I am down to my second bottle of Boom Boom Milk. And that says a lot about how much I like this product. So it was a matter of time before pulling together a full review of the mainstay milk cream spray of Violette_FR, the namesake brand of makeup artist and Guerlain's makeup creative director, Violette Serrat. Boom Boom Milk is multi-functional, effective and fun to use. Read down to discover why.
Violette_FR is the makeup and skincare brand launched by makeup artist Violette Serrat in 2021. Violette made her name known to the public through her impromptu makeup sessions filmed in public spaces and published on YouTube. She taught the internet how to create an effortlessly put-together makeup look in any situation. But Violette Serrat is much more than her video tutorials. From the day she started to work in the makeup industry, her goal was to launch her makeup brand. Highly talented, creative and business-oriented, her career strategy is inspiring. She shared her journey in various podcasts, including in this episode of It Takes A Village To Raise An Entrepreneur, which I recommend listening to learn more about how she built a brand.
Already appreciating her universe, the first product I acquired from Violette_FR was Boom Boom Milk, one of the few products from the range that are skincare-oriented and not makeup-related. I was attracted by the claim that this milk cream spray is a multi-purpose product, a toner, serum, and moisturiser simultaneously, a routine simplifier that could save me time in my beauty routine. Not only for the face you can also apply Boom Boom Milk to nourish the skin's body and hair. As orders ship from the US, I assume it is the country of fabrication.
A probiotic formula absorbing quickly, Boom Boom Milk claims to hydrate and soothe the skin daily, ideal as an under-makeup prep, with the potential for toning, texture improvement and firmness of the skin in the long run. Violette Serrat imagines her product for herself as a start. She has very high expectations and sensitive skin, so she has created a product that works without irritating her complexion. Boom Boom Milk is suitable for all skin types.
While there is no certification attached to the product ingredients, the formula is made of 99% naturally derived, high quality, ethically sourced ingredients and, as the other products from Violette_FR, complies with the European Cosmetic Directive—a hazard-focused approach sets of rules, which strictly regulates ingredients types and labelling, including claim about natural ingredients, amongst other elements. The Violette_FR range is also vegan and cruelty-free. Packaging is mainly made of Post-Consumer Recycled material, in other words, mixed plastic. It's not ideal, but the brand claims to keep pushing to find better solutions. And this includes the refill concept, which applies to Boom Boom Milk and Frange Puff, another product; these come with the opportunity to buy refills and keep using the primary packaging.
The formula is a bi-phase liquid that requires shaking before transforming into off-white milk. The texture is light and absorbs by the skin at the right speed—quickly, but with enough time to massage, pat your face and enjoy the moment. The effect is similar to a light, moisturising wave that leaves a satisfying sensation on the complexion, like the skin drinks it. I particularly appreciate using this product when I am in a lazy mood and don't have the energy to take care of myself. A quick face cleanse with liniment followed by two pumps of Boom Boom Milk and sunscreen (if I go outside), and I feel I did the job to maintain good completion.
For those interested in ingredients, the list is quite extensive, which, nowadays, looking for simplicity and a minimal amount of unknown substances is only sometimes reassuring. As always, I looked closely at the list to understand more deeply what the Boom Boom Milk formula contains.
First, this spray milk is loaded with moisturising ingredients, including some of its star ingredients, as featured on the website—Glacial Water, Birch Sap and Squalane. The first contains many minerals that help balance the skin's pH levels, with calming properties to mitigate inflammation and sensitivity. The fermented Birch Sap, a popular ingredient in Korean beauty, helps protect the skin similarly, reducing reactivity and promoting cell regeneration, as it also contains antioxidants. Moisturising Squalane improves skin barrier restoration properties, enhancing skin texture for suppleness and bounce. These main ingredients are supported by more hydrating elements, including glycerin, which attracts water; synthetic Pentylene Glycol, a humectant for better formula penetration; Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which protects the skin while trapping moisture; and Sunflower Seed Oil (helianthus annuus) that also soothe, nourish, replenish the completion.
Yet Boom Boom Milk is about more than just hydration with benefits. It is also packed with antioxidants, including Vitamin A and E. From the range, Horse Chestnut Seed Extract (Aesculus Hippocastanum) improves skin appearance, Spirulina extract (Arthrospira Platensis Extract) and Green Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract) and Tocopherol promote skin regeneration, Olive Leaf Extract (the other star ingredient) supports skin cells and Calendula Flower Extract activate collagen metabolism. Together, these ingredients promote skin soothing and smoothing, correcting visible damages, with a clearing and anti-inflammatory action targeting sensitive complexion and acne-prone skin while preventing breakouts.
The formula also contains Ceteth-20 phosphate, a mild cleansing agent, and pH stabilisers, including Sodium Hydroxide and Citric Acid, balancing the formula's pH. The list is almost complete with a handful of natural and synthetic ingredients, including preservatives such as Guar Gum, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Benzyl Alcohol and Dehydroacetic Acid, to prevent the contamination and growth of yeast, bacteria and mould in the product. We also find additive texture enhancers and stabilisers, with again Guar Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyl Phosphate and Xanthan Gum, overall helping water and oils bind together and managing viscosity to create the iconic milky mixture of Boom Boom Milk.
In short, Boom Boom Milk is multi-functional, here to maintain and replenish your skin daily, strengthening, revitalising and toning the complexion.
The review section on the Violette_FR website for Boom Boom Milk from the last few months shows that people are happy with this milk spray. Negative comments mostly came from the packaging, which gives room for improvement to the brand. One of the main positives is the feel on the skin, "a breath of fresh air", and the instant boosting glow it gives to the complexion. People love using this product after plane travel or in dry or humid weather conditions. Users also praised how easy it is to apply and the lightness of the formula. What is also interesting to read through the reviews is the long-time users' comments confirming skin improvement in smoothing, brightness, and condition mitigation, such as acne or dermatitis.
So now, how does it feel to use Boom Boom Milk? I've been slathering this milky formula on my face for a year and a half. I spray two or three spritzes on my hand, then apply immediately on my face once a day. As I said before, it is a light product, absorbed quickly. I can confirm that it is ideal to apply before makeup and sunscreen. It feels like a boosting protective barrier for the skin during the day. As I said in previous reviews, I am never sure of the long-term effects of my beauty routine on my skin; I can't see them, but maybe the fact that, past 35 years old, my skin stays clear and smooth most of the time, is a sign that something is working. What I can vouch though, is the instant effect of Boom Boom Milk on my complexion. This milk gives a fresh sensation, like the skin is taking a breath, and instantly looks plumped, soft and hydrated. And it doesn’t smell like anything to me. The milk spray formula never made my skin break out either, and the rare time I have had a pimple for random reasons, it was quickly mitigated and deflated over a day or so. I also like to put Boom Boom Milk on when I feel my skin needs a boost. It is fantastic after a flight (though we limit aeroplane transport) or during festivals for a quick put-together routine before hitting the dancefloor again. I still need to use moisturising in my nighttime routine (when I think about it). Lastly, I am not talking about Boom Boom Milk's effects on my hair as I haven't used it that way because until recently, I could only get the product while travelling in Europe, and I wanted to save the most of it for my daily face treatment.
Overall, I am very satisfied with Boom Boom Milk. It is an effective, agreeable, and different product from what I've been using for years. It swiftly simplified my beauty routine, and I will keep re-purchasing. I also like that it is a refillable product so we can use the original bottle many times. It is a detail, but I also like the style of this packaging, golden and beige. It is a good-looking addition to my beauty drawers. Now, in terms of price, Boom Boom Milk is available in 50ml and 100ml volumes, currently retailing for $69 and $103 here in New Zealand, while the 200ml refill pouch is at $168. All are available at Mecca. If you can afford it and, like me, need to save time in your beauty routine, try Boom Boom Milk. It is worth it.
