Introducing Charlotte Tilbury

Meet makeup artist to the stars, mother and mascara addict, Charlotte Tilbury. We caught up with Charlotte ahead of her new boutique opening in the Village, for an exclusive snapshot into her life.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the fashion and luxury beauty industries – from working with some of the most iconic faces in fashion to masterminding countless catwalks and campaigns – Charlotte Tilbury is quickly becoming one of the world’s most celebrated make-up artists.

Launched in September 2013, her eponymous make-up and skincare range stars innovative formulas, exquisite palettes, daring lipsticks and the transformative ‘Magic Cream’.

This week we caught up with the beauty mogul to talk this season’s make-up trends, inspiration and the secret to flawless skin…

Charlotte Tilbury make-up at Bicester Village
01

What one product should we all own?

Everyone should own my iconic, award-winning Magic Cream. I created this product backstage to instantly transform supermodels’ skin, making it look more plump, dewy and hydrated. Its genius ingredient complex – which I call the MAGIC 8 – includes bionymph peptide, hyaluronic acid, camellia oil, rosehip oil, aloe vera, frangipani extract, shea butter, and vitamins C and E. It’s suitable for all skin types and is the perfect base for make-up. I never do make-up without it!

02

What three products couldn’t you live without?

That’s a tough question as I couldn’t live without so many of my products, but if I had to choose just three…

You can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas, and my secret for a gorgeous, glowing canvas is my supercharged skincare routine. Hydrate your skin with the Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and layer with a nourishing moisturiser like my award-winning Magic Cream moisturiser. Don’t forget the eyes too darling – gently tap in the Magic Eye Rescue underneath the eyes to hydrate and visibly smooth the look of skin!

Then I would choose my new Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! mascara. This just-launched miracle mascara innovation gives you instant volume, length, stretch and a 24-hour vertical lift effect.

Finally, I would choose lipstick, because lipstick is happiness in a tube! When you put on your go-to shade, your whole frequency changes. I always wear my universally flattering, award-winning nudey-pink Pillow Talk lipstick.

03

Is there a make-up trend that you wish never existed?

A make-up trend I wish never existed is pencil thin brows! Brows are the pillars of the face and they’re so important to your facial structure. A ‘browformation’ can morph the shape of your entire face, add instant definition, and create the appearance of more lifted features. I love bold, full, defined brows which flatter all face and eye shapes, but it’s about working with your own brows to achieve your desired look. Yours should work hard for your own face shape, and that is all about symmetry, fullness and sculpting.

04

What’s been your most memorable makeup artistry experience?

There have been so many! Working in the industry for over 27 years has allowed me to have the most amazing, magical experiences – from working backstage at fashion week to crafting beauty looks for editorial and cover shoots across the world. Of course, creating make-up magic on the red carpet will always be some of my favourite moments – there’s nothing like the excitement of working with my gorgeous celebrity friends to bring their vision to life with flawless, glowing beauty looks.

Charlotte Tilbury make-up at Bicester Village
05

What are your favourite beauty looks for the upcoming season?

I think skin will have a big moment this season; it’s all about fresh, glowing, gorgeous-looking skin, created by daily, supercharged skincare routines. I’m a firm believer that skincare is self-care – which has become increasingly important over the last few months.

Aged 13, I started wearing mascara, and overnight people reacted to me in a very different and more positive way. I have very fair eyelashes, which are barely visible, so when I wore mascara for the first time it completely transformed my eyes. I instantly felt more confident, more beautiful and more empowered. Mascara showed me the power of make-up, changed my life and led me to where I am today. And I still get that same feeling of empowerment every time I wear mascara.

06

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration comes to me in so many different ways. I take inspiration from the world around me, the places I’ve visited and the people I’ve met, but I’m also inspired by the need for product; I’m an innovator and I’m constantly looking to make everyone’s lives easier.

Charlotte Tilbury make-up at Bicester Village
07

How would you describe your brand in three words?

Positivity, empowerment, confidence.

08

How do you want people to feel when wearing your products?

With my make-up magic and supercharged skincare, I want to empower everyone in the world to be the most beautiful version of themselves! My mantra is ‘Give everyone the right make-up and they can conquer the world.’ I created my brand to make everyone, at every age, feel beautiful, safe and empowered by beauty.

You can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas

Charlotte Tilbury

Makeup artist and entrepreneur

Charlotte Tilbury make-up at Bicester Village
09

What motivated you to become a make-up artist? How did you get into the beauty world?

My dream of becoming a make-up artist began as a young girl. Growing up in Ibiza sparked my creativity and was a hugely positive part of my life. I was constantly surrounded by a melting pot of creatives and visionaries. My talented father Lance, for example, was a painter and taught me the rules of art from an early age.

After I discovered the power of make-up, I knew I wanted to work as a make-up artist and eventually create my own beauty company to share the power of beauty with the world. Mary Greenwell was a family friend from Ibiza and later became my mentor. I trained at the Glauca Rossi Make-up School in London and then started assisting Mary at shoots. She was, and still is, an incredible inspiration to me.

10

Do you have a motto/mantra by which you live?

Dare to dream it, dare to believe it, dare to do it!

11

What are you most proud of?

I am so proud of so many moments during my life and my career – from becoming a make-up artist and launching my company to receiving my MBE from The Queen for services to the cosmetics industry; however, becoming a mother is definitely my greatest achievement and biggest dream come true!

12

What beauty product could you never travel without?

When I’m travelling for work – whether it’s a red carpet event or a cover shoot – I travel with six suitcases full of make-up and skincare! If I’m catching a flight, I always carry my in-flight essentials including my Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask to keep my skin looking fresh and dewy. I carry multiple masks with me and often hand them out to all the air stewardesses on the plane. I’ll also always carry a Collagen Lip Bath to replenish my dehydrated lips and give me a healthy-looking, sumptuous pout.

I want to empower everyone in the world to be the most beautiful version of themselves

Charlotte Tilbury

Makeup artist and entrepreneur

Charlotte Tilbury make-up at Bicester Village
13

How do you like to relax?

I like to relax by spending time with my gorgeous family! I’m so lucky that we are so close, and I really value the time spent together, it means everything to me!

14

Who’s the most important person in your life?

The most important people in my life are my magnificent and magical family. They have always been incredibly supportive, and without their love and guidance I wouldn’t be where I am today!

15

How would you like to be remembered?

A make-up artist, an innovator and an entrepreneur who made everyone’s beauty dreams come true by decodifying the world of beauty and making it accessible for everyone, of every age, all around the world.

16

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

One piece of advice I was given, and I always remember as a real turning point, is from when I was starting out as a make-up artist. I received a note from a Beauty Editor saying “Knock it to them, Charlotte. I know you’ll be a star!” It encouraged me to keep following my dream and made me realise that I just had to believe in myself. As a reminder of this, I put a hand drawn star on all of my brand packaging. Dare to dream it, dare to believe it, dare to do it!

Discover the new Charlotte Tilbury boutique in the Village from 10 September.

Charlotte Tilbury make-up at Bicester Village

Visit the boutique

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