During my 12-year career in beauty, I’ve only ever managed to sit down with Charlotte once before, and then I was almost too starstruck to speak. Today, armed with a dozen new questions, I’m determined to put in a better performance.
As Charlotte dials into our virtual meeting room, I make a poor start by blurting out how I’ve always thought of her as beauty’s answer to Michael Bublé, who flourishes as summer draws to a close and the tinge of cold signals the countdown to Christmas. Charlotte lets out a laugh full of genuine delight and, to my relief, she gladly accepts the title of Queen of Holiday Gifting.
I’m only half joking. As arguably the world’s most sought-after make-up artist, the 51-year-old is anything but a one-season wonder. However, by her own admission, she does seem to light up at Christmas time. “Gifting is like undressing, it can take you to heady heights,” she tells me, her perfectly made-up eyes full of sparkle. I wonder if it’s these that inspired her Hypnotising Pop Shot Eyeshadows – a make-up bag favourite of Kate Moss, I’m told.
Charlotte is refreshingly candid when it comes to her A-list friendship group. She counts the likes of Kate – whom she first met in 1998 on a shoot – Amal Clooney, Jourdan Dunn and Salma Hayek as personal friends and ambassadors, and gives them credit for helping to shape her brand into what it is today. “They’ve all been such a huge part of my journey throughout the years and several of them have even become my closest friends,” she explains. “Like me, they understand the power of beauty to make them feel confident.”
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Charlotte Tilbury)Having faces such as Kate’s and Amal’s as testament to her products certainly won’t harm sales, but Charlotte’s meteoric rise to worldwide recognition can be attributed to much more than just her clever networking skills. She has an unequivocal understanding of what the average woman desires: to feel seen and special.
Charlotte regards her beauty products as magic – a word she uses often – and believes there is no limit to their transformative power, regardless of anyone’s age. “People write to me all the time saying they’ve succeeded at something because my products helped give them the confidence,” she says. “My whole mantra is ‘give everyone the right make-up, skincare and fragrance, and they can conquer the world.’”
I know she believes this to her core. Having experienced a pivotal moment with mascara at the age of 13, when defining her eyes gave her an instant surge of confidence, she has firmly believed ever since that everyone needs a touch of that make-up magic in their lives.
This grasp of what women want is also likely why Charlotte remains the creative heart of the company, more than a decade after its creation. “We evolved from start-up to record-breaking, market-leading global beauty powerhouse. We’re unstoppable,” she says without even a hint of arrogance in her voice. It is simply a fact.
As for new product launches, though they might seem plentiful, careful consideration goes into every one. “A product doesn’t launch until I know it is perfect, which can sometimes take years. While others may try to imitate, no one does it like me, darling!” she declares, making light of the dozens of high street brands that come out with dupes of her products.
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Charlotte Tilbury) Make-up and skincare are the brand’s bread and butter, but this year Charlotte added the Fragrance Collection of Emotions
to her product line-up, in a move she calls “a lifelong dream”. “I knew I wanted to capture dreams, frequencies and emotions through the enchanting power of scent. We’ve created six fragrances that evoke feelings of love, happiness, seduction, serenity, energy and empowerment. They’re your six invisible superpowers,” she states.
Today, though, having just returned from her annual Christmas media broadcast, Charlotte is fully focused on her Magic Gifting Universe for 2024. “It’s a love-inspired collection of new beauty innovations, limited edition legendary icons, bestsellers across make-up, skincare and – for the very first time – fragrance. There are trinkets, treats and treasures for everyone. It’s guaranteed gifting happiness,” she says.
Christmas wrapped up, Charlotte heads off to another meeting with New York in a rush of “Goodbye, darling!” and air kisses, and I’m left alone in the meeting room staring at my own face on screen – my pasty winter complexion made less drab with Charlotte’s Hollywood Flawless Filter. Right here I begin to understand why I, along with so many others across the world, are so drawn to the Tilbury brand. With every trace of lip liner or sweep of blush, there’s the promise of becoming something more sparkly, something just that little bit more special.
The Tilbury effect is utterly contagious, darling.
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Charlotte Tilbury)Charlotte’s guide to picking the perfect gift
For someone who has everything: Fragrance Collection of Emotions Perfume Travel Trio Set, £48 (worth £60)
For the mother-in-law: Charlotte’s Iconic Magic Skin Duo, £85
For a sister: Pillow Talk Iconic Lip and Cheek Secrets, £46
For someone new to make-up: Pillow Talk Icons on the Go Kit, £45
For someone you really love: Charlotte’s Beauty Treasure Chest of Love, £170 (worth £243) **Get 30% off at checkout**
Shop Charlotte’s Magic Gifting Universe for 2024 at charlottetilbury.com and Charlotte Tilbury stores, with gifts starting from £25
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