Nobody knows how to create a glowy, bombshell-glam look quite like celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury. Honestly, every time she blesses us with a new launch, fanfare inevitably follows. Whether it’s a fresh shade of lipstick, a glow-enhancing foundation or high-performance skincare, we want it all. If you’re new to the brand (no judging, but where have you been?!) or you’re a longtime fan and wondering what to give a go next, we can help. Ahead, see the very best Charlotte Tilbury products to start with (or add to a growing collection).
By Alice Hamilton, 22 February 2021
How we choose the best Charlotte Tilbury products
With so many iconic Charlotte Tilbury bestsellers to choose from, where do you start? We’ve thoroughly tried and tested the whole offering and, although it was tricky to narrow down our favourites, we can assure you that these are the ones that are genuinely worth your time and money. Our list includes all-time bestsellers as well as relative newcomers that have attracted heaps of praise from beauty editors and most importantly, you the customer.
This highlighter-meets-primer is a great option if you’re a skinimalist, or just short on time. Simply sweep the doe-footed sponge onto clean skin, blend out with a brush, and voila - you’ve got a radiant complexion that’s also primed for makeup. Clever, right? Available in 12 shades, its blend of airbrushing polymers and brightening flower extracts means that you can get an Instagram filter IRL.
The hype: “It's a primer, highlighter, and glow booster all in one — and trust us, it makes your skin look preternaturally radiant. Thank you, Charlotte, for creating the beauty product we never knew we needed.” - Refinery29
Racking up a 17,000 person waitlist, expectations were high with Charlotte Tilbury’s newest foundation and we’re pleased to confirm that it delivers the goods. Like some kind of witchcraft, it curbs shine while imparting a healthy glow, so your skin still looks like skin. It gives a near-weightless, full coverage finish and hydrates as your wear thanks to an exclusive extract of Moss, Magic Mosscelltec.
The hype: “Does exactly what its name suggests: It made me look airbrushed and flawless. The formula feels weightless on my skin, and it doesn't look too heavy or done up. Another bonus: The foundation has a luminous look. Not like it's full of shimmer, per se, but more like I'm in incredibly flattering lighting. Best of all, it keeps my acne covered for hours and moves with my skin.” - Bella Cacciatore, Glamour
When it comes to your lashes, if you’re all about dramatic lift and volume, you’ll be a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s newest mascara. With its stellar paddle brush, which boasts ‘load, comb and lift’ technology, the diamond-shaped bristles ensure that every last lash is surrounded with inky black pigments. As for the formula itself, it’s enriched with Keratin to thicken and condition as you wear, while Carnauba and Microcrystalline waxes add texture for next-level volume and body, without weighing your hairs down. Genius.
The hype: “I’m a big fan of Charlotte’s mascaras but this is the best yet - a true game-changer. So easy to use, no clumps, just long, sweeping curled lashes that don’t smudge. Amazing! Hard to imagine using any other mascara from now on. Totally worth the hype.” - Emma, customer review
There’s a reason why lipstick lovers have a penchant for Charlotte Tilbury’s collections, and it’s because they’re nothing short of spectacular. New for 2021, Hyaluronic Happikiss is no exception. Combining the conditioning comfort of a lip balm with the high-shine of a lipgloss, it’s your go-to for a hydrating hit of colour. There’s eight sublime hues to choose from, including the legendary suits-all Pillowtalk, each infused with Hyaluronic Acid and C-Peptide for intensely moisturised, fuller-looking lips in a single swipe.
The hype: “Pillowtalk enthusiasts, rejoice! Beauty doyenne Charlotte Tilbury has done it again with her latest lip launch, her Happikiss lipstick balms. Bursting with hyaluronic acid for hydration, C-peptides to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and passioline (passion fruit seed oil) butter to nourish parched pouts. If you’re unsure where to start, try the cult Pillow Talk shade which will impart one helluva kissable sheen.” - Evening Standard
On the hunt for the perfect everyday lipstick? This. Is. It. Loved by countless celebrities, makeup artists and beauty editors, Charlotte’s best-selling ‘your lips but better’ nude-pink hue is the stuff of legend. Seriously, the formulation is just so good - phenomenally longwearing so you don’t have to constantly re-apply, super-hydrating and enhanced with 3D pigments to create the illusion of fuller lips. If you haven’t already, it’s high-time you joined the Pillow Talk fandom - you’ll never look back. The hype: “I went in thinking this could just be an overpriced product and it’s not going to suit me but I immediately fell in love with it! It's such a great shade and it stays on so well whilst drinking and eating. I am now a convert, and whilst this is an expensive product, I'm more than happy to invest.” - Lauren, customer review
There’s a reason one of these finishing powders sell every minute. It sweeps across skin as soft as velvet, lending extra coverage for problem areas and a stay-in-place hold for your whole complexion. Packed with soft-focus nanoparticles, it works its magic without any product sitting in fine lines and the compact formula makes it an on-the-go essential for literally millions of women. Basically, it’s a must for a long-lasting shine-free look.
The hype: “This is my second airbrush powder and I honestly wouldn’t buy another powder now. It’s lightweight and doesn’t cake leaving the skin naturally flawless. I would highly recommend it for all skin types!” - Jessica, customer review
A two-tone powder that’s a kiss in a compact. Each colour way pairs two shades - a deep core colour surrounded by a paler, complementary hue - to create the perfect flush. Both shades have luminous gold flecks that build warmth as well as LightFlex Technology to manipulate and re-emit light. To apply, start with swishing round the outer shade and running flat over the apple of your cheeks. Then, swirl the brush in the centre shade. Ideal for grey skin days, it adds a healthy, pinched-cheeks glow to tired complexions.
The hype: “I absolutely love this blush! Gives a beautiful rosy glow and really brightens up my complexion, whilst looking very natural. Easy to apply, and the packaging looks luxurious in my makeup bag.” - Charlotte, customer review
When it comes to traffic-stopping, red carpet-worthy eyes, Charlotte Tilbury reigns supreme. The ridiculously pigmented, cream-to-sheen eyeshadow is loaded with illuminating pigments to effortlessly enhance your eyes in a single sweep of your finger. Enriched with Vitamin E, it literally glides on and seamlessly diffuses, adorning your lids with stay-put, crease-resistant colour. The only trouble is choosing your favourite shade. From flattering Champagne to flirty Glowgasm, each one adds a hypnotic foiled effect. Best of all, you don’t even need a brush, just apply with your fingertips and blend out for a cool-girl, undone finish.
The hype: “Lightweight, buttery, and so opaque you'll never need more than a pea-sized amount to cover your entire lid, it's safe to say these eyeshadow pots are worth the investment.” - Refinery29
Housed in Charlotte Tilbury’s signature art deco-style bottle, the brand’s very first serum can be used morning and night for altogether younger-looking skin. How? It’s all in the clever blend of ingredients. Replexium, a peptide blend, is proven to reduce wrinkles by -34%, plant adaptogen extracts rejuvenate tired skin cells and golden Vitamin C for brighter, more even skin tone. Then there’s the crystals, the serum also stars a Magical Crystal Complex, inspired by the powers of rose quartz, moonstone, ruby, amethyst and crystal quartz.
The hype: “The Crystal Elixir serum is wonderfully light and has a gorgeous watery milk-like consistency, which my skin drank up faster than I tend to inhale my first G&T on a Friday night. And honestly, after two weeks of using the serum every morning, my skin definitely felt better hydrated and looked a little more 28 than 30-something.” - Evening Standard
For foolproof sultry eyes, look no further. With just four shades in a mix of shimmers and mattes, Charlotte has made it easier than ever to make your lids the star of the show. Work your way up from the dusky rose ‘prime’ shade to the rose gold sparkle ‘pop’ for a romantic, wide-eyed effect. The best bit? This one has been specially designed to suit all eye colours, so the shades will look incredible on anyone and everyone. Pair with the coordinating Pillow Talk blusher and lipstick to set off the whole look.
The hype: “I am so pleased with this palette - I use all the colours exactly as recommended and find it so helpful that I can go from day to evening without starting again. The pink makes my blue eyes pop. Colours blend easily. For me this is the perfect palette.” - Nina, customer review
Not quite mastered a Kardashian-worthy contour? This clever compact is your shortcut to a sculpted look - just swipe the cool bronze powder underneath your cheekbones, along your forehead and jawline, then use the golden highlight shade to illuminate your high points. They are a total breeze to blend and silky-soft to swerve a streaky finish. And, let’s take a moment to clap the packaging. Weighty, rose gold and fit for a fancy boudoir, you’ll want to whip this one out at every opportunity.
The hype: “I love how buildable it is, it’s almost impossible to overdo it. The highlighter is subtle and looks rather natural and absolutely flawless in photos. The bronzer/contour shade is just cool enough to not come off as orange, even on the fairest of skin tones. The packaging is also stunning and feels really luxurious. 10/10.” - Lara, customer review
Charlotte Tilbury’s creamy illuminator is one of the best out there. Made with gloss-giving polymers, the formula works to impart a silky soft shimmer for an A-lister glow-up. This bestselling blend is infused with Oligomer Gel and Lindera Extract, two powerhouse ingredients that - when called for pore-smoothing duties - actually show up. Fast-drying and velvety to the touch, swipe over your high points and layer up to create the glow of your dreams.
The hype: “I put some on the back of my hand and dipped my blender in the puddle of product for a more precise application. It delivers such a diffused, candlelit glow, and it didn't look overdone or overly shiny or sparkly. I can't say enough good things, honestly.” - Who What Wear
Like a magic wand for your skin, one sweep of Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic concealer creates a flawless, pore-free finish that never feels too heavy on the skin. The Magic Miracle Precision applicator acts like a beauty blender by rolling over imperfections, hugging your skin and smoothing over any fine lines to create a second-skin effect. It’s no wonder why it’s been nicknamed: “spanx for your eyes”. TIP: use the concealer first, and follow up with Charlotte Tilbury’s Genius Magic Powder to set in place and boost radiance.
The hype: “I literally needed just one swipe of the stuff and it erased those bags that were telling the world I'd had three hours sleep and far too many takeaways this weekend (that'll be the Persian silk tree bark extract, which Charlotte hails ideal for youthful and contoured looking skin).” - Glamour