Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation Review

Believe it or not, I’ve never actually tried a Charlotte Tilbury foundation before. But, when I heard the hype around the new Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin foundation, I couldn’t resist giving it a go.

I’ve been looking for a foundation that is a bit more dewy and a little less coverage, as after years of using my beloved Estée Lauder Double Wear I’m looking for more of a natural look. I’ve tried IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream but found that it didn’t last as long as I wanted it to, so when I saw the new CT foundation pop up I thought I best bite the bullet and see what all the fuss was about.

Beautiful Skin foundation

Charlotte Tilbury describes the Beautiful Skin foundation as a ‘buildable, medium coverage, hydrating foundation for a beautiful, healthy looking glow’, and honestly, I think this describes it almost perfectly. It’s maybe more of a light-medium coverage, but it’s definitely buildable. And it DEFINITELY gives you a healthy looking glow.

The Beautiful Skin foundation is packed full of skincare benefits, which I know a lot of us are looking for in our foundations these days. It has a rose complex to brighten the skin, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, coconut extract to plump and also smooths and evens the skin thanks to some of Charlotte Tilbury’s trademark ingredients. It also contains C.T. Defence, which helps to strengthen the skin barrier and keep pollutants at bay.

Shade range

Available in 30 shades, and in cool, warm and neutral tones, I actually found finding my shade a breeze. I used the Genius Foundation Finder (you just upload a picture of yourself and it matches you to the right shade) and it matched me with shade 3/neutral, which is honestly the most perfect match for me. Obviously I’d recommend going in to get matched in store if you can, but this worked really well for me.

Finish

When you first apply the foundation you’ll notice it is quite shiny – I couldn’t wear it without a powder. So, I’d say if you’re of an oily disposition or simply prefer a matte look, this foundation isn’t for you. Once a powder is applied, you’re left with an absolutely gorgeous, glowy base. Yes, you’ll need to apply a bit more on any blemishes (it’s definitely not a full coverage foundation) but the base that you’re left with is just super dewy and healthy-looking. Here are some images of me after applying it.

Staying power

Now, in terms of staying power, this is where I’m a little torn. I’ve worn the foundation on a night out and I’ll be honest, it didn’t fair well. I found I got very shiny (especially around my nose) and if I touched my face the foundation transferred onto my hands. For day-to-day wear, it has fared a little better. Yes it rubs off a bit, but I think that’s the case with all foundations that aren’t Double Wear to be honest. The amazing glowy finish you get to begin with doesn’t stick around all day, but add a bit of powder and you’re good to go.

The verdict

Overall, I really like this foundation. No, it doesn’t stay put as well as some other foundations I’ve tried, and it’s definitely not a good foundation for oily skin, but the finish you get when first applied is the most glowy, lit-from-within look I’ve ever got from a foundation and for that it gets a big thumbs up from me. I don’t think it’s a great foundation for nights out, as it does come off a bit (particularly around my nose) which is a shame, but for daily wear I’ve been enjoying it. I think I’m going to try and mix some of it with Double Wear to see if that creates the perfect mix of coverage/longevity + glowiness. We shall see!

Have you tried the Beautiful Skin foundation from Charlotte Tilbury? I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if you have any tips for making it last longer!