MUA SPOTLIGHT – CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Charlotte Tilbury is one of the most famous makeup artists from the United Kingdom. Tilbury has created beauty campaigns for Burberry, Tom Ford, Stella McCartney, H&M, and more! Tilbury worked on covers for the Spanish, Brazilian, French, and British Vogues, and acts as a contributing beauty editor for British Vogue.She has even collaborated with GQ and Vanity Fair. Recently, she launched her own eponymous beauty brand.

Tilbury’s work for Tom Ford’s 2013 Holiday Campaign. Credit: Tom Ford

Makeup on Adele done by Tilbury for British Vogue in 2011. Credit: British Vogue

Many makeup artists consider Tilbury as an inspiration when beginning their own makeup line. How did Tilbury become interested in makeup? And, how did she become one of the most inspirational makeup artists?

Tilbury was born on February 10^th, 1973 in London. At nine months old, she and her father, Lance, an artist, and her mother, Patsy, a fashion film producer, moved to Ibiza. Tilbury grew up surrounded by creative minds, and said that she knew she would end up in a creative field as well.

In a blog post, Tilbury wrote that she would watch beautiful women walk into rooms and everyone’s eyes turn to them, and that she wanted to know their secret. Then, while at boarding school at the age of 13, Tilbury discovered the magic of mascara, thus blooming her interest in makeup.

While on a beach in Ibiza, Tilbury met Princess Diana’s makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, who inspired Tilbury to attend London’s Glauca Rossi School of Make Up. After she graduated from their makeup program, she became Greenwell’s assistant, helping her apply makeup to models for photoshoots.

She captured inspiration from everywhere and everyone. “As a determined young makeup artist, I was persistent. I was constantly building my network of professional peers including photographers, models and stylists – many of whom I still work with today,” Tilbury wrote in a blog post.

Since her time as an assistant to Greenwald, Tilbury has worked with some of the world’s best photographers, including Mario Testino, David Bailey, and Marcus Piggot. Tilbury has also worked with models and celebrities, such as Kate Moss, Blake Lively, Penelope Cruz, Naomi Campbell, and more!

Tilbury applying lipstick on Blake Lively. Credit: Charlotte Tilbury Instagram.

Tilbury has won 130 awards for her work in the beauty industry. In 2005, Tilbury was named Fashion Creator at the British Fashion Awards. She was also named InStyle’s Makeup Artist of the Year in 2015.

In 2013, Tilbury launched her beauty brand, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty. Since its launch, it has become one of the best-selling makeup brands, now valued at $500 million. Despite her success, Tilbury is still on the path to perfecting her craft. “I love creating exciting new formulas and discovering gorgeous, confidence-boosting beauty,” wrote Tilbury. 

Tilbury making a special appearance at a Sephora in Germany in July 2018. Credit: EPCNews

In a blog, Tilbury wrote, “I believe that every woman wants to feel beautiful, powerful and sexy and that makeup is a great way to achieve this. Makeup gives you INSTANT CONFIDENCE. It’s about feeling as fabulous on the outside as you do on the inside.”

Is there a makeup artist that inspires you? Leave your thoughts and suggestions for the next MUA Spotlight in the comment section below.