Charlotte Tilbury | Brand Introduction & FOTD*

Saturday 23 April 2016

in
charlotte tilbury haul

I don't know how else to say it, but it is simply impossible not to swoon a little bit inside while opening a bag full of Charlotte Tilbury make-up.  A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to have some Charlotte Tilbury products land on my desk, and I have just been so thrilled with them!  Today I am happy to be sharing with you some product reviews and a classic FOTD!
(This is a long post with quite a number of photos)


charlotte tilbury haul

There are two ways that luxury products stand out from regular products, in my mind.  First is the packaging, and second is the weight.  Well, not only are the boxes a stunning burgundy and rose gold art-deco theme, but the actual products are packaged beautifully too. Rich, shiny rose gold with a solid weight to them, the packaging is about as dreamy as the actual product. 

There will be swatches of all products after the mini reviews. 

Last month I had the opportunity to review Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Foundation (that I am still in love with).  You can read my full review here

charlotte tilbury filmstar bronze and go

charlotte tilbury filmstar bronze and go

Filmstar Bronze & Go $80 CAD
Light to Medium - Link

This palette features two large pans: a light brown sculpting bronzer, and a pale gold highlighter. When I first opened this palette I was a bit surprised at how pale and taupe-y the sculpting colour was.  Up until I opened this palette, I typically reached for a darker contour colour.  However after building this colour up in the hollow of my cheeks all I can say is wow.  It is so easy to build, and really leaves my face looking defined but natural.   After building it under my cheek bones I gently swipe this in all of the typical places that bronzer should go.  The highlighter is a super flattering pale gold that gives me a more natural looking glow.  So look, I thought I would like this palette but I didn't think I would love it the way I do.  I've been using it almost daily, and have almost worn off a good portion of the imprinted design.  If that doesn't say love, I don't know what does. 

PS.  This powder is very finely milled and feels so soft on the skin.  This shimmer in the highlighter is not overpowering and in the bronzer it is more of a glowy matte than a pure matte.

Cheek to Chic Swish and Pop Blush First Love

Cheek to Chic Swish and Pop Blush First Love

Cheek to Chic Swish and Pop Blusher $50
First Love  - Link

Perhaps infamous on the internet as the "boob blush", the idea behind this blush is to first "swish" the outer shade across your cheek bones and then "pop" the middle shade on the apples of your cheeks. Its pretty easy to remember how this works, but if you forget the instructions are on the back. I've never tried layering/sculpting with my blush before, and I must say that I love the natural glow that this system creates.  While this nude toned blush may not look like much in the pan, on the skin it is the most lovely and natural plummy-rose toned nude I could ask for.  If you want to use this blush according to the instructions I suggest a smaller, tapered blush brush to get optimal results. 

PS.  This powder is very finely milled and feels so soft on the skin.

charlotte tilbury Colour Chameleon champagne diamonds

wearing Colour Chameleon champagne diamonds

Colour Chameleon Colour Morphing Eyeshadow Pencil for Blue Eyes $32
Champagne Diamonds - Link

For the life of me I could not get an in focus bright photo of this pencil.  Any ways it is about the same size as any other "jumbo eye liner" however rather than being an eye liner it is actually an eye shadow. Each colour is identified as "for x colour eyes" and while I don't think it is a hard and fast rule, it is a great guide for those less experienced with make-up.  I love shimmery gold cream eye shadows so this as basically made for me.  This shadow differs from many in my collection because of how much more glitter the formula has.  It sets fairly quickly, so after rubbing it on my eyelid I like to buff and blend it in with my fingers.  This builds well.  One coat can be a lovely day-time look, and two or three can add some glam for eye evening.  It can be sharpened with any large eye-liner sharpener. 

In the photo I am wearing Champagne Diamonds blended on my eyelid.  I completed the look with my favourite black eyeliner pen, and mascara.  Champagne Diamonds is the only product on my eyelids, I am wearing a small pop of shimmer under my brows.

charlotte tilbury Matte Revolution red velvet red

charlotte tilbury Matte Revolution red velvet red swatch

Matte Revolution $38
Red Carpet Red - Link

Described as a "luminous" matte, this true red lipstick is long-lasting, build-able and non-drying. This Hollywood red is flattering on most skin tones.  I love how bold this lipstick is, and how comfortable it is to wear.  I found the square shape of the lipstick to be a bit difficult to work with-- my first attempt did not go well.  I used the sharp end to line my lips and then I gently filled it in with the rest. It was intended to act more like a lip artist's brush, but I think I will just use it with a brush.  I love the formula, but would prefer a regular shaped tip. 

charlotte tilbury swatches

1."Pop" portion of "Cheek to Chic Blush: First Love"
2. "Swish" portion of "Cheek to Chic Blush: First Love"
3. Blended "Swish" and "Pop" "Cheek to Chic blush: First Love"
4. Red Carpet Red lipstick
5. Champagne Diamonds, blended
6. Champagne Diamonds, not blended
7. Filmstar Bronzer
8. Filmstar Highlighter

charlotte tilbury swatches

1."Pop" portion of "Cheek to Chic Blush: First Love"
2. "Swish" portion of "Cheek to Chic Blush: First Love"
3. Blended "Swish" and "Pop" "Cheek to Chic blush: First Love"
4. Red Carpet Red lipstick
5. Champagne Diamonds, blended
6. Champagne Diamonds, not blended
7. Filmstar Bronzer
8. Filmstar Highlighter

charlotte tilbury fotd

charlotte tilbury fotd

charlotte tilbury fotd

charlotte tilbury magic foundation

charlotte tilbury magic foundation

Here I am wearing all of the products mentioned in this post, plus Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Foundation (my full review here).  The foundation is super long wearing, and makes for the perfect canvass for the rest of her products.  After building up the Filmstar bronzer as a contour under my cheeks I also applied it lightly as a bronzer.  I then applied Cheek to Chic "First Love" on my cheeks using their "swish" and "pop" method.  Next I went back to the Filmstar palette and added some highlight.  I applied Colour Chameleon "Champagne Diamonds" on my eyelid using the crayon and then I buffed it in to my crease.  I then added a cats eye using my favourite liner pen, and added two coats of my favourite mascara.  I did my brows as usual and then carefully applied Mette Revolution "Red Carpet Red" to my lips to complete the look.  Over all I find this look to be classic, a nod to the golden days of Hollywood, ad very feminine.  Honestly this is my go-to look for special events, and I think she makes the perfect products to achieve the glowy skin I love! 

This was really my first chance to play with her products, and I am really impressed.  You can tell she puts a lot of effort, thought and care into her product development process.  I hadn't really heard of her until her line launched in Canada, so I didn't enter using her products with any idea of what to expect.  My only complaint is that I am not very good at applying lipstick with a square tip, but I am sure I can get the hang of it.  There are very few brands where I would give them a blanket endorsement-- but this is one of them.  The price tag is painful, but I think given the quality of the product that it is worth it.

Incase you were wondering, my Charlotte Tilbury wish list has grown the more chances I have to wear her products.  Currently I am dreaming of her Instant Look Palette, Full Fat Lashes mascara, Colour Chameleon in Mesmerizing Mink,  and Uptown Girl eyeshadow palette (and just about every other product she makes).

Earrings: Swarovski
Necklace: J.Crew
Sweater: Ann Taylor

*All Charlotte Tilbury products were provided for review, opinions are my own.

Charlotte Tilbury can be purchased (in Canada) at Holt Renfew and on her website.  All links provided are to her website.  For those who have asked, no her products are not for sale at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, or Murale.

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