Make-up | Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Review
So if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen I purchased the infamous Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Palette not so long ago. I must admit, I was initially too scared to even touch the pretty rose gold packaging. I didn’t use it for nearly a fortnight after buying it. Fellow bloggers, you know the golden rule of not touching any make-up until it is photographed…
But of course, I did eventually photograph it,
which meant I could then allow myself to have a play. I had lusted after this
palette for quite some time, especially after seeing the beautiful Megan from
Thumbelina Lillie wearing it in her post here. I had high hopes, very high
hopes indeed.
which meant I could then allow myself to have a play. I had lusted after this
palette for quite some time, especially after seeing the beautiful Megan from
Thumbelina Lillie wearing it in her post here. I had high hopes, very high
hopes indeed.
So do you want the bad news or the good news
first?
first?
Let’s get the bad news out of the way. As always
this platform is a place of upmost honesty, and my first initial feeling, an
honest feeling, was that of disappointment. I think I had put this palette on
such a high pedestal that it was bound to come crashing down. On my really fair
skin, this was just a touch too orange for me. A product that is promoted as a
great palette for sculpting cheek bones, is actually just a really lovely
bronzer, not one that a fair skinned gal like myself could use to contour. The
bronzer is actually quite shimmery which I found rather strange, considering it
comes with a champagne shimmery highlighter too? I would have preferred it to be more matte.
this platform is a place of upmost honesty, and my first initial feeling, an
honest feeling, was that of disappointment. I think I had put this palette on
such a high pedestal that it was bound to come crashing down. On my really fair
skin, this was just a touch too orange for me. A product that is promoted as a
great palette for sculpting cheek bones, is actually just a really lovely
bronzer, not one that a fair skinned gal like myself could use to contour. The
bronzer is actually quite shimmery which I found rather strange, considering it
comes with a champagne shimmery highlighter too? I would have preferred it to be more matte.
First impressions and the bad news out the way. I
do have good news. I went on holiday. I got a little bit of colour to my skin. I actually look alive and healthy now. This slight change in my skin
was actually quite a huge transformation in terms of what make-up I could then choose to use. The Tilbury Bronze & Glow, instead of looking silly on my skin as it did
before, actually now looks beautiful. The warmth adds depth without looking
over the top, and the highlighter looks really subtle. My favourite of the two is definitely the highlighter, simply because it is so soft and brightens the face in such a delicate way. The ease of application and lightweight texture of the powder feels great on the skin and of course blends like a dream.
do have good news. I went on holiday. I got a little bit of colour to my skin. I actually look alive and healthy now. This slight change in my skin
was actually quite a huge transformation in terms of what make-up I could then choose to use. The Tilbury Bronze & Glow, instead of looking silly on my skin as it did
before, actually now looks beautiful. The warmth adds depth without looking
over the top, and the highlighter looks really subtle. My favourite of the two is definitely the highlighter, simply because it is so soft and brightens the face in such a delicate way. The ease of application and lightweight texture of the powder feels great on the skin and of course blends like a dream.
What I am trying to say is, this palette is
not necessarily for everyone. It will look wonderful on some skin tones,
incredibly flattering actually, but on others it will just be a little bit
bleurgh.
not necessarily for everyone. It will look wonderful on some skin tones,
incredibly flattering actually, but on others it will just be a little bit
bleurgh.
Is it worth the £49 price tag? I’m not so sure. Maybe just for the sheer fabulousness of the packaging you could justify spending this amount.
37 Comments
Amy
This was such a good review Zoe. I too have this palette and have to say that it is visually one of the most beautiful make up items I have ever owned. I haven’t yet reviewed mine, I’m so behind yet I do agree with everything you have said here. The bronzer is a nice bronzer, I can’t use it for contouring either because it’s just too warm. The highlight side is most certainly the stand out for me and if I’m honest I’d happily have the highlight in its own individual compact. Nevertheless it is a lovely product on a whole, pricey but lovely.
Amy x
Zoe Newlove
Thanks so much Amy! It is definitely the prettiest palette I own too! It is definitely a treat! I still love it, but had to be honest so that my fellow pale peeps could see that it may not be the best for them! x x x
jenna cantillion
I’ve seen this everywhere at the moment! I have been umm’ing and ahh’ing for a few months now – I think i’m just going to have to take the plunge..
Jenna xox / Beauty And The Style
Zoe Newlove
Do it!!!! Let me know how you get on!! xx
jenna cantillion
I will do thanks Zoe! xx
Kelsey Dadmun
Thank you for your honest review. I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to get this for the longest time, but seeing as I’m super pale and don’t need another bronzer, I think I’ll give it a miss. It does looks really beautiful on you though!
Kelsey | kelseybeauty.blogspot.com
Zoe Newlove
You are very welcome! It is definitely just a very nice bronzer! Thank you for your lovely comment Kelsey! Xx
Kirsty
I’ve been eyeing this up for quite a while now but I’m just not sure if I want to cough up the hefty price tag. I’ve seen so many people rave about this palette so it’s nice to hear a different opinion. Thanks for sharing x
Kirsty – http://www.effortlesslyexcessive.com
Zoe Newlove
Yeah I saw so many crazy reviews! I then went and bought it – obviously – and then was disappointed, but not only me, another fellow make-up artist who I had coffee with later that week also said exactly the same about the orange tones! xxx
liza prideaux
Ah I’ve been wanting this for a while too but I fear I may be disappointed too, it is a little pricey so may try some other CT bits first. Great Review hun x
Liza | Glambeautys
Zoe Newlove
Try Pillow Talk babe or one of the eye palettes – any of them are so beautiful!! xxx
Antonia
I’ve been after this for such a long time, after hearing so many good things about it. I’m also a sucker for pretty packaging. I think i’d be disappointed too if I did splurge on this, as i’ve probably hyped it up too much myself. Thanks for the honest review!
Antonia x | Fifi and the Diamonds
Zoe Newlove
So glad I did an honest review! It was definitely a splurge, one that I wouldn’t do again. I will just have to test out other products from the range instead hehe x x
Lilac Lemon
I’m glad I read your review because I’m always tempted by the gorgeous pictures I see of this in so many blog posts, but the sculpt/bronze part doesn’t sound like it would be right for me at all!
Amy | Lilac Lemon
Zoe Newlove
Yeah if you are fair like me then you will want a matte / grey toned powder/cream rather than something with orange under tones! xx
Beautylymin
I love this palette but I always have a bit of colour in my cheeks so maybe that’s why it suits me! It’s great to read honest reviews and maybe you will save some people a lot of money if they are pale! xx
Beautylymin
Zoe Newlove
I am just so ill looking most of the year round, I went on a sunbed for 3 minutes and my mum was like oh my goodness, you look alive. I wish I had a warmer complexion to use this palette all year round but unfortunately I am not blessed haha!! xx
Heather Nixon
The bronzer will definitely be too orange on my skin tone then, the highlight looks pretty though x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Zoe Newlove
The highlighter is actually stunning! I wish it was sold on it’s own! xx
Annabelle
It is a gorgeous looking palette! But I guess I should avoid it since I’m really, really pale. Thanks for the review!
Belle in Black and White
Zoe Newlove
Us pale peeps need to steer clear haha! Or wear fake tan haha! x
Alexandra – Glam O’Clock
Thanks for this honest review! I am quite fair too (and sadly not planning to go on holiday anytime soon) and this palette is on my pedestal wishlist since forever. Definitely need to swatch this first to see if it would suit my complexion. I hear Kevin Aucoin contour powder is great to sculpt without looking orange. Your hair look amazing btw! Xx
Alexandra | Glam O’Clock
Zoe Newlove
Kevyn Aucoin powder is STUNNING. I have tried this one too, it is definitely in my top 3! Oh gosh , my hair needs doing, thankfully going to the salon next week to get my roots done hehe. Thankyou though Alexandra!! xxx
Alina
I really like this palette but I agree with you I don’t really use the contour shade as contouring because it has a sheen to it and can look orange at times. I mostly use it to bronze my face up and I guess I just like the palette mostly for the luxurious factor x
Beauty with charm
Zoe Newlove
Yeah I really do like it, just turned out to be something a little different to what I thought I was initially buying!! xx
Heather Mcknight
Thank you so much for this, Zoe! I’ve been contemplating picking this up for a while now but at £50, I always decided to wait a little longer. After hearing that it may not be as great on paler skin tones however I’m definitely not lusting over it quite so much. I think there’s probably better alternatives I could spend my money on!
Heather, porcelainbeautyx
Zoe Newlove
Yeah spend your money on the Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder instead babe, or the Hourglass one! Not this one 🙂 xx
Megan Lillie
It’s such a shame it was a bit of a disappointment for you lovely. I suppose not everything is right for every single skin tone! Thank you for my lil shoutout, ya babe. You’re looking like an absolute doll as always <3
Megan xo
Thumbelina Lillie | UK Beauty & Fashion Blog
Zoe Newlove
You have warmer skin than me, you lucky thing, wish I looked alive all year round, but no doubt in a week or so I will resemble a ghost once again!! Thankyou for such a lovely comment youuu babe xxxx
Beauty Bird
Great review Zoe – this is the most balanced one I’ve seen xx
Zoe Newlove
Aw thankyou chick!! Glad I came across well in it, I was a bit worried about being so honest when it is such a cult product at the moment, but it seems to have gone down well xx
Arabesque
I really like you review – honest and real 😉 This product is obviously a hit amongst beauty gurus but not everyone can spend so much money in sth that’s not much more then beautiful packaging and regular product inside. Of course – if you can afford it, go for it, but I might just remove it from my wishlist and start looking for some more budget friendly “summer glow” duo 😉
If you’d like you could check out my new blog http://aaarabesque.blogspot.com – I’d be honored 😉
Zoe Newlove
Thanks for your comment lovely! I shall of course go check out your blog! xx
Jasmine Harding
Lovely post Zoe. This is such a good review of the CT Filmstar bronze and glow, I really do need to bite the bullet and pick it up! It looks totally gorgeous on you toooo, I need killer cheekbones like that!
Jasmine | jasminehardingmakeup.blogspot.co.uk
kat clark
I’m so pleased I saw your review of this as it’s been on my wishlist for some time now! As someone who never tans, I have a feeling it will be just too warm for me, which is a shame as it looks beautiful! x
http://www.talesofapaleface.com
Laura Louise
I totally get what you mean re the tones, on me it is fine, but like you say, even I used it more as a bronzer as opposed to a typical contour product, although it does give great shape to the face like any bronzer does/can. This was one of the products I had stolen in Ibiza and actually haven’t replaced it yet as there are much cheaper and similar products on the market. Although that packaging!!!!! <3 xx Great review xx
Kimmy (Beauty Isles)
Thank you for this review, which offered me a little bit of something different from other reviews I’ve read. I’ve been holding off on purchasing CT for such a long time because my only option is to buy online. 🙂
Beauty Isles | An Island Girl’s Beauty and Lifestyle Blog