Current Favourite Out-Out makeup & a Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Review

Some people are practical about their makeup with one type of foundation, one bronzer one mascara, etc etc.. And then there are people like moi who have several products of the same type for all possible occasions. My favourite type of makeup is that full coverage “I’m going out and I’m going to spend an hour on my face” kinda look. For the last few months, I have been reaching for the same products over and over again- my all time favourites so in this post I’m going to tell you what they are, and the latest addition to that list.

The key to good makeup starts with the skin. The skin is your canvas so it needs to be freshly cleansed and moisturized. About a have hour before applying my makeup I like to use a moisture mask like the Image The Max Stem Masque (€46.50). I then use either Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream (€90) moisturizer (it was developed for models to use backstage at fashion shows when they have dry skin from applying and removing makeup several times a day during fashion week) or some other similar moisturizer that is not too greasy. You want one that will dry in quickly. My final step in preparing my skin is applying a primer. There are lots of different primers to suit all skin types so it’s worth your while finding one that works best for you. I have dry skin and I love to use either Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer (€41) and Becca First Light Priming Filter €39.95. Now you are ready for the fun part!

Because I have dry skin I like to create a dewy look. I have always liked applying Mac Strobe Cream €12.00 (for travel size) under foundation but after years of using this product, I have been fully converted to something new. The Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter €40.00. I love everything I have ever tried by Charlotte so I knew I had to get my hands on this ASAP and it was love at first application. It leaves your skin with an incredible golden glow that you could wear on its own (I think this will be perfect for summer!) or under foundation. It makes a noticeable difference to your overall finished look and I seriously think everyone needs to own one!

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Review

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter €40.00

Charlotte launched her latest product by whipping it out backstage at Temperley London to show beauty journalists how she’d been boosting the complexion of the models. She called it a “high gloss, high glow, celebrity-skin-filter-in-a-bottle,’  and you can ‘wear it under foundation, instead of foundation, or on top of foundation where you want to glow the most. The product isn’t greasy, and it isn’t sparkly due to the lightweight oil and finally milled powder particles which counteract the oil for a non-greasy finish, yet you can still “see the glow”. The only thing I don’t love is the applicator. If you were to apply straight from the bottle to the face you will probably move your other makeup around and also potentially transfer foundation back into the pot. I like to apply to the back of my hand first instead. In summary, this product is absolutely worth the hype but make sure to play around with it to learn how to use it for the finish you want. 

 

Next up is the foundation and like many, I am a long time lover of Armani Luminous Silk €49.00. I also have the new version of the foundation, the Powder Fabric Foundation €49.00 which has a higher coverage and a more matte finish. I swap between the two but I think my favourite is still the original just because my preference is a dewy look. To conceal I always use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer €29.50. I own both the original tubes and have also tried the pot version. The pot concealer is more matte and a higher coverage, I really like it but I don’t like the pot itself. I much prefer the applicator of the tube. But neither of them crease under the eye or dry up. I have tried lots of different concealers but none have lived up to Nars.

I set the foundation and concealer using Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (€34.80). I have recently started applying it with a damp beauty blender and adore the finish! You can really pack on the powder this way without it looking like too much. I think this is what some MUAs call baking?

To contour and highlight, I have been using either the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder €40.00 or the Kat Von D Shade + Light face contour palette (€46). The Laura Mericer bronzer has an ashy tone which is great for people on the paler side. I find it is a little light sometimes for out-out makeup so I tend to use the medium shade in the Vat Von D palette first and top with Laura Mercier bronzer. I think they are both really nice but I’m still looking for a Bronzer that I can really fall in love with. I was a major fan of Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze (€65) until it cracked 🙁 I think I may give it another try soon! For highlight, I am still using Becca but I think I am ready for something new. (Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions).

Some girls are not a fan of blusher but I personally think a light dust on the apple of my cheeks really finishes off my makeup nicely. I have found it difficult to find one that I really love, I usually reach for different ones each time. But I was pleasantly surprised by Benefits new highlight blusher Gold Rush (€37). Not only does it smell amazing, it gives a perfect rosy glow to your cheeks and blends in perfectly with your highlight and bronzer. I have only used this a handful of times since I was gifted it recently at an event, but so far I’m really liking it. If you haven’t used blush before but have been thinking about trying it, I think this could be a great product to start with.

Finally comes the lips. My favourite combo will and may always be the lovely Penelope Pink lipstick (€32) and Pillow Talk lip liner (€22) by Charlotte Tilbury. I feel like this combo was made for my lips, but seems to be loved by so many people I think it has some magical ability to suit everyone! Another CT combo I have been using lately for nights out is Kim K.W (€30) lipstick with the Iconic Nude lip liner (€22). Its a paler lip with a darker outline and I’ve been really liking it when I have a lot of eye makeup on and want to have no colour on my lips.

The last step is a spritz (or four to be exact) of Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray (€24.50). This stuff is AMAZING. It leaves a perfect subtle glow to the skin and in my opinion, is the only way to end your makeup application! If you don’t yet own this spray and need it NOW, check out this post on how to make your own DIY version!

I think that’s enough makeup talk for one post, I’m going to leave eye and brow products for another time. I would love to know what your holy grail products for the night are. What do I NEED to try? Let me know in the comments below!

P.S this is my first blog post since I redesigned my website. It’s still under construction and I have a lot of cool ideas for it so keep an eye out for those coming soon!

Sophie x