There is a long list of celebrities, makeup artists, beauty editors and influencers who adore Charlotte Tilbury’s products, praising them for their long-lasting, glow-giving, filter-finish abilities. So it’s no surprise that it’s a favourite within The Mirror Fashion and Beauty team, too.
Launched in 2013, the brand has become synonymous with Hollywood glamour, counting the likes of Emma Stone, Adele, Kate Moss, Bella Hadid and Sienna Miller as fans. But since they often don’t come cheap, sitting at a similar price point as Medik8 and Nars it can be difficult to know exactly which ones are worth splurging your money on.
Thankfully, our seasoned shopping writers have tried dozens of the a-lister-loved products over the years, from her classic flagship products to her newest launches for 2024. Whether you’re looking for a new concealer to cover blemishes and dark circles, or highlighters that will give you the most luminous skin of your life, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favourite products from the iconic British beauty brand:
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Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops
A lot of makeup and skincare enthusiasts are leaning into ‘high maintenance to be low maintenance’ regimens, which can mean anything from tinting your brows to whitening your teeth or tanning your face on a Sunday night ready for the week ahead. Whether you’re looking to achieve glowing skin in time for summer, or want to sport that sun-kissed glow year-round, the new Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops from Charlotte Tilbury has fast become a favourite in our weekly beauty rituals for their gorgeous glowy finish and ease of use.
Coming in at £38, the drops are available in two shades – fair to medium and tan to deep – and feature a drop applicator that allows you to customise the amount you use, and in turn, the intensity of your tan. You can also choose to add the drops directly to your face, or mixed in or over moisturiser for a slightly more diluted effect.
Our beauty-loving reporter Eve Rowlands tried them out and said: “Because I wanted a relatively noticeable glow, I squeezed 6-7 drops into my moisturiser (9-12 if you want a deep bronze) and rubbed my tan-infused cream into my face in circular motions. I was pleasantly surprised to find there was no biscuity scent (as there so often is with fake tan) – none at all – plus my skin felt pretty fresh, despite having product on. I suspect that’s down to the bronzing drops’ formula including hyaluronic acid and a skin barrier booster.
“Washing my hands immediately after use, it was time to wait for the results – six to eight hours is the time frame for it to develop, which for me was a day’s work. As I clocked off, I went into my bathroom to see the results from the tan and was delighted to find that my pale alabaster skin was now bronzed and sunkissed, as if I’d just stepped off the plane from Ibiza. And as the days went on, my complexion remained relatively bronzed, only fading on day three. I’m very much a tanning drops convert and will be making use of these pearly bronzing beauties until summer returns.”
Glass skin is another major beauty trend this summer, and nothing gives radiance quite like Charlotte Tilbury’s brand-new Pillow Talk Multi-Glow Highlighter, which had our Beauty and Fashion lead Shani Cohen audibly gasping. Available exclusively on Charlotte Tilbury, the limited-edition £35 highlighter is back by popular demand, coming housed in a dreamy glitter compact.
The glow-enhancing beauty must-have comes in two shades; ‘Dream Light’ which is a pink warm-toned highlighter, and ‘Romance Light’ which is a nude-pink cool-toned highlighter, both of which have been inspired by the Pillow Talk range.
Shani said: “As I like a more natural finish, I tend to stick with warmer-toned products, so opted for the ‘Dream Light’ shade which gave me the perfect sun-kissed glow. What I love most about this product is that it’s multi-tasking and works as a blusher too thanks to the combination of pink shades – so it’s basically a two-in-one! Despite my whole makeup routine being liquid-based, the Multi-Glow highlighter gilded onto my skin effortlessly with no patchiness in sight – and to be honest, I was a little taken aback, hence my gasp.
“According to the product description, the formula features silky Mica for a soft gliding effect, allowing easy application for a silky-smooth finish which explains the seamless application, and the Finely Milled Pearls are the secret to the long-lasting glow without the need to include glitter.
“As someone who’s usually put off by powder products, I’m more than happy to make an exception for this highlighter and it’s definitely my new go-to for glowy, healthy-looking skin.”
If you’re after a super affordable highlighter alternative, we’ve spotted this intensely pigmented powder by Revolution that’ll ‘instantly brighten your complexion,’ according to the brand – and it’s on sale for just £3.20 at Boots.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm
With one Pillow Talk product sold every two seconds, it’s safe to say that Charlotte Tilbury’s flagship range is one of the most iconic in the industry. And her latest Plumpgasm lipgloss is set to follow suit. Priced at £27, the gloss comes in two universally flattering shades, fair/med and med/dark, designed to provide fuller, smoother lips in seconds.
Senior Beauty and Fashion writer Bethan Shufflebotham said: “The diamond tip applicator is a nice shape and size which allows for an even application. It’s well-pigmented and not patchy, which means you can opt for one swipe, or load it on if you so wish. The tingling sensation is almost immediate but it’s not painful or uncomfortable – though it does last a while after application – and five minutes later, my lips looked super juicy and plumped.
“But it wasn’t the results that impressed me the most, it was the texture of the gloss, which isn’t at all sticky or oily, instead, it’s really balmy and comfortable to wear and thanks to hyaluronic acid in the ingredients list, kept my lips feeling hydrated all day, too. It is a triple threat of a balm, plumper and lip colour in one, and according to the makeup artist, ‘the more you wear it, the more your natural lips look plumper and smoother’, so I’ll be very excited to see how this fairs in the coming months with regular use.”
Mirror’s Reviews Editor Stacey Dutton added: “As soon as it touched my lips I realised the intensity of the lip-plumping ingredients, and they got to work straight away. Enriched with Plumpgasm Heat and Ice Technology, plump-effect Collageneer and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, the formula combines the hydrating comfort of a balm and the amplifying power of a lip plumper, with the beautifying pretty pink Pillow Talk effect so your lips look plumper and smoother.
“I chose the Fair/Medium shade which worked perfectly with my skin tone and pinky hues I use in my blush. You don’t get that sticky texture and you only need a thin layer to really see (and feel) the results. It’s claimed the product “is like nothing you have ever tried before” and I really think this is the case for me. After a couple of hours of the lip gloss being on my lips they not only feel incredibly plumped, but smoother than ever.”
Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser
Our skin goes through an awful lot on a day-to-day basis, all of which can put stress on our complexion and cause breakouts, blocked pores and dryness – not to mention wrinkles and fine lines. That’s why finding a cleanser that’s not only right for your skin but also leaves it clean, hydrated and fresh is so important.
Inspired by the ‘effects of a world-class facial’ Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser is the latest edition to the Hollywood MUA’s skincare collection – and it starts from just £12. The cleanser, which is recommended for use twice daily, is a 3-in-1 wonder product that claims to hydrate, revive and prime your skin in one go using supercharged ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and powerful Peptides.
But how did it fare with our in-house experts? Eve Rowlands said: “Being new to texture-changing cleansers like this, it was interesting seeing the thick, white pearly cream change from a mask-like consistency into a foam that felt like it was really getting into the nooks and crannies of my skin (with the aid of a cleansing brush). Adding water, the foam effectively dissolved into a thin, milky consistency that felt soft and watery on my skin.
“My face felt remarkably fresh and clean while my skin felt tight, plumped up and bouncy. Plus, it had a little shimmer on my cheeks (but maybe that was the light).
“If I’m going to be completely honest, after using this cream morning and night for two weeks, I didn’t see a massive difference in my complexion, but I did notice my face looked brighter in the mornings and my skin felt more plump and moisturised – even without the use of moisturising cream. Plus, it gives my cheeks a lovely little glow, which made me feel a little more confident in my skin without the need for make-up.”
Meanwhile, Bethan Shufflebotham added that while it can be a little irritating to sensitive eyes, but said “the cleanser effortlessly removed makeup and impurities without stripping my skin of its natural moisture, and after rinsing it off, I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and clear my skin felt. The addition of hyaluronic acid in the formula is said to leave skin ‘immediately 2x more hydrated’, and my thirsty skin certainly felt moisturised with more glow.”
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer
Known for its lightweight yet buildable medium coverage, this Charlotte Tilbury concealer brightens the under-eye area while disguising dark circles, and was named one of The Mirror’s favourite concealers of 2024. Available in 30 shades, it contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, plumping plant-based collagen and radiance-boosting golden vitamin C which work together to help improve the appearance of your under-eyes over time, too.
Promising to last up to 16 hours, it’s infused with niacinamide to refine pores and silica for a blurring effect. It contains little light-reflecting mica pearls to give an overall radiant finish.
Reviews Editor Stacey Dutton says the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer makes her skin ‘come alive’. She said: “When first using the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer I thought it was a little too thick for my skin type. Now that I am noticing more signs of ageing on my skin, especially in areas where I am thinning, I need a lighter consistency product.
“For my under eyes, the Charlotte Tilbury concealer can get in my creases, but, if I use it just under my ‘crowsfeet’, forehead, around my nose and down the bridge of my nose as a highlight, it makes my skin come alive. It has been a great investment for my changing everyday make-up journey, I don’t feel the need to wear any foundation, I use the concealer, cream bronzer and top up my blush and highlighter and that is my skin done and dusted for the day ahead.”
Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter
This £39 beauty must-have is loved by celebs like Adele and Emma Stone and is so popular, it sells every two minutes. The brand says this product was “inspired by the perfecting properties of social media and illuminating effects of Hollywood lights. It blurs, smooths and illuminates for the most magical glow of your life.”
You can wear it on its own, under or mixed with foundation, or even on top. It promises to keep your skin moisturised for 24 hours and make it look brighter and younger. The Mirror’s Fashion and Beauty lead, Shani Cohen, says she ‘can’t live without’ it.
She said: “I’m a natural girlie through and through, and one item in my makeup bag I can’t live without for creating that no makeup, makeup look is Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter. I love how multi-tasking it is as it can be used as the perfect glowy base under foundation, by itself as foundation, or as a highlighter to add the perfect dewy glow to your look – whether you’re opting for a natural daytime look, or glamming it up for a night out on the town.”
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray weightlessly primes, and sets for up to 16 hours. The delicately scented, long-lasting, next-generation setting spray is a beauty amplifier – inspired by the smoothing, pore-blurring effects of her world-famous airbrush makeup family.
The high-performance formula works in harmony with your foundation, concealer, bronzer and powder to create a weightless veil of hydration and a flawless-looking finish.
Fashion and Beauty writer for The Mirror, Bethan Shufflebotham, swears by the mist for keeping makeup in place ‘all day’. She said: “There is only one setting spray that I trust to keep my makeup locked in place all day, and that’s Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.
“The high-performance waterproof formula adds a lightweight layer to the skin that seals in your makeup so that it looks freshly applied all day with no smudging, creasing or melting. It also doubles as a fantastic cooling mist, so it is great for taking to festivals.”
Charlotte Tilbury Fragrance Collection of Emotions
Charlotte Tilbury’s latest perfume release is already causing a stir amongst beauty buffs, with the iconic brand capturing and bottling up universal feelings in six different fragrances. The scents are powered by neuroscience to provoke a certain emotion with each one from the colours, scents and ‘energies’ of the bottles.
Writer and Fragrance Expert Jada Jones has delved into the new fragrance release and given her verdict. She said: “I am obsessed with fragrances, I’ve travelled Europe trying to learn as much as possible about them and I’ve even crafted my own. Mona Kattan’s perfume library is a life goal of mine so it’s no surprise that when six bottles of perfume showed up on my doorstep I squealed a little bit.
“My favourites are definitely Joyphoria and Cosmic Power, although they’re all quite lovely. I do think they do what they say in the tin with provoking emotions. The perfumes will all retail at £130 each for 100ml or £20 each for 10ml on May 2 in-store and online.”
Speaking on Cosmic Power, she added: “It’s spicy and warm. It’s what I’d call a cuddle scent, when someone smells this on you they’re going to want to get closer to you to get another sniff. It reminds me of a scent from Zara that is rumoured to be inspired by Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille, although this doesn’t smell of tobacco. It’s a great option for a date and perfect for a confidence boost.”
And on Joyphoria, Jada said: “This bottle stands out instantly for having the signature Charlotte Tilbury finish across the entire bottle. I’m excited to see it next to the lipsticks. When I saw that it had coconut and vanilla I was reminded of Kayali’s Utopia Vanilla Coco 21.
“This smells like being on the beach with your friends. With your toes dipping into the warm sand and you’re laughing with your best friends and having a great time. Like being on holiday and feeling so happy that it can’t help but bubble to the surface.”
Read Jada’s thoughts on the entire collection here.
Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipstick
Earlier this year, CT launched a collection of 15 new Hollywood Icons products , including five racy reds in the much-loved Matte Revolution formula, five soft, satin-finish pinks in the K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula, and five Lip Cheat liners to perfect your pout.
They come in pink or red metallic packaging, meaning they’re all easily identifiable in your makeup kit. It looks luxurious and adds to the overall premium feel that Charlotte Tilbury is known for.
Within our beauty team, is a mix of very different make-up preferences of shades and textures – so we headed straight to the Shade Match Tool available online to find our perfect hue and these were our favourites:
Eve Rowlands loves Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipstick Matte Revolution – Hollywood Vixen, commenting: “The brighter the better, in my eyes – and matte, which is why I fell head over heels for Charlotte Tilbury’s brand new Matte Revolution reds.
“With only minimal eye make up on, this lipstick made me feel instantly more glamorous and, if I’m being a bit vain, a bit glowy. Once it was dry, it stayed put for hours on end without the need for reapplication – no smudging or bleeding over my lipline. Plus, it was comfortable and pretty moisturising thanks to the (aptly named) Lipstick Tree Extract.”
Jada Jones loves Hollywood Beauty Icon K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Rose to Fame, adding: “I tried 90’s Pink first and I thought it was going to be my favourite until I put on Rose to Fame. My initial response was that it was too dark and I hated it, but the more I looked at it the more I realised I’d pigeonholed what pink lipsticks really were.
“It’s definitely the darkest of the range and there’s almost a nude undertone to it which is why I think I’ve ended up liking it so much. It’s not overly bright which has often made me pull back from pink lipsticks. I love the formula, it goes on like butter and feels like lip balm throughout the day and night.”