'Charlotte Tilbury's new concealer was everything I didn't expect. Here's my honest review.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Senior Health and Beauty Writer reviews Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer.

When Charlotte Tilbury launches a new product, you know there's going to be a massive buzz around it. The brand has such a cult following and everything CT does just seems to go off. And her newest launch is no exception.

Enter: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer.

Heard of it? Of course you have!

Chances are you've seen it doing the rounds on social media. In fact, apparently it's so good that actress Sarah Hyland wore it on her wedding day.

Watch: You know what else I tried? Lube. On my face. Really. Apparently it's supposed to be the ultimate hack for seamless makeup... Here's what happened, anyway! Post continues below.

And while pretty much every Charlotte Tilbury product, ever, features some pretty hefty claims, this new concealer is absolutely *covered* in them.

Just look at the front of this box I was sent to promote the launch:

Image: Supplied 

And the inside:

Image: Supplied 

My eyes. It's A LOT.

To give you a quick recap, here are the main claims for Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer:

• Brightens, smooths and lifts
• Shapewear for the eyes and face
• The power of a concealer and the power of an eye cream 
• Reduces dark circles by 40 per cent
• Skin looks smoother by 43 per cent

Not only does this new concealer promise to conceal dark circles and imperfections, smooth skin and improve your skin instantly, but also change it over time.

Oh, and did I mention it'll also "change your life"? Cause it says it'll do that, too.

Honestly, it all sounds a bit (very) outlandish and fluffy - but it only made me more excited to get it on my face. Because, marketing. 

But also, I love so many Charlotte Tilbury products (Beautiful Skin Foundation, Light Wands, Pillow Talk everything - just to name a few) and I think the brand makes great products - so I was genuinely interested to see how it compared to what I was hearing on the interwebs.

Because judging from TikTok, it has very conflicting reviews. Some people love it and some people... definitely don't.

Listen: More of a podcast gal? Stick those headphones in and listen to our first impressions of Charlotte Tilbury's new concealer on You Beauty.

I decided I would put it to the test myself and try it for one whole week.

Let's find out if a concealer can really change your life, shall we?

What is Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Concealer?

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer is a new medium-coverage hydrating concealer that is used to conceal, correct, brighten, and lift the look of your eyes and face.

It boasts 16-hour wear and is formulated with 10 per cent active skincare ingredients - like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C - so it's kind of like a skincare/makeup hybrid.

It's $49 (you can grab it at Mecca or online at Charlotte Tilbury) and it comes in 30 different shades.

The shades I received in my PR package above, were '03 Fair' and '05 Medium'. I went with the fair shade for my under eye area because it's suitable for those with pink undertones (me). 

You can also use a deeper shade for contouring (cheekbones, temples and jawline).

Here's what the packaging looks like:

Image: Supplied

Like most of Charlotte Tilbury's products, it's weighty and gold and feels fancy in your hands. 

It features a standard doe-foot applicator and you can blend the formula using your fingertips, a sponge or a brush.

Well, how did you go with it?

Now, the formula. My first impression was that it was much thicker and way more matte than I thought it would be - which immediately made me think it's wouldn't fare well with my skin.

Eeep!

I tend to get quite dry and I'll usually go for formulas that are as sheer and creamy as possible, otherwise they ALWAYS end up creasing and clinging to dry patches.

So, I was worried that this coverage would just be too much for my under eyes - maybe even other areas, too.

Here's what it looks like on my hand: 

Image: Supplied

There's also a little shimmer to it, which looks like it would be great for illuminating under the eyes - but from what I'd heard online, it was almost too... glittery??

Now, the actual review! 

I've been testing it over the course of a week - both while I've gone for full glam makeup and a more low key 'no makeup' makeup look.

The results? Pretty surprising, actually.

Honestly, I was confused with just how hydrating this medium-buildable coverage was. I expected a cakey, matte formula, but instead, I found it to be lovely and lightweight and really brightening. 

Worn under my eyes, it seemed to cover my dark circles without looking ashy or grey under the eyes, and it blended beautifully into my skin.

I was nervous it would be really glittery and shimmery, but it's not at all. It's the absolute perfect balance between dewy and matte.

Here's what it looked like on my face - in both pictures I'm wearing it under my eyes, around the sides of my nose, chin (on my red marks and spots) and a teeny bit on my forehead. (I'm wearing Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation with it in both).

Image: Supplied

Image: Supplied

What surprised me most was how long-wearing it was. It actually stayed put on my face (through a run to the bus, walk in the rain, nose wiping, face touching, etc.) and certainly lasted longer than other concealers I've tried.

I did use a setting mist over the top - but I always use a setting mist, and my concealer never hangs around this long.

Here's a snap of me after wearing it for nine hours:

After nine hours of wear. Image: Supplied.

No dry patches. No creasing. 

Maybe Hyland was onto something with wearing it on her wedding day! 

Pretty impressed, tbh.

Should I buy Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer?

Did this concealer change my life? I think it would be a little (very) dramatic to go as far as that - but what I will say, is that it's a damn good concealer. Really. I was honestly surprised with this formula. 

While it might not check off ALL of the claims on the box (keeping in mind I haven't tried it for 28 days, so can't speak to it reducing dark circles), it did conceal and brighten my under eyes, and it lasted really well from the morning right through to the evening.

While the reviews are varied, this really worked for my skin and it's definitely a product I'll continue using and potentially repurchase.

My verdict? 

I think CT nailed it, you guys. I really do. 

Where can you buy Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer?

In case you were skimming and completely missed where I mentioned this up there, you can buy Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer for $49 in store and online at Mecca or online at charlottetilbury.com.au.

Wanna hear more from Erin Docherty? Follow her on Instagram.

Feature image: Mamamia.