Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Described as
"a customisable complexion booster [to] illuminate skin and make lines and pores appear smoother"
Meg says...
I'm late to the party with this one, aren't I? In all honestly, I think it's because I've been confused about what it actually is and what it actually does. Is it a primer, a highlighter, a concealer, a bird, a plane? Let's figure it out together, shall we...
Packaging
As you expect when you buy anything from The Tilbs (and rightly so, as it's a luxury brand that isn't cheap in the slightest) the packaging feels satisfyingly heavy and looks extremely pretty. It's not the most travel-friendly product which is a shame, but the weighty glass and rose-gold lid are kind of worth it!
Texture/consistency
This is a lightweight, creamy liquid. I wish I could expand further on that but in all honesty, I'm sat at my desk right now with the back of my hand smothered in the stuff and all I'm coming up with is: 1. it's very light 2. ooh, it's creamy! 3. not actually a cream though, more of a liquid... so, there we go.
Application
There are a multitude of ways you can apply this: under makeup as a primer, mixed with your foundation for extra glow, dotted over the high points of your face as a highlighter or simply all over your face by itself. It's extremely, wonderfully versatile!
My personal favourite way to use this is both as a primer and a highlighter. Using the huge doe-foot applicator, I sweep a generous amount over my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Next, I place a few dabs of foundation over the Flawless Filter and use my Look Good Feel Better Multi-Tasking Brush to blend everything. I go for another dip and dot the product in a C-shape around my temple onto the tops of my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose and on my cupid's bow then bounce in with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.
Scent/fragrance
I can't quite put my finger on its faint scent but whatever it is, it's clean, non-offensive and disappears once you've blended everything in.
Shade/colour
This comes in seven shades from fair to dark. The product doesn't actually leave much colour behind once it's blended in, but obviously you want to get the right one for your skin tone and the Charlotte Tilbury website is really useful for helping you decide this. I use 'Light 2' and it's an absolutely spot-on match for my MAC NC20 colouring!
Results
The perfect 'I'm positively glowing with health and my skin really does look this good naturally' lit from within glow. It practically airbrushes your complexion: pores seem to disappear, dullness is immediately brightened and the word 'flawless' isn't an exaggeration. It blends seamlessly with foundation and really does give this Hollywood-esque red carpet look to your skin, especially when you double up on the old primer/highlighter combination. I feel like it gives a decent amount of coverage also which I wasn't expecting, as I definitely use less foundation and concealer and would happily wear this by itself on good skin days (or 'no makeup' days, wink wink).
I can't imagine any skin type this wouldn't work on either, as you can simply alter the way you apply it. If you're dry then whack it all over like I do, and if you're oily then stick to a few teeny dabs along the tops of your cheekbones for glow (not shine) instead.
Price
£30
The bottom line
I'm absolutely obsessed with it. The first time I used it, I genuinely couldn't stop staring at my skin in the mirror as I'd never seen it look more glowing or perfected before. How did I sleep on this product for so long?! If you haven't tried it, you really must - it's reasonably priced for the difference it makes and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many "which foundation do you use?" or "your skin is looking great!" comments you'll get. Pinky promise!
Photos by Megan Duffield Photography
