From swapping Botox for blush placement to ensuring proper skin prep – here’s five things I learned when I asked the professionals for advice
Charlotte Tilbury has officially landed in Boots stores across the UK this month, and beauty fans have wasted no time making the most of it – myself included. The iconic British beauty brand is now available in 31 Boots stores nationwide, making it easier than ever for shoppers to browse, swatch and test some of its most viral products in person.
For many shoppers, it’s the first time they’ve had the opportunity to try the products before buying. Until now, my nearest Charlotte Tilbury counter was over 45 miles away inside Selfridges, so being able to pop into my local Boots and ask questions to experts, see the formulas in real life, is a game-changer.
And judging by the launch weekend, demand has been huge too, with one Charlotte Tilbury product selling every nine seconds . So, with more than 500 products spanning award-winning makeup, skincare and fragrance I headed in store to see if I could pick up some tips and tips from the professionals, and find myself a new summer beauty staple. I’m thrilled to say, the trip delivered on all fronts.
As well as browsing the products and handling testers, Boots shoppers can book a one-to-one service for £60, with the full amount redeemable against Charlotte Tilbury products purchased afterwards. If you’re short on time – or cash – the counter also offers free product demonstrations, so I asked one of the makeup artists if they could show me Charlotte’s new Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint and Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Sticks in action.
Within 10 minutes, I walked away with a perfect shade match and heaps of new knowledge and tips to implement into my daily routine. Here are the beauty tips I learned from a Charlotte Tilbury makeup artist that I’ll be using in my everyday routine and life in general.
1. Always compare foundation shades on your jawline
For too long, beauty fans have been swatching complexion products on the back of their hand, then wondering why, after purchasing the product and getting it home, it doesn’t match their face. As such, base products are best tested on the jawline.
When it came to finding my shade in the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint , rather than trying one shade and hoping for the best, the makeup artist applied three shades next to each other along my jawline.
It was immediately obvious which one disappeared into my skin and prevented me from settling on a close match that was potentially too warm for my tone. She explained that your foundation should blend seamlessly into your neck rather than matching your face exactly, helping create a much more natural finish.
2. Skincare prep is key
Before reaching for any makeup products, skin should be properly prepped with skincare first. For dry or dehydrated skin, the MUA recommended Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, £65, explaining: “This has got five real crystals in and gives that nice glitter shine and glowy look, especially for dry skin. It helps to replenish the skin. It’s got vitamin C as well, so it helps to brighten.”
She then followed with Magic Water Cream, massaging upwards over my cheeks before working underneath my jawline, finishing with Charlotte Tilbury’s signature Tilbury Tap’ for what she described as a ‘face lift in 28 seconds’. The lifting motions are designed to boost circulation and create a naturally sculpted look.
I’d tried Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Magic Cream before, but the Magic Water Cream, £54, is a more lightweight gel-like formula that feels perfect for summer and gives my skin a glass-skin glow. However, as I already use and love the No7 Good Intent Dew Bank Water Cream , which is £14.95, I didn’t feel compelled to spend over £50 on a new moisturiser.
Inspired by Korean formulas, the No7 under £15 find is fragrance-free, vegan and deeply hydrating. It uses Hyaluronic Acid and Camellia oil and has a similar lightweight, fast-absorbing texture.
3. Build up in layers
The Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint is a product I’ve been curious about trying since its launch in 2024, and after trying it in store and seeing how it wore through the day, I’ve been convinced to take the plunge and purchase it.
Designed to achieve a ‘no-makeup makeup look’, the sheer but buildable base provides a natural-looking finish. Priced at £37, it comes in 20 shades and adapts to your tone, blending in seamlessly. It stars hyaluronic acid, daikon radish seed oil and antioxidant-rich vitamin E and delivers a dewy, healthy-looking complexion.
The CT pro started by swiping a small amount directly onto the skin, explaining that it’s always easier to build coverage than remove excess product. She brushed the base downwards, starting from the centre of my face, before blending outwards so as to avoid any harsh lines around the edge of my face.
While the stick certainly evened out my skin tone and provided a dewy finish, it’s definitely not something you could build to medium or full coverage. For those seeking something with better coverage, the Your Skin Foundation Stick from Jones Road is £36 and comes in 30 shades. It’s described as a ‘medium-to-full buildable coverage foundation that looks and feels like your best skin.’
4. Use setting spray way more often than you think you should
Show of hands, who thought setting spray was reserved for ‘locking in’ glam at the end of a routine? Well, apparently, we’ve all been doing it wrong.
The makeup artist misted Charlotte Tilbury’s cult Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray between each makeup layer. They explained that it helps restore hydration to the skin while allowing each product to melt together for a smoother, more seamless finish.
The £33 setting spray is, in my opinion, one of the best on the market. But for those seeking an alternative and perhaps a more matte finish, the On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray by One/Size is a standout. Costing £32 at Sephora, the transfer-proof formula is made with green tea extract and oil-absorbing witch hazel, making it great for people who have oily skin.
5. Blush placement over ‘Botox’
The biggest takeaway of the demo came when trying the new Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick. Instead of applying blush directly onto the apples of the cheeks, as I would at home, she placed it much higher on my cheekbones and blended it in an L-shape towards the temple.
She said: “You only need a tiny amount and you can pat and then gently swipe towards the ear. It’s like you’ve had Botox when you haven’t.”
The placement instantly lifted my face while adding a flush of colour. I had tried the Peachy Glow shade in store, but it wasn’t my favourite colour on me, but it was still great to get to grips with the formula and learn more about the techniques behind using it.
Another downside for me was the price, with these blush sticks coming in at £32 , but just this week Charlotte Tilbury launched mini travel-sized versions of the Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick for £16 . I always find that you use so little blush each day that they last such a long time, so I’ve ordered the shade Rosy Glow in the mini version, as it’ll also be an easy addition to my holiday makeup bag, as well as for home use.
The finished look
After my speedy free session, to complete the look, I also tried Charlotte Tilbury’s Exagger-Eyes Mascara using a disposable wand and was really impressed with the lift it gave my lashes. I also applied the Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil 14ml in Pure Peach.
The finished makeup looked fresh, glowing and natural, which is exactly what I was looking to achieve for the summer.
