I've secretly worn Charlotte Tilbury's new foundation for weeks and here's my verdict

I always say that it's a good day when Charlotte Tilbury launches something new, but when it's a foundation she's launching, it's a great day. Also, when the words 'Airbrush' and 'Flawless' appear in the same product name, I know it's something special. So when I got my hands on her brand new Airbrush Flawless Foundation ahead of its UK launch today, August 28, I kept it under wraps and discreetly road-tested it through the hottest days, the longest work shifts and a few too many late-night trains. Now that the secret’s out, I can finally share my verdict.

This is Charlotte’s most ambitious complexion launch to-date, and it shows. Taking the best-selling Airbrush Flawless Foundation from 2015 and reimagining it with next-generation technology, she’s bottled what she’s calling a '3D matte-not-flat' blurring formula. Think full coverage, but featherlight and flexible enough to feel like skin.

Despite my undying faith in Charlotte, I was sceptical at first. I’ve tried countless full-coverage bases promising not to look cakey before, but they always do. But what about this one? here are my thoughts...

Foundation Features

• 24-hour wear: A waterproof, transfer-proof, sweat-proof formula designed to last through heat, humidity and long days without sliding off

• 3D matte-not-flat finish: Powder Blur AirTech diffuses light to smooth imperfections while keeping dimension in the skin

• Skin-loving ingredients: Infused with the brand's own tech, PhytoYouth Essence, C.T. Defence and MossCellTech, all to hydrate, protect and target signs of ageing

• Instant improvement: 93% of wearers noted an improvement in their skin’s appearance every time they wore it. After one hour on the skin, it was also shown to boost hydration by as much as 155%

• Long-term results: Over eight weeks, testers saw smoother skin, more even tone, reduced fine lines and a dramatic reduction in visible pores when the foundation was worn daily.

• Shade range: 44 Airtrue shades that adapt seamlessly to undertones, promising no oxidation and a second-skin match

• Weightless texture: Pigments are wrapped in biomimetic technology to mimic natural ceramides, so the foundation flexes and moves with your skin

Shop Charlotte Tilbury's new Airbrush Flawless Foundation for £39 Head of Beauty Zoe’s verdict

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After weeks of wearing this on repeat, here are my honest thoughts. First of all, I can confirm it delivers on its promises. The coverage is serious; redness, blemishes and under-eye shadows disappear in a couple of swipes, but, true to the brand's word, without the heavy, cakey feeling I’ve come to dread with full coverage. The finish is matte, but not dull. I will say, it's still thicker than products I like to wear on my skin, but that's just because I'm more of a CC cream girl – my day obsession is Lumene's CC Cream SPF20, now £10 –rather than a foundation one. But on the occasions where I want to look 'done', I would absolutely reach for this.

What impressed me most is how it wears. I put it on at 8am and by 8pm, after a day running between meetings, the tube and a dinner event, it still looked fresh. There was no tell-tale foundation fatigue, just a tiny bit of wipe-off under my nose where I'd obviously sneezed a bit off.

The real selling point for me is the skincare benefits. Gone are the days when you dread taking foundation off at the end of a day, worried that you've amassed several blemishes and spots while wearing the foundation. I've been consistently wearing this base for two weeks now to give it a fair test, and my skin looks clear and plump – more so than usual, I'd say.

Is it the most natural finish I’ve ever tried? No, it's still a full-coverage foundation. But for days when you want confidence in a bottle, this is it. Paired with Charlotte’s new matte setting spray, which also launched today, it’s a power duo for long-wear makeup that doesn’t budge. Also, compared to the original Airbrush Flawless Foundation from 2015, which was admittedly a little too full for many, it's like the little sister with all the talents in the family.

At £39, it’s an investment, but considering the technology, the performance and the fact I’ve already swapped out my other special occasion foundations for this, I’d say it’s worth every penny. Charlotte calls it “flawless, poreless confidence in a bottle,” and I’m inclined to agree.