The British make-up artist and founder of cult favourite beauty brand, Charlotte Tilbury is popularly known as the ‘queen of glow’. Her career-long obsession with glowing skin is evident on the celebrities at red carpet events and models at runway shows. As her namesake line of skincare and make-up launches in India on Nykaa.com, the legendary make-up artist gives us an insight into recreating her radiant make-up looks and the role of skincare.
ELLE: What does beauty mean to you?
Charlotte Tilbury: Ever since I wore mascara for the first time I have understood that the power of make-up is much, much more than just superficial or decoration. It’s a feeling! It has an incredible ability to empower women and men, and I truly believe it can change your life. Whether it’s a gorgeous supercharged skincare routine, or the confidence-boosting power of make-up, it has this ‘magic’ ability to morph your state of mind. I always think if you look good, you feel good and the world responds to you in a powerful, positive way.
ELLE: What is your first memory of wearing make-up?
CT: My first memory of make-up was the time I wore mascara for the first time at age 13. I started wearing mascara, and overnight people reacted to me in a very different and more positive way. I felt instantly more confident, more beautiful and more empowered. It was mascara that showed me the power of make-up and since then I have been obsessed with lashes. Throughout my career I have done a 28-year study of the best lash DNA and it led me to create mascara that is truly magical, my new Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes. I have poured my expertise into the formula to create one mascara that does it all, it gives you the lashes of your dreams with one coat.
ELLE: What’s the secret to nailing the natural, glowing Tilbury Glow?
CT: The signature ‘Tilbury Glow’ is at the heart of every product I create, from my Wonderglow primer and Filmstar Bronze & Glow to my Beauty Light Wands. To create my signature look, it all starts with skincare, I always say you can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas. A quick and easy way to create a natural, gorgeous glowing look is by applying Hollywood Flawless Filter. It blurs, smoothes and illuminates the look of your skin. Wear it alone, underneath your foundation, mixed with your foundation or dab it on the high points of the face. I can’t live without it!
ELLE: With masks becoming the new norm, what are your tips to tackle maskne?
CT: As wearing masks has become the new normal, a lot of people have been asking me how to avoid maskne. Maskne is caused by bacteria built up on the face and the moist, enclosed environment under a mask. There are a few easy steps to help prevent it, namely to regularly wash and change your mask, and to use good, research-backed skincare that helps prevent and combat maskne. My Magic Serum Crystal Elixir has high-performance ingredients, like polyglutamic acid for hydration and to plump up the skin, Golden vitamin C to brighten, niacinamide to regulate oil production and shrink pores. Clay Masks are great too as they visibly smooth and tighten the appearance of pores for skin that feels hydrated and baby soft. My Goddess Skin Clay mask has a mix of Spanish clay and sweet almond oil, the perfect balance of refining, purifying clay and oils to reveal your dewy goddess glow. I love to start my day with a clay mask or for a quick fix, my Instant Magic Dry Sheet Facial.
ELLE: Which beauty trends do you think will rule 2021?
CT: Mesmerising eye make-up will continue to be a big trend as we head into 2021, from nude smokey eyes with easy-to-use eye-contouring shadows and soft, modern matte finishes to fun feline flicks in every colour, like blues, greens and russet reds. Brows will be a big trend too, gorgeous, natural-looking fluffy brows that really frame the face and define your features.
Glowing skin is also going to have a big moment. It’s all about that real, fresh, naturally glowing, hydrated complexion. During the last few months I’ve been giving myself facials at-home using my supercharged skincare products, like my Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and I’ve been seeing such a visible improvement in my skin. I have been dreaming up so many exciting, magical new innovations for 2021, I can’t wait to share them with you all.
