The all new Milani Screen Queen foundation claims it will protect your skin from the damaging blue light of your screen time. Let’s put that claim – and everything else – to the test!
Whilst editing the photos for this post, all these foundations I’ve tried over the last year or so were flying through my mind. It occurs to me that while I like to say I’m devoted most to eyeshadow, even more so I’m clearly committed to trying new foundations out.
I guess you could say, my hunt for the perfect foundation never ends! Whenever news of a new one drops – I’m always eager to get my hands on it. That said, after today’s review of the new Milani Screen Queen foundation I think I’m going to nee to put together a post for you where I rank all the new foundations from best to worst. You know, to help you cut through the fat so to speak.
Milani Screen Queen Foundation Review
If you’re specifically looking for info on the the new Milani Screen Queen foundation — you’ve come to the right place as that is what we’re going to be discussing. I’ll say stay tuned for to see where this ranks among all the foundation launches of recent history (of which there are many)…but for now? We’re zeroing in on just this one!
This foundation has a very odd claim:
To protect you from damage caused by your device screens.
If your looking a bit like Carrie Bradshaw when you read that, I know. I was too. I mean, really. We have heard a lot of crazy gimmicky claims when it comes to makeup lately (Revlon’s Candid foundation claimed to fight pollution last year) but combating screen damage is a new one.
Seeing as we’re all glued to our phones on a daily basis, I figure whatever line of defense it offers can’t hurt. But how does it measure up as a day-to-day foundation? Keep reading below for the full scoop!
Shop the Foundation
Milani Screen Queen Foundation ($11.99 – $13.99)
Milani Website • Target • Ulta
It goes without saying, it took me much longer than usual to get this review up. That’s because we’ve been living in quarantine-mode and foundation isn’t something I tend to reach for on a daily basis at the moment.
That said, I didn’t want to short change you on my usual commitment of wearing a new foundation a dozen times before giving you my full thoughts. So I’ve been wearing the Milani Screen Queen foundation for well over a month now and I’m finally ready to give it a grade.
Color Selection: 45 Shades
Right out the gate, I want to stand up and applaud Milani for bringing this foundation out in 45 shades. 45 shades!!!!!! That’s relatively unheard of, particularly for a drugstore foundation. Bravo!!
Light-to-Medium, Glowy Coverage
In terms of coverage, this foundation falls somewhere in the middle — veering to the light side. Your skin will shine through, which is all good news if you’re looking for a foundation that’s natural. It looks like skin and it looks like your skin, but better. That said, if you have any pesky blemishes you’re looking to cover up you will need to layer a heavier concealer on top for those areas.
The finish is also quite radiant and gives your complexion a boost of glow without having to go to the trouble of layer a bunch of highlighter on top.
Wear-Time: Good, Not Great
I tried the Milani Screen Queen foundation out both with a primer and without. Ultimately, it seemed to have the same amount of wear time either way. You’re looking at a solid 7-8 hours before the foundation starts to really breakdown and slide around the face. This is definitely a good amount of time, but not a bullet-proof longwear foundation.
Somewhat Streaky Application
Because the foundation is light-to-medium, I was a bit surprised to find that it applies a bit streaky with a blending brush. It’s not terrible by any means, but definitely will require a bit extra blending from you. With a beauty sponge, it does apply smoothly but the sponge lessens the amount of coverage you get.
Oxidizes, Slightly
A word of caution, the foundation does oxidize a shade or two. I’m not sharing this as a drawback as I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to consider when selecting your shade.
Given the lockdown situation we’re in, I matched myself online and initially thought the shade I picked would be too light for me when I opened the package. When applying, though, I found that the Milani Screen Queen foundation did oxidize slightly when setting and it ended up being a great match for me. If choosing in the store, I recommend going a shade lighter. Online, the colors seem to reflect what it will look like so you should be okay there.
Very Lightweight
Given how annoying it is to FEEL a foundation on your skin, I’m beyond happy to report that the Screen Queen fot and blends very easily. After applying, it takes about two minutes to “set” and from there — it’s relatively un-detectable through the day. Hallelujah!
The Ingredients
Isododecane, Water / Aqua / Eau, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, C24-28 Alkyldimethylsiloxy Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Lecithin, Caprylic/capric/myristic/stearic Triglyceride, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
Milani Screen Queen Foundation Rundown
The Pros:
- 45 shades (!!!!!!!)
- Beautiful, glowy finish
- Lightweight on the skin
- Strong wear time without touch-ups
- Vegan formula
- Certified cruelty-free
- Glass packaging
- Affordably priced
The Cons:
- Oxidizes a shade or two, not necessarily bad but something to be aware of when choosing a color
- Somewhat streaky application
- The pump is glitchy. I’ve had trouble getting it to work a few times.
- Concerned it won’t hold up well in heat/humidity as we approach summer
- No SPF
Overall Grade: B+
Generally speaking, I really do quite like this foundation. Given that I have combination skin and we’re heading towards the hot/humid months of summer, I will be benching this though as I don’t think it will hold up well against summer weather. The foundation does have a very nice radiant glow to it that is very similar to the Lancome Renergie Lift foundation I fell in love with earlier this year. (It’s not quite as long-wearing though.)
In terms of “screen damage”, I have to say I feel like that’s all a bit of a gimmick. The formula does include ingredients to nourish the skin, but I don’t think particularly it’s going to safe you from any screen time damage. Where that’s concerned, I still very much recommend wearing a daily SPF. (I’ve been using this SPF 50 from Clinique.)
As we move towards summer, I do want to give another nod to the Maybelline Dream Urban Cover foundation. That one is hot-weather and humidity approved. It also has an SPF of 50!
Shop the Foundation
Milani Screen Queen Foundation ($11.99 – $13.99)
Milani Website • Target • Ulta
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XOXO
Kelly
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