Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Foundation Is the Longest-Lasting Foundation I've Ever Tried

This foundation is thick in texture. It's not heavy — nor does it feel heavy on — but it is definitely thick. It's a full-coverage foundation, so if a supersheer finish is your bag, then this formula may not be for you. However, if you're someone who likes a bit of both — light coverage on some days, heavier coverage on others (maybe if you have a big meeting or an event, for example) — this is just what you want in your makeup bag.

The Airbrush Flawless Foundation gives a matte finish. For the record, because my skin is superdry, I hate most matte foundations because they can often make my face feel even drier. I love this formula, however, because my skin still feels comfortable underneath. Plus, it gives me a glow that I so desperately crave without it feeling cake-y or sticky.

Like most medium- to full-coverage foundations, this formula requires more blending than something that is sheer or lighter in texture. And while the Airbrush Flawless Foundation blends very easily, it also dries quickly. This means that you need to work a little faster to ensure even coverage all over your face and neck.

To apply the Airbrush Flawless Foundation, I like to use my Morphe M439 Deluxe Buffer Brush ($14) to buff it all in and make sure the coverage is totally even. I tried to apply it with my fingers, but it wasn't a major success, so I'd definitely recommend going with either a brush or Beautyblender.

If I want a slightly lighter coverage, I mix with moisturizer. I find it mixes well with the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix Moisturizer ($70).

I normally prep my skin with the Pixi pHenomenal Gel ($24), followed by SPF, which is what I layered under the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation in the photo above (I'm shade 3 Neutral, FYI). To conceal, I used a touch of Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Ivory ($39), and typically I set everything with pressed powder, although the day of these photos, I forgot (and the under-eye crease struggle is real). I then used Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer ($24) and, finally, Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush ($40).

These photos were taken at 6:30 a.m. and again at 8 p.m. after a full day at work, two rush-hour commutes, and a very intense 45-minute workout without any touch-ups. You can definitely tell from the "after" photo that I'm slightly more red in the face; however, the foundation held up well. It covered my main blemishes and uneven skin tone and prevented me looking like a total sweaty mess.

Wearing makeup — particularly a full-coverage foundation — to a work out is not ideal. However, going straight to a fitness class after work is my norm, and I don't want to faff around with washing my face beforehand, and for sustainability reasons I definitely don't want to use makeup wipes.

I don't actually care about looking "done-up" for the gym; I just want something that won't look like it's slid off my face, nor do I want it to cause a breakout. Apparently, that's not too much to ask, according to Charlotte Tilbury.

If you're looking for a full-coverage foundation that will give you a semi-matte finish and will last through every stressful and sweaty life event, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation is just that.

It's ideal for special occasions when you need something to count on but can also be mixed with moisturizer for a lighter-coverage, every day item. It makes me look like a more even-toned, dewy version of myself and has earned the top spot in my makeup bag (bonus: the bottle is pretty enough to display on a vanity, too).