The product had a liquid, more gel-like consistency that made it easy to spread over larger areas (like a foundation), mix with base products (like moisturizers or foundations), or tap on the highlights of the face as a standalone highlighter (or as a highlighter Bronzer for my skin tone). It had sharper coverage that was less effective when mixed with products as expected, and more mediocre, buildable coverage when applied as a standalone product.
The finish was bright but not overly shimmery, so it didn’t emphasize the natural texture of my skin. It stayed fine for nine hours before fading a bit as a standalone product and didn’t affect the wear and tear (longer or shorter) of the base products, but did help the primer to apply a little more evenly and evenly.
MORE READING: Formula overview for details on general performance and properties (such as fragrance).
- Fenty Beauty Macchiato (P, $ 32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, and warmer (95% similar).
- Salt New York Medium (P, $ 16.00) is less shimmery, darker, and warmer (90% similar).
- Salt New York Light (P, $ 16.00) is less shimmery and lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Hunnie Glaze (P, $ 32.00) is less shimmery, darker, and warmer (90% similar).
- Kaja Shady (P, $ 24.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more subdued (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Sun Bath (110) (P, $ 64.00) is less shimmery, darker, and warmer (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Dark (7) (P, $ 44.00) is darker, lighter, and warmer (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Tan (5.5) (P, $ 44.00) is lighter and warmer (80% similar).
- Chanel Original (P, $ 50.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more subdued (80% similar).
- Kaja Toasty (P, $ 24.00) is less shimmery, darker, and cooler (80% similar).
Formula overview
$ 44.00 / 1 oz. – – $ 44.00 an ounce
The formula is said to be a “customizable complexion enhancer” that can be used as a foundation, highlighter or mixed with basic products. The line includes seven shades, like a more typical foundation or concealer range, but they have a sharper coverage and a fine pearl so there is some flexibility. However, for extra luminosity (without changing color), choose a shade closer to your actual skin tone.
It has a huge doe-foot applicator, which I preferred for highlighting and priming stains, but which is not as good for mixing with basic products (compared to a pump). I find that the lighter shades look very similar when mixed with a foundation or layered under it, so the color range is more flexible than it seems (for some skin tones).
The texture was smooth and light, like a thin gel-based primer, so for extensive use (worn as a primer depending on the brand) the product would easily spread over my skin and make my skin look radiant. I can see one person viewing this finish as “oily” and another feeling like it glows beautifully – it’s definitely very radiant on its own, so I would recommend applying it strategically to bare skin, like a very diffuse highlighter pens, or mix it up with moisturizer if you’re someone who wants glow but not full of dew.
I also liked to gently wipe the product with the included doe-foot applicator on the high levels of my face, diffusing and fusing (over a larger area than I would have if I had used it specifically to highlight my cheekbones) and dab the Gently prime it off. I recommend using a bare to medium coverage base for full coverage as full coverage works better when mixed in, otherwise the coverage will reduce the luminosity significantly.
As a standalone highlighter, it gave me an internally lit glow that was glowing but not sticky or really shiny and just looked damp on my skin. It worked just as well on bare skin as it did for me on the foundation. It took a good nine hours alone with minimal fading and no migration as a cheek marker. As a primer, it seemed to help make my makeup smoother, but I didn’t notice any elongation (but also no shortening) in wear; While the brand made no claims to extend the life, only that it would improve the finish and add a shine to the skin (so I did not downgrade it because it did not increase the wear and tear).
Search all of our Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter swatches.
ingredients
AQUA / water / EAU, hydrogenated didecene, mica, glycerine, propanediol, squalane, CETYL PEG / PPG-10/1 dimethicone, isoamyl laurate, hydrogenated styrene / isoprene copolymer, SODIUM CHLORIDE, caprylic / capric triglyceride, hydroxyacetophenone-4 polyglyceryl , 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYLGLYCOL, TRISODIUMETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANE, HOYA LACUNOSA FLOWER EXTRACT, [+/- IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are available from the brand (or distributor) at the time of publication. Please always check the product packaging, if any, on the ingredients list for the product you are purchasing or on the brand or retailer’s website for the most current ingredient list.
