I’ve long been enamored with Charlotte Tilbury. The UK-based makeup artist exudes old Hollywood glamour, and her personally designed makeup collection is to die for.
Burgundy and rose gold packaging, names that evoked cosmetic legends and breathtaking hues… For months I agonized over what to buy. Did I want to test a shadow palette first? What about a lipstick? And why was the gorgeous Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds gloss already sold out? Each time I thought I’d made a decision, my mind was promptly changed by another more beautiful item.
But, as I’ve mentioned several times, my head can always be turned by a good foundation, and turned, it was, when a buzz built into a roar over the new Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation.
The care a brand takes in formulating and marketing a base product says a lot to me. Foundations and concealers are often overlooked in favor of more exciting, colorful products like eye shadow, blush and lipstick, so when a foundation, of all things, generates this kind of fuss, I knew I had to have it.
While not quite as costly as some high-end foundations, Magic Foundation is no less luxurious at $44 per fluid ounce, but despite the price, it’s hard to resist the allure when this is how Charlotte describes this bewitchment in a bottle…
“My Magic Foundation is a miracle in a bottle that transforms skin for all ages, skin tones and skin types. I have worked with laboratories for five years to create a “hyper-intelligent” formula that gives full-coverage yet feels completely weightless, with all the anti-aging and protective benefits of a luxury skin cream. It conceals imperfections, glides on like a dream, and literally feels like a second skin. Whether your skin needs just a bit of perfecting, or you struggle with a frustrating issue like acne, melasma or rosacea, my Magic Foundation will give you a perfect looking skin day, every day!”
Given the buzz, I bet you’re wondering what to expect.
Magic Foundation promises a laundry list of beauty advantages, like universality (regardless of age, skin type, or condition), weightlessness, anti-aging benefits, imperfection concealment, glide-on texture — the list goes on!
And if those weren’t enough, Charlotte’s YouTube page also features several tutorials of the makeup artist concealing a variety of skin concerns with Magic Foundation alone. It’s hard not to feel like a moth to a flame with that promise and potential!
I’ve said before that I’m a tinted moisturizer girl, but even though Magic Foundation provides full coverage…it doesn’t feel like full coverage, so I’m going to say what many makeup lovers have already said before: this literally feels like my skin alone.
I have some dry areas on my face, and Magic Foundation doesn’t cling. Even after a long day, Magic Foundation doesn’t need to be touched up. I often wear several concealers, but when applied and set right, Magic Foundation conceals everything for me. It’s like an eerily perfect boyfriend… You keep searching for something wrong, but he’s always bringing you flowers and grande lattes!
Side note and beauty PSA: I ordered directly from Charlotte Tilbury’s US facing website and had a wonderful experience. What makes the brand’s approach to selling base products unique is that across all platforms and points of sale, Tilbury includes photographs of models wearing her foundation, along with a description of the shade and the skin tone best suited to the color, so rather than simply calling the shade I selected “2,” for instance, the foundation is further described as “a pink-beige for Very Fair Skin Tones with Cool Undertones.”
This was incredibly helpful! — and it made selecting the right pick for my complexion a cinch, even though I don’t have a Charlotte Tilbury counter anywhere near me where I could color match my skin.
Here’s the best part, though: the samples you can get on Charlotte Tilbury’s website make ordering directly from the brand totally worth it. Look at that wealth of Magic Foundation samples, skin care and even lipstick cards! This makeup lover is in heaven!
THE MAGIC FORMULA:
Mushroom Extract: A concentrated mushroom extract that firms skin. It instantly tightens pores whilst flooding the skin with moisture, for a comfortable, nourished yet flawless finish.
Genius Hyaluronic Filling Spheres: What makes Hyaluronic Acid so beneficial is its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. These “genius” spheres absorb into the skin and plump up wrinkles from within. In 1 hour skin looks smoother and firmer, plus more supple and youthful.
Super-Charged Vitamin C (VC-IP): Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that fights the damaging and aging effects of free radicals. My Magic Foundation is the first time this new super-charged Vitamin C has been used in a foundation. With consistent use, it helps skin build new collagen (essential for youthful elasticity), reduces the appearance of age spots by 75% in four months, and reduces the appearance of acne after 9 weeks.
Broad Spectrum SPF 15: Protects from damaging rays so skin can retain a healthy, youthful look.
AQUA/WATER/EAU, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, TALC, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NANO), GLYCERIN, NYLON-12, HDI/TRIMETHYLOL HEXYLLACTONE CROSSPOLYMER, ZINC OXIDE, ACRYLATES/DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE,MAGNESIUM SULFATE, HYDROGEN DIMETHICONE, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, ALUMINA, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE, BENZOIC ACID, DIMETHICONE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, ASCORBYL TETRAISOPALMITATE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SILICA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, FOMES OFFICINALIS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, [MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].
Fill 30ml
I’m all about Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, and it reignited my interest in the brand. I’ve been wearing it every day (one pump does it all, believe it or not!), and I’ll be wearing it to an upcoming special occasion. What’s more? I’ve been getting oodles of compliments, and I already handed out the three samples I received with my order to several friends who’ve been dying to know what I’ve been wearing on my face. 🙂
Loving this on you! I might have to add this to my list for my next foundation.
My gaaaahhh yes! Your skin is flawless in that photo. I love Charlotte Tilbury formulations as well. Her Magic Cream is truly magic when I have dry bits of skin that need to be taken care of under my foundation. I’ve seen her speak about her products in person and her passion about their product formula makes you just fall in love with her entire line. You can tell she is 100% involved with what goes in the products.
So… I need to make a trip to the CT counter. So thanks. 😛
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Thank you, lady! I’m seriously so obsessed with this foundation. I can’t picture myself being without it.
I’m envious that you’ve seen her in person. She is truly committed to innovation and her releases are all very exciting.
Jessica
that’s a lot of promise but it definitely looks… promising? lol 🙂 I have a hard time with foundation because I often have to wear the sheerest possible in order to not feel as though I’m wearing a mask, (or like I can’t touch my face without mucking both it and my hands up!) but then the coverage isn’t significant enough for me to gather up the oomph to even bother, and so I often don’t. if this has coverage *and* feels light… I’m intrigued!
I’m a little surprised by the swatch you showed, though. the description sounds like the exact color I would order… but the swatch looks quite dark and very yellow. Is it one of those base products that sort of shifts once it’s applied, or is the photo not doing it justice in swatch form? either way, you look beautiful, so it’s worth a look I think!
Too bad I am also in a tilbury-free zone! I’ve been dying to try her bronze and glow palette and her blush/highlight combo compact… among others!
You know, I generally roll my eyes when a product is so “hyped” and there are so many promises associated with it; however, I have to say I think this one may just deliver.
Overall, it can easily be sheered out and yes, the shade does shift a bit when applied. 🙂 (I’m generally a MAC NC20 for reference.)
Such a shame, because this is definitely a beauty.
Jessica
I am from the UK, so we are blessed with easy access to all things Tilbury! I like Magic Foundation, but word to the wise if you’re oily-this needs a thin layer, buffed in well, and some setting powder, or it will break up through the day and look “obvious”. On drier skins it’s a dream!
Have you tried her Matte Revolution lipsticks? They are genuinely incredible, and so comfortable. Glastonberry lasted a full glass of wine with no transfer at all on to the glass! Quite the accolade for a berry lipstick!
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Oooh thank you for the added tip for anyone who may be reading! I’m not in the slightest bit oily so it’s not something I would have picked up on.
I have not yet been fortunate enough to try her lipsticks, but I have a sense that I’ll be diving into quite a few color products in the not so distant future. 🙂
Jessica
I’m always hesitant to buy foundations without trying though. This looks great on you Jessica! You have weakened my resolve. Hahahaha!
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Thank you, Lily! You may be able to obtain a sample? Charlotte Tilbury seems generous with sample packets across the board.
Jessica
I only have the Dolce Vita quad from her range and there are no words to describe how much I love it! I got it online on the UK website, and they sure know how to package an order… I was amazed! I think I’ll be placing another order soon…
Best wishes for your special occasion! 🙂
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Thank you, Carolina! I can’t decide between the Dolce Vita quad and a few others myself. I’m dying to try Charlotte’s shadows but I need to settle on which palette I’d like before I make the investment. 🙂
Jessica
I like the sound of this! Good to hear it doesn’t feel heavy at all.
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I promise I don’t even know I’m wearing it!
Jessica
I need this makeup line in my life 😀 I’m in the same boat, I’m trying to figure out thw one thing that I have to try from her line. Right now I’m leaning towards her magic cream or glow mask!
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The benefit is that if you order directly from the Charlotte Tilbury website shipping is free (at least if you’re based in the US) and the samples are epic!
Jessica
I love CT but the Magic foundation isn’t really for me, it looks really terrible on my combination/oily skin. It’s just heavier than I would expect, if you used the tiniest amount you could probably get away with it, if set probably but there are so many better foundations out there for oily skin (cheaper too), that I would skip it in favour of those. On drier skin types I think this would work wonders.
ALittleKiran | Bloglovin
I’m so sorry to hear that! Foundation, like fragrance, is deeply personal. I’m certain that there are better formulations for you. After all, there are many fish in the cosmetic sea! 🙂
Jessica
I’ve been lusting after this foundation for a while now! Your review makes me wonder why I haven’t bought it already!
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Ooooh do report back if you decide to splurge! I love mine. 🙂
Jessica
Sounds good to me! I might need a lighter shade which I know they have but it might be too yellow. We’ll see. I wish I had a counter. I have true combo skin in the summer and dry the rest of the time so it’s probably fine for me.
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Definitely try to get a sample! The brand is very generous with them even if you don’t visit a counter. 🙂
Jessica
There are so many high quality lines on the market these days that I’ve never really paid much attention to the Charlotte Tilbury line, especially since there aren’t any counters nearby to see the products in person.
I do have to admit in my hunt for the perfect foundation this one sounds really tempting. Two questions… Is your arm swatch accurate? Because that looks rather dark and yellow. And did you notice any oxidation during wear? That’s one of my problems with many foundations, is that they oxidize and go orange and dark on my skin. And emphasize my pores and lines.
Hi Tatiana, I’m sorry for the delay in response I’ve been away for quite some time.
The arm swatch is slightly deeper than the overall appearance of the foundation when blended on my face as I applied it quite heavily and it did oxidize. In general, though, throughout the day I do not notice any oxidizing. Most of the posts I write for Makeup and Beauty Blog feature this foundation, sometimes after a few hours of wear, and it’s the same color as when I applied it.
I hope this helps! 🙂
Jessica
I’ve been fascinated by her brand, too. Did you use her brush or something else to apply the foundation?
I actually just use a generic doamed foundation brush, but I’ve also applied with a beauty blender. 🙂 Both do the trick!
Jessica
The reviews I read about this foundation were mixed, it seems like it isnt the best for oily skins, despite the claims, so I would try and get a sample first.
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I’d definitely recommend that. Alas I am not oily so I cannot speak to the way it works on that skin type! 🙁
Jessica
This looks beautiful on you!
I love CT makeup, too.
I would highly recommend the Filmstar Bronze & Glow and the Matte Revolution lipsticks…to get you started 🙂
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
Thank you for the recommendations, Susan! I’m still compiling my list of color products. 🙂
Jessica
I have been wondering about this foundation. However, I think the lemming has been successfully quelled by the ladies with combo skin. That said it looks stunning on you Jessica! But that is part for the course with whatever you wear!! You look mahvelous!
Ahw, thank you Kristi! (I miss you, this is one of the unfortunate parts about no longer blogging … I used to adore chatting to you in the comments.)
Jessica