First Impression | Charlotte Tilbury Makeup and Skin Care

I still remember quite vividly the whirlwind surrounding Charlotte Tilbury's beauty line launch back in 2013 - I myself had not been familiar with the makeup artist, but once news broke that she had released her own products, she had definitely piqued my interest. I later learned that she was a household name in the makeup industry and worked with a slew of celebrities including Emma Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, JK Rowling and Kate Moss. Since her brand's launch at Selfridges in London, her products are not only available in Britain but also in stores in the US, Canada and the Netherlands as well as online. Her products are on the pricier side and I always wondered if they are worth the price tag. I recently had the opportunity to try a handful of her beauty products, and I am happy to report back on how I have been getting along with them.

The first product I put to the test is the NEW Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow Hydrating Tint Moisturizer* (US$40/C$50). When I first dispensed product out, I noticed it has a slight grey tint and was skeptical as to how it would give a bronze glow. My doubt quickly went out the window as I instantly saw my skin transform before my eyes with just a thin layer. My face appeared slightly darker and illuminated, my scars were less visible and my redness faded quite evenly. I've been enjoying wearing this tinted moisturizer on its own for a bit of coverage as well as as a base under my new foundation for added hydration (more about that below).

I am always up for trying a new face mask, and the Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask* (US$55/C$65) was no exception. I was expecting it to dry on my face after the recommended 10-minute mark as most clay masks do, but instead it remained in cream form, so I would say it is more of a thick cream that you rinse off with warm water. The mask is light pink/beige but turns white once applied to the face. This product is made with ingredients such as kaolin, sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil and Vitamin E, just to name a few. While I did notice my skin looking brighter and smoother afterwards, I was not very fond of the perfumed scent. If you are also sensitive to fragrances in your skin care, I would recommend trying my Super Easy DIY French Green Clay Mask - it is all natural, super affordable and only requires 2 ingredients!

And now, the product I was most excited to try after reading so many rave reviews, the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation* (US$44/C$50). Finding my perfect shade is always tricky, especially online, but thankfully the handy Foundation Finder is there to take the guesswork out of choosing. I ended up getting shade 5 Medium, a warm peach shade suitable for medium skin tones with neutral undertones. As someone who deals with imperfections due to acne, including redness and hyperpigmentation, I can confirm this a great option. Now, it isn't the highest coverage foundation I have tried - I would say it provides medium, buildable coverage on me personally, which is actually how I prefer it to be. The finish is not matte nor dewy, but somewhere in between. The formula has SPF 15 and is long-lasting, and wears well throughout the day with no need for touch ups when set with a light face powder. Key ingredients include mushroom extract to firm pores, Vitamin C to fight the effects of free radicals as well as hyaluronic acid to make skin look plumper.

As you can see in the swatch above, the foundation seems quite dark on the inside of my arm but matches well on my summer tanned face. You can see my before and after photos below - I have zero product on my face in my before picture, and the only products I have on in my after picture are the Unisex Healthy Glow Hydrating Tint Moisturizer and Magic Foundation. 

Have you tried the Charlotte Tilbury beauty line? I would love to know your thoughts and recommendations!

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*Disclaimer: Products were provided and reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.