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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 11: MADINA Milano

May 19th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

MADINA Milano Italian Makeup
Wearing MADINA Exact Color Bronzer all over my face and neck, MADINA Crystal Glass Powder on my forehead and sides of the nose, MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer in the classic 3 shape, MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighting Stick on my cheekbones, and MADINA Exact Color Lipstick on my lips

You know that feeling when you fall so madly in love with someone that you wonder how you survived for so long without them? Well, it’s the exact same feeling I had when I recently tried MADINA Milano’s makeup for the first time!

The products that have stolen my heart include Pat McGrath’s favorite highlighter and a lipstick that looks good enough to eat…

Are you intrigued?

Just keep reading, then! 😉

MADINA Milano Italian Makeup

MADINA Exact Color Bronzer (€10/$11.37)

MADINA Exact Color Bronzer

OK, I don’t know how it does it, but the MADINA Exact Color Bronzer makes my complexion look so much better without having any actual coverage. When I apply it all over my face and neck, it gives me the most gorgeous sunkissed glow that doesn’t pull orange AT ALL, while it makes my skin look smoother and keeps it shine-free longer.

As if that weren’t enough, it also acts as some sort of tinted primer by making my foundation go on so much more easily.

I’m telling you, gurl, this is Holy Grail status.

MADINA Crystal Glass Powder (€16/$18.20)

MADINA Milano Crystal Glass Powder

The MADINA Crystal Glass Powder is actually not a powder, but I guess it’s called that because you can use it on top of your makeup like you would a finishing powder.

It’s basically just pure silicone that you can either use as a primer or on top of your base to minimize the look of pores and fine lines. I personally like to pat it on after foundation using the flat side of my dry Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I don’t use it on a daily basis, but for special occasions it really works wonders!

MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer (€16/$18.20)

MADINA Milano Crystal Glass Bronzer

The MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer is pretty much like the tinted version of the Crystal Glass Powder, and it reminds me of my beloved YSL Les Sahariennes Sun-Kissed Blur Perfector (although I’m pretty sure the MADINA one has been around longer).

It comes in only one shade, which is perfect for warming up my skin tone without any orange in sight. I target the areas that would naturally tan first, and it gives me a pretty healthy glow, while also perfecting the skin’s texture.

I may even go so far as to say it’s become my new favorite bronzer… Sorry, Chanel Les Beiges. I still love you, though!

MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighting Stick (€15/$17.06)

MADINA Milano Chic & Shine Highlighter

MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighter Swatch
Wearing the MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighting Stick on my cheekbones, and the MADINA Exact Color Lipstick on my lips

Apparently, this is Pat McGrath’s favorite highlighter… Need I say more?

Probably not, but I will anyway!

MADINA Chic & Shine is a champagne highlighting stick with very fine shimmer particles running through it. I love how it melts into my skin and makes my cheekbones look all sheeny, but if you’re one for intense highlighters, this is not the product for you.

MADINA Exact Color Lipstick (€12/$13.65)

MADINA Exact Color Lipstick
The MADINA Exact Color Lipstick looks and smells so good that it’s more tempting than the gummy bears! Although I may have eaten a couple (or a dozen?) after taking this picture…

Not only does the MADINA Exact Color Lipstick look like candy, it also smells like it. I really have to restrain myself to not give it a bite. Seriously!

It’s not meant for eating, though, but for enhancing your natural lip color. It does so by reacting with your skin’s pH level and giving your lips a custom pink tint. Perfect for no makeup days, especially if you, like me, have zero pigmentation in your lips!

MADINA Prisma Blushes in 03 & 05 (€11/$12.51)

MADINA Milano Prisma Blush 03 05
MADINA Prisma Blushes in 03 and 05
MADINA Prisma Blush 05 Swatch
The MADINA Prisma Blushes are extremely pigmented and would suit even darker skin tones. If you’re fair/light, I recommend using a VERY light hand, like I did here with shade 05 to get these pretty rosy cheeks

Everything you’ve ever wanted from a blush? You may find it in MADINA’s Prisma Blushes!

They’re pigmented, easy to blend, long-wearing, and luminous without being shimmery. So, what else could you want?

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot the best part… They have that amazing type of texture that releases color onto the brush without any detectable powderyness!

MADINA Milano swatches
Swatches of all the products mentioned, except for the Crystal Glass Powder, which goes on completely clear. L-R: MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer, MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighting Stick, MADINA Prisma Blushes in 03 and 05, MADINA Exact Color Bronzer, and MADINA Exact Color Lipstick

Unfortunately, at the moment MADINA’s website only ships to Italian addresses, and there are just four stores in Italy (you may find their store locator here), but if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of one, I highly, highly recommend paying it a visit.

Carolina Braina


Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 11: MADINA Milano / Originally published May 19th, 2016

There are 17 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Guest Post, Madina Milano, Makeup, Travel

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Comments

  1. Chris25 says

    May 19th, 2016 at 9:05 am

    I wish we had some kind of store in NYC that sold all the international brands.
    Chris25 recently posted … Etude House I Need You Rice Sheet Mask

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 19th, 2016 at 10:40 am

      I wish we had the same thing here in SF! I’d be there all the time. 🙂

      Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 19th, 2016 at 11:48 am

      What a cool idea!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    May 19th, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Oh goodness these products look amazing! Particularly the YSL-like bronzer and skin-finish “powder” – beautiful! I’ll need to start a petition for UK shipping!

    Beekeyper – Latest post – Aztec Secret – worth the hype?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 19th, 2016 at 10:41 am

      Good idea, Becky! Maybe I’ll do one too for US shipping, LOL!

      Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 19th, 2016 at 11:50 am

      Those two products are pretty unique!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    May 19th, 2016 at 10:39 am

    A makeup artist friend of mine who works backstage at Fashion Week in Milan introduced me to this brand. I went to the store in Milan and had so much fun shopping there. Glad to see it getting some love in your wonderful series!

    P.S. Um, can I have some gummy bears now, please? I’ll take the red ones. LOL!

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 19th, 2016 at 12:08 pm

      Haha, sure, I like the green ones, oddly enough!
      I think Madina is more popular among makeup artists than it is with the general public. I am SOOO impressed with the quality of their products!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

      Reply
      • Karen says

        May 19th, 2016 at 12:11 pm

        I bought a black pan of eyeshadow when I was there and it was AWESOME. I lost it though, waaah!

        Reply
        • Carolina Braina says

          May 19th, 2016 at 12:13 pm

          Time to get a new one! 😉
          Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

          Reply
  4. Erin says

    May 19th, 2016 at 11:13 am

    I’ve been wanting to try the highlighter for years and I always forgot to look for it specifically when I went to Italy.
    Erin recently posted … Derek Lam 10 Crosby 2am Kiss

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 19th, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      That happens to me all the time!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

      Reply
  5. Kiss & Make-up says

    May 19th, 2016 at 11:28 am

    I keep on discovering new brands here! Those blushes…man!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in At The Beach

    Reply
    • Karen says

      May 19th, 2016 at 11:59 am

      Yay, glad you’re finding new things!

      Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 19th, 2016 at 12:12 pm

      Those blushes are amazing!!! So vibrant!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

      Reply
  6. LindaLibraLoca says

    May 19th, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Carolina, I really need to come visit you. So many amazing brands!
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Taking out the trash V – May Empties

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 20th, 2016 at 12:35 am

      Yes, Anne, YOU DO!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Show a Little Lovin’… May 2016

      Reply

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