Beauty products that stray beyond budget brands aren’t usually at the top of my ‘to buy’ list. I have made the odd exception and products from the Charlotte Tilbury Magic skincare range have been among them.
Buoyed by rave reviews and celebrity endorsements, this luxury product range can’t be far from any mature woman’s ‘want’ list.
If you believe the hype, you can expect instantly revitalised, plumped skin with a healthy glow.
Manufactured with plant extracts and patented ingredients, including Collagen Matrix, this facial care collection has been curated to appeal to anyone who wants to achieve younger looking skin.
Sounds good, doesn’t it?
I purchased the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and the Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil and put them to the test.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir
This serum is available in more than one size - the standard 30ml and an 8ml travel size.
It is priced at £65 for the larger bottle and £27 for the smaller one.
As far as serum prices go, this is on the expensive side.
Ingredients include gold, niacinamide, Camellia Oleifera seed oil, quartz powder, Shea oil, and ruby powder, among many others.
This is a water based serum that promises dramatic results, such as a 172 per cent increase in hydration levels in the skin just one hour after use.
Recommended use: four to six drops, twice a day.
I used this product mornings and evenings for two weeks after double cleansing and then toning.
Creamy in texture, the serum feels silky soft on the skin. It absorbs easily and I ‘sealed’ it in with moisturiser to ensure maximum benefits.
I did feel that this product improved the texture of my skin. It felt smoother and softer.
However, I did not personally feel my face was any more hydrated. Clearly, the science is there but a 172 per cent increase? Nor did I notice a reduction in fine lines or hyperpigmentation.
Overall, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir is good but not something that I will be permanently adding to my beauty regimen. It’s expensive, does not meet all my performance expectations for the price tag and doesn’t last long (if you use the recommended four to six drops for every application).
I would point out that my skin was already in good condition (for a 57-year-old). Maybe, it would have had a more dramatic effect on someone completely new to skincare.
While definitely one of the new breed of serums, I cannot justify the outlay for so little in return.
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil
This facial oil is available in two sizes - 30ml and 8ml. For the larger bottle, expect to pay £62 and £27 for the smaller, travel friendly bottle.
Marketing claims: brightening and hydrating with calming properties. The oil is said to boost radiance and hydration levels in the skin.
Ingredients include multiple vitamins and essential oils, including avocado and raspberry oils and lavender, to name a few.
Charlotte Tilbury recommends using a few drops of the oil after applying a moisturiser, morning and evening.
I applied the product after using a light serum but BEFORE my moisturiser.
Hand on heart, I loved this product. It felt amazing on my skin and definitely boosted its radiance. My skin felt calmer and it was glowing. I also felt my makeup sat better on my skin when using this product sparingly under a primer.
Overall, I think Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil is a good buy. It is something that I would permanently incorporate into my skincare routine. It does everything the brand promises.
It has a medium consistency and glides across the skin like silk.
This is a Charlotte Tilbury product that doesn’t get the love it deserves. So many people rave about the Magic creams and serum, but I hardly ever hear people praising this wonderful product.
If I had to compare it to another facial oil, I would point to the cheaper Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil which is only available in a 30ml bottle and is priced at £43.
About Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury is a makeup artist and brand owner. Born in the UK in 1973, she was awarded an MBE by the late Queen in 2018 for her services to the beauty industry.
Get Charlotte Tilbury Magic skincare products for peanuts
Want to try Charlotte Tilbury products but don’t want to spend a small fortune?
You can sometimes buy sample-sizes of both the facial oil and serum from Sephora via their one-off beauty box, which costs just £13.95. What’s more, you can choose five products - all by luxury brands.
Learn more about the one-time purchase beauty box from Sephora in my review here.
All prices correct at the time of publishing.