A higher powder – here’s how to wear it now …
The quest for glowy skin has dominated beauty trends for a while now, with endless talk of dewy, “glass” and, er, “dolphin” skin (a weird concept if you think about it) … But this season sees powder take on a new power – and Charlotte Tilbury has channelled her 34 years of make-up experience into putting powder back in the equation.
We headed to Charlotte Tilbury’s HQ in London for an exclusive first look at her newest Airbrush Flawless launches. The flamboyant make-up guru has been promising a loose powder for a while. And her Airbrush Flawless Blur Loose Powder – landing on August 27 (or August 25 on her app) – does not disappoint.
The Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder remains the go-to for setting make-up and mattifying the skin where needed. But this new loose powder is all about blurring and brightening. Loose powder has been seen as a bit old-fashioned; it can feel heavy, drying and cakey, and look ashy, grey or orange on the skin, not to mention being messy and far from travel-friendly. Tilbury’s new take is, importantly, talc-free (you’d be amazed how many powders list talc as their primary ingredient), and comes in a neat pot, with heart-shaped puff, that ensures no spillage. The powder itself is micro-fine, with light-diffusing powders that help with shine control (for 24 hours), to blur and perfect skin seamlessly.
“I didn’t invent powder, but I reinvented it to a next level,” enthuses Charlotte at the launch. “I wasn’t happy with any powder out there and, until now, I couldn’t better it. There is nothing on the market like this. I’m always thinking about the artistry of colour, light and the power of layering.”
This loose powder comes in seven shades, from translucent to pink- and peach-toned. This is powder that can sit under the eyes without clogging or caking. It filters and blurs, creating a “micro-veil” to smooth the skin. It’s been clinically tested in all kinds of light to make sure there’s no “flashback”. Tilbury’s own tip: apply your powder, then spray with the Airbrush Setting Spray. Use the new dedicated bronzer and blusher brush (€49) to add colour on the apples of cheek, then sweep across the nose to other side.
An early adopter of beauty tech, Tilbury has developed advanced shade match tools to help her customer; she raves about her 290-strong tech team. We always love that her beauty is genuinely for everyone. She is adamant that her target age range is 18-80; the Blur Loose Powder campaign features the most glamorous septuagenarian ever …
AND BLUSH ….
Tilbury is also launching a new range of blurring blushes, Airbrush Flawless Blush Blur, in 11 shades. The best way that I can describe the effects of both the loose powder and these blushes is that they create a very diffused finish: everything is softened, as if blurred. It’s the opposite of harsh lines and fierce contouring.
I’ve been using the Pillow Talk Medium shade, a glowy soft pink that has just enough oomph to deliver a healthy-looking glow. For me, the key shade is Loved Up, a vibrant pink. We’re seeing this shocking pink shade pop up in several beauty lines, from Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick (Poppet) to Merit Beauty‘s Flush Balm in Le Bonbon and Simihaze’s Lip & Cheek Pigment in Hibiscus. These might appear too bright for you on first glance, but try them for a colour that’s fresh and uplifting.
I’m still enjoying the Tilbury Healthy Glow Blush Sticks too, though – they offer a glowy, light-reflecting alternative way to add some colour to your cheeks.
TIP: If you haven’t tried the Airbrush Concealer (launched earlier this year) yet, we highly recommend it. It’s a recent discovery for me, and one I’m now fully committed to. You don’t need to wear foundation with this, and it covers and lasts incredibly well. And we also recommend Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick In Naughty Talk, a favourite of Sali Hughes.
The waitist opens today at charlottetilbury.com; these new Airbrush launches are available in store and online from August 27.
