As a beauty editor, I sometimes have a difficult time deciding which products to try out and keep for myself. While the fact that all the latest beauty launches land on my desk every day is a total dream, sadly, one face can only try so many products. Personally, I find these decisions particularly hard when it comes to makeup. With skincare, ingredient lists tend to tell me whether or not my skin will like a product. But with makeup, the products I keep tend to be those that appeal to my inner magpie.
I like my makeup products to look just as beautiful on my dressing table as they do on my face. I also want them to feel luxurious and, most importantly, possess a certain je ne sais quois that makes applying them feel like a special experience rather than the rushed nuisance. And there is one particular brand that I can always rely on to tick all of those boxes: Charlotte Tilbury.
It doesn’t matter how full my makeup drawer is or what my current product preferences may be; I will always and forever find the space to keep every Charlotte Tilbury product that comes my way. You see, there really is no beauty product that hits quite like a Charlotte Tilbury one. From the luxe rose-gold packaging to the crème de la crème of formulas, all of Charlotte Tilbury's products have that special something that makes you feel like your very best self.
As someone who has piles and piles of makeup and skincare stacked up in every cupboard, drawer and crevice of my flat, I feel experienced enough to say that Charlotte Tilbury products are without a doubt the best beauty products to receive, whether you're buying them for yourself or for a loved one.
And as we start heading into peak gifting season, it won’t be too surprising to hear that one of the questions I get asked the most is, "What are the best fail-safe beauty gifts?" And my answer is always, "You can’t go wrong with Charlotte Tilbury." Whether you’re buying for a seasoned beauty lover or someone who just appreciates a little bit of luxury in their daily routine, every Charlotte Tilbury product is a total crowd pleaser.
To get ahead of the influx of beauty-related messages and questions I’ll no doubt receive this season, I’ve included a list of the Charlotte Tilbury products that make for the ultimate gifts below.
The Extravagant Gesture
If I received this treasure trove of makeup products, it's safe to say that tears would be shed. It contains 14 of Charlotte Tilbury's most iconic and wearable products from the cult Pillow Talk range, including Pillow Talk Instant Eye Palette, Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes and of course, the product that started the craze, Matte Revolution lipstick in Pillow Talk. Every single product in this vault is a guaranteed hit.
The Multi-Tasking Skincare Hero
Even those who aren't already seasoned Charlotte Tilbury shoppers will have heard of Charlotte's Magic Cream. It's an everyday moisturiser that plumps and smoothes skin in an instant. Not only are we big fans here at Who What Wear (as we explain here), but Charlotte Tilbury herself uses this on her clients before any red-carpet event. Plus, the refillable pot can even be engraved to make for an extra-special gift.
The Ultimate Stocking Filler
Containing two travel-sized Airbrush Flawless Setting Sprays, this limited-edition festive set is sure to be put to good use. Keep one stationed on your dressing table to apply straight after your makeup and pop the other in your handbag to spritz on the go and ensure your makeup stays put all day (and night) long.
The Cult Buy
Anyone that uses TikTok will already have this highlighting wand on their radar. After going viral last year, this luminescent cream amassed a global waitlist of 50,000 online, and it's finally back in stock. Simply dot onto the high points of your face for a natural-looking glow.
The No-Fuss Duo
A personal favourite of mine is the Charlotte Tilbury eye shadow pencil, and this limited-edition set contains two wearable shades to create the ultimate smokey eye. It's perfect for those who don't like to spend a lot of time on their makeup but want impressive results. You just scribble the pencil over the lid and blend it out with your finger. It couldn't be easier.
The Crowd-Pleasing Fail-Safe
If despite our best efforts, you're still not sure what the right Charlotte Tilbury purchase is, trust me when I say you can't go wrong with this one. It's one of the most lash-lifting, lengthening mascaras I have ever used, and I have yet to find a soul that doesn't love it.
The Classic Combo
As I already mentioned, Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk collection is one of the most highly-regarded and cherished makeup offerings in existence. Loved by beauty experts and makeup artists all over the world, the wearable brown and pink hues are suited for just about everybody. This eye shadow and blush duo saves you £14 (as opposed to buying them separately) and will sit amongst the most-used makeup products in your collection.
The Everyday Hit
If you (or the person you're buying gifts for) aren't particularly makeup-obsessed, Airbrush Bronzer is just what you're looking for. It's an everyday product that offers a wonderfully warm bronze in a number of different shades, so you're guaranteed to get a lot of use out of it. Plus, the pretty rose-gold packaging makes it feel extra special.
The On-the-Go Saviour
A collection of four mini makeup brushes in a pretty velvet clutch—what's not to love? Complete with a powder brush, two eye shadow brushes and a precision brush, which can be used for eyes or lips, it checks all of the boxes.
The Iconic Classic
This is the product that really shot the Charlotte Tilbury brand to fame. Considered to be one of the best nude lipsticks that money can buy, Pillow Talk now comes in varying depths of shade to suit every skin tone. Lipstick might not be the easiest gift to shop for, but if there's one that's sure to go down a treat, it's this one.
And while Charlotte Tilbury no doubt has a whole bunch of products suited for everybody, if you're still not sure what the right choice is, why not book yourself or the person you're buying for a virtual consultation? With both free and paid options available, it's sure to provide you with some valuable knowledge (and an impressive wish list).
Next up: I've Tried Basically Every Charlotte Tilbury Product—Here's What I'd Recommend
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