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Give a woman the right make-up, and she can conquer the world.
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The discovery of mascara at the age of 13 changed her life. “The whole world reacted to me in a different way — I feel empowered,” says Charlotte Tilbury.
Two decades after the life-changing A-ha! moment, the celebrity make-up artist is now changing and empowering the lives of other women — yeah, women like you and I. But also some of the most fabulous and famous women in the world. Think Cara Delevingne, Penelope Cruz and the godmother of her son, Kate Moss! The A-list, as the Ibiza-raised beauty mogul will have you know, goes on. And on. And on.
“I’m a lot of people’s favourite go-to. Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, lovely Rachel Weiss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria
Beckham… Oh, and Drew Barrymore,” Tilbury name-drops with barefaced pride. And who could blame her? The woman has earned her bragging rights. After all, her brand (“my lifelong ambition and passion”) is 20 years in the making, culminating in the launch of her eponymous make-up and skincare line in September 2014.
The mega success — a meteoric one, no less — of Tilbury’s brand is not contingent merely on the effectiveness and glamour of her products. “With Charlotte,” renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino tells The Wall Street Journal, “it becomes not only make-up to enhance the beauty, but a life enhancer, as she changes the energy around that person.”
Testino makes a salient point. One only needs
consult her popular how-to videos on YouTube to experience and be inspired by the signature looks she’s created for every woman.
Because make-up has changed her life, Tilbury is convinced that it could change yours, too, and with the extra confidence you gain from it, you could achieve anything.
“You know that man you want? I can help you get him. You know that pay raise you want? I can help you get it,” “Make-up should make you dream, and make your dreams come true.”
Read on to find out why she sleeps with her make-up on, her ultimate skincare secrets and, yes, you bet I asked for some advice on how to keep our make-up fresh in this egregiously humid weather. You’re welcome! 😉
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Make-up should make you dream, and make your dreams come true.
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I love your motto: “Give a woman the right make-up and she can conquer the world”. This is basically your mission, isn’t it?
Charlotte Tilbury: Yes, I really do believe that make-up can change your life. It changed mine at the age of 13, when I discovered mascara and the whole world reacted to me in a different way – I felt empowered. The right make-up gives women the confidence to take on and conquer any occasion. Any monumental moment in my life has always been defined by great make-up. It’s ritualistic, you give yourself time to gather yourself and prepare yourself when you apply it. That’s why they call it “warpaint” – ready for battle! You can put on a look and do anything. I chose a whole wardrobe of 10 looks to make sure every woman has the right look ready for them.
What would you say to women who don’t wear make-up, or — gasp! — don’t believe in it?
CT: Make-up gets a bad reputation as some people wear far too much of it (and I like a lot of make-up!), but the right balance of make-up on the facial framework, eyes and lip can bring out the best in someone’s features. It is totally transformative if you have the right instruction from my make-up consultants. I want to de-codify make-up for
women so they are not afraid of strong looks. (Sidebar: Tilbury is not kidding about the transformative powers of her make-up. Her fan and BFF Kate Moss corroborates: “I feel like a different person after Charlotte has done my make-up. She’s very powerful.”)
Do you ever go out without any make-up on?
CT: Never. I sleep with my make-up on. My mother always said: “Keep the mystery alive.”
How much time do you spend putting your “face” on in the morning?
CT: I am a perfectionist, so on a daily basis, my routine has been perfected. Make-up wise, I like to change it up and try out different products from my range. I will always smoke out my eyes with The Dolce Vita palette and enhance with the Feline Flick and Full Fat Lashes. But then I might play more with lip
colour. Make-up for an event is always about feeling glamorous and being the most beautiful version you can be — it gives you the confidence to get noticed — I adore sculpting and illuminating with my Bar Of Gold highlighter for the perfect addition to glamorous eveningwear.
It can get so hot and humid in Singapore. Can you give us a tip on keeping our make-up fresh?
CT: My Airbrush Flawless Microfine Powder is a must for sealing in a look. You need a base for your make-up for it to endure temperamental weather conditions. Start with Magic Cream and a facial-tap massage to set yourself up for the day. Keep your lipstick, powder and Retoucher with you at all times. My Colour Chameleon pens (designed to bring out your eye sparkle) will stay for 12 hours come rain or shine. Try them and prepare to be amazed.
At the end of the day, no matter how magical the make-up is, it is good skin that really matters, that provides the perfect canvas, surely. Can you enlighten us with some of your skincare secrets?
CT: My Magic Cream is a gorgeous hybrid of soothing oils and moisturising ingredients. I cleanse with my Multi-Miracle Glow Balm and then apply Magic Cream always. That is my secret formula!
And there’s Wonderglow, a break-through anti-ageing elixir and illuminator hybrid that you wear under your foundation – I give it to my friends as they leave after a dinner party at mine – it’s such a glorious pick-me-up if your skin looks tired or worn. It reflects light and makes you look refreshed and glamorous with next to no make-up on. There, my skincare secret is out!
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