How To Apply Moisturizer: Charlotte’s Magic Massage Technique
Discover how to apply moisturizer on your face to keep your complexion hydrated and glowing.
- 19th March 2026
- By Charlotte Tilbury
7 minute read
Shop Moisturizer
Item 1 of 34
Item 2 of 34
Item 3 of 34
Item 4 of 34
Item 5 of 34
Item 6 of 34
Item 7 of 34
SAVE 10%CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC DAY & NIGHT KIT
Skincare Kit
$250.00$225.00Item 8 of 34
Item 9 of 34
Item 10 of 34
Item 11 of 34
Item 12 of 34
Item 13 of 34
Item 14 of 34
Item 15 of 34
Item 16 of 34
Item 17 of 34
Item 18 of 34
Item 19 of 34
Item 20 of 34
Item 21 of 34
Item 22 of 34
Item 23 of 34
CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC HYDRATION REVIVAL DUO
Skincare Kit
$121.00$114.95Item 24 of 34
Item 25 of 34
Item 26 of 34
Item 27 of 34
Item 28 of 34
Item 29 of 34
LIMITED EDITION!STARRY MIRACLE
LIMITED EDITION Kit
$210.00$126.00Item 30 of 34
SAVE 10%*CHARLOTTE'S MAGIC SKIN-REVIVING DUO
Skincare Kit
$121.00$114.95Item 31 of 34
Item 32 of 34
Item 33 of 34
Item 34 of 34
Out of Stock
Darlings, moisturizer is an essential part of every skincare routine. Day and night, whatever your skin type, moisturizing your skin is the secret to a hydrated, healthy-looking complexion and a strong skin barrier. I always apply moisturizer using my signature Magic Massage – it’s the technique that my Team Tilbury facialists use to make every face glow!
Discover tips and tricks on how to apply moisturizer to make your skin look and feel its best and the techniques you can call on to amplify your moisturizing routine.
1. ANGEL WINGS
Start moisturizing your skin by taking a hazelnut-sized amount of moisturizer and smoothing it into your skin with your fingertips. When applying your moisturizer, begin at your nose and sweep upward and outward through the centre of the face. Trace from the centre of your nose onto your cheeks and up towards your temples, creating an angel wing shape that allows moisturizer to soar across skin and soak into the cheekbones and under-eye area.
2. FOREHEAD FURROWS
Your forehead is one of the first places to show lines and wrinkles so keep it well moisturized to reduce the appearance of any fine lines. Use your fingertips to massage moisturizer from the centre of the forehead towards the hairline. Remember to use soft, circular motions that move upwards and outwards to help lift the look of your face and avoid drooping.
3. JAWLINE & CHEEKBONE SCULPT
Everyone wants a snatched jawline and lifted-looking cheekbones, darlings! With your thumb and index finger, slide from the centre of the jaw outward and upward using a pinching motion to help your jawline appear sharper and more sculpted. For your cheeks, sweep the knuckle of your index finger under your cheekbone, moving upward and outward towards your ear to help them look appear more chiselled with a subtle lift effect.
4. NECK & DÉCOLLETAGE LIFT
Don’t forget your neck, darlings! As we age, the skin on our neck and chest can show the same signs of ageing as the skin on our faces, so it’s important to give them the same care. Applying gentle pressure, massage moisturizer along your décolletage and up to the neck in an upward lifting motion – this will help skin to look smoother and more lifted while reducing the appearance of texture and sagging.
5. TILBURY TAP
I’m famous for my Tilbury Tap! Finish applying your moisturizer by tapping your fingers in a raindrop motion all over the face. I do this every time I apply moisturizer because it helps to melt skincare into skin and boosts circulation. When you Tilbury Tap, your face looks smooth, plump and ready for makeup!
Tilbury Tip: Charlotte’s Magic Cream + Charlotte’s Magic Massage Technique are my secrets to the ultimate magic glow… Try it for yourself, darling!
Shop Moisturizer
Item 1 of 34
Item 2 of 34
Item 3 of 34
Item 4 of 34
Item 5 of 34
Item 6 of 34
Item 7 of 34
SAVE 10%CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC DAY & NIGHT KIT
Skincare Kit
$250.00$225.00Item 8 of 34
Item 9 of 34
Item 10 of 34
Item 11 of 34
Item 12 of 34
Item 13 of 34
Item 14 of 34
Item 15 of 34
Item 16 of 34
Item 17 of 34
Item 18 of 34
Item 19 of 34
Item 20 of 34
Item 21 of 34
Item 22 of 34
Item 23 of 34
CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC HYDRATION REVIVAL DUO
Skincare Kit
$121.00$114.95Item 24 of 34
Item 25 of 34
Item 26 of 34
Item 27 of 34
Item 28 of 34
Item 29 of 34
LIMITED EDITION!STARRY MIRACLE
LIMITED EDITION Kit
$210.00$126.00Item 30 of 34
SAVE 10%*CHARLOTTE'S MAGIC SKIN-REVIVING DUO
Skincare Kit
$121.00$114.95Item 31 of 34
Item 32 of 34
Item 33 of 34
Item 34 of 34
Out of Stock
How To Apply Moisturizer FAQs:
WHY SHOULD I USE A FACE MOISTURIZER?
Moisturizer is the best way to keep your skin hydrated. When skin is well moisturized, it looks smoother and plumper, the skin barrier is stronger and healthier, and skin concerns like dry patches and dehydration lines are kept at bay. Whatever your age, skin tone or skin type, looking after your skin with a hydrating moisturizer is the secret to making your skin look and feel its best, every day.
WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN MOISTURIZER?
Moisturizers that are rich in skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are recommended for everyday hydration. Other skincare ingredients you are looking for from your moisturizer may depend on your skin type and skin concerns. For example, if you have mature skin, you might want to reach for an anti-aging moisturizer enriched with youth-boosting ingredients like peptides. Some moisturizers are also formulated with SPF to provide additional sun protection which can be favorable for those who burn easily.
Tilbury Tip: Charlotte’s Magic Cream is powered by Recoverstem™ Peptide which reverses visible signs of aging and Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream features niacinamide for its balancing, pore-reducing effects.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T MOISTURIZE YOUR FACE?
If you don’t apply moisturizer, skin can become dry and dehydrated. In the absence of moisturizer, skin dehydration can cause skin to appear rough and your complexion may develop a grey tinge. Dry patches can also appear with skin becoming flaky and chapped. Never skip moisturizer, darlings, and your skin will look smoother, healthier and glowing.
HOW MUCH MOISTURIZER SHOULD I USE ON MY FACE?
It’s recommended that you apply a hazelnut-sized amount of moisturizer to moisturize your whole face and neck. Of course, the amount of moisturizer you need will vary depending on the size of your face and how dehydrated your skin is feeling. Always reach for a moisturizer that slips effortlessly across the face to effortlessly moisturize every stretch of your skin.
Discover the correct amount of each skincare product to apply
SHOULD I APPLY MOISTURIZER TO WET OR DRY SKIN?
Apply moisturizer to damp skin. Skincare absorbs better when applied to damp skin, so I recommend applying moisturizer shortly after your face serum. This will give your serum some action time and ensure it has sufficiently absorbed while also creating an optimal surface for moisturizer.
Tilbury Tip: I like to use a face mist like Charlotte’s Magic Hydrator Mist between skincare steps to supercharge each step in succession. Spray face mist over your face to dampen skin and boost moisture, then apply Charlotte’s Magic Cream for a perfect moisturiser application.
SHOULD YOU RUB MOISTURIZER ALL THE WAY IN?
Allow moisturizer to absorb all the way into skin. Don’t wash off your moisturizer, darlings! Let the formula melt into the surface of your skin to make sure you are benefitting from all the skin-loving ingredients and effects it has to offer. I don’t recommend rubbing in your moisturizer because this can irritate delicate skin; instead, use my Tilbury Tap raindrop finger motions to help moisturizer absorb. If you are frustrated with how long your moisturizer is taking to sink in, you may be applying too much face cream which can feel heavy and damp on your face.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I MOISTURIZE MY FACE?
Twice a day – Moisturize your face in the morning and in the evening to keep your skin hydrated around the clock. In the morning, reach for a lightweight moisturizer to hydrate your skin for the day. At night, try a thicker formula like a night cream that cocoons skin overnight and offers more intense hydration and repair.
CAN YOU APPLY TOO MUCH MOISTURIZER?
Yes – If your face feels greasy after applying moisturizer, you may have applied too much. The telltale sign of applying too much moisturizer is when your moisturizer isn’t absorbing into your skin quickly and your face feels wet and heavy after application. Another sign of applying too much moisturizer is when it starts to pill. If your skin feels sticky or grainy, looks greasy, or moisturizer is visibly balling and bunching up on your face, try dialling back the amount of moisturizer you are applying.
Tilbury Tip: If you can’t strike the right balance with how much moisturiser to apply, try applying a small amount at a time and massaging it into skin bit by bit to avoid overloading your skin.
Shop Moisturizer
Item 1 of 34
Item 2 of 34
Item 3 of 34
Item 4 of 34
Item 5 of 34
Item 6 of 34
Item 7 of 34
SAVE 10%CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC DAY & NIGHT KIT
Skincare Kit
$250.00$225.00Item 8 of 34
Item 9 of 34
Item 10 of 34
Item 11 of 34
Item 12 of 34
Item 13 of 34
Item 14 of 34
Item 15 of 34
Item 16 of 34
Item 17 of 34
Item 18 of 34
Item 19 of 34
Item 20 of 34
Item 21 of 34
Item 22 of 34
Item 23 of 34
CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC HYDRATION REVIVAL DUO
Skincare Kit
$121.00$114.95Item 24 of 34
Item 25 of 34
Item 26 of 34
Item 27 of 34
Item 28 of 34
Item 29 of 34
LIMITED EDITION!STARRY MIRACLE
LIMITED EDITION Kit
$210.00$126.00Item 30 of 34
SAVE 10%*CHARLOTTE'S MAGIC SKIN-REVIVING DUO
Skincare Kit
$121.00$114.95Item 31 of 34
Item 32 of 34
Item 33 of 34
Item 34 of 34
Out of Stock
Share article
Author Details
Charlotte Tilbury
Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.
