I Try Charlotte Tilbury’s Viral ‘No Foundation Foundation’ out
As an oily skin warrior (oh believe me, we are warriors), you’d think that a light-reflecting, hydrating foundation stick that promises to emulate a ring light wouldn’t be for me. So I was a little wary of Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick (£35 from Space NK UK /$46 from Sephora US) when I first opened it.
However, the reviews I’d read online had been incredible, and I even stumbled across a video of Sienna Miller trying it out online, raving about it and, of course, looking ‘unreal’ wearing it.
So I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Was it really that glowy and hydrating? And would the coverage really be as sheer as the name promised? Keep scrolling to read my honest verdict.
The product details
The non-comedogenic formula of this ‘no foundation foundation’ contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, daikon radish seed oil, soft focus blurring and smoothing emollients and micro-fine pearlescent filters. It aims to be so light and sheer that it goes on like a second skin and the finish has a ‘ring light effect’.
The product comes in 20 shades which you can choose according to both your skin tone and your undertone.
@charlottetilbury Smoothing-effect ?? Blurring-effect ?? Sheer-to-light coverage ?? NEW! #UnrealSkinFoundation is the ultimate no-foundation foundation! ? #CharlotteTilbury
First impressions
The stick is chunky and satisfying to click shut, although I noticed straight away that the ‘click’ on mine wasn’t very strong and I have since found the lid loose in my makeup bag numerous times. Cue a few messy incidents.
You don’t need to apply the foundation stick to see the formula’s glowiness – you can see it just from looking directly at the stick. It’s pearlescent and creamy looking. Quite daunting for those with oily skin, but I imagine probably quite exciting for those needing to up their skin’s hydration game.
Image – Courtesy of writer
I applied it directly onto my skin from the stick and could instantly see a glow even before blending it in. Ring-light worthy indeed! It felt smooth and super comfortable, and it really did ‘glide’ on just like the formula promises.
I blended it in with my fingers and was pleased to see that the packaging doesn’t lie – the coverage is minimal. Yep, this isn’t a product you can get away with wearing if you want all traces of every blemish, every freckle and every dark circle to be removed. When the packaging says ‘sheer tint’ it means sheer tint.
We all know there’s nothing more annoying than being promised a certain finish and getting something completely different so props to Charlotte Tilbury for sticking to the brief. Sheer this most definitely is.
My mixed results
To all my fellow oily skin types – I was right. I’m afraid it’s far too glowy and radiant for me to wear all over. My face already looked like a light bulb before applying it, so it definitely lit up even more afterwards.
That’s not to say the product is bad though – it does exactly as it promises and I’d go as far as to say it’s really, really beautiful. Just not so much for my own skin type. We oily skins spend our lives mattifying and dumbing down our shine for a reason, we don’t need a foundation that only enhances it further.
Image – Courtesy of writer
And anyway, with oily skin usually comes some form of breakout and as I said before, this particular foundation stick’s coverage isn’t to cover even a bit of redness. So it’s a good idea to think about what you want covering up before you commit.
For dry, normal and combination skin types who like a natural finish though, this stuff really is the dream. I can see it working beautifully either all over the skin or just on the parts of the face that need a sheen, a bit of sheer coverage or hydration.
It applies so easily and quickly that it’ll really appeal to those who like to spend minimal time on their makeup in the morning and its glow (sadly for me) lasts for most of the day (although a midday top up might be required if you want sheer coverage with a side of longevity).
Image – Courtesy of writer
Another thing I would say is that this doubles up as both a sheer base and highlighter – there is absolutely no need to use a finishing radiance product after you’ve used it. The website’s ‘ring-light’ description is therefore pretty accurate so if you like that sort of thing, I’d recommend giving it a try.
And by the way, despite having oily skin, I haven’t stopped using it altogether – I sometimes use a tiny bit on the high points of my cheeks if my skin isn’t looking too shiny that day and I want to treat myself to a bit of pearly radiance.
What other users are saying
It’s pretty difficult to find a terrible review of this foundation stick, unless it’s about how sheer and glowy it is (let me say it again – it’s very sheer, and very glowy so don’t buy it if that’s not your thing!).
“Sorry, I just can’t wear this stick as a sheer foundation, it has far too much glow and can’t be built up at all,” says Pauline-g12. “Might use it as a highlighter under makeup.”
However, Terminatrix says, “melts into your skin for a flawless look,” while flilipav2 says, “The texture is magnificent, it is super easy to apply and spread.”
User Kriistinam writes, “this foundation applies like a dream! I did 3 swipes on my cheeks and forehead and used a brush to buff it into my skin. It melted beautifully and it had the most gorgeous – almost iridescent – effect to my skin. I felt so confident wearing this product.”
I totally agree with the word ‘melt’. It sinks in so beautifully and really does look like a (better) second skin.
Overall value for money
As foundations go, £35/$46 is a pretty standard price for a high-end makeup brand. And on the plus side, it doubles up as a radiance product too.
You need to be sure you really like minimal coverage and a lot of radiance before you spend the money though. But it will last you a while so once you’ve got it, and you like it, it won’t run out quickly.
The takeaway
Is it worth the hype? It most definitely is, but only because it really does everything it says on the tin. I therefore implore you to not waste your money if ‘radiant’ and ‘sheer coverage’ aren’t your goals.
Whilst I am probably the wrong audience for it, I can still see that it is a product well worth investing in if those are your goals, and particularly if your skin is dry.
It’s smooth and creamy on application and its pearlescent formula is clear to see, just from the stick (and that translates to the skin too – glow fans won’t be disappointed). No wonder it’s got so many rave reviews, and Sienna Miller loves it so much.
Its cost is not too bad either for a high-end foundation and compared to some of Charlotte Tilbury’s other products.
Just make sure your stick clicks shut properly so that not a single bit is wasted.
Get Glowing!
