Charlotte Tilbury foundation review: I tried four formulas and still swear by Airbrush Flawless, two years on
GLOSSY, glamorous and full of sparkle: there's no denying the allure of Charlotte Tilbury products.
The brand's foundations have earned a cult following thanks to their dreamy finishes, skin-perfecting claims and the promise of a flawless glow.
Shop all Charlotte Tilbury foundation, from £35
But are they really as magical as they seem?
I dove headfirst into the beauty powerhouse's foundation lineup – from the iconic Airbrush Flawless to the medium-coverage Beautiful Skin – to put them to the test.
Whether you're after a long-lasting matte base, sheer radiance or a natural look that still blurs imperfections, I’ve tried a selection of formulas to see how they look, feel and ultimately hold up after hours of wear.
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Ready to find your perfect match?
Read on for my Charlotte Tilbury foundation review.
Charlotte Tilbury foundation review at a glance:
- Best for no-budge evening makeup:
- Best for everyday wear:
- Best for a dewy finish:
- Best for setting:
1. Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Airbrush Flawless, £39 from Charlotte Tilbury
Pros: Full and flawless coverage, doesn't budge, velvety finish, doesn't emphasise lines
Cons: Full coverage means it's not suitable for day-to-day wear: more for special occasions
Rating: 5/5
Ok, so I know it's what's on the inside that counts, but let's be honest: every dressing table deserves to be adorned with beautiful bottles, so I can't not mention the packaging of this product.
From the peachy pink box to the copper-toned detailing of the bottle, everything about this foundation screams luxury.
The formula itself is quite thick and velvety which I wasn't too sure of initially, but it blended in beautifully and wasn't cakey in the slightest.
True to its name, this foundation really achieves a flawless finish, with full coverage and a velvety matte outcome that creates a smooth base for the rest of my makeup.
One thing I particularly love is its suitability for mature skin: since entering my thirties, I've been really conscious of high-cover formulations settling into fine lines and emphasising them, but I needn't have worried here.
Plus, true to its word, the foundation didn't budge all day.
I barely noticed it was on and felt I could forget I was wearing it – my oily skin means other foundations can often start to slide and need smoothing out.
Overall, it's a foundation I've wanted to try for a long time after hearing all the rave reviews, so I'm very relieved to say it's worth the hype.
And two years since first trying it, it's still my foundation of choice for special occasions and when I want full coverage.
Size: 30ml, Finish: Natural matte, Key ingredients: 2% Replexium™, Magic MossCellTec™ No. 1, C.T. Defence™, AirCool™
2. Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation
Pros: Buildable, medium-coverage, hydrating formula, feels like a serum, infused with Hyaluronic Acid + Rose Complex
Cons: Goes on quite thick, feels sticky on skin
Rating: 4.5/5
Beautiful Skin finally landed in 2022, and it's fair to say the medium coverage foundation was hotly anticipated, after three years in the making.
Formulated with brightening rose complex and hyaluronic acid for a burst of hydration, this wonder product promises to improve the appearance of your skin.
It's clinically proven to even skin tone by up to 210%, as well as minimize the appearance of pores, pigmentation and dark spots.
With Airbrush Flawless feeling a little too heavy for my everyday makeup, I was excited to try this more lightweight formula.
It goes on quite thick and doesn't 'glide' like runnier liquid foundations – but it has a serum-like consistency that sinks in and feels really luxurious.
The plumping and moisturising effect was instantly obvious too.
And although I could feel the foundation on my skin (there's a slight stickiness before powder), it felt lightweight and breathable: perfect for everyday wear.
Size: 30ml, Finish: Medium coverage + hydrating, Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Bix’Activ™, Rose Complex, Hyalurosmooth™, Coconut Extract, C.T. Defence.
3. Hollywood Flawless Filter
Pros: Lightweight and sheer, natural finish, smoothing, not heavy, can be used as a highlighter
Cons: Coverage might be too subtle for some, wand dispenser makes it feel like more of a highlighter than foundation
Rating: 4/5
If movie star glossiness is what you're after, then Hollywood Flawless Filter certainly won't disappoint.
With a consistency that I can only compare to my beloved by Charlotte Tilbury, it's a formula that can be worn alone, with your foundation or even as a highlighter for your cheekbones, nose and Cupid's bow.
And I'll say that I really rated it for the latter.
Trying it on its own, I found it to be a lovely sheer and light foundation that's perfect for no-make-up looks and a dewy natural finish.
I noticed that it completely smoothed my complexion as promised, plus it was really comfortable to wear: it didn't feel heavy at all, but was super-moisturising without being as sticky as Charlotte's Beautiful Skin.
The coverage was subtle, so it's great if you're after a more natural foundation that still blurs imperfections and pores.
The only thing that surprised me? The lipgloss-esque wand rather than the pump dispenser, which makes it feel more like a highlighter.
Size: 30ml, Finish: Dewy radiance, Key ingredients: Airbrush polymers, Glossy Oil, Porcelain Flower Extract
4. Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder
Pros: Perfect for blotting away shine, creates light and mattified finish, not at all dry or cakey, blurred pores
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
Every flawless makeup base needs to be flawlessly set, and that's where Charlotte Tilbury's "complexion perfecting micro powder" comes in.
Designed to be used with the , this was perfect for blotting away any unwanted shine and creating a light and mattified finish that looked more natural as the day wore on.
And you know that sinking feeling when you've applied a flawless foundation base, only to dust over some powder and end up looking smudged and cakey?
Well, that definitely wasn't the case with this smoothing powder.
My foundation stayed looking tip-top and it gave me an overall airbrushed finish that blurred away pores, without leaving my skin feeling dried out.
Presented in a beautiful rose gold palette, one of these is apparently sold every minute – a stat that doesn't surprise me, now that I've tried this wonder powder.
Size: 8g, Finish: Smoothing-effect pressed powder, Key ingredients: Nano-blurring particles.
How many shades do Charlotte Tilbury foundations come in?
Charlotte Tilbury has crafted her foundation lineup to be as inclusive as it is luxurious, offering a range of shades to suit a variety of skin tones.
The iconic leads the pack with 44 shades, designed to give everyone that flawless finish.
The luminous follows with 30 shades, perfect for those after a radiant, dewy look.
Newest launch, the , is available in 20 shades.
Then there’s the , with a smaller but carefully curated 12-shade range – ideal for a sheer, everyday glow.
So, whether you’re Porcelain or Deep Mocha, Charlotte’s got something to bring out your best glow!
Knowing that my skin tone is fair and neutral, I opted for Number 2 Neutral and was really pleased with the match.
How do I choose the right foundation for Charlotte Tilbury?
Handily, the Charlotte Tilbury website offers a , where a quick 60-second quiz (complete with photo analysis) helps you find your perfect match.
This tool asks about your skin type, coverage preference and desired finish, taking the guesswork out of finding the right foundation.
However, if you want a bit more guidance, there’s more help on hand.
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You can book a with a Charlotte Tilbury expert.
They’ll help you choose the perfect shade, recommend the best formula, and even share skincare tips.