I'm back! Sorry for the long pause between posts. We were on holiday last week and I wasn't feeling too great for the few weeks before we went away so my posting schedule was reduced and then I was hit with the flu when we came back so that explains why things have been quiet around here! I always find that a break (whether planned or not) always gives me great motivation and lots of post ideas so I'm brimming with enthusiasm to get back on track with my schedule of 5 posts per week and I'm starting today with a foundation review. It seems like every brand has a new foundation at the moment and I'll admit that I have bought a lot of them! My excuse is that I finished two recently so I replaced those (and bought some more!). I've been shopping a lot less this year than any other years since I started blogging because I have so many products that I genuinely love so something has to really grab my attention for me to buy it. Whilst August was a spendy month, I don't really plan on buying a lot this month although the Cult Beauty Advent Calendar is calling my name! Have you seen it? The contents look insanely good! Anyway, back to today's post! The foundation in question is Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation.
It's been well documented on the blog that I am a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury makeup. I pretty much want every new product that she releases and I adore her Light Wonder Foundation so I was instantly curious when the hype around her new Airbrush Flawless Foundation began. On paper, it shouldn't be a product that would interest me - full coverage, matte? That's not my kind of base but the reviews from everyone who was at the launch were really positive and it also looked beautiful on those who shared it pre launch so I knew I had to buy it. On launch day, I placed my order and I have been testing it for the past 3 weeks. I have dry skin so if you have oily skin, you will probably have a different experience to me - I always think it's worth finding some bloggers with similar skin to you and whose opinion you can trust to be honest, to help you decide whether to try products.
First up, the packaging. As with all of Charlotte's products, the packaging looks and feels luxurious. It's a glass bottle with a ribbed rose gold lid and the CT logo both on the bottle and below the pump.
There are 44 shades available, which is brilliant but it can be tricky to shade match without going in store (if there is a counter near you). I went out on a limb and chose my shade online. I went for 6 neutral as I use 6 in Light Wonder and I generally choose a neutral undertone. There are cool, neutral and warm undertones and fair, medium, tan and deep overtones so there really should be a shade for everyone.
This isn't just a foundation, it also has skincare benefits. It contains Magic Replexum™ (said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 22% in 8 weeks - how this percentage is worked out, I don't know!!), MossCellTec™ No. 1 (said to boost hydration by up to 216% in 8 weeks) and AirCool™ for a fresh feel on the skin. I haven' used it for a full 8 weeks so I can't confirm or deny those claims but may update this post in the future if I see any difference...... if I continue using it!
In terms of coverage, it is full. I have some freckles on my nose and across my cheeks but one, in particular, is quite dark on my nose - my beauty spot! ;-) I judge coverage levels on whether or not I can see that after applying foundation and with one layer, it was barely visible and with a second layer in that area, the freckle is invisible. I rarely wear full coverage bases because I generally find lighter coverage more flattering and youthful but there are some exceptions.
The finish is matte, however it isn't flat matte. That being said, you couldn't describe it as remotely dewy and I wouldn't describe it as skin-like. I also wouldn't describe it as weightless on the skin as claimed on Charlotte's site. It isn't overly heavy but I can definitely feel it but I generally find that to be the case with matte bases.
My expectations for this foundation were quite high, despite the description of matte and full coverage not being exactly to my taste. The reason I was so excited to try it (apart from generally loving everything I have tried from Charlotte Tilbury), was the description of it being moisturising and giving the skin a flawless and poreless look. Unfortunately, I don't agree with these claims. I find that it highlights lines in my forehead that other foundations blur the appearance of or highlights ones that I didn't even know were there! I've seen people say that this foundation makes the skin look so smooth - no, the botox you have in your forehead does that! No shade against anyone with botox but all foundations will probably make your forehead look smooth if you have it! I also find that it can settle in my nasolabial folds. Of course, I have tried various primers and application methods. It works best on me with hydrating primers, such as bareMinerals Good Hydrations silky face primer, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm or Huda Beauty Complexion Perfection. The foundation arrived with samples of Charlotte's Magic Cream so I tried it with that too and it did apply quite smoothly over that but I don't think it should be necessary to use an expensive primer or moisturiser to make a foundation work well and look good as I have other, less expensive, foundations that don't require so much effort to look acceptable.
I find that in terms of application methods, I have used a beauty sponge, my fingers and a various of foundation brushes. I find that it works best when applied with my fingers and finished with a beauty sponge. To make it look a little better on my dry skin, I also use a hydrating finishing spray and avoid powder.
It takes a lot of work to make this foundation look ok on my dry skin - a really good skincare routine, lots of hydrating primer and a hydrating finishing spray. Foundations shouldn't take so much effort, in my opinion! That being said, those with oily, combination or even normal skin will probably have a different experience. I would recommend getting a sample if you can, especially if you have dry skin.
Have you tried this foundation? I would love to hear your thoughts and experience!
Available from Charlotte Tilbury, Cult Beauty, Feel Unique, Space NK, John Lewis, Arnotts, House of Fraser, World Duty Free, Selfridges and Brown Thomas.
Thanks for reading!
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