It’s early days, but I think I might be wearing the makeup launch of the year. I use the term “makeup” as something of a catch-all, because while Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter (£30, 30ml) looks like a foundation in the bottle (it isn’t one), it has multiple applications and the vagueness of its name doesn’t help.
First, it’s a primer for any skin but oily, that blurs lines and discolouration, and adds glow under even matte foundation (and I mean noticeable glow, not the kind that barely impacts skin older than 24). Alternatively, mix a blob of Flawless Filter into your favourite foundation or moisturiser to make it more glowy. Or apply your usual makeup as normal, then stroke on Flawless Filter wherever you’d like some glow – on cheekbones, say. I love it the fourth way: applied all over, on to bare skin and left uncovered but for a little concealer on dark circles and redness, as an alternative to tinted moisturiser on casual days. It’s radiant without being glittery, spangly or ghostly.
Whichever of the four approaches you take, it doesn’t peel or bobble off the face (as many classic primers do). The texture is wonderful, provided you don’t hate the feel of cream on your face (this isn’t oil-free, but nor is it greasy) and application is such a breeze that I barely watch what I’m doing. My only complaint is the not especially hygienic packaging, but that’s a minor quibble, and the wand applicator does make it easy to put product exactly where you want it. Flawless Filter comes in several sheer and forgiving shades for all skin tones (I’m 2) and it is, quite literally, brilliant.
Also living up to their hype are Hourglass’s new Vanish Highlighting Sticks (£38, 6.1g). Based on the same brand’s excellent Vanish foundation, these are as packed with dense pigment, superior colour payoff and a comfy, slide-on, blendable application, but are shimmery highlighters for the high points of the face. Gold Flash is my favourite.
A less obvious hit, but remarkably good, is Bare Minerals’ new Gen Nude Powder Blush (£22, 6g). These finely milled cheek colours give such a soft, sheer, foolproof flush that they are perfect for the very many women who are too scared to wear blusher for fear of making a hash of things, because they give such a soft, sheer, foolproof flush.
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