Make-Up Artist Sofia Tilbury Shares Her Favourite Products, Tips & More
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@SOFIATILBURY; @CHARLOTTETILBURY; @MATTEASTON
Growing up in Ibiza led me down a creative path. I was surrounded by artists, musicians and writers, so I always knew I wanted to work in an industry that was fun, vibrant and innovative. My grandfather Lance was an incredible artist who always inspired me – I was forever watching the way he used colour and different techniques. I knew I wanted to go down a similar route, but I never knew I’d end up being a make-up artist.
My first job was with designer Alice Temperley. As a teenager, I interned with Alice and fell in love with the way make-up was used to bring the fashion to life. I always knew the importance of colour, but it was here that I learnt how it could tell a story. I started assisting my aunt, Charlotte Tilbury, behind the scenes too. Like a sponge, I would watch her work so I could try the same thing myself. I began working as a retail artist at one of Charlotte’s counters and the two of us would regularly discuss what was selling, what customers wanted and what I believed was missing from the range. It became clear that I had a passion and insight for product development. Since then, I’ve worked predominantly on the brand awareness side, while also balancing make-up artistry jobs for my clients.
Social media is key for creativity. I love how fun and fluid Instagram and TikTok is now. It’s exciting to see people play with make-up and find joy in products, even if it is in unusual ways. I always rely on these platforms to inspire different looks – whether it’s a new twist on jelly lips or the current espresso trend.
@SOFIATILBURY
A beautiful painting needs a beautiful canvas. You need to smooth and hydrate your complexion before you even think about make-up. I’ll always take the time to massage in Charlotte’s Magic or Water Cream to prep and refresh the skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides and niacinamide – these all work hard to revitalise skin and give it a bouncier look and feel. Good hydration will also ensure make-up lasts and doesn’t start flaking off or losing its colour as the day or evening wears on.
I am often asked for one key recommendation and right now it’s The Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, which is one of my favourite Charlotte Tilbury launches. It’s a skincare-make-up hybrid that’s clinically proven to strengthen your skin barrier. I work with lots of clients who don’t like the feel of foundation, which is where this comes in. It’s so lightweight, can be applied in seconds, and blended with fingers or a brush for a flawless finish. We call it the ring light effect in an easy-to-use stick. If you love Hollywood Flawless Filter, you’ll love this.
Brushes are the secret to precise application. Fingers work nicely with skin tints or anything more fluid, but if you want to build coverage and get into all the hard-to-reach areas, a brush will always reign supreme. Use flat-headed ones for concealer and foundation as these help you stipple the product on and buff it in for smooth, even coverage.
Foundation should always be matched to your neck. If you get the shade right here, it will look very natural – there’s nothing worse than your face looking entirely different to the area below your chin. It’s worth testing shades in natural light to get the best results.
@SOFIATILBURY
Glow is best on the highest points of the face. When I am creating a luminous look on my clients, I focus application on the highest points of the face – not only does this give a spotlight effect, it also lifts the skin upwards, giving the illusion of more volume. Focus on the cheekbones, eyelids, brow bone and bridge of the nose for your highlighter application. I then recommend applying a powder like Airbrush Flawless Finish on your T-zone to avoid looking too shiny.
Blusher is having a moment. There are so many ways to apply it, but I swear by cream blushers because they look more realistic. Everyone right now is after that sun-kissed, healthy, wind-bitten look; one of the best ways to achieve it is by dotting your blusher in a W shape across your nose and cheeks. For a more sculpted, lifted look, place the blush high on your cheekbones. Lastly, if you want to tap into the current trend of innocent, love-blushed glow, pop your blusher right onto the apples of the cheeks and don’t be afraid to apply a few layers. I did this with Phoebe Dynevor at this year’s Met Gala and it makes a real statement without being OTT.
Flawless Filter is the most versatile product in my kit. I’m always asked how to apply it and the answer is, whichever way you like. You can mix it with foundation for a soft glow or use it to adjust the shade of your base make-up throughout the seasons. Right now, I like to wear it alone on days when I don’t want lots of make-up, but just want to look healthy and fresh. You can also dab a small amount on top of your final make-up look to enhance that dewy finish. It’s a liquid bronzer and highlighter in one, but it’s so versatile and complements other products beautifully.
I never travel without my FaceGym Pro tool. It is the best I’ve tried for sculpting and lifting skin. I always use it on my clients ahead of the red carpet as it makes an immediate difference. I also swear by Moroccanoil’s Smoothing Lotion, which I run through my hair when it’s still damp for extra nourishment and Sam McKnight’s Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo – it’s amazing at creating texture and grit.
Make-up should be used as a power tool. This is another motto of mine. Beauty equals confidence, so when you look and feel like the most beautiful version of yourself, you will feel stronger and more positive. Play with make-up, experiment and try things that work for you and boost your confidence – it should be fun.
Follow @SofiaTilbury on Instagram.
@SOFIATILBURY
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