Our Honest Review Of The Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick (2024)

How many shades of Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint are there?

There are 20 shades of Charlotte Tilbury’s foundation stick, ranging from fair to deep. While this is dramatically fewer than the brand’s other foundation offerings, including the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39.00, this lighter weight formula is more forgiving.

Lauren’s Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint review

• My skin tone: Brown with a warm undertone

• The shade I reviewed: Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint in 13 Deep / Foncé

What struck me most about Charlotte Tilbury’s stick foundation was how easily it blended. The creamy texture makes it perfect for anyone in a rush who needs to do their makeup on the go. The finish is very much my vibe; think “your skin but better” with light coverage and a gorgeous glow. I used the stick directly onto my skin and blended with my fingers for ease, but I can see how you could use a brush or sponge if you were worried about germs.

While I loved the texture, the finish and the easy application, I would say my skin felt a little bit dry when I used this foundation stick. I think my liquid foundation gives my skin more hydration than I realised. As a result, I prefer my liquid formula as it gives me a glowy finish and slightly more coverage without leaving my skin feeling dry. I’ll still keep Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Skin foundation stick in my makeup bag for when I’m in a rush though!

Olivia’s Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint review

• My skin tone: Fair, cool undertone and some redness

• The shade I reviewed: Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint in 2 Fair

I’m not a huge foundation wearer but on the odd occasion when I do, I usually use a lightweight liquid formula with a satin finish that I can layer up on problem areas. Before trying Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, I’d never used a foundation stick.

The formula was much creamier and buttery than I expected – it melted into my skin but didn’t fully disappear. I did need to apply an extra layer where I have pigmentation and some blemishes around my chin and jawline. Unlike Lauren I found Charlotte Tilbury’s foundation stick really hydrating and liked that it didn’t cling to any of my dry patches. The glow it gives your skin is instant and very noticeable, which I really liked.

I applied the stick directly onto my skin all over and then used a dense brush to blend. Initially I used a sponge, but it picked up too much of the product and didn’t give your skin as much of a glow. You could easily just use your fingers though as the formula is very blendable.

For me, the glow that Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Skin foundation stick gives is incredible and I loved that my skin still looked like skin. I didn’t feel the need to add highlighter on the days I wore Charlotte Tilbury’s foundation. I did use some loose powder on my chin and forehead to take down some of the shine. In terms of longevity, I wore it for a good 12 hours and didn’t need to top up my base, but I did use a very good setting spray to fix it in place and reduce the shine, which will have helped.

I will definitely keep this in my makeup routine as I liked the texture, the shade and the natural but hydrated and glowy finish it gave my skin. I also enjoyed how quick and easy it was to apply. I’m not sure this is a foundation for everyone – if you have lots of pigmentation or have acne-prone skin you might not find the coverage enough.

Vanessa’s Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint review

• My skin tone: Olive with neutral undertones

• The shade I reviewed: Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint in 4 Fair

I tend to prefer medium to full coverage, and on those elusive warmer days in the UK, I’ll sometimes switch to a skin tint. I don’t think I’ve ever used a foundation stick before – and given that Beautiful Skin Foundation is one of my favourite foundations, I was excited to try Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint.

Despite having oily skin, I don’t normally opt for super matte finishes ¬ as my skin does get dehydrated and matte foundations can emphasise my fine lines and wrinkles. However, I wasn’t sure how my oily complexion would react to a base that’s so purposely glow-giving, as I definitely don’t want to exacerbate the oiliness.

The first thing I noticed was how illuminating the formula itself looks in the stick – it could almost pass for a highlighter. After my primer I applied this directly onto my face and blended with my fingers as the texture is very creamy and smooth. I felt like the formula made me look healthy and dewy rather than oily, and it worked well with most of my skincare and suncare.

The foundation lasted well throughout the day – most importantly, I didn’t look like a shiny mess at the end of it. On one occasion I was curious to try it with Flawless Filter, another one of my favourite Charlotte Tilbury products that’s also very illuminating. I’m pleased to say they worked well together and didn’t create an excessive effect.

I’ll definitely continue to use Charlotte Tilbury’s foundation stick as I love how easy it is to apply and blend and that it lasts well on my oily complexion. I think it could even work as a highlighter if you were to try a lighter shade. However, it doesn’t have a lot of coverage and the skin-blurring effect is very subtle, so I would only use it when I’m having a good skin day. I’m curious to see how it performs in high temperatures when summer finally arrives too!

Our verdict on Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint

It’s safe to say if you’re looking for a lightweight, light coverage, glow-giving foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint is definitely worth exploring. “It’s a great option for those who don’t want too much coverage but do want all the glow,” says Vanessa.

The Pros: It’s lightweight and feel or look heavy or mask-like. The glow is not subtle, so if you want a radiant, dewy finish, this is a great option. Two out of three of our reviewers found the formula hydrating and creamy too, so it could be a very good option if your skin is on the drier side. Thanks to the stick format, it’s also travel-friendly and great for on-the-go touch-ups.

The Cons: This is a light coverage foundation, so if you have problem areas, you’ll need to use a concealer underneath for extra support. The creamy, buttery formula and the glowy finish might not suit oily complexions as it could exacerbate shine. Regardless of your skin type, a good setting spray or powder is worth having to hand if you want this formula to last all day too.