If you asked each member of the Shop TODAY team their favorite beauty brands, they'd most likely have Charlotte Tilbury on their list. In fact, when I asked editors for their recommendations for this story, let's just say the group chat wasn't quiet — there's a lot we love about the brand.
From the viral Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk to the award-winning Magic Cream, it's no secret that Charlotte Tilbury reigns at the top in every beauty category. Even if you haven't tried the brand (yet), you've definitely heard about it. But what exactly makes the brand so popular?
Makeup artist Caitlyn Dominic says the high-performing products and iconic rose-gold tone packaging are what set Charlotte Tilbury apart from other brands — and what make applying their makeup feel and look luxurious. "[All of it] makes you want to have a little luxe moment to yourself, even if that’s with a swipe of Pillow Talk lipstick,” she adds.
Charlotte Tilbury is named after the founder herself, who started out as a celebrity makeup artist known for her clients' "bombshell" red carpet looks. Like her colleagues, this led to the creation of the brand. Her iconic Magic Cream was a part of the initial release in 2013, per the brand, promising a magical makeup base with equally magical results. While serving as the star product, the Magic Cream led to the expansion of Charlotte Tilbury that we see today.
“For years now, Charlotte Tilbury has been one of my top three favorite makeup brands, as a pro makeup artist as well as personal use,” claims Dominic. “There’s something about brands with makeup artist founders that just do it right and create products that perform.”
So, dahhhling. Whether you're new or a fellow fan of Charlotte Tilbury, you'll want to keep reading to discover our favorites from the brand.
Secret to 'flawless' makeup$32.30$38.00
Is Charlotte Tilbury makeup good for mature skin?
Dominic says she loves using Charlotte Tilbury products for her mature skin clients. While there are some products from the brand she would skip for these clients, such as full coverage products like the Airbrush Flawless Foundation, she has some skin care and makeup recommendations that are better fits for this skin type.
For skin care, Dominic recommends the Magic Serum, Magic Cream (in both the original and Water Cream) and Magic Eye Rescue. When it comes to makeup for mature skin, "I love the Hollywood Flawless Filter on the high points of the face (such as cheeks and forehead), either by itself for a lightweight glow or underneath foundation," she raves. "The Airbrush Flawless Finish powder is my favorite powder of all-time, whether you have mature skin or not," and recommends setting with the Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray to help "set the makeup in place."
But if she "could only choose one or two of my favorite Charlotte Tilbury products," especially from the above, "I’d have to go with the Airbrush Flawless Finish powder and the lipsticks."
Is Charlotte Tilbury on Amazon?
As of Sept. 24, you can now shop makeup, skin care and fragrance from Charlotte Tilbury on Amazon. If you're a Prime member, you can try new products and restock favorites from the brand a whole lot easier — and quicker — with your two-day shipping.
Best Charlotte Tilbury products, according to editors
A viral favorite:
I [San Miguel] rated Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner as one of my personal favorite lip liners of all time. From its flattering shade range to smudge-proof formula, the lip liner offers all that you'd want in a lip product.
A shade that both I and trends editor Vivien Moon recommend is the internet-loved Pillow Talk: a mauve-y pink lip liner that suits everyone, really. "It’s so perfect for a quick swipe, and is surprisingly long-lasting (for a night out at least!), which is nice for those events that I don’t want to think about reapplying," says Moon. "It’s just a universally pleasing color that I love."
For your lashes, but better:
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy and associate editor Kamari Stewart had lots to rave about this volumizing mascara from the brand. McCarthy stated that she "definitely would recommend this to a friend" since it made "my lashes look long, lifted and full."
Stewart added that the mascara convinced her to make the switch from her old one, and highlights the product's brush as the main feature. "It’s been easy to get my corner lashes and I feel like the brush separates my lashes more, so they don’t look clumpy," she claims.
A lip plumper that shouldn't hurt:
You don't always have to go the medical route to achieve bolder lips. Charlotte Tilbury offers a pain-free alternative to plumping lips with the Big Lip Plumpgasm Plumping Lip Gloss.
"I’m not typically a lip plumping gal because I find it to be uncomfortable (the plumping of it all is usually too intense), but this one feels more cooling than anything else," suggests Stewart. "I quite enjoy the feeling of this one. Plus, the color payoff is really great."
The secret to 'flawless' makeup:
Production associate Audrey Ekman and I can attest that this setting spray "is the secret to flawless makeup" that lasts all day long. Per the brand, the setting spray should boost wear up to 16 hours. "I use it as the final step in my routine after setting powder, and it really melts all of my makeup layers together for a gorgeous, radiant finish," Ekman adds. "It doesn’t feel tacky or crunchy like other setting sprays can, which I really appreciate." Plus, you can now shop the setting spray in a radiant (above) and matte formula.
Doesn’t budge or flake:
By now, it’s obvious that we love the brand’s selection of lip products. So here’s another one we have to rave about: For a long-lasting lip, associate editor Shannon Garlin reaches for the pick above as it “doesn’t flake on me” and remains “super creamy” even when dried. “It won’t transfer on drinking glasses either,” the editor hypes.
Best multi-use product:
A little goes a long way when it comes to the Beauty Highlighter Wand. While marketed as a highlighting wand, the updated shade makes the product even more multi-use to use as a blush or sparkling eyeshadow.
"You don’t need much of it (I’ve been using the same tube for about two years now, and I’m just starting to reach the end), so despite the high initial price point, it’ll last a while," Stewart suggests. "I love this so much, I even use it on my low-maintenance makeup days (which, let’s be honest, is nearly every day at this point)."
Recently upgraded:
If you love Charlotte Tilbury's pressed powder, their recently updated Airbrush Flawless Foundation includes the benefits of the powder to leave a true "airbrushed" finish. Per the brand, it also offers seven benefits, ranging from evening skin tone to targeting pores, without transferring or increasing shine.
While associate editor Allie Wise struggled with the shades in the old formula, she said the foundation "went on very smoothly" and "almost felt like butter." But with the upgrade having 44 shades, you should be able to find the right one for you.
A filter in a bottle:
This product was the first Charlotte Tilbury product I've ever tried. In my opinion, it encompasses all that the brand is about: Giving your skin a real-life beauty filter. With finely milled powders and a moisturizing oil, the product is filled with ingredients that equally moisturize and boost radiance for a truly blurred finish.
Most blurring:
The pressed powder that inspired the Airbrush Flawless Foundation's upgrade, the Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder, is the perfect pairing to the product (and any foundation, really) for a true blurred finish. The product smoothes and conceals pores without feeling drying, from my experience, and adds additional coverage with its adaptable shade range (you can use it to brighten or conceal, for instance). However, I do hope it expands with more light and deeper shades to offer more variety for all skin tones.
Worth the splurge:
While the $58 price tag can be intimidating, commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto suggests that the award-winning bronzer is "so worth it." She adds that “It’s such fine powder, so it goes onto your skin without caking. It goes on natural-looking and doesn’t transfer when you’re wearing it.”
Ekman agrees with the statement and adds that, for what it's worth, you receive "a lot of product" and "great color payoff."
"I love it so much I’ve hit pay on two of them over the course of four years!" she claims.
An editor's most repurchased product:
"There are very few skin care products I repurchase, and this is one of them," raves Moon. "I’ve finished two bottles over the last few years, and always go back to it whenever I feel like my skin needs a little boost of radiance. Because it has vitamin C in it, I use it at night."
Inspired by the product that started it all:
Inspired by the moisturizer that started it all, the Magic Water Cream is a lighter version of the OG formula with a weightless, gel texture. Per the brand, it doesn't just moisturize — the cream improves redness and the appearance of pores, too. It's so good, we gave it an award for our 2024 Beauty Awards.
"I have used it twice daily for the last few months (both as a base for my makeup and overnight) and I have really seen my skin’s texture and hydration improve," boasts Ekman. "For the first time in my life, I’ve actually gotten complimented on my skin!"
Stewart is a fan of the original Magic Cream, and says she "will sing its praises to anyone who will listen" because of how well it hydrates her oily skin."I love that it doesn’t make my skin feel heavy or extra greasy," she adds.
How we chose
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
When narrowing down the best Charlotte Tilbury products, we based our picks on expert- and editor-reviewed makeup and skin care from the brand.
Meet the expert
- Caitlyn Dominic is a Charlotte-based makeup artist.
