Face, meet Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation (£34). The brand's latest base product answers the hopes and dreams of everyone on the hunt for a full-coverage foundation that lasts the entire day, gives a glow without being sticky, and (as the name suggests) leaves behind an airbrushed finish. As someone with dehydrated and hormonal breakout-prone skin, I need a foundation that can withstand an entire day of rush-hour commutes, work events, and sweaty workouts (I know, I know, I'm not supposed to wear makeup to the gym, but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do), and after testing out this foundation for four weeks, it appears I've found what I need.
I got my hands on a sample of this foundation a month ago, and I've been wearing it ever since. And let me tell you: this sh*t lasts. The newbie promises a lot — 16-hour wear, a natural matte finish, and to be both sweat- and transfer-resistant — and I'm not lying when I say that it delivers on those promises.
One of my favourite things about the Airbrush Flawless Foundation is that even though it's full-coverage, it doesn't conceal my skin like a mask. I don't want it to. My freckles are still very much on display. That being said, if I want to cover a spot, I can very easily do that by adding a few more layers and using a smaller brush rather than a sponge or my fingers.
Keep reading to see my full thoughts on the formula, application, wear time, and sweatproof claims.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation launches Aug. 22. online and Sept. 5. in other stores.
The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Formula
Image Source: Charlotte Tilbury
This foundation is thick in texture. It's not heavy — nor does it feel heavy on — but it is definitely thick. It's a full-coverage foundation, so if a supersheer finish is your bag, then this formula may not be for you. However, if you're someone who likes a bit of both — light coverage on some days, heavier coverage on others (maybe if you have a big meeting or an event, for example) — this is just what you want in your makeup bag.
The Airbrush Flawless Foundation gives a matte finish. For the record, because my skin is superdry, I hate most matte foundations because they can often make my face feel even drier. I love this formula, however, because my skin still feels comfortable underneath. Plus, it gives me a glow that I so desperately crave without it feeling cakey or sticky.
1 / 5
How to Apply the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tori Crowther
Like most medium- to full-coverage foundations, this formula requires more blending than something that is sheer or lighter in texture. And while the Airbrush Flawless Foundation blends very easily, it also dries quickly. This means that you need to work a little faster to ensure even coverage all over your face and neck.
To apply the Airbrush Flawless Foundation, I like to use my Morphe M439 Deluxe Buffer Brush (£16) to buff it all in and make sure the coverage is totally even. I tried to apply it with my fingers, but it wasn't a major success, so I'd definitely recommend going with either a brush or Beautyblender.
How Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Looked Immediately After Application
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tori Crowther
I normally prep my skin with the Pixi pHenomenal Gel (£24), followed by SPF, which is what I layered under the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation in the photo above (I'm shade 3 Neutral, FYI). To conceal, I used a touch of Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Ivory (£26), and typically I set everything with pressed powder, although the day of these photos, I forgot (and the under-eye crease struggle is real). I then used Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer (£20.50) and, finally, Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush (£30).
3 / 5
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Wear Time During a Workout
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tori Crowther
These photos were taken at 6:30 a.m. and again at 8 p.m. after a full day at work, two rush-hour commutes, and a very intense 45-minute workout without any touch-ups. You can definitely tell from the "after" photo that I'm slightly more red in the face; however, the foundation held up well. It covered my main blemishes and uneven skin tone and prevented me looking like a total sweaty mess.
Wearing makeup — particularly a full-coverage foundation — to a work out is not ideal. However, going straight to a fitness class after work is my norm, and I don't want to faff around with washing my face beforehand, and for sustainability reasons I definitely don't want to use makeup wipes.
I don't actually care about looking "done-up" for the gym; I just want something that won't look like it's slid off my face, nor do I want it to cause a breakout. Apparently, that's not too much to ask, according to Charlotte Tilbury.
4 / 5
Final Thoughts About the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tori Crowther
If you're looking for a full-coverage foundation that will give you a semi-matte finish and will last through every stressful and sweaty life event, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation is just that.
It's ideal for special occasions when you need something to count on but can also be mixed with moisturiser for a lighter-coverage, every day item. It makes me look like a more even-toned, dewy version of myself and has earned the top spot in my makeup bag (bonus: the bottle is pretty enough to display on a vanity, too.)
