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Charlotte Tilbury's debut serum is "like Joe Wicks in a bottle"

Photo credit: Courtesy
Photo credit: Courtesy

From Harper's BAZAAR

While we all know and love Charlotte Tilbury for luxury make-up (part us with our Pillow Talk lippy at your peril), it can also claim to be the fastest growing skincare brand in the UK. No doubt the latest launch, Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, will accelerate that when it goes on sale later this month.

The first serum from the make-up artist's eponymous brand – and the sister to her mega Magic Cream moisturiser (of which one sells every two minutes) – comes with all kinds of transformative skin claims.

Apparently it's "clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 34 per cent and visibly firm the appearance of the skin by 49 per cent in eight weeks" (according to study of 31 participants), and Tilbury told us herself that her skin "has never been so hydrated, smooth-feeling and youthful-looking" since using it.

Her famous friends have noticed the before-and-after, too. "Salma Hayek, Kate Moss, Amber Valletta have all said to me ‘What have you done to your skin? Your pores have literally disappeared!’," she revealed. Tilbury puts it down to the "matrix of incredible ingredients".

One is polyglutamic acid, which is thought to be four times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid. Read: instant plumping of dehydration lines. Next comes Replexium, a blend of patented peptides which kickstarts collagen production for firming results. There's also power-antioxidant vitamin C (which will brighten) and fellow skincare hero niacinamide in the mix. Otherwise known as vitamin B3, niacinamide works to help improve the skin's barrier function and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and uneven tone. As Tilbury put it to us, together the formula is "like Joe Wicks in a bottle". A workout for your cells, if you will.

Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images
Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images

More "magic" comes from the serum's "crystal complex", including moonstone, ruby, rose quartz, crystal quartz and amethyst. True, this feels very of-the-moment – but Tilbury grew up in bohemian Ibiza, and has always been obsessed with crystals, she tells us.

"My approach to skincare has always been holistic and scientific – the power of beauty comes from the magic within! Crystals are all about radiating a positive energy, so I surround myself with them to amplify their infectious, mood-reviving power, they bring me a feeling of protection and love." For the serum she's harnessed their mystique. "I believe that crystals are like natural beauty filters – they are proven to help balance to skin."

Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

Famed facialist Georgia Louise Vassanelli (who works with the likes of Jennifer Aniston) studied crystals in her training and always use them in her luxury treatments. She tells us that in this serum, "the crystal ingredient creates a beautiful, crystalline barrier around the skin to deliver holistic aura defence and boost the skin’s radiance". And for the ultimate glow, she uses another crystal to help the skincare penetrate.

"You should always warm your product first in your fingertips," she advised us on a video call, before she massaged the Magic Serum in using her rose quartz crystal Georgia Louise Lift + Sculpt Butterfly Stone. Inspired by her signature massage technique, this tool fits into the facial contours to help lift the skin and muscle, and drain away toxins for a more contoured look.

Whether you believe in the magic or not, it makes for a hydrating daytime serum that will glaze your skin in some luxury, and protect it while doing so.

If you're in the market for a new face serum, find the best serum for every skin concern in our expert edit here. Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir launches 23 April 2020.

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