Psst: This Is How I Get a Post-Vacation Glow Without Using Air Miles

Welcome to In-depth reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear employees you already know and trust will research, test and review the most sought-after and talked-about products on the market to see which formulas (of the hundreds under consideration) are worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, uncensored feedback and no-bullshit recommendations that our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservation.

Most of our in-depth reviews will feature our editors' honest, ultra-hot takes on entire product categories or multiple products from a specific beauty brand, but every once in a while, we'll sprinkle in a special single-product format called Honestly, I I adore. As the name suggests, these reviews will focus on one standout beauty formula that our editors can't shut up about. This time, I'm highlighting the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip + Glow Illuminating Primer ($30).

(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

I'm constantly wishing I was on vacation. When I look into space, I daydream about palm trees and ice-cold cocktails. When I'm heading to the office, I think about the perfect beach read. And when I'm putting on makeup, I miss the sunny glow I have after vacation. Are you sensing a theme here? Unfortunately, I can't just book a trip whenever I need a change of scenery (sigh), but he can I still have that post-vacation glow. All I need is Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip + Glow Primer and I'll fool everyone into thinking I just got back from a tropical getaway.

Milk makeup

Hydro Grip + Glow Primer

Like most beauty enthusiasts, I'm not new to Milk Makeup's range of makeup products. From the viral Cooling Water Jelly Lip and Cheek Tint that the WWW beauty team loves to the E Hydro Grip Primer that has become the first step in so many makeup routines, the brand is constantly delivering new products for the beauty community to get excited about. . When I heard about the launch of Milk's Hydro Grip + Glow Primer, I knew I needed to test it out and share my thoughts with you.

This brightening primer sets makeup for up to 12 hours and contains skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and create an attractive glow. Think golden hour in a bottle. I applied two to three doses to the back of my hand and spread it over my entire face. I left it on for a few seconds and then did my typical foundation and concealer routine. You could see a difference in how luminous and glowing my skin looked immediately after application (I have the light-reflecting pearls to thank for that). That luminosity remained even through my full-coverage foundation and nearly impenetrable powder. If that's not impressive, I don't know what is.

If you're a Milk Hydro Grip loyalist and wondering if you should switch to Hydro Grip + Glow, this part is for you. As a regular user of the OG Hydro Grip, I love the grip it has. The gel formula has a tacky finish that feels a bit like glue once applied (no tackiness). I could party all night in New York's sweatiest clubs and my makeup would still be intact when I got home. The Hydro Grip + Glow has the same feel – it's almost like it's just the OG Hydro Grip's radiant big sister. In other words, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference if you applied both with your eyes closed.

The main ingredients in the original Hydro Grip Primer are blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, aloe vera water, and hemp-derived cannabis seed extract. In Hydro Grip and Glow, Milk kept the same ingredients but added light-reflecting pearls to give it that glow. Even though I'm glowing in both photos above, my face looks so much brighter after using Hydro Grip + Glow. Do you know what this means? All winter long, my glow will be so blinding that everyone will ask me about vacations that never happened.

What were some non-negotiables you had when formulating this new iteration of Hydro Grip Primer?

Diana Ruth: Hydro Grip Primer is a Milk Makeup icon, with 5 million bottles sold and more than 35 million tags to date. It's such a Milk fan favorite that when we were creating our new Hydro Grip + Glow Primer, we knew [this new product] I had a lot to live for. Our main non-negotiables for the product were that it should offer the same gripping power and skin-care benefits as our original Hydro Grip Primer, while also making skin feel surreal. I like to call Grip + Glow 'Hydro [Grip] in its era of brilliance. It adheres to makeup like only Hydro can, but also gives the shiny finish of a liquid highlighter.

The OG Hydro Grip Primer is an internet sensation and a cult classic for many. What made you decide to launch this Hydro Grip + Glow Primer? What is the main difference between these two products?

The main difference between these primers is the warm-toned pearls in Hydro Grip + Glow that create that surreal luminosity! We chose a blend of light-reflecting pearls that fuse together to create a glow that comes from within and doesn't leave a white cast or cause flashbacks. Your skin will appear bathed in the golden light of the hour, every hour.

This new primer offers some benefits for the skin. Can you explain some of the ingredients to me?

When you use Hydro Grip + Glow Primer, you get a rush of skin care with every application. Our formula is based on the idea that hydration is the secret to makeup that spreads evenly and stays crystal clear all day. That's why we made this cleansing, brightening primer with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to boost hydration, plump skin's appearance, and create a smooth base. We also added hemp seed extract and aloe water for an extra boost of moisture. The formula is 96% natural and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores or cause breakouts.

Do you have application tips and tricks, or do's and don'ts, for beginners?

We designed the Hydro Grip + Glow Primer so that a little product goes a long way in giving you that surreal golden hour glow and ensuring your look stays locked in all day. Our team has tested it extensively and you get the best results when you use just 1-2 pumps. After your skin care routine, apply Hydro Grip + Glow Primer to the back of your hand. Then, spread a thin layer onto the skin before applying makeup. Don't apply makeup immediately – let the formula sit for 60 seconds to absorb and activate adhesion for all-day hold. Then, you can layer foundation and other makeup on top for a smooth application and a beautiful lit-from-within glow that lasts all day. Another pro tip I always like to share is to combine this illuminating primer with a spritz of Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray for an extra guarantee of makeup adhesion.