Charlotte Tilbury’s new Unreal Skin Foundation Stick has been dividing the internet. Beauty editor Laura Mulley gives her honest review…
I’m forever on a mission to get even, glowing skin, and so whenever a new foundation launches, I want to be one of the first to try it out. And one addition has been the cause of much interest in the beauty world recently: Charlotte Tilbury’s new Unreal Skin Foundation Stick.
The bestselling make-up brand’s first solid foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick (to give its full name) on 20 June 2024 to much hype, and there’s been plenty of talk about it since. Available in 20 shades and priced at £35 from retailers such as Space NK, Cult Beauty and Sephora, as well as the Charlotte Tilbury website, claims to give a luminous ‘ring light effect’ in a few quick swipes, with a hydrating feel on the skin.
Since its launch, I’ve seen mixed reviews; I’ve heard some beauty experts say that it’s their favourite Charlotte Tilbury foundation yet, while others state that it’s a little too glowy. Already a fan of Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation, I knew I had to try this new one out for myself.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick: an honest review
Pros:
- Very glowy
- Glides smoothly onto the skin and blends well
- Easy to apply on-the-go or when travelling
Cons:
- Perhaps a bit too glowy for some
- Tends to accentuate skin texture as the day goes on
- Those with oily skin may find this a bit too balmy
On first impressions, the packaging is gorgeous and the shades, like Tilbury’s other foundations, are a great match. Shade 3 Fair (the same one that I am in my Beautiful Skin Foundation) suits me perfectly, and I could probably get away with one lighter in winter. As its name suggests, the coverage is also quite sheer, meaning there’s a bit of flexibility with the shades too.
Once seen as very full-coverage and cakey, stick foundations have come a long way in recent years, and the texture of this one is gorgeous. Almost balm-like, it glides smoothly onto the skin without any dragging, and blends really well both with fingers or a make-up brush. It’s quick, too; you can cover your whole face in seconds.
As for the finish, if you like really glowing skin, you won’t be disappointed. With mica (which are tiny light-reflective particles) high up in the ingredients list, it gives a noticeable illumination to the skin – almost as much as a highlighter. In fact, if you know and love Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Hollywood Flawless Filter, I’d say this gives a very similar effect in stick form.
I’m a fan of glowing skin but even I thought this was a bit too much for my liking – that was until I went to the supermarket with no make-up on except this foundation, and I got asked to show my ID for the first time in years (I’m 36). High praise indeed!
One downside I found was that, although it dries down to a nice, non-sticky finish, these shimmery particles do tend to settle slightly in pores and patches of dry skin as the day goes on, so it’s perhaps not one for those with mature or very dry skin, or those for who skin texture is a concern.
I’d be tempted to use this more like a highlighter, focusing on the high points of my face rather than all over, but I’ll definitely be reaching for it whenever my skin’s looking especially tired (or I need a confidence boost!).
You can read more of the team’s thoughts about Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick here.
For a stick foundation with less gleam, I also really rate Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick, £28, while Revolution Fast Base Stick Foundation is a more affordable option at just £5.99.
