The Charlotte Tilbury Guide to Foundation Finishes: How To Choose the Best Foundation for You

Darlings, foundation is a fundamental step in every makeup look that helps to create a smooth, seamless-looking base. Everyone’s skin has different needs and so we all want our foundation to perform in certain ways, whether that’s to help mattify shine, to last all day, to cover redness, or to hydrate dry skin. The wrong foundation can lead to foundation faux pas like separating, caking, and balling up, so choosing the right foundation finish for your skin is the key to making your complexion look its best.

In my career as a makeup artist to the stars, I’ve applied foundation to every skin tone, type and texture, and I’m here to help you find the perfect foundation for you. In this foundation guide, discover everything you need to know about the different types of foundation finish and formula, and learn tips and tricks on how to choose the best foundation for you.

7 Tips for Choosing the Best Foundation for You

1. Are you looking for full, medium, or light coverage from your foundation?

When choosing the best foundation for you, deciding on the coverage you want is a good place to start. The coverage of a foundation refers to how pigmented the formula is; foundation can have sheer, light, medium, or full coverage, and different types of coverage will look significantly different on the skin. So, which foundation coverage appeals to you?

Sheer coverage: Barely there appearance that’s perfect for a ‘no makeup’ look.

Light coverage: Subtly perfected appearance that lets freckles and blemishes remain visible.

Medium coverage: Evens the appearance of skin tone while letting some redness peek through.

Buildable coverage: Foundation that can be layered to build up higher coverage without looking caked on or over-the-top.

Full coverage: Opaque pigment that covers all of skin’s natural features for a perfected look.

The coverage you’re looking for can change depending on the day, darlings. If you’re having a minimal makeup day, you might reach for a light-coverage foundation like Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint for a subtle beauty boost, and if you’re going somewhere glamorous, you may choose a full-coverage foundation like AIRbrush Flawless Foundation for the occasion. If you’re experiencing a breakout, you may appreciate the medium-buildable coverage of Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation, or if you’re filled with skin confidence, you might reach for the sheer coverage of Hollywood Flawless Filter to enhance your natural glow.

There’s space for all of these foundation formulas in your makeup collection, darlings, and they will give you the tools to customise looks for every makeup mood and moment!

2. Which foundation finish do you prefer?

Foundations come in a variety of finishes such as dewy, matte, and satin. The finish of a foundation determines how it will look on your skin and can also influence how it will wear throughout the day. Discover some key differences between foundation finishes:

Dewy finish:

How does it look? - Moisturising, natural-looking foundation with a fresh-faced sheen.

What’s the coverage? - Light-to-medium coverage that feels hydrating.

How does it wear? - Wears naturally and fades gracefully.

Charlotte recommends: Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint

Discover how to get a dewy, glass skin makeup look

Glowy finish:

How does it look? - Luminous foundation with a radiant skin glow.

What’s the coverage? - Light-to-medium illuminating coverage.

How does it wear? - Brightens the look of skin and wears evenly.

Charlotte recommends: Hollywood Flawless Filter

Discover how to get a Hollywood makeup look

Matte finish:

How does it look? - Velvety, blurring foundation without shine.

What’s the coverage? - Medium-to-full coverage that mattifies the appearance of skin.

How does it wear? - Sets down and has great longevity.

Charlotte recommends: AIRbrush Flawless Foundation

Discover how to create an all matte makeup look

Natural finish:

How does it look? - Soft-focused foundation with a satin, skin-like finish.

What’s the coverage? – Medium-buildable coverage that looks like skin.

How does it wear? - Wears beautifully and meshes with powder products.

Charlotte recommends: Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation

Discover natural makeup must-haves

3. Do you reach for liquid, cream, or powder foundations?

The best foundation for you should synergise with your makeup style; for example, if you reach for mostly cream products then a cream foundation stick like Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint may work wonders for you!

Discover the main differences between cream vs liquid vs powder foundation

Cream foundation:

Finish: Hydrated, natural-looking finish with a flattering glow.

Texture: Smooth, emollient consistency that’s malleable and easy to blend.

Application: Swipes on effortlessly – it’s so quick and easy you could probably apply it in the dark!

Charlotte recommends: Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint

Liquid Foundation:

Finish: Natural appearance with matte and glowy options to suit your preference.

Texture: Fluid consistency that’s easy to work with and skims seamlessly across the face.

Application: Use stippling motions using a domed brush like my Magic Complexion Brush.

Charlotte recommends: Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation for a natural glow or AIRbrush Flawless Foundation for a natural matte look.

Powder Foundation:

Finish: Velvety, matte finish for an airbrush effect.

Texture: Smooth, finely milled powder that lightly veils skin.

Application: Best applied with a brush to slowly build coverage.

Tilbury Tip: My AIRbrush Flawless Finish pressed powder has the skin-perfecting properties of a lightly-pigmented powder foundation and is perfect for softly mattifying the look of your favourite foundation.

4. What skin type do you have?

Understanding your skin type will empower you to choose a foundation formula that works with your complexion. Each skin type has its own set of obstacles when it comes to foundation application; for example, a hydrating foundation that’s like a dream for dry and dehydrated skin may slip and slide around on an oily complexion, whereas a longwearing matte foundation that endures on oily skin can accentuate the appearance of dry patches and dehydration lines. Learn about your skin type and its needs to find the best foundation for the job.

What is my skin type? Find out, here!

Foundation for Dry and Dehydrated Skin: Dry skin types require hydrating foundation formulas that are infused with hydrators like hyaluronic acid that will lay gorgeously on the skin while helping to quell skin dryness.

Discover the difference between dry and dehydrated skin

Foundation for Oily and Combination Skin: Applying foundation to oily skin can be problematic as oils can accelerate the breakdown of your foundation. Reach for matte formulas over dewy and glowy finishes that can appear greasy on oily skin and be sure to set your foundation with powder and setting spray.

Learn more about foundation for oily and combination skin

Darlings, each of my foundations are expertly formulated to wear beautifully on every skin type. Foundations that typically wouldn’t work for your skin can perform well when paired with an effective skincare routine and makeup products that counteract any problem qualities. Discover my skin analysis tool and my Pro Beauty Tech will match you with your perfect skincare routine for prepping skin for foundation.

Find your skincare routine

5. How long will you be wearing foundation for?

If you want your foundation to last all day, it’s important to reach for a long-lasting formula that won’t budge or smear. Generally, matte foundations are more longwearing than glowy formulas, and a self-setting formula like AIRbrush Flawless Foundation will go the extra mile to lock in your foundation look with stay-all-day confidence.

Tilbury Tip: Darlings, whichever foundation you choose, always set it into place with my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray – it’s the ultimate AIRbrush fix that locks makeup into place for up to 16 hours!

Discover more long-lasting makeup must-haves

6. Choose a foundation infused with skincare ingredients

Darlings, when I’m creating a new foundation, I blend colour and science to create formulas that help skin to look and feel its most beautiful. Each of my foundations is infused with supercharged skincare ingredients to provide colour and care. I wear foundation almost every day, so it’s important for me to know that what I’m applying to my skin is moisturising, nourishing, and helps to keep my skin healthy. Discover the kind-to-skin ingredients that power my famous foundations:

Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint

Hyaluronic acid, Daikon radish seed oil and vitamin E for skin barrier defence.

Collageneer™ for firmer-feeling and plumper-looking skin.

Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation

Hyaluronic acid to boost skin hydration.

Rose complex to brighten the appearance of skin tone.

Hyalurosmooth™ to even the look of skin texture.

Coconut extract to improve skin’s water retention.

Bix’Activ™ helps to lessen the appearance of pores, shine, and oiliness.

CT Defence™ to help protect skin from urban pollution.

AIRbrush Flawless Foundation

REPLEXIUM™ to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and signs of ageing.

MossCellTec™ to deeply hydrate skin.

CT Defence™ to help protect skin from urban pollution.

AirCool™ to help combat sweat and humidity.

Discover my skincare ingredients glossary

7. Choose your perfect foundation shade with my Foundation Shade Finder

Darlings, the best foundation for you should be a close match to your natural skin tone and look seamless! Use my Foundation Shade Finder to find your perfect foundation shade match – click through to answer some quick questions about your skin tone, undertone, and preferred foundation coverage, then upload a photo of yourself. My Pro Beauty Tech will find your flawless shade match in seconds!

Tilbury Tip: Login or create an account on CharlotteTilbury.com or the Charlotte Tilbury App to save your results, then receive customised shade matches based on your foundation shade when shopping my makeup collection!

Discover my Foundation Shade Finder

Discover the Best Foundation for You from Charlotte’s Collection of Foundation Makeup

Discover the Differences Between Every Charlotte Tilbury Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Foundation FAQs

What is the most popular Charlotte Tilbury foundation?

All of my foundations are expertly formulated with kind-to-skin ingredients, combining the powers of colour and science to create your dream complexion. I have created gorgeous light, medium and full-coverage foundations in a range of formulas and finishes so that everyone, everywhere can find the best foundation for them!

Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint hydrating foundation stick is my first ever stick foundation and it looks unbelievable on the skin. Swiping on this skin tint is like travelling with your own personal ring light, manipulating the light to make skin looks smoothed, blurred, and perfectly lit. The moisture-rich formula is luminous and super flattering – it’s the pinnacle of ‘no makeup’ foundation! Apply a small amount for a quick-and-easy tint of coverage or build it up to a super-natural glow! Is it real? No darlings, it’s UNREAL!

Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation has become popular with celebrities and stars, being worn on red carpets and runways around the world. The medium-buildable formula is perfect for giving skin a healthy-looking glow while drenching it with the goodness of skincare powerhouses like hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening-effect rose complex, delivering instant complexion perfection while helping to improve the look of skin with every wear.

Airbrush Flawless Foundation is astoundingly popular with makeup lovers that adore a full-coverage makeup look. The formula smooths effortlessly onto the face, delivering full, flawless-looking coverage that feels weightless while hydrating the skin and providing long-term, skincare benefits that reduce the look of wrinkles. Charlotte’s full-coverage foundation is beloved for its instant beautification, helping to create an even-looking canvas that looks airbrushed and flawless!

For glow lovers, Hollywood Flawless Filter is a must-have makeup step! This iconic glow booster is a social media sensation, helping everyone, everywhere to get their Hollywood glow on! Enriched with moisturising, radiance-boosting ingredients that unlock the gorgeous, red-carpet glow of your dreams, this light-coverage formula smooths onto the skin to give your complexion the most flattering, luminous finish that mirrors the effects of social media filters and Hollywood lights!

Darlings, shop my foundation collection and find a formula and finish you love in your perfect shade!

What is the Difference between Charlotte Tilbury Magic and Flawless Foundation?

Magic Foundation and Airbrush Flawless Foundation are both beautiful foundation options, but they have some key differences that should help you decide on the perfect finish for your skin type.

The world fell in love with my original Magic Foundation with beauty lovers everywhere becoming obsessed with its medium-buildable coverage and flattering, demi-matte finish. Then, I created Airbrush Flawless Foundation as my first full-coverage foundation that makes skin look and feel flawless and poreless! It’s expertly designed to feel weightless on the skin while providing instant full coverage with a natural-looking matte finish, giving skin an airbrush effect that stays all day.

Magic Foundation is now discontinued, darlings, but Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation is a perfect alternative for anyone that prefers a medium-buildable foundation formula that they can slowly build up to perfect the look of their complexion. Or, reach for Airbrush Flawless Foundation for a flawless, natural-matte finish.

Is Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation worth it?

Darlings, you need to try the magic that is Airbrush Flawless Foundation for yourself! I created this full-coverage, natural-matte foundation to give everyone, everywhere the AIRbrush effect! It provides full coverage in a flash to create a perfect canvas for the rest of your makeup.

The formula is a beautiful blend of colour and science, delivering full, flawless-looking coverage that hydrates, smooths and blurs the look of skin, while applying with a weightless feel for a comfortable, long-wearing finish. It’s also expertly formulated with powerful skincare ingredients that provide the skin benefits of a potent serum, with REPLEXIUM™ forming 2% of the foundation to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 22% in 8 weeks!*

With its high-performance wear, porcelain-like finish and powerful skincare benefits, Airbrush Flawless Foundation has cemented itself as a must-have foundation for makeup artists and beauty lovers around the world!

Is Hollywood Flawless Filter worth it?

Hollywood Flawless Filter is the original glow booster, darlings! I invented the glow category with this iconic formula, bottling the skin-perfecting properties of social media filters and red-carpet lights to give everyone, everywhere their ultimate Hollywood glow!

Formulated as a multi-use illuminator, Hollywood Flawless Filter can be used 3 ways: it’s a gorgeous glow primer to apply before foundation, it can be mixed with foundation to add luminosity to your favourite formula, or it can be used as a radiant liquid highlighter.

Giving the skin a Hollywood glow like no other, Hollywood Flawless Filter is a radiance-boosting blend of smoothing airbrush polymers, finely milled powders, glossy oil and brightening porcelain flower extract. It moisturises while smoothing and blurring the look of skin, generating a flawless-looking, red carpet-worthy glow that’s known and loved in Hollywood and around the world! Darlings, Hollywood Flawless Filter is an essential step in any glow lover’s makeup routine! Want to try my globally loved glow booster? Select your free sample card at checkout and you’ll immediately become obsessed!

What foundation goes best with Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter?

Hollywood Flawless Filter wears beautifully with all of my foundations! Whether it’s applied before foundation as a luminous primer, after foundation as a glowing liquid highlighter, or even mixed with your favourite foundation, Charlotte’s iconic glow booster is universally loved!

I recommend pairing Hollywood Flawless Filter with Airbrush Flawless Foundation, my airbrush-effect foundation for flawless, poreless-looking skin. I love to pair the full-coverage, long-wearing properties of her Airbrush Flawless Foundation with the gorgeous luminosity of Hollywood Flawless Filter to give the natural-matte formula my signature Tilbury glow! This skin-perfecting combination is the secret to airbrushed, flawless-looking skin with a head-turning Hollywood glow!

More Foundation FAQs

Foundation vs Tinted Moisturiser: What’s the Difference?

Tinted moisturisers are light-coverage options that give skin a natural-looking finish with a tint of complexion-lifting colour. Usually, tinted moisturisers have a dewy-looking glow, combining the hydrating, nourishing feel of a moisturiser and the complexion-perfecting pigment of a foundation. These lightweight formulas have less coverage than a foundation and are more suited for minimal and barely there makeup looks. You can use a tinted moisturiser like Unisex Healthy Glow to give skin a sun-kissed, lifted look, or mix your favourite foundation with Charlotte’s Magic Cream to create your own custom tinted moisturiser.

Is Tinted Moisturiser Enough Coverage?

Wearing a tinted moisturiser will create a light-coverage makeup look that appears natural and glowy. Tinted moisturisers have lighter coverage than a foundation, so if you are looking for a medium to full-coverage look, reach for a foundation like Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation instead. If you would like to wear a tinted moisturiser but are looking for greater coverage in specific areas like under the eyes and on top of blemishes, you can use a concealer to add extra coverage without reaching for a foundation. Once you’ve applied Unisex Healthy Glow to create a light, glowy base, dot Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer onto any areas where you want to conceal and correct.

Do You Wear Tinted Moisturiser on top of Moisturiser?

When applying tinted moisturiser, it’s important to prep your skin in the same way that you would when applying foundation. First, apply a moisturiser like Charlotte’s Magic Cream or Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream to create a smoother-looking, hydrated canvas for your tinted moisturiser to blend into, then apply Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer to prime the face while providing important broad-spectrum SPF50 sun protection. After moisturising and priming the skin, your skin is ready for a smooth, lightweight application of tinted moisturiser.

BB Cream vs CC Cream vs Tinted Moisturiser

There are many alternatives to foundation that can help to perfect the look of skin, but what is the difference between a BB cream, a CC cream and a tinted moisturiser?

What is Tinted Moisturiser?

A tinted moisturiser is the mid-point between your moisturiser and your foundation. Tinted moisturisers offer light, natural-looking coverage while helping to hydrate your complexion and creating a flattering glow.

Finish: Moisturised complexion with a sheer glow.

When to reach for a tinted moisturiser:

On ‘no makeup’ makeup days

On holiday and during hot weather

What is BB Cream?

Also known as beauty balms or blemish balms, BB creams are light-coverage options with slightly higher coverage than a tinted moisturiser. BB Creams are generally formulated with hydrating ingredients and have a radiant finish, making them favourites with dry skin types and makeup minimalists.

Finish: Hydrated complexion with natural-looking radiance.

When to reach for a BB cream:

To cover blemishes

Light-coverage, minimal makeup looks

When skin feels dry and dehydrated

What is CC Cream?

CC creams – or colour-correcting creams – are designed to help even the appearance of skin tone. Generally, CC creams have a lighter texture than a BB cream and may help to reduce the appearance of facial redness and hyperpigmentation.

Finish: Even complexion with a skin-like finish.

When to reach for a CC cream:

When skin looks red or discoloured

When skin looks tired or dull

Do BB Creams, CC Creams and Tinted Moisturisers Look More Natural Than Foundation?

You can create natural-looking makeup using a foundation, darlings, but BB cream, CC cream and tinted moisturiser can often look more natural and undetectable on the skin. These foundation alternatives are formulated to be lighter than foundation and so can appear less noticeable on the skin. They also have lower coverage than foundations, allowing freckles and blemishes to peek through for a more natural appearance. If you want to create a higher-coverage look that still looks natural and flattering, reach for one of my skincare-infused foundations to create a flawless-looking canvas that still looks like skin.

Charlotte’s Best Foundation for Large Pores

If you experience larger-looking pores and are trying to reduce their appearance with the foundation you wear, Charlotte recommends using a full-coverage formula like Airbrush Flawless Foundation. Larger pores can have a harder time gelling with glowy complexion products; Charlotte recommends using a matte formula with smoothing, pore-blurring effects that help pores to appear less prominent. Also, having larger pores can make you prone to excess oil production, so using a long-wearing, stay-all-day formula is the best choice for long-lasting coverage.

Airbrush Flawless Foundation is resistant to humidity and sweat, applying evenly to reduce the appearance of pores and creating an airbrushed-looking canvas that wears beautifully throughout the day. Once you’ve applied this full-coverage foundation, pores look instantly blurred and the complexion looks airbrushed and flawless!

Airbrush Flawless Finish is the perfect partner for your Airbrush Flawless Foundation. Formulated with smoothing, pore-blurring ingredients, Charlotte’s award-winning pressed powder helps to set foundation and concealer in place while perfecting the look of skin. Tap this beautifying powder onto porous areas such as the T-zone, cheeks and around the nose to disguise the appearance of pores and unlock long-lasting, flawless-looking complexion perfection!