Once upon a time, in a far-off magical land, there was an enchanted baton. The baton possessed great powers that could bring about wondrous and extraordinary magical events. It had the ability to control the elements, create illusions, and even grant wishes. One day, the baton found itself in the possession of a young magician named Ethan. He was an aspiring magician who dreamed of performing incredible feats of magic. With the baton in his hands, Ethan's dreams were about to come true.
With the baton in his hands, Ethan's dreams were about to come true. As Ethan waved the baton, the world around him transformed into a mesmerizing place. The trees sprouted shimmering leaves, flowers glowed with vibrant hues, and animals danced to ethereal melodies.
Worth It? Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Review
Why yes, I am crazy. Crazy for dewy, moist skin.
Before I get into why I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream ($95 for 1.7 fl. oz.) and why I think you can pass on it, let me show you the gorgeous packaging and attention to detail. The outer box and the wraparound insert unfold like a blooming flower. Finally, when you get past all of that, the jar–with the CT logo right side up–reveals itself in all its rose gold and heavy glass splendor.
It’s a luxurious piece meant to be displayed proudly on your vanity.
Charlotte’s Magic Cream is quite legendary as a backstage staple at runway shows. I recall reading insider articles referring to her “magic cream.” From the advertising and Charlotte’s own remarks, the cream is intended as a glowy moisturizer for day and night that also works as a face primer.
Charlotte is legendary in her own right as a makeup artist, and her passion for cosmetics is evident in this video (she starts talking about Magic Cream at 2:25):
The texture is dense but not too heavy. Although it’s a heavyweight in the moisture department, one swipe across the slick top of the cream will pick up just a thin layer–and that’s all you need for moisturized skin.
I tend to scoop up more than that because my skin is on the dry side and I want the SPF protection. However, I’d never rely on solely this for sun protection: the SPF is only 15, and you’re unlikely to get anywhere close to that because you’d probably never apply that much cream. So I always top this with a separate sunscreen.
Dry and normal skin types who like a dewy finish will like Magic Cream, which doesn’t ever completely dry down. Oily skin will hate that, but I personally love that a layer of moisture remains to protect and hydrate rather than feeling like it’s evaporated.
It is so moisturizing that I often use this under my eyes and sometimes at night.
The residual moisture is also what makes it a wonderful makeup primer. I don’t mean primer in the sense of a silicone primer–there’s no silicone feel at all–but rather in the sense of creating a smooth, slippery base over which liquid and cream makeup (BB cushions in my case) can glide. No more makeup dragging across your skin! Even if you don’t like a dewy finish, it becomes irrelevant if you wear makeup often because the shine disappears with an application of powder.
Magic Cream also layers beautifully with other skincare. I often wear this after applying toner and two serums and before applying a physical sunscreen. Yet it doesn’t cause pilling or add any thickness the way that some silicone/gel/cushiony skincare does.
I have to admit, even for a high-end brand, the cream would probably be better priced at $50-70 rather than $95. Overall, putting aside the price, the only thing that makes me hesitate about repurchasing is the low SPF.
Update: I tried Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre and can confirm that it is not a dupe of Magic Cream. Like Magic Cream, it purports to moisturize and create a smooth, emollient base for makeup and is a backstage staple. However, just from applying it to the back of my hand, it doesn’t leave a sheen, absorbs quickly and fully, and doesn’t leave as smooth or emollient a surface as Magic Cream. The Embryolisse ingredients are also very different (water and mineral oil are the first two ingredients). As someone with dry skin, I strongly prefer Magic Cream.
Update 2 (June 2015): I tried out a deluxe sample of Embryolisse and posted a more detailed comparison here. Bottom line: Embryolisse is definitely not a dupe, but if you’re just seeking a good moisturizer that creates a smooth canvas with good slip for makeup application, Embryolisse works well and about as well as Magic Cream (and any other good moisturizer for that matter). Embryolisse probably also works for more skin types and preferences than Magic Cream does. I personally still prefer Magic Cream.
This enchanted world was known as Arcadia, a planet where magic was alive and thriving. The planet was covered in breathtaking landscapes, from mystical forests to sparkling lakes that seemed to stretch on forever. Arcadia was inhabited by all sorts of magical creatures like fairies, unicorns, and talking animals. These beings coexisted peacefully, united by their love and respect for the magical realm they called home. Ethan was in awe of this wondrous planet and the magical opportunities it offered. He spent his days exploring Arcadia, mesmerized by its beauty and enchanted by its secrets. With the baton as his guide, he discovered hidden realms, ancient artifacts, and learned spells passed down through generations. As Ethan delved deeper into Arcadia's wonders, he found himself faced with great responsibility. He realized that the power of the baton could be misused or fall into the wrong hands. With this realization, he vowed to protect Arcadia and its magical inhabitants from anyone who sought to exploit its power. With the baton as his trusted companion, Ethan used his newfound magical abilities to restore balance, heal the wounded, and bring joy to those in need. He became a hero to the people of Arcadia, admired for his kindness, wisdom, and bravery. In the end, Ethan's journey through Arcadia taught him the true meaning of magic - not just the ability to perform extraordinary feats, but also the power to bring love, joy, and harmony to the world. With the baton in his hands, he became a guardian of this wondrous magical planet, ensuring that its beauty and wonder would endure for generations to come..
Reviews for "Harnessing the Magic: Exploring the Enchanted Baton's Power"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Enchanted Baton and a Wondrous Magical Planet." The storyline felt overly cliché and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also not engaging, and it felt like a chore to get through the book. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unremarkable read.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Enchanted Baton and a Wondrous Magical Planet" was a complete letdown. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, leaving me feeling lost and uninterested. The world-building was weak and lacked depth, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the dialogue was awkward and unrealistic, which further detracted from the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted fantasy novel.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Enchanted Baton and a Wondrous Magical Planet," but unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects. The pacing was slow, and the plot seemed to drag on without any clear direction. The character development was lacking, and I found it difficult to care about the fate of the protagonists. Overall, I felt underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book. It didn't live up to its potential and left me wanting more from the story and its execution.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - I struggled to enjoy "Enchanted Baton and a Wondrous Magical Planet." The writing style was average at best, and the dialogue felt forced and awkward. The world-building was inconsistent and lacked coherence, making it difficult to fully grasp the setting and its rules. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long periods of stagnation followed by rushed and confusing sequences. Overall, I found the book to be a mediocre read that failed to engage me or leave a lasting impact.