TRIED AND TESTED: CHARLOTTE TILBURY’S UNREAL SKIN SHEER GLOW TINT
If there’s one thing that really gets the Cult Beauty office buzzing with conversation it’s a Charlotte Tilbury new arrival... and a free box of Krispy Kremes, of course. Luckily for us, the former has been very much a reality as of late, with the make up legend herself launching the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint.
Like us, you’ve probably seen the new drop all over your TikTok For You Page, with plenty of content creators taking to the app to share their first impressions. “It’s like a ring light effect on your skin!” says MUA Danielle Marcan in her TikTok review, which has now racked up over 125k views. Showing similar praise on her feed, TikToker Bambi (AKA, @bambidoesbeauty) describes the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint as a “true no-make up make up product!” And, that’s exactly what the new arrival is designed to be...
Formulated to glide effortlessly across skin, this lightweight foundation stick delivers sheer yet buildable coverage with a natural finish — ideal for no-make up make up days. It’s also brimming with skin-loving ingredients so, not only does it look amazing, but it’s doing amazing things, too. Plumping hyaluronic acid? Check. Nourishing daikon radish seed oil? Check. Antioxidant-rich vitamin E? Check.
It certainly seems like there’s a lot to love about the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint. So, what do our team of expert beauty editors think about the arrival? Honest reviews in three, two, one...
CHARLOTTE TILBURY UNREAL SKIN SHEER GLOW TINT REVIEWS
Skin type: Dry
Shade: 4 Fair
“I am utterly obsessed with this foundation! I never usually go for a stick formula (in fact, I’ve never even tried one), as with my skin type I’ve always assumed they wouldn’t blend onto my complexion very well. Yet, I have been – happily – proven wrong! This is light, blendable and leaves my skin looking dewy with a nice amount of coverage. The best part? You really don’t need much product to achieve the seamless base it promises – I already can’t wait to continue using this over the summer months.”
Skin type: Dry
Shade: 2 Fair
“My dry skin and a preference for a lighter coverage base has always left me slightly skeptical of stick foundation formulas. However, the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint might just have changed my mind. It doesn't settle into creases, gives a dewy sheen that lasts all day (while feeling super lightweight) and blends out like a dream — even when just using my fingers. The easy application is the main draw for me: it takes all of 30 seconds to swipe, blend and go. I've caught a tan since first testing this, and the lighter shade still evens out my complexion nicely and leaves a lovely, illuminating glow. It's fast becoming my summer base essential.”
Skin type: Oily
Shade: 3 Fair
“I wasn’t sure what to expect from this going into testing as – shockingly! – I’ve never tried any other Charlotte Tilbury foundations. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised, although I’m not convinced my skin is the ideal canvas for this lightweight formula. I’ll explain... As someone who’s moved away from fuller coverage foundations, the sheer finish of this stick didn’t bother me – although it is buildable if you want more coverage – and I liked how it gave ‘my skin but better’ vibes. However, as an oily girly, this was a bit too shiny for me and I did find myself worried that I looked like the moon emoji for a solid portion of the day. Despite my fears, I had plenty of comments on my skin on the days I wore this, so perhaps the moon emoji-look suits me after all."
Skin type: Combination
Shade: 16 Deep
“If you’re after a fuller coverage finish but don’t want to pack on the formulas then, this is for you. After accidentally catching a tan, my cheeks and forehead are two different tones, which makes it harder to choose the perfect summer foundation shade. However, this skin tint allows my glow to pull through. I’ve never used a stick formula before, and I may be a full convert thanks to this. I apply it all over my face after colour correcting and then follow with foundation — using fewer pumps! — and blend everything together for the ultimate base. I can’t wait to use it again.”
Skin type: Dry
Shade: 3 Fair
"I think I’ve found my new base bestie. I adore this skin tint/foundation... although I really wouldn’t call it either. This is essentially Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter in a stick formula! Like a dewy, blurring highlighter that effortlessly blends into my skin, this enhances my complexion and works beautifully with my concealer on top. Luckily, I don’t have much texture so this doesn’t highlight anything I’d rather hide (I can imagine this bringing attention to pores and texture, if I’m being honest), but just makes me look glowy and gorgeous. One thing I’ve noticed is that I need powder on top, so I strategically pat away excess glow where I don’t want it (see: forehead and around my nose). Despite this, I will be repurchasing this forever and ever.”
Skin type: Oily
Shade: 3 Fair
“As an oily-skinned gal I was initially wary of this, but I had no reason to be. I started off with a small patch test, but I liked it so much I continued applying, as it gives the most stunning dewy glow! It blends like a dream (even over textured areas) and although it doesn’t give a lot of coverage, it’s the ideal base to lay down before a tinted moisturiser or foundation. I was literally turning my head in the mirror, in awe at the glow! I can see myself just wearing this alone on hot days or on holiday when I don’t tend to wear much make up... it’s a big thumbs up from me!”
Skin type: Dry and sensitive
Shade: 9 Tan
“As someone with dry, sensitive skin who is also prone to redness, the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint has quickly become a staple in my beauty bag. Let me explain... Not only is it incredibly hydrating but it also leaves a dewy, radiant finish *without* emphasising dryness or texture. I’m obsessed with the stick format, as it makes the application easy and mess-free, plus you can use it to touch-up on the go! Despite my initial concern in regard to the ‘tint’ aspect, it provides excellent buildable coverage (especially to hide/neutralise my dark circles and even out my complexion). This lightweight formula blends seamlessly, offering a natural glow without feeling heavy. It strikes the perfect balance of hydration, coverage and radiance.”
Skin type: Dry
Shade: 2 Fair
“As someone who has dry skin, I always tend to reach for a lightweight tinted moisturiser – anything with heavier coverage doesn’t sit well on my complexion – so to say I’ve tried a *lot* of them wouldn’t be an understatement. How did I feel about Charlotte Tilbury’s Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint? I loved it! At first, I was slightly worried about how shimmery it looked but once I blended it in, not only did it feel super hydrating, but it left me looking dewy and radiant. Plus, the stick formation makes application easy and mess-free. This is now a staple in my beauty bag!”
Sold? We thought so.
55
39.55€
MORE CHARLOTTE TILBURY MUST-HAVES
Not one-and-done when it comes to hauls? Us neither. Here’s a few more favourites we’re adding to our basket... along with the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, of course.
107
652
44.00€
46
30.51€
350
33.90€
2
146.90€
269
76
23.73€
20
95.00€
Having spent much of her career in the world of glossy magazines, Jade is one of Cult Beauty's Senior Copywriters. As well as a passion for all-things-words (she can — and will, if asked — write a dissertation on fake tan), she has heaps of skin care and beauty know-how (including how to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner again and again... and again). When she’s not applying fake tan or admiring her knife-sharp liner, she’s an adoring mum to four feline fur babies, hunting down inspiration for her next set of acrylic nails or watching endless episodes of reality TV.
