Fresh, bronzed, sun-blushed, juicy and glazed are the buzz words for makeup this summer according to the inimitable Charlotte Tilbury who we recently had an exclusive chat with.
A few days before the drop of her brand’s latest viral beauty hits—Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Sticks ($56 each), and Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar ($53 each)—we quizzed the beauty legend about what she’s loving this season (you better believe blush is still blushing), how to wear her latest innovations, as well as her advice for summer wedding season and the best bridal makeup.
What’s the makeup vibe for Summer 2025?
“Blush isn’t going anywhere this summer, and my new blush sticks are perfect for every viral trend, from ‘lilac’ to ‘sunset’ to ‘boyfriend blush’. I’m obsessed with the ‘blonzing’ trend at the moment, a technique that mimics a gorgeous, sun-blushed glow that looks like you’ve just spent the day on the beach. Think of it as the lovechild of blusher and bronzer. Warm-toned shades from my Unreal Blush line like Peachy Glow for fair complexions, or Cherry Glow for medium to deeper complexions, work perfectly for blonzing. Apply blush around the forehead and in a W shape across the nose and cheeks to create a fresh, sun-blushed look. Glazed blush is also a huge trend which is all about glazing cheeks with a glassy-glow pigment for the juiciest, dewiest, healthiest, dream-sheen summertime colour. And for the juiciest pout? My lip oils are the secret, giving the most unreal nectar glass-glaze lip effect in seconds! They are a 3-in-1 holiday glow-up in a tube, with the glow glide of an oil, the glass-like, glazed shine of an amplifying gloss and the cocooning, cushioning comfort of a nourishing balm.”
Your new blush sticks are a brilliant evolution of your Unreal Skin foundation stick, how do you recommend using these products together?
“What makes these two perfect partners is they are both powdered by a skin barrier defence matrix infused with Collageneer, hyaluronic acid, daikon radish seed oil, and Vitamin E, which help strengthen the skin barrier for smoother, more hydrated, plumper looking skin. To create the glowiest, most gorgeous skin, start by swiping on foundation to even out and illuminate your complexion. A hack I love is using a deeper shade to softly sculpt the outer edges of the face across the temples, cheekbones, and jawline. Then, glide your chosen blush shade onto the high points of the cheeks, sweeping upwards and slightly across the bridge of the nose for that irresistible sun-blushed glow. The skin-loving formulas melt together seamlessly, so you can press a little blush over foundation with your fingertips to dial up the dew and bounce.”
What are your tips for selecting a perfect blush shade?
“Darling, blush shouldn’t be intimidating! I believe everyone should be able to try on, layer and feel confident and beautiful in any shade. I created my blush glow sticks so everyone could mimic that fresh, radiant, sun-blushed look you get after a dreamy day on the beach. With a sunset spectrum of six flattering, glow-glazing shades, there’s a perfect match for every skin tone, every undertone, and every mood. Each of shade gives a soft-focus of glowing colour just like the way the sun scatters light during golden hour.”
Lip oils are still misunderstood by some. Why are they actually very easy and fun to wear?
“I know some people shy away from gloss or oils worried about stickiness or mess, but they are a joy to wear because they hydrate and plump so beautifully. They are the easiest way to cheat a fresh, healthy, just-kissed lip. Think of them as having the glow-glide of an oil, the high-shine impact of a gloss, and the cocooning comfort of a nourishing balm. Mine are infused with the same light-play secret behind my iconic Hollywood Flawless Filter, which means they blur the look of fine lines and create the illusion of fuller, smoother, youth-boosted lips.”
Glowy makeup is always huge for weddings, what’s your advice for creating the most glam bridal beauty look?
“When it comes to summer bridal makeup, it’s all about looking like the most glowing, confident, dreamiest version of yourself. I always say, glowing skin is always in, especially when you’re walking down the aisle in golden sunlight or dancing the night away under the stars. Skin prep is so important, and a perfect bridal look always starts here because you can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas. I adore using peach and rosy shades of blush for brides, and on lips shades like a soft berry or rose-tinted peach work beautifully across every bridal look.”
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