What Everyone Should Know About Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

Recently, I came across a video of Georgina raving about the Charlotte Tilbury powder and few other products from her line that only reinforced my belief in the quality of this cream. I was convinced that Charlotte Tilbury truly knows what she’s doing with her products. So this set high expectations for Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream as well.

Charlotte Tilbury is a renowned makeup artist and we all know her. Unless, of course, you’ve been living under a rock. She founded her own beauty brand and has become a major name in the industry. She’s best known for her makeup line, but she’s also ventured into skincare with a well-received collection. Both her makeup and skincare products have attracted a steady following (including some celebrities).

What does charlotte tilbury magic cream do

Word has it that Charlotte Tilbury was using her magic cream on celebrities well before it officially launched. The formula is designed to do three key things for you:

1. Work as a primer to prep the skin for makeup.
2. Deliver intense hydration for a healthy glow.
3. Firm and smooth the skin over time.

The packaging definitely feels luxurious, with its sleek glass jar giving it a premium touch. But the plastic gold lid was a bit of a letdown. I expected something more refined for such a high-end product. That aside, I went for the 15ml to see if it actually lives up to the hype. They also offer 30ml for $65, and a massive 150ml for $260. If you’re on the fence, the 15ml size is a great way to test it out before committing to a full-size jar. I’ll give credit where it’s due, having multiple sizes, including a more affordable trial size.

The cream also doesn’t come with a spatula, which is something I usually expect with jar packaging. If you’re not a fan of dipping your fingers directly into the product, then this might not be for you. You’ll either have to use your own or grab a spatula or scoop from Amazon.

First impression

My first impression of the cream was, “Uh-oh, this is going to be way too thick for a day cream.” But to my surprise, it spread effortlessly when I applied it. While I would say that it does take a little bit of time to fully absorb, the application process itself was smooth. Most thick richer creams tend to be difficult to spread but that wasn’t the case with this one.

The texture is rich and creamy, making it a great pick for those with dry skin who love a deeply nourishing formula. After using it consistently for two weeks, I can confidently say it does an excellent job at keeping my skin hydrated. Now, I know two weeks might seem a little early to make a bold claim, but when you have dry skin, hydration results tend to show up faster than you’d think. My skin usually lets me know real quick whether a moisturizer is doing its job or just sitting there looking pretty. And this one is definitely working well for me in that department. Lets not forget there are three claims.

One tip that’s been working really well for me, for better absorption of the cream, apply it over a humectant-rich serum.

Is it worth it?

Supposedly this cream also helps firm the skin, thanks to its peptide content. To put that to the test, I’ve been using it on my hands for a while now, but to be honest, I haven’t noticed a dramatic difference in firmness. As for my face, I can’t say for sure how much of an impact it has on my face, since I use other firming products too, and it wouldn’t be fair to give all the credit to this one. That said, it definitely kept my hands feeling soft and hydrated, so if you’re looking for moisture, it does the job. But in terms of visible firming effect? Honestly speaking, I didn’t see much of a change.

Also, I wouldn’t recommend using this as a makeup base. There’s just something about the formula that doesn’t sit well under makeup. Although there is no pilling of the make up but it seems to absorb it and within a few hours, my makeup looks super light or almost gone. For context, I only wear a light layer of makeup in the morning before heading to work, but for some people, this cream works just fine under makeup. I can only guess that it really depends on how it interacts with your make up products.

Not suitable for oily skin

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream is definitely not for those with oily skin. Oily skin usually doesn’t do well with thick creams and this one is no exception. I’d recommend skipping it if you have oily skin. Plus, it only has SPF 15. Anything below that isn’t enough for sun protection. So don’t skip sunscreen just because you’re using this cream. You’ll still need a separate SPF.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• Hydrating enough
• Good for dry skin
• Rich texture

Cons:

• Doesn’t go well with certain make up products
• Not for oily skin
• Low spf protection
• Pricey tag

Final verdict

For an expensive price like this, I really expected more from this cream than its actual results. If it truly delivered on all its claims, I wouldn’t think twice about repurchasing. Don’t get me wrong, it does a fantastic job of keeping my dry skin hydrated, but beyond that? The firming effect and its so-called magic as a makeup base feel more like a marketing to me than actual results. And let’s not forget the fragrance, it’s definitely a red flag for me, especially when there are plenty of fragrance-free options that work just as well (if not better). Also, when it comes to hydration, there are so many other moisturizers out there that do an even better job, without the luxury price tag. So as much as I wanted to love this, I just can’t justify repurchasing.