Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter 5 Tan

I remember we were all so confused when this product first launched. Is it a primer? Is it a foundation? Is it a highlighter? Is it a bird? Is it Superman? It turned out to be a primer/ highlighter hybrid of sorts, a multi use product. Almost every review that I read or saw had nothing but praise and admiration for it. During the good skin phase in the summer of 2019 I was addicted to trying products specifically with the word “glow” in its description. My smooth healthy skin was at a level where it was holding and enhancing makeup really well so I knew I had to get my hands on the Hollywood Flawless Filter. But even now where my skin isn’t at its ultimate best, the Hollywood Flawless Filter still manages to work a treat!

- This comes in a glass cylindrical bottle with a gold screw lid and has a doe foot applicator which is convenient if you want to apply straight to face but a bit of a hassle if you want to use as a mixer as sometimes one dip isn’t enough. I’ve also heard that people struggle to take out product when it’s reached nearer the bottom. I think a pump or a squeezy tube would’ve been wiser. But it’s a minor issue.

- One negative I would like to mention though regarding packaging is that I have had this bottle for almost 9 months and the printing has started flaking and rubbing off and tbh I haven’t even used it that much. For such a high end expensive product I don’t expect such poor quality and would’ve liked the printing to stay on.

- 30ml for £34

- No scent

- Comes in 5 shades, because it’s meant to be a highlighter primer kind of product I think they get away with this amount of shades.

Dior Face & Body 3WO, Hollywood Flawless Filter 5 Tan, Nars Sheer Glow Stromboli

- I picked up the shade 5 Tan after following Charlotte’s shade chart recommendation but I should’ve really picked up the shade 4 Medium instead. I personally wanted something colourless and super sheer that would disappear in to my skin. 5 Tan has more of an orangey/peachy undertone and it gives me more of a bronzed look which isn’t what I was after. I’ve come to overlook this because the formula and finish is really beautiful and I’ve found a method that makes it work for me.

- This has a smooth, emollient, creamy, glossy gel like texture. Blends super easily with any tool of your choice. I prefer brush of course. This feels a bit tacky on the skin but this is because of it’s glossiness. Again I can overlook this as I believe the glossiness plays part to the lovely finish.

- This stuff is dewy healthy skin in a bottle. It makes your skin look so so radiant, plump and luminous. It has just the right amount of dew and glossiness to it. I swear it’s genius! It honestly cheats good skin for me and I think this is why I can overlook the shade issues. It’s gorgeous! However like most highlighter products this can highlight texture.

- On its own I love using this on the high points of my face on my bare face days. But I also love using this mixed in with my foundations if I’m after a more radiant look. I’ve noticed when mixed in with any foundation, this makes the foundation apply more easily, it also makes skin appear smoother and blurs pores a little and makes any base much more dewier and radiant, it’s stunning! I would however suggest using something pore filling as dewy products can highlight pores also.

- If you wanted you could even use this on top of your base as a highlighter, for me personally it has the right balance of shimmer and dew, I don’t really like shimmery products but this offers more of a natural skin like dew. I have to say that whenever I’ve worn this people have always commented on how radiant and glowy my skin looks, without a doubt the credit definitely goes to the Hollywood Flawless Filter!

- Even though this product isn’t meant for coverage it does offer a very sheer amount coverage and I’ve found that it does unify the skin a little when worn on it’s own. It blurs imperfections slightly like how a ‘filter‘ would do.

- Since it’s a glossy dewy product longevity would be measured slightly differently. We would monitor how long the shine stays on the skin and whether it remains looking shiny. I find this remains looking dewy as long as it’s not disturbed. Like I mentioned earlier it has a tackiness to it that will most likely transfer a little. Since it is an emollient product the shine does increase over time no matter how you use it, mixed in or on its own. But I personally wouldn’t want to set this product with a powder as it beats the purpose of glow, but I would however powder strategically to avoid getting too luminous in the t-zone.

The Negatives
- I don’t have many negatives but like I mentioned earlier the print is already wearing off the bottle.
- Since it's a highlighting product it can highlight pores and texture.
- Is a little heavy on the skin because of its dewy emollience.
- The websites shade recommendation is off, so try before you buy. If you’re my skin tone definitely go for shade 4 Medium.
- Might be difficult to reach product at the bottom of the bottle nearer the end.

Overall this has been a joyful addition to my collection. I personally love using this with any of my foundations that are slightly too light for me and it works a treat! It honestly does give you beautiful looking radiant skin.

Have you tried this? Let us know!
Have you read my last post? It Cosmetics CC Cream in Medium Tan