Is Charlotte Tilbury’s Makeup Setting Spray Really *That* Good? I Try it out
Main Image – Courtesy of writer
I have recently become more partial to a makeup setting spray, thanks to Vieve’s amazing Invisiveil Setting Spray. So when I was given the opportunity to Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (£32/$38), I was only happy to oblige, mainly because I am a huge Charlotte Tilbury makeup fan.
Her cream eyeshadows, highlighters and palettes are a staple in my makeup collection, so I had high hopes for the setting spray.
However, it’s a very popular product, so there’s pressure. And you can sometimes feel as if you’re going to be banished from society if you don’t agree with the masses. As with any review I write though, I blocked out the noise with this one. So, with that in mind, keep scrolling to read my (very) honest review.
The product details
This waterproof setting spray promises to prime and set makeup for up to 16 hours. It aims to be hydrating and weightless and contains soothing aloe vera and hydrating Japanese green tea. The scent promises to be fresh, floral and uplifting.
The spray comes in three sizes – a jumbo 200ml sized bottle at £49/$51, the original 100ml size at £32/$38 and the 34ml travel-sized bottle at £20/$23.
Image – Courtesy of writer
First impressions
You’re meant to use the spray as a primer too, so, first of all, I held it as close to 6-8 inches away from my face as I possibly could and misted it all over.
I instantly noticed its even distribution – tick – and light coverage too – tick. It wasn’t tricky to spread around my face and it didn’t feel at all heavy. Tick.
But now to the bad news. Like I mentioned before, the smell is meant to be fresh, floral and uplifting to “give you the olfactory, sensory experience of a day at the spa”, however, I was expecting something a little more luxurious than the smell of what instantly reminded me of hairspray. Sorry Tilbury fans but I am not taken with the scent.
It did, however, sink in nice and quickly and it felt fresh on my skin. I then applied my makeup for the day – liquid foundation, cream bronzer, cream blush, eyeshadow and mascara – and went in for a second spritz to set it all.
(You’re meant to also use this spray as an ‘intensify’ step for your eyeshadow/eyeliner by spraying your eye makeup brushes with it. However, I just don’t have time for an extra step in the mornings and I feel my eyeshadow primer already does enough of a good job.)
For the first 30 seconds after spraying it onto my finished makeup, it looked and felt a bit too wet and dewy. Understandable, considering it is a water-based spray, but I was worried I had either sprayed too much or that it contained too many hydrating ingredients for my oily skin type.
Thankfully though, it settled quite quickly and what initially looked like a greasy veil subsided and my skin was left how it usually looks. But would my makeup last?
Image – Courtesy of writer
My disappointing results
Six hours later and…I mean…my makeup isn’t not still on. Does that help?! But having had a full morning of sitting at my desk with my chin occasionally in my hand, holding my phone to my ear, snuggling my face into my dog’s ears a few times (just me?) and eating lunch, my makeup could definitely do with a touch-up.
I haven’t noticed a huge difference in how it looks or feels compared to when I’m not wearing the spray. But what I do know is that I really want to go upstairs and touch up the bits I usually do in the early afternoon when I’m not wearing a setting spray – concealer on the redness around my nose and a few spots, plus a bit of added warmth from my bronzer which usually tends to wear off by now.
But isn’t that what setting sprays are meant to help you not do halfway through the day? And the idea that this one is meant to last 16 hours baffles me slightly. Again, my makeup doesn’t look bad. There’s no patchiness and there’s no more shine than usual. It’s just in need of a refresh, which a good makeup setting spray should help you avoid.
When I compare it to the Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray, which (as I wrote in the past) “pressed pause” on my morning makeup application, this Charlotte Tilbury product is nowhere near that level. I’ve just been left feeling a little bit…“meh”.
Image – Courtesy of writer
What other users are saying
Steffie (charlottetilbury.com) was left equally disappointed by this setting spray. “I found it actually made my makeup worse,” she writes. “By lunchtime I had the dreaded shine, especially on my nose and my foundation looked patchy and had slid around my face.”
I didn’t experience patchy makeup or foundation on the move, however, I can relate to her next point. “It may be better for people with drier skin but I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it. Still love CT but this wasn’t for me.” I couldn’t agree more – and there are plenty of other Charlotte Tilbury makeup products I would recommend.
Aorhe had a different view though. “The best product ever, it lets the makeup stay for so long. I love it.” Whilst Anonymous says, “It’s the bees knees. The mist that comes out of the bottle is really fine and it’s easy to cover your face with an even layer.” I totally agree with this – it doesn’t make your skin feel saturated, just a little wet, and it’s simple to cover your whole face in just a few sprays.
Overall value for money
Well, you know what I’m going to say. But I wouldn’t even buy the cheaper travel-sized bottle either, to be honest. The Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray costs £28, which is less than Charlotte Tilbury’s 100ml bottle, and I feel you get more for your money with it – it smells heavenly (exactly like a spa) and it keeps my makeup on for the entire day.
The takeaway
As a huge Charlotte Tilbury makeup fan myself, I confess, I was disappointed by this setting spray. It didn’t hold my morning makeup in a sturdy enough position and I was desperate to do a makeup refresh after just six hours of wear.
My makeup still looked fine, but my redness and blemishes started to show through a lot earlier than I had hoped and these are the main reasons I wear makeup in the first place.
So, I’m sorry Charlotte Tilbury fans, this one isn’t for me. But perhaps it would work on those with a drier skin type or on top of a different makeup formula.
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