Is Charlotte Tilbury’s New Skin Tint Really Like Flawless Filter In A Stick?

When Charlotte Tilbury launches a new makeup base product, we're the first in line to try it. Other coverage products by the brand, like the Beautiful Skin foundation and Beautiful Skin concealer, are some of our favourites. So with Charlotte Tilbury launching its first foundation stick last week (called the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, $63), we had to try it — immediately.

The Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint comes in 20 “stretchable” shades and is packed with skincare ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich vitamin E. It also promises to be a "no-foundation foundation" and give the skin a "ring light effect" — two things that sound right up my alley. Based on the promo for the product, the name appears to be inspired by people's reactions when first applying the product, which is to the tune of "my skin looks unreal".

So far, much of the chatter online has compared the Unreal Skin Sheer Tint to the brand's cult makeup product, Hollywood Flawless Filter, $70, and questioned whether this new launch is the same product, just in stick form. Flawless Filter is considered by many makeup artists to be a holy grail product and a necessity in their kit, thanks to its blurring filter effect and adaptability (it can be worn alone, as a highlighter, or mixed into foundation).

Keep on reading to find out how the two products compare.

The name of the product is somewhat conflicting, as it's called a "sheer glow tint" and also a "hydrating foundation stick". I'm not convinced anyone would really consider this product a foundation as it offers little to no coverage, but it certainly delivers on its other claims.

Upon application, the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint has an extremely balmy texture — so much so, that the stick almost slips across the skin. It blends easily with every tool I've tried (a brush, sponge and fingers) but my favourite way to blend it out is with a dense makeup brush like the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, $24.99. The glow is immediate, and my first thought is that it's like vacation skin in a tube (which is very welcomed to my dry, winter-weary skin), plus, because of its balm-like texture, a little bit does go a long way.

It does claim to have a "buildable, sheer-to-light coverage", but upon adding a second layer of product to build up some coverage, I found that my pores and post-acne texture were slightly accentuated by the highlight pigment. That said, I don't think this product requires a second layer anyway, as it's not a product I'll turn to for coverage (much like Hollywood Flawless Filter), but rather, for that holiday glow.

I was happy to learn that the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint played nicely with my other base products when I added a dot of concealer in the places I wanted some extra coverage (under my eyes, around my nose and on my chin and blemishes). I also added a very light layer of powder to tone down some of the shine, and the glow was certainly still glowing through. I also used a deeper shade of the Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint as a bronzer and the result was beautiful.

Hours after applying the Unreal Skin Tint, it hadn't fully dried down and there was still a slightly tacky, balmy feel to my skin. This doesn't bother me as I have extremely dry skin anyway and can afford to use more emollient products like this one, but it is different from my experience with the Hollywood Flawless Filter.

Overall, the Unreal Skin Sheer Tint adds a gorgeous glow to the skin. If you love a glowy product and subscribe to the idea that when it comes to glow, the limit does not exist, I think you'll love this product.

It must be said upfront that these two products have a pretty similar effect on the skin, and most people's preference will likely come down to just how glowy they want to look. Hollywood Flawless Filter lends the skin a more subtle, liquid, lit-from-within glow, while the Unreal Skin Tint has a creamier and more traditional highlighter effect that is slightly more intense, in my opinion.

Both are beautiful products, and the new stick format is unbeatable in its convenience, as you can quickly swipe it on areas where you want an instant glow. That said, The Hollywood Flawless Filter is more convenient for mixing in with your foundation and is best-suited for anyone who prefers a slightly more subtle glow.

As for the packaging, Hollywood Flawless Filter comes in a glass bottle with a convenient doe foot applicator, and Unreal Skin Tint is in an extremely lightweight stick format that is perfect for travel. It's also worth noting that a full-sized Hollywood Flawless Filter is $70 for 30ml bottle, which works out to be $23.33 per 10ml, while the Unreal Skin Tint is $63 for 9g of product, which is a whopping $70.00 per 10g (that's three times that of Hollywood Flawless Filter). Do with that information what you will.

If you love a glowy makeup look, then you'll love this product as much as I do. I would especially recommend it for anyone who is already a fan of the Hollywood Flawless Filter, but wants to carry a lighter product on an upcoming holiday, or if you've just finished a bottle of Flawless Filter and are looking for a product that's even more glowy.

I don't really see a reason for anyone to have both of these products in their makeup bag, as they serve the same function, but if you prefer a creamy stick product over a liquid, this will be right up your alley.