Drugstore alternatives to Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter

Hi friends!

Since my last post on the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick dupe was so well-received, I decided to bring the brand back to the blog. This time we’re talking about another of my favorite CT products, the Hollywood Flawless Filter! I first spoke about my love for this product in this post, and since then my obsession has not abated 😊. But I know not everyone wants to or can pay upwards of $40 for (essentially) a glow/highlighter product, so I wanted to tell you about some cheaper drugstore alternatives that give a similar effect. It just so happens that both alternative products come from L’Oreal, but that wasn’t necessarily planned.

So let me refresh you first on what exactly the Hollywood Flawless Filter is, and why I love it. Then we’ll talk about the drugstore alternatives & compare.

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CHARLOTTE TILBURY HOLLYWOOD FLAWLESS FILTER – Shop here

• $44.00 for 30 ml
• Available in 7 shades
• Cruelty- free formulation

Darlings, my Hollywood Flawless Filter is a customisable complexion booster with the versatility of a primer, the mega-watt glow of a highlighter, and the perfecting properties of your favourite digital filter. Ingredients help to soft-focus, illuminate skin and makes lines and pores appear smoother.

WHAT MAKES HOLLYWOOD FLAWLESS FILTER MAGIC:

• The ultimate high gloss, high glow celebrity-skin-filter-in-a-bottle! This was born on the red carpet makeup, inspired by technology, for real life, in real time that looks amazing on-screen or off.

• Smoothing airbrush polymers roll over your complexion for a poreless-looking, creamy finish.

• Glossy Oil is a lightweight moisturising oil that reflects and adds light to your face where you need it.

• Finely milled powders soft focus, makes lines and pores appear smoother which means it only ever looks as amazing in real life, as it does on camera.

• Porcelain Flower Extract is a brightening ingredient derived from a Thai flower with natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to enhance microcirculation and brighten skin.

• Ideal for superstar-lit skin whether you want a subtle glow or a mega-watt complexion.

Source: charlottetilbury.com

This is an amazingly high–shine product that I apply either under my makeup and/or over the top of my makeup, specifically targeting the high points of my face. It gives the most beautiful, dewy & almost juicy look to the skin that I’ve never experienced with any other makeup product until this point. It’s not glittery or shimmery in the slightest; it’s much more wet-looking, which to me is the pinnacle of sophisticated highlighting. I can see how this would play off the cameras on the red carpet very well. Charlotte really knows what she’s doing!

DRUGSTORE ALTERNATIVES

1. L’Oreal Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint – Shop here* 

• $14.99 for 30 ml
• Available in 5 shades

24 Hour Hydration. A touch of sheer radiant color. Smooths fine lines and wrinkles.

Give your skin a beautiful boost of hydration and a touch of radiant color with L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift® Luminous Serum Tint. The lightweight and sheer tinted moisturizer for mature skin smooths fine lines and wrinkles, while evening skin tone. This serum moisturizer is infused with key skincare ingredients such as nourishing oils and Vitamin E. L’Oréal Luminous Serum Tint delivers instant hydration to dull, tired skin while improving skin instantly and over time. Apply the glow serum all over the face to revive radiance for a healthy complexion that stays fresh all day long.

Source: lorealparisusa.com

I have to give credit to The Critical Babe on this one. I read an earlier post of hers where she spoke about how the L’Oreal Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint gives a similar-type effect on the skin as the Flawless Filter does. I have to say I agree, but the Luminous Serum Tint feels just a bit more moisturizing than the Flawless Filter believe it or not. However this product is marketed as ‘skincare + makeup’, so perhaps it shouldn’t be as surprising. To me, the Luminous Serum Tint is like the shy little sister of the Flawless Filter; it doesn’t have as much impact or sheen as the Flawless Filter on first swipe, but you can build the layers up a bit to resemble a similar effect on the skin.

I got shade 801 Pearl which is a pinky, luminous tint that was probably designed to impart moisture & glow only. There are 4 other skin tone shades that perhaps provide a bit of coverage as well, but I can’t speak to those.

2. L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer – Shop here*

• $14.99 for 40 ml
• Available in 4 shades

Highlighting glow lotion. Effortless illumination. For an all over natural glow look.

L’Oréal Paris True Match® LUMI Glotion instantly hydrates and luminizies skin for an all-over, fresh, natural glow. The highlighting formula delivers an illuminating color tint to enhance your skin’s natural skinglow for a healthier, brighter complexion. True Match® Lumi glow lotion formula is infused with Glycerin and Shea Butter for all day continuous hydration.
Available in 4 shades for all skintones, True Match® LUMI glow lotion can be worn alone, under foundation, or target areas for a more luminous effect.

Source: lorealparisusa.com

I’d say the description on the Glotion more closely mirrors the description of the Flawless Filter, as it seems to emphasize the glowy & brightening aspects of its formula rather than the hydrating, skincare-infused Serum Tint does. This is definitely a glowy product that gives off a lovely sheen, but its not glowy in exactly the same way as the Flawless Filter, just so you’re aware. Again, the Flawless Filter gives an almost wet appearance to the skin; the Glotion gives a more shimmery effect on the skin. It’s a very refined shimmer though, but if you’re adverse to anything like that on your skin then I’d skip this one.

I got shade 901 Fair, but there are 3 other skin tone shades as well. Like any of the products spoken about in this post, this is not a traditional coverage product in the slightest. I think the shades correspond more to undertones, so fair skins don’t look orange & deep skins don’t look ashy, if that makes sense.

 

So to recap, both L’Oreal alternatives give a similar effect on the skin as the Flawless Filter does. They are by no means exact dupes, but they are great options at a much smaller price point. If you want something more moisturizing, I’d go with the Luminous Serum Tint; if you want something slightly more shimmery, then go with the Glotion. If you want something that resembles the Flawless Filter as much as possible, then again I’d go with the Luminous Serum Tint. Or just go ahead and treat yourself to the Flawless Filter! It’s an amazingly beautiful product that I think is one-of-kind.

Have you tried the Hollywood Flawless Filter yet? Or any of the L’Oreal products mentioned here? Do you have any cheaper alternatives or dupes I should know about? I’d love to know!

xo, Erica

Check out my post on a great alternative to Pillow Talk Lipstick here.

Check out my shopping guide to Charlotte Tilbury here.

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