Issue 16 / Beauty Maven Charlotte Tilbury Brings Her Makeup Revolution To Canada

by Rosemina Nazarali

Beauty Maven Charlotte Tilbury Brings Her Makeup Revolution To Canada

Sep 23, 2015

Charlotte Tilbury talks to us about her Canadian launch and an easy makeup routine for busy mornings.

This summer, Charlotte Tilbury brought her award-winning makeup range to Canada. Calling her products and cosmetic prowess the Makeup Revolution, Tilbury believes women can find confidence through “the power of makeup.” Her belief is that, with the right tools and techniques, women can be the most beautiful versions of themselves. It’s a type of glamour that she says doesn’t have to be just for the movie stars.

As a makeup artist herself, Tilbury has worked with the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson and Rihanna. She’s taken the expertise she’s learned over the years to create a cosmetic line that even makeup novices can easily use.

She’s designed ten shoppable looks that make obtaining that Golden Goddess look, for example, almost fool-proof. Other looks include The Rebel, The Sophisticate, The Glamour Muse and The Vintage Vamp. Each look comes with a video tutorial, a list of muses and a list of products used to obtain it, which takes all the guesswork out of trying to replicate a look without the help of a professional makeup artist.

We spoke to Tilbury about her Canadian launch and what shoppers can expect from her products. See what she had to say below.

Rosemina Nazarali: What can new Canadian customers expect from using your products? What originally made you want to start your own product line?

Charlotte Tilbury: The reason I built this brand was to share everything I know about the power of makeup. This is what I dreamt of before I became a makeup artist. I wanted to create a makeup range that was like a virtual consultation with one of the world’s leading experts. All my friends would quiz me on what eyeshadow goes with what, what blusher suits their skin-tone, and what lipstick will go with this dress, and so I designed a color-curated, ready-made makeup wardrobe of 10 looks to erase these problems.

It’s time-saving, off-the-peg, fool-proof ready-made makeup. I simply poured all of my backstage secrets, tips and tricks into an easy-to-use, easy-to-choose format — because everyone wants to know how to be the best version of themselves. The quality of the formulas is so incredibly forgiving that you’ll never look dusty; you’ll only look luminous, gorgeous and red carpet ready. Canadian women really understand the power of makeup and I’ve had so much incredible feedback already!

RN: Your initial launch included 10 key looks, which will make the shopping process easier. Can you tell us a bit more about these looks and why you chose to present the products this way?

CT: On a photo shoot you always channel an icon or an archetype (the Dolce Vita, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Studio 54 etc.) to create a look — I wanted to help women make the correct colour choices through the same approach. Most women wear multiple faces in their life: the beach look, the job promotion look, the wedding, the date etc. We morph into different personas. My makeup wardrobe is a diverse colour spectrum of colour looks and lifestyles that take you from day to night — there’s one for every member of your family or friend set. Each look can be dialled up and dialled down to be as natural or amped-up, as it suits your lifestyle.

RN:. You've worked in the beauty industry for a long time. What first inspired you to become a makeup artist?

CT: I discovered makeup when I was 13 and it changed my life. I started wearing mascara and overnight, everyone from 7 to 70 reacted to me in a very different way — I was more popular and I felt more confident. Whilst at first it seemed like a depressing realisation, I soon learned that makeup is powerful — it’s every woman’s secret weapon. Makeup can give you the confidence to get that husband you’ve always wanted, change your job, move abroad, get a pay-rise; it literally can make up your destiny. Ever since that epiphany moment at 13, no one has ever seen me without makeup on! I definitely wouldn’t have the life and career I have without it.

RN: Do you have any at-home beauty hacks you can share with our readers?

CT: I know what it’s like to have to do your makeup on the go, and my range is as perfect for the woman who sits down at her vanity table as it is for the woman who does her makeup in her car rearview mirror. I call it minute makeup!

My Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencils give you a smoky eye in seconds. Simply swipe them over the lids and blend with your fingers for mesmerizing, enchanting eyes. They work with your natural eye colour to really make them pop and have synthetic sapphire to glide over the lids without dragging. They also last for 10 hours so are great for long lasting colour! Always curl your lashes, it’s like a push-up bra for the eyes. And layer at least three coats of mascara for full, fluttering bambi lashes. This gives you an instant eye lift in seconds whilst you’re rushing out the door.

^{Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil in Brozed Garnet, $32 CDN}
^{Photo Credit: www.charlottetilbury.com}

Use lip liner as a stencil to ensure your lipstick lasts all day without having to touch it up every hour. Lip liner also perfects and enhances your pout. I use Lip Cheat on all of my celebrity clients.

^{Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude, $27 CDN}
^{Photo Credit: www.charlottetilbury.com}

RN: What is the biggest makeup faux pas you see South Asian women making?

CT: Lots of women use an ultra thick foundation to cover up imperfections, but in reality it just looks cakey and dry and sits in your pores and lines. I really believe that no matter your age, your skin needs to breathe through. Instead, target imperfections with a concealer. I like to use a concealer that has both light-reflecting technology and quality pigments to get the coverage that you need. My Retoucher is a complete conceal and treat stick. It has black tea extract, a lipo-siliconic compound and special elastomer pearls to create a natural veil of healing colour, which blends seamlessly with the skin.

^{The Retoucher, $48 CDN

Photo Credit: www.charlottetilbury.com}

Charlotte Tilbury’s products are available at the Holt Renfrew Bloor Street location in Toronto and online at CharlotteTilbury.com.

^{Main Image Photo Credit: www.charlottetilbury.com}

Rosemina Nazarali

Author

Rosemina (@RoseminaN) is a writer and content strategist who has a special place in her heart for beauty. She’s always on the pulse of current trends and loves trying new products -- especially if they are brown-skin worthy! When she’s not playing with makeup, she’s travelling, going to concer...