I have been a long time fan of the whole Charlotte Tilbury range. I started buying it when it first launched and getting it shipped over from the UK. I tried some of the skincare back then and I have to admit I wasn't that into it. I liked a few things but for the most part I think it was because I was way more oily, had just moved to a hot & humid climate and my skin was pregnant and adjusting with a vengeance of oil and it felt too heavy for me. I adore their makeup and things like Wonderglow and have continued to use them for years. Recently they reached out and asked if I wanted to try the skincare line. I was hesitant at first thinking of my past experience but then thought about this--I'm now so much drier so I decided to give it a go again. I'm so glad I did. It's actually a really solid, decent skincare line. I always loved the whole Charlotte Tilbury packaging, a little luxe, a little old fashioned plus I'm a huge fan of rose gold.
Let's start with the one I've been plowing through the quickest--Magic Eye Rescue. This is a medium weight creamy eye cream that really plumps up the area without being too heavy or greasy. Details per Charlotte Tilbury:
Darlings, Charlotte's Magic Eye Rescue is my smoothing, brightening effect eye cream to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness on tired-looking eyes!
WHAT MAKES IT MAGIC?
The supercharged formula smooths, plumps and locks in moisture to restore your skin’s softness! Winter Daphne Stem Cell Extract helps strengthen the skin's barrier function to keep skin moisturised, so it feels smooth and revitalised!
- BOTANICAL EYE CONTOUR COMPLEX: helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness! Derived from rice & soy peptides, this skin soothing complex can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.
- WINTER DAPHNE STEM CELL EXTRACT: tightens & firms the appearance of delicate under-eye skin. This plant stem cell extract helps the thinner and more delicate skin around the eyes with its barrier strengthening, firming properties. It helps to recreate the appearance of tighter & firmer-feeling skin.
- TIME-RELEASED RETINOL MOLECULES: iconic hero ingredient for smoother, firmer looking skin! This time-released retinol works hour-by-hour to smooth and contour the appearance of the skin. The skin around the eyes appears younger and more radiant as if lit-from-within.
- RED ALGAE MARIGEL: strengthening and soothing properties. Red algae, a “second skin”-inspired ingredient, rich in calcium & magnesium which helps and form a protective skin filter effect.
- SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE: energising and moisturising properties. Inspired by an isotonic drink, this ingredient gives energy to your skin, hydrating and replenishing for a firmer, brighter look.
- COCONUT OIL & SHEA BUTTER: natural skin saviours which help condition, hydrate and nourish the feel of the skin
- CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC 8 MATRIX OF OILS AND INGREDIENTS: Including Bionymph Peptide, Frangipani and Vitamin A, C & E for a gorgeous glow
I do like that the eye cream doesn't have an fragrance, I feel the eye area is more sensitive to fragrance for me. The texture is creamy and lush, smooth and glossy. Not too heavy, not too light. It moisturizes my super dry eyes pretty well plus it lasts (some eye creams wear off two hours later for me). I actually loved this as a day eye cream the most as it's a bit lighter than some of my more heavy duty ones I use at night. I think this one could be used at night, it was just preference for me right now during winter for days. The eye cream has a mix of botanical extracts, moisturizing ingredients, humectants and occlusives. It has a solid texture that I enjoy and it works well to hydrate, plump and firm the eye area. For $65 it's pretty in line with other eye creams in that price range. It's not on the cheap end but not on the super high luxury end either. It's mid-range priced and I think the texture should satisfy most everyone. This does have time release retinol which I didn't even realize at first. Many times retinol in eye creams sensitizes my eye area and I can't tolerate it, but this one was great, zero issues with sensitivity. Overall, I really quite enjoy this as a nice mid level eye cream.
So the Magic Cream was something I tried a long time ago when it launched. I was not a fan in the shortest terms. Details per Charlotte Tilbury:
Magic Cream is my best-selling, award-winning moisturiser for MAGIC SKIN! Originally created backstage to instantly prep and transform the look of models’ skin before fashion shows and it became SO iconic, I had to ‘bottle it’."
Loved by celebrities, supermodels and experts, the revolutionary, results-driven formula is infused with a magic matrix of oils, my ‘magic 8’ of supercharged skincare ingredients to flood your complexion with moisture and transform the appearance of tired, dull skin for a glowing, dewy, plumper looking canvas!
WHAT MAKES IT MAGIC?
THE MAGIC DEW in a jar for a youthful and luminous looking complexion! INSTANT & LONG-TERM results from the QUEEN OF GLOW!
Charlotte's Magic Cream is the WINNER of over 11 AWARDS!
My Magic Cream is powered by my MAGIC 8 MATRIX of research-powered oils and ingredients for a glowing, plumper looking canvas!
- BIONYMPH PEPTIDE: a miracle peptide blend that helps to condition for smoother, plumper looking skin
- VITAMINS C & E: work in tandem to BRIGHTEN the look of your complexion and EVEN the appearance of the skin tone, helping to TRANSFORM the look of tired, dull looking skin
- ROSEHIP OIL: a source of natural linoleic acid that helps revitalise and balance the look of skin
- HYALURONIC ACID: a research-powered humectant that helps keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours
- FRANGIPANI FLOWER EXTRACT: a floral extract with moisturising benefits, that also provides a delicate, calming fragrance
- CAMELLIA OIL: hydrates and nourishes the skin for a dewy-looking complexion
- ALOE VERA: calming, smoothing, moisturising properties
- SHEA BUTTER: Nourishes and softens the skin for a gorgeous, supple effect.
This cream came about as pro makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury used to mix this supposed "magic" cream backstage, apply to models skin and everyone loved the transforming prepping skin effect of the cream, it went viral and eventually it came on to be sold on the market. In the original launch this had SPF in it back then and was for day/night use. I'm not a fan when creams have SPF in them because some creams are heavy and can be night creams as well and you don't need SPF in it at night. Personal views that just skew my thoughts. Honestly I don't enjoy SPF in creams because I'm just going to use a separate one anyway and not everyone gets along with the chemical filters anyway. It also made it impossible to get in the US back then, I believe I had to use Selfridges or Cult Beauty at the time to get it. The inci list on her site shows SPF in it still but Sephora and others do not show SPF in the inci, so I'm thinking it was removed but maybe not updated everywhere. Ultimately I'm glad they changed it.
They make this in a glass jar now that's refillable. The cream has a light silky texture and ultimately it leaves a light silky satin finish on the skin. I see why people like it as a makeup primer. It also works as a day cream for me. Could it work as a night cream? Not on me, maybe on someone more on the oily spectrum. It has a light kind of herbal floral scent, nothing too powdery white floral or anything. Totally tolerable for me on the scent end (I dislike really heavy white florals). Think of this as a light silky satiny cream with a blend of botanical extracts, peptides, hydrators, occlusives and moisturizing ingredients. Is it magic? No, no skincare is ever magic. But it's nice and a pretty solid product. I see why many like this to prep their skin in the day under makeup. It almost leaves a film like effect on the skin that has a silky feel. It's not heavy or greasy at all. For me it could be a day cream and primer in one. Wonderglow is great over it. I love this gel textured slightly shimmering champagne pearl luminizer and primer. I'm on bottle number two. It's great under foundation.
There is a Magic Night Cream as well. This is not really what you would think. It's quite different from most night creams. Details per Charlotte Tilbury:
Darlings, WAKE UP TO THE BEST LOOKING SKIN OF YOUR LIFE with my award-winning Magic Night Cream!
My rich magic night rescue balm is like beauty sleep in a decadent cream elixir that feeds your skin hour by hour with intense MOISTURE! My magic matrix of ingredients includes high-performance PLANT STEM CELLS, TIME RELEASED RETINOL, CO ENZYME Q10 and VITAMIN E for supple, dewy, bouncy looking skin by morning!
WHAT MAKES IT MAGIC?
Charlotte’s Magic Night Cream is an intense, rich formula to support your skin with potent, research-powered ingredients to target signs of dehydration, smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leave skin looking bouncy, dewy and youthful by morning!
- OVER 90% AGREE skin LOOKS and FEELS SMOOTHER and FIRMER, skin looks BEAUTIFULLY GLOWING and Magic Night Cream gives the appearance of a full nights' rest!***
- This miracle night cream and rescue balm has a rich, sensorial texture with research-powered ingredients that helps you cheat the look of 8 hours sleep!
- WINTER DAPHNE STEM CELL EXTRACT: moisturises to leave skin looking revitalised! Transform the look of exhausted skin with this plant stem cell extract, which SMOOTHS and TONES the LOOK of skin to recreate A HEALTHY, YOUTHFUL, FIRMER LOOKING complexion.
- TIME-RELEASED RETINOL MOLECULES: iconic hero ingredient for smoother, firmer looking skin!
- RED ALGAE MARIGEL: strengthening and soothing properties
- CO ENZYME Q10: ENERGISING INGREDIENT TO SUPPORT NATURAL REPAIR AND REGENERATION: Powerful antioxidant properties for smooth, healthy-looking skin
- VITAMIN E: NOURISHING, CONDITIONING PROPERTIES
This night cream is more like a night ointment or balm. It's thin but the texture is not a cream. It really does feel like a thin Vaseline or ointment. It has the same scent as the Magic Cream. Think glycerin meets oils and occlusives with some plant extracts. It's perfect for those who like "slugging" or these kinds of textures. This is going to take a while to sink in. If you don't like textures like this it's not for you. If you're oily this is likely too much for you. You never know but it's pretty occlusive. It's way lighter than Vaseline but it feels similar on the skin, kind of tacky and supremely dewy for a long time after.
I have used this as a stand alone night cream and it functions over lots of hydrating layers under (I tend to use a gel cream as well at night under creams). It might be OK as a stand alone night cream for you. It doesn't have a ton of humectants and traditional moisturizers, it's more occlusive layer like. I also used this as a "slugging" style product over a night cream as well. I like it both ways. It's moisturizing and plumping for sure when used over thes hydrating layers. It's going to feel tacky like any product like this so watch your pillowcase. I like these types of products as they trap water in helping to reduce TEWL (trans epidermal water loss) from the skin. This is refillable as well.
My only gripe with this one is the encapsulated retinol in it. I didn't notice that at first and was using it over my regular retinoids as well. I use fairly pricey more heavy duty retinoids on a regular basis so I don't need retinol in my creams and I tend to look for creams without it to reduce the chance of irritation and overuse. So if you were having a night off you could use this but it would be so much better without it then I could slug away with it whenever I wanted without having to think about it. It's nice though if you don't use a regular retinoid or maybe are a newbie and just want to test the waters a bit. Ultimately think of this as a night ointment more than a typical cream. Some will love it, some will not. If you don't like greasy, heavy, more occlusive layers you might skip this one. If you have dry skin you'll love it. Also you can apply your normal routine then add just a pea size amount of this on top aka slugging method for a less heavy feel but you'll get the occlusive benefits. That is my prefered method of use for this.
Lastly is the Magic Serum Crystal Elixir. This really surprised me. It's a nice slippery, hydrating, creamy fluid serum. Details per Charlotte Tilbury:
My NEW! GROUND-BREAKING SKINCARE INNOVATION, Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, is the supercharged secret to your skin’s best future!
I have collaborated with EXPERT SCIENTISTS to bring you a GROUND-BREAKING serum for HYDRATED, YOUTHFUL-LOOKING skin. A magic matrix of ingredients, EXPERTLY BLENDED in a HIGH-PERFORMANCE ELIXIR to give your skin a MAGIC BOOST!
Awaken your skin’s potential with the power of potent ingredients, featuring REPLEXIUM® for younger-looking skin, Golden Vitamin C for a brighter-looking complexion, and hydration powerhouse Polyglutamic Acid – a supercharged skincare ingredient that’s over 4X more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid.
This has the same typical scent as the rest of her products (light rose floral). It has a really nice hydrating texture that plays well layering under skincare. It's got this nice slip to it. It's hydrating and plumping without being too heavy feeling. It's got REPLEXIUM® and Sqisandryl® plus SEPITONIC™ which are peptides and the serums actives per se. REPLEXIUM® is made up of two BASF-patented peptides: Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, which increases Lumican and Collagen I, and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, which increases Syndecan-1 and Collagen XVII, in vitro (per creator BASF). Sqisandryl® LS 9905 is a plant extract from Schisandra chinensis fruit. Its properties exclusively focus on the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) and are proven to help increase the appearance of skin resilience, elasticity and firmness (per BASF). SEPITONIC™ M3.0 is a mineral complex with magnesium aspartate & zinc gluconate & copper gluconate said to energize by boosting cellular respiration, increase ATP production and epidermix turnover plus help protect from the glycation process, oxidative stress and block free radicals (per SEPPIC).
The serum also has polyglutamic acid, humectants, plant extracts, and fatty acids including shea oil. It just glides across the skin so easy. I love the dewy feel of it but it's never heavy or greasy. Honestly I totally dissed this one at first, I tried a sample and though meh overpriced hydrating serum and that was it. It took using this daily for the last two weeks to really realize it's kinda nice actually. That's why it surprised me. It just has this nice hydrating, moisturizing, plumping feel and it really wears well on the skin. The texture is really nice. Yes is it still a slightly a slightly overpriced hydrating serum? Maybe. But it's a nice product. It's got some added peptides as well. I don't really care that it's overpriced cause it has a nice texture and I just love how it feels on the skin. Half the skincare world is overpriced anyway. So I guess yeah my thoughts on the skincare line has changed. It's a solid decent skincare line. It's it your high tech medical grade line? No, but it's not meant to be. I think those looking for an all around decent skincare product with luxe packaging will enjoy it. The textures are all well done. I do need to try Magic Cream Light now. While I don't have them pictured here I have tried the Goddess Clay Mask which I did enjoy as it's not drying. Review HERE. I also tried the Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask when it launched. Review HERE.
The creams and serum are PR, I have purchased Wonderglow multiple times. All thoughts are my own.
Magic Eye Rescue Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil/Huile Végétale, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, PEG-8, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, C12-16 Alcohols, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire D'abeille, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Palmitic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Aluminum Hydroxide, Retinol, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate.
Magic Cream Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil/Huile Végétale, Isononyl Isononanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Polyester-7, Phenoxyethanol, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Steareth-21, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, Coco-Glucoside, PEG-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol.
Magic Night Cream Ingredients
Glycerin, Aqua/Water/Eau, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Stearate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil/Huile Végétale, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, C20-40 Alcohols, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire D'abeille, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Cellulose Gum, Parfum (Fragrance), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, PEG-8, Caramel, Tocopherol, Retinol, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Ubiquinone, Lecithin, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Red 33 (CI 17200), Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Benzoic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol.
Magic Serum Crystal Elixir Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Triheptanoin, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Silica, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Quartz Powder, Amethyst Powder, Ruby Powder, Gold, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, Peg-100 Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Schisandra Chinensis (Magnolia) Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Saussurea Involucrata Callus Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Benzoate, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Xanthan Gum, Parfum (Fragrance), Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Copper Gluconate, Hydrated Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) Pulp Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, Citral.