Celebrity makeup artist Sofia Tilbury, who works closely with her aunt Charlotte Tilbury under the eponymous beauty brand, is best known for her dreamy, Instagram filter-esque looks. You’ve undoubtedly seen her covetable work grace the red-carpet, likely on the face of an A-list celeb. Her star-studded clientele spans from a *casual* Kate Moss and Salma Hayek to Sabrina Carpenter, Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid.
Her makeup style resembles her aunt’s, boasting those signature Tilbury features: a radiant, dewy complexion, soft focused lips, glistening eye shimmers and a fluttery lash. Seriously drool-worthy.
In interview, Sofia takes us behind the scenes of her most iconic makeup looks, reflects on her own approach to beauty and reveals the celebrity hack she’s picked up along the way. Spoiler alert: it involves ice!
You’ve been a part of some legendary beauty moments. Are there any standouts?
Working with my clients for a Met Gala look is always a huge pinch-me moment. Creating Salma Hayek’s old Hollywood glamour for the 2023 event and Kate Moss’ femme fatale look for the 2022 Met Gala was truly iconic. I also loved working with the gorgeous Sabrina Carpenter at the 2022 British Fashion Awards. We went for a graphic feline cut-crease with flawless, glowing skin and a juicy, nude-peach lip.
Charlotte Tilbury has a long lineup of iconic muses. How do they inspire you?
Our beauty muses – from [models] Jourdan Dunn to Twiggy and Kate Moss – really feel like family. We love to reference their unique style and beauty moments when creating new products and makeup looks.
Most recently, I did Kate’s makeup for Charlotte’s Hollywood Beauty Icons lipstick campaign, and seeing her transform from 90s supermodel to silver screen siren with a swipe of the Icon Baby or Hollywood Vixen shades was just mesmerising to see! I can’t wait for everyone to discover the self-contouring, beautifying, star power of these lipsticks for themselves!!
Kate is such a dream to work with – she’s a true beauty chameleon and she always knows how to bring a character to life! She has worked with Charlotte since the beginning of her career.
You also work quite closely with Salma Hayek?
I always love getting Salma ready for the red carpet. She’s so hilarious and truly loves makeup. One of my favourite looks that we created for her was the electric-blue smoky eye and bronzed skin for the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Kering party.
What’s the secret to red-carpet worthy skin?
Celebrities swear by buckets of ice to depuff, tighten, calm and lift the look of skin, especially after a long-flight or busy day. I give my clients a chilled Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-recovery Face Mask as a mess-free alternative. We chill them in the hotel and apply after Magic Serum Crystal Elixir for a toned, glowy base, in just 15 minutes.
If we were to take a peek into your beauty cupboard, what would we find?
It’s mostly stocked with Charlotte Tilbury. Some favourites are the Magic Water Cream – your skin instantly looks plump, juicy and glass-like – and the Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, which is a red-carpet essential. Also, the Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara, which is like a push-up bra for lashes.
As for non-Charlotte Tilbury – I love my Face Gym tools to sculpt and lift the look of my face. For hair, I use Oribe shampoo, conditioner and oil and a Wet Brush in the shower. To style, I use the Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion on damp hair, then add texture once dry with Sam McKnight’s Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo or Cool Girl Texture Mist.
What’s one thing you wish more people would incorporate into their beauty routines?
I wish more people would take better care of their skin. I’m all about hydration; double cleansing, layering my Magic Hydrator Mist with my serum and moisturiser, always remembering SPF, booking regular facials, and drinking lots of water!
I also wish people would stop doing is using harsh acids. It’s so easy to damage your skin barrier and cause redness and breakouts. You have to take it easy! I recommend a gentle acid exfoliator like Charlotte’s Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial to remove dead skin cells without stripping the skin or causing dehydration. Apply for just 5 minutes for your first application and increase the time by 5 minutes week-by-week until you reach the recommended full 20 minutes. This will help your skin get used to the ingredients.
What does beauty mean to you? And when do you feel your most beautiful?
Beauty is all about confidence, happiness and feeling good, inside, and out.
I feel my most beautiful when I’m taking good care of myself mentally and physically. I love the gym, Pilates, walks with my dogs, good food with my family, early nights and summers spent back home in Ibiza. It’s the most magical place in the world to rest and recharge.
Shop Sofia Tilbury’s beauty must-haves
01
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Hollywood Beauty Icons lipstick in Icon Baby!
from $54 at Charlotte Tilbury
Inspired by Hollywood glamour, the Beauty Icons Lipstick is every bit luxury. It’s creamy texture and rich pigment gives you an effortless satin finish that lasts for hours.
Key features:
- Infused with Lipstick Tree Extract to soften and hydrate the look and feel of lips.
- Light-diffusing lip filter effect pink pigments give your lips a multi-dimensional finish, which leaves them looking full-bodied and luminous.
- Wax formula glides onto the lips to leave a smooth, seamless satin finish that never bleeds outside of your lip line!
- Expertly mixed to suit every skin tone
02
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
from $ 73 at Charlotte Tilbury
A cult-favourite. Beloved for its finely-milled texture and skin-perfecting abilities. The airbursh effect blurs imperfections, sets makeup, and leaves skin’s complexion flawless and radiant all day (and night!).
Key features:
- Soft Focus Micro Powders From Nano-Particles smooth and blur the appearance of fine lines and imperfections, and sit like a soft micro-fine cashmere veil on top of your skin.
- Light-reflecting ingredients diffuse light as it hits your face for an even, luminous looking complexion all day.
- Ideal for long-lasting complexion perfection and the perfect finishing touch.
- Refillable
03
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream
from $149 at Charlotte Tilbury
Lightweight and hydrating, Magic Water Cream is infused with potent skincare ingredients like niacinamide and peptides to boost skin’s radiance. This magical formula instantly refreshes and plumps the skin, leaving it smooth and supple.
Key features:
- Instantly hydrates for a fresh water glow
- Lightweight bouncy gel-cream texture
- Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free + Leaping Bunny Approved
- Reduces the look of pores
- Redness appears reduced
04
Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo + Conditioner Collection
from $159 at Rogue Beauty
Designed to restore and rejuvenate damaged hair, the range is infused with a blend of nourishing oils and extracts like Argan and Maracuja Oils. The result? Stronger strands, enhanced shine, protection against future damage and silky soft healthy hair.
Key features:
- Kit contains Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo, Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner and Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil Travel
- Infused with nourishing oils to promote hair health
- Gift set value: $223.00, you save $64.00 or 28% off
05
Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Mist
from $53 at MECCA
A hairstyling essential for tousled and textured tresses. Dosed with botanical extracts and sea salt, it adds instant volume, grit, and movement to hair. Perfect for achieving that coveted “cool girl” hair look with ease.
Key features:
- Adds instant volume and texture to hair.
- Infused with botanical extracts to promote hair health and thickness.
- Weightless, residue-free formula.
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