The product: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer

Getting your base layer right can be tough. I, in particular, am lazy—so it’s kind of essential for me to find the right product that does it all. I’m currently fixated on the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, which I’ve been using non-stop for months. So, let’s talk about how to apply liquid concealer (and how to choose the right one for you.)

Charlotte Tilbury Radiant Concealer in 02 Fair: Doe-foot applicator

How to choose the right liquid concealer for you

When it comes to concealers, it’s all about formula. You have to choose something that hits the points you’re looking for. Sometimes, you get everything you want; other times, you have to sacrifice for what’s most important to you.

Shade and ingredients are my top features when it comes to a concealer. As long as something matches in tone and is silicone-free, I can work with different finishes, application formats, and coverage levels. A lot of brands do a crap job at their lightest and darkest ends, making it difficult to find a shade match. (And yes, while this is slightly annoying for me, it’s this is a hellish process for POC with darker skin tones.) The Charlotte Tilbury range stretches both lighter and darker than most, and—I really like this part—features models of the correct skin tone for every single shade, so you can see what they’d actually look like.

I wear a 2 Fair in the Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, though I have a feeling I could also wear a 2.5 Fair, which has a yellow undertone (for Asian skin!) instead of a pink one. These concealers are silicone-free, which meets my ingredient criteria, too.

Charlotte Tilbury Radiant Concealer in 02 Fair (shot on iPhone without flash.)

What about the concealer’s texture and coverage?

Another factor that you might consider while trying to pick the right concealer for you is texture. For instance: I like a cream, but prefer the application of a liquid. I don’t know why; it just feels fancy to my inner 10-year-old, and I’m into making said inner child happy. This little doe-foot applicator in a compact tube may not be the most hygienic method of concealer application, but it feels so damn good to use.

On top of that, I also look at coverage. The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer is advertised as a medium coverage hydrating product, but which feels accurate to me. I get great coverage on acne, scars, and undereye circles with a single application, even after blending it out.

Charlotte Tilbury Radiant Concealer swatches in 01 Fair, 02 Fair. Indirect sunlight. 

How to apply liquid concealer in the right spots

Okay, here’s the thing. We all know the basics: Apply your concealer under the eyes, around the nasolabial folds, under the nose, on acne scars, etc. Choose a shade that matches perfectly to hide things, or go slightly lighter to lift dark areas like the undereye.

But honestly? Put your liquid concealer wherever the hell you want. I apply liberally and skip foundation, or, in the rare case where I find a foundation I like, I apply said foundation as if it was a concealer.

I like to apply the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer under my eyes, on spots, and under the nose. Then, I’ll add a little more (like, a half-amount) on my chin, which is slightly darker than the rest of my face, and over my nose bridge, which is a little darker as well. I’ll blend out with a dense brush or damp makeup sponge, then set with powder for all-day wear. (The Marcelle loose face powder is still my favourite one, even after over a decade and dozens of other samples.)

If I want to contour a little, I’ll go for a slightly lighter shade of concealer down the centre of my nose bridge and in the inner corners of my eyes. Charlotte Tilbury’s Radiant Concealer is great for this—it’s got that medium coverage and sparkly finish, so it highlights beautifully.

Are you glittering?

Yes. From a distance, this product applies beautifully and seamlessly. But in the sun and up close, it’s full of shimmer—and I kind of love that about it. There’s nothing natural about the finish of this concealer, but the result is so overwhelmingly pretty that I feel like a faerie. Boring, hyper-natural skin was so 2020: It’s all about being supernaturally pretty this year.

Availability: The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer is $33 USD/$42 CAD. Find it at Charlotte Tilbury & Sephora.

Alternative without glitter: Guerlain L’Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation (higher coverage, matte finish, no shimmer).

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Disclaimer: This post contains product samples & affiliate links.