I'm going to shoot straight with you: I'm pretty much a sucker for any seemingly off-the-wall beauty product. So when I saw that Milk Makeup released a green Matcha Toner [1] ($26), I knew I had to have it. And by have it, I mean beg POPSUGAR's Beauty editorial assistant, Alaina Demopoulos, to call one in for me. And as soon as that little green stick of vegan bliss [2] landed on my desk, my life was forever changed for the better.
What drew me to this product at first? Well, that's easy. It's a green stick that's supposed to go on your f*cking face. And like any loyal Shrek enthusiast, I decided to give it a whirl. Oh, and full disclosure: before I actually tried it out, I thought it was actually going to roll on green in some capacity because I am a certified asshat. And while the revelation that the toner does not in fact leave a green residue felt like a punch to the gut at first, I got over it as soon as I saw my skin start to clear up within a few days.
And let me tell you how big of a deal that is. On a good day, my combination skin is acne prone if I switch up my routine in the slightest. Forget to take off my makeup after one night of going out? Chin zit. Try the new moisturizer everybody's raving about? Double chin zit. I fall into that category where washing my face totally dries out my skin, but applying rich moisturizer afterward makes me break out. Insert sarcastic "yay."
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't gentle. Even my fiancé says my face is as soft as a baby's bottom, and trust me, that's a first."
To make matters worse? The weather has been absolute sh*t in New Jersey, and that means big trouble for my face. On April 4 alone, there was supposed to be a low of 32 and a high of 60. That's a 28-degree difference in one day. That is both absurd and cruel. Throw in a few snowstorms mixed with a sun that can't make up its mind and you have a recipe for disaster — unless, that is, you have the power of the Matcha Toner.
Given the name of this product, it's also important to note that I am not one of those people who's obsessed with everything kombucha-related [4]. I have not poured kombucha down my gullet, nor do I plan on doing so in the future. I see people on the streets of NYC shelling out $8 for a bottle and drinking it by the gallon. I understand it's good for you; it's just simply not my cup of tea. I'll stick with my hot water with lemon and go about my business.
But when it comes to applying kombucha to your face, I'll admit my tune completely changes. Milk's toner is made from a combination of witch hazel, matcha green tea leaves, and kombucha, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't gentle. Even my fiancé says my face is as soft as a baby's bottom, and trust me, that's a first. Another plus? There's no sulfate it in, which is apparently a good thing, because according to Jonathan from Queer Eye, whom I would trust with my life, it's too harsh for your hair, let alone your face.
So, as far as the application goes? It's pretty easy. After showering and washing my face, I roll it all over my visage and then crawl into bed with my cats. I also apply it before I put my makeup on, including primer, and it leaves my skin feeling silky-smooth all day. The Matcha Toner has also allowed me to cut back on moisturizing my face as frequently because my skin is far less dry after standing under a scalding-hot shower for 20 minutes, and that's a major win.
Long story short: should you buy this product? Yes. It will totally transform your skin for the better and, well, it's green. Your makeup counter probably needs a pop of color anyway, right?
