-inspired vibe.
• Shopping Experience: Widely available at major beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta, in addition to their own website.
• Sustainability & Ethics: A core part of their identity. The brand is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, 100% vegan, and increasingly focused on eco-conscious packaging and reducing waste.

Milk Makeup is ideal for the environmentally-aware shopper who wants high-performance, versatile products that are easy to use and align with a bold, contemporary style.

Shop Milk Makeup: milkmakeup.com

Glossier: The Minimalist 'No-Makeup' Essential

Glossier revolutionized the beauty industry with its direct-to-consumer model and an aesthetic built around natural, effortless beauty. Founded in 2014, the brand's philosophy is "skin first, makeup second," creating skincare and makeup designed to enhance, not cover. Glossier built a massive, loyal community through social media, championing real skin, a dewy glow, and simple routines that feel personal and accessible.

• Product mix: A focused lineup of skincare and makeup meant to create a fresh, glowing look. Standout products include Boy Brow, Cloud Paint cream blush, and the Balm Dotcom universal skin salve. Their offerings are designed to be sheer, breathable, and buildable.
• Price point: Sits in the affordable-to-mid-range category, with most items priced between $10 and $30. The cult-favorite Cloud Paint is $20, while Boy Brow costs $17.
• Quality: Formulas are gentle, buildable, and known for creating a signature dewy, "your skin but better" finish. The brand is cruelty-free, though not all of its products are vegan.
• Aesthetic: Soft, feminine, and minimalist. Instantly recognizable for its pastel pink branding, clean typography, and iconic pink bubble-wrap pouches that come with every order.
• Shopping Experience: Historically sold direct-to-consumer through their website, which fosters a community feel. Glossier has also recently partnered with Sephora, making the brand more accessible in-store.
• Sustainability & Ethics: All products are cruelty-free. The brand is working on improving sustainability in its packaging, but this is less central to its marketing compared to Milk Makeup's vegan-first stance.

Glossier is the perfect match for individuals who favor a minimalist, skincare-forward approach and want easy-to-use products for a natural, healthy glow.

Shop Glossier: glossier.com

Milk vs. Glossier Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands target a similar audience with accessible pricing, but there's a clear difference. Glossier is generally more affordable, with most of its core products falling in the $15-$25 range. This makes it easier to try more of their lineup without a significant investment.

Milk's prices are a step up, with popular items frequently costing between $24 and $40. However, many of Milk's products are multi-purpose (like the Lip + Cheek sticks) or come in larger sizes, which could offer better value per ounce, depending on the product.

Quality & Formulas

Both brands prioritize clean-leaning formulas free of harsh ingredients, but their core commitments differ. Milk Makeup is 100% vegan, meaning none of its products contain any animal-derived ingredients. This is a non-negotiable pillar of their brand identity.

Glossier is cruelty-free but not fully vegan, as some products contain ingredients like beeswax (in Balm Dotcom) or honey. Glossier's formulas are developed with a "skincare first" mindset, focusing on breathable textures and ingredients that hydrate and enhance the skin for a dewy finish.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands' aesthetics are night and day. Milk channels a cool, creative, and urban vibe. Its sleek, functional packaging and marketing reflect a modern, edgy, and inclusive look that feels at home in a fast-paced city environment.

Glossier embodies a softer, more romantic and minimalist aesthetic. Its pastel color palette, clean design, and community-focused marketing create a friendly, approachable, "cool girl next door" feeling. It's less about making a statement and more about celebrating your natural self.

Product Selection

Milk offers a wider and more traditional range of makeup products, including items for more dramatic looks like vibrant eye pigments and full-coverage concealers, alongside its signature skincare-makeup hybrids. Their innovation is often seen in unique formats, particularly their solid stick products for foundation, toner, and masks.

Glossier’s product line is more curated and tightly focused on achieving its signature look. You won't find super bold lipsticks or heavy foundations. Instead, the range is built around essentials for a sheer, dewy canvas: tinted moisturizers, subtle cream blushes, and brow enhancers.

Shopping Experience

Milk Makeup has a significant advantage in physical retail presence. You can easily find, test, and purchase their products at hundreds of Sephora and Ulta stores, which is a major plus for shoppers who want to try before they buy.

Glossier built its brand on a direct-to-consumer online model, creating an immersive digital experience complete with product tutorials and customer content. While they have recently entered Sephora, their primary shopping hub remains their own website, which is part of their exclusive, community-driven appeal.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands are excellent choices, but they are designed for very different beauty philosophies and lifestyles.

Choose Milk Makeup if:

• A 100% vegan and cruelty-free formula is a top priority for you.
• You love innovative, multi-use products that save time and space in your makeup bag.
• Your personal style is more edgy, modern, and experimental.
• You want products with slightly more pigment and performance for looks that go beyond "no-makeup makeup."

Choose Glossier if:

• You prefer a minimalist "your skin but better" look.
• Your goal is a fresh, dewy, and radiant glow.
• You love a soft, feminine aesthetic and being part of a strong brand community.
• You're looking for affordable, mistake-proof products that are easy to apply with your fingers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Milk Makeup or Glossier cheaper?

Glossier is generally cheaper. Its products typically range from $10 to $30, while Milk Makeup's core items are usually priced between $20 and $40.

Are both brands cruelty-free?

Yes, both brands are certified cruelty-free. However, Milk Makeup is also 100% vegan, while some Glossier products contain animal-derived ingredients like beeswax or honey.

Which brand is better for sensitive skin?

Both brands formulate without common irritants like parabens and are generally considered safe for sensitive skin. However, Glossier's "skincare first" approach with gentle, minimal formulas might be slightly more appealing to those with very reactive skin. As always, it's best to check the specific ingredient list for any known allergens.

Where can I buy Milk and Glossier?

You can buy Milk Makeup on their website, at Sephora, and at Ulta. Glossier is primarily sold on its own website but is now also available at select Sephora locations.

What are Milk Makeup’s most popular products?

Milk's fan favorites include the Hydro Grip Primer, Kush High Volumizing Mascara, Matte Cream Bronzer Stick, and the Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Sticks.

What are Glossier's most popular products?

Glossier's cult hits are Boy Brow, Cloud Paint cream blush, Balm Dotcom universal salve, and the Milky Jelly Cleanser.

Does Milk Makeup or Glossier have better skincare?

Both have well-regarded skincare items. Glossier's brand identity is more deeply rooted in skincare basics that prep skin for makeup. Milk's focus is more on innovative, skincare-infused makeup and convenient solid-stick skincare formulas.

Which brand has a better shade range?

Both brands have worked to create inclusive shade ranges for their complexion products. Milk Makeup's Flex Foundation Stick and Sunshine Skin Tint offer a broad selection. Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint is very sheer, making its shades more flexible across different skin tones.