9 Out Of 10 Said They Would Switch To This New Foundation – So Our Beauty Team Put It To The Test

There are perks to my job. Today, I’m at the Charlotte Tilbury headquarters, having my hair and make-up done. We’ve been invited in for new headshots and, after a few years of terrible selfies -on my part at least- these are long overdue. Annie Vischer, Head of Beauty, is in front of the camera, tossing her long, chestnut hair. She’s a pro. And trust me when I say her skin is glowing. Then theres's our beauty writer, Sameeha Shaikh. She's sitting across from me, her own complexion radiating with that same candlelit glow. It's soft and diffused with all the right levels of luminosity. I’m last to sit in the chair, but I’m already deep in anticipation.

‘Any idea what you want to go for today?’ says my make-up artist, pinning my fringe back and prepping my skin with Charlotte's Magic Cream (a non-negotiable every time I have my make-up done by one of the Charlotte Tilbury team).

I don’t miss a beat: ‘I’ll have what they’re having.’

And what they’re having is the new Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39. Granted, they’re sitting under studio lighting- but even without it, their skin is looking good. Really good. It's not quite matte, but not gleam-laden either.

When my own make-up is done I glance at my own reflection. Yes - this is officially my new make-up bag non-negotiable. And here’s why I think it’s set to become your new favourite too.

What does the new Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation do?

Tilbury herself promises it will give you the most 'flawless, poreless-looking, smooth, blurred skin of your life.' And you know what? She’s not wrong. But more on my exact thoughts later. It’s been designed to deliver up to 24 hours of full coverage with the aim of a 'matte-not-flat' finish. The formula features some pretty weird-sounding innovations, including (deep breath) Biomimetic Second Skin Tech, Powder Blur AirTech, PhytoYouth Essence and (another deep breath) Time Machine Extract. While it might all sound a bit gimmicky, we’re know there’s genuine research behind every bold claim - Tilbury won't put her name to anything that doesn't deliver.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation: What’s new?

At a glance:

How to find your shade

Use Charlotte Tilbury's Foundation Shade Finder to find your best match. We've tried it ourselves, and can confirm it's accurate.

Shop: Charlotte Tilbury New Airbrush Flawless Foundation

How to apply the new Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

On the day of our headshots, my make-up artist applied the Airbrush Foundation on top of Magic Cream - this creates the perfect, cushiony base, smoothing dry areas and prepping the skin perfectly. He used a dense stippling brush after taking a small amount of the foundation on the back of his hand. ‘It’s easier to add than it is to take away,’ he advised.

Our verdict

Rachael Martin, beauty director says:

I’ll be honest. The first time I tried this - outside the expert hands behind the Charlotte Tilbury headshots -I wasn’t totally convinced. Over the past few years I've found favour with skin tints preferring to build up any extra coverage with a concealer. This texture here is quite velvety, with a quicker dry-down than I’m used to. After some trial and error, however, I've found that as long as my face is adequately moisturised, this isn’t a problem. Teamed with Magic Cream (or your favourite moisturiser), this foundation blends beautifully. Like my make-up artist, I take a little on the back of my hand and work it in gradually. 5 Neutral, is my go to.

When I was younger I remember being told you should start applying make-up from the centre of your face and work outwards. But as I’ve got older, I’ve realised the opposite works better for me. I carry most of my redness around my jawline, so I find it’s more flattering to apply more product there, then taper it in towards the centre of my face, where I need less coverage. I’ll take the time to stipple a bit around my nose - this is the first area foundation slides away as the day goes on, so paying a little extra attention at the point of application helps with longevity and to create a more seamless finish.

I have combination skin with an oily T-zone, and I find this foundation hits the sweet spot. My skin looks balanced – the perfect, healthy base. My blemishes, fine lines, and pores appear blurred, but the finish still manages to look like skin. Healthy skin, at that.

The coverage is full, yes, but its far from mask-like. I put this down to the infusion of Phytoyouth Essence designed to hydrate for up to 24 hours and aiding plumpness. In terms of longevity, it truly lives up to the claims- this stuff will not budge. It stays fresh and bright-looking all day, even through a sweaty commute.

I like to set it with a dusting of Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder and a spritz of Airbrush Setting Spray, which really helps bolster longevity.

Would I switch up my foundation for this one? Hard yes.

Annie Vischer, head of beauty says:

'Where foundation is concerned I typically favour something that promises glow - and lots of it. This one, however, has genuinely won me over. It sits somewhere between matte and glow-giving, making it the perfect option for late summer.

I've been testing it for a few weeks now and love how it perfects my complexion. Just a sweep takes down any redness around my nostrils and across my chin. While it's fuller coverage than I'd usually reach for (Charlotte Tilbury's Beautiful Skin Foundation is my go-to) I find it blends beautifully, meaning you can create a more sheer finish if you so desire. Would recommend - heartily.'

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer says:

'This summer, I was on a mission to find a next-level foundation that could prime me for wedding season's plentiful full-glam moments, and I'm happy to report I've found it. Charlotte Tilbury's reformulated Airbrush Flawless Foundation has seen me through three weddings thus far, including my own.

Full-coverage yet breathable, flexible and equipped with a soft matte-never-flat finish that mimics your own skin, I am irrevocably wedded to its filter-like formula that glides on like butter. That's all down to the Powder Blur AIRTech loaded into the mix (the same power ingredient that makes the brand's Airbrush Flawless Finish Compact Powder so incredibly good), which helps to smooth, diffuse and blur over my post-inflammation hyperpigmentation and acne scars for an airbrushed look.

Outside of its new-gen finish, the shade extension is a noteworthy development. I found my perfect match with 9N, a tan with neutral undertones, and as someone who struggles to find foundations that come close to my yellow/ olive toned, medium complexion, that was a huge win. As is the fact that I only need half a pump to cover my whole face. Ten, tens all round.'

Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty Director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism. After interning at Stylist and Harper’s Bazaar she dipped her toes into the world of beauty writing and never looked back.

Main image credit: @byholliem