Choosing the perfect foundation can be a daunting task, especially with so many high-performing options available. This head-to-head comparison pits two industry giants against each other: Estée Lauder Double Wear and Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless. Both foundations promise exceptional longevity, full coverage, and a flawless finish, but which one reigns supreme? This in-depth review delves into the application, wear time, and overall performance of each foundation, meticulously examining their strengths and weaknesses on oily skin.We’ll be putting these two popular foundations to the ultimate test, evaluating their coverage, texture, longevity, and how well they hold up throughout the day. From initial application to a 14-hour wear test, we’ll provide a detailed analysis to help you decide which foundation best suits your needs and skin type. Get ready for the ultimate foundation showdown – Estée Lauder Double Wear vs. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless!
Pros And Cons
- Medium to full, buildable coverage
- Looks natural
- Blends nicely
- Covers pigmentation, redness, and acne scarring well
- Long-lasting (24-hour wear claimed)
- Matte finish
- Waterproof, sweat and humidity resistant
- Transfer resistant
- Oil-free, dermatologist tested, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free
- Smooths out pores and texture
- Covers acne and pigmentation well
- Weightless feel
- Full coverage
- Natural-looking finish
- Sweat, humidity, and waterproof
- Transfer resistant
- Hydrating
- Long-lasting (claims to be all-day wear)
- Some texture may still be visible
Read more: Hydrating Foundation for Dry Skin: Top 5 Picks
Primer and Preparation
Before diving into the foundation face-off, a crucial step was prepping my skin. I always start with a primer to create a smooth base and help my makeup last longer. My go-to is the NARS Smooth & Protect Primer, applied generously to my entire face, especially areas prone to oiliness.
This step is vital for ensuring both foundations have an even surface to adhere to and maximizing their performance throughout the day. A good primer can greatly impact the longevity and overall finish of your makeup.
With my skin primed and ready, it was time to see which foundation would come out on top in this head-to-head comparison. I was particularly excited to see how they'd handle my oily skin.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Application
First up was the Estee Lauder Double Wear, a long-time favorite and my holy grail foundation. I applied it to one half of my face using the Fenty Beauty foundation brush (#110).
This foundation boasts medium to full, buildable coverage. The first layer provided a natural, even base, blending seamlessly into my skin. I applied a second layer for full coverage, which effectively concealed my pigmentation and acne scarring.
The shade I used is 2W2 Rattan, a light-medium with warm yellow undertones, perfectly matching my skin tone.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Application
Next, I applied the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation to the other half of my face, again using the same Fenty brush. The luxurious packaging certainly caught my eye.
This foundation went on incredibly smoothly, instantly blurring pores and smoothing my skin texture. The shade 5.5 provided excellent coverage, concealing imperfections like acne scars and redness with remarkable ease.
After a second layer and blending with a beauty blender, the result was a flawless, natural-looking full coverage finish. I was truly impressed by how well it hid my skin texture.
Initial Comparison and Claims
After letting both foundations settle for a few minutes, I did a closer inspection. The Charlotte Tilbury foundation had created a beautifully smooth, poreless look, while the Estee Lauder delivered a flawless, full-coverage matte finish. Both concealed imperfections effectively, but Charlotte Tilbury seemed to offer slightly better pore-minimizing results.
I then checked the product claims on each brand's website. Both foundations advertised impressive longevity, waterproofing, and transfer resistance. However, Charlotte Tilbury also highlighted unique ingredients designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and boost hydration, which intrigued me.
The claims for both foundations were exceptionally strong, promising all-day wear and a flawless finish. The key differences seemed to lie in their unique selling propositions regarding skin care benefits and texture.
Six-Hour Check-in
Six hours after application, both foundations were still holding up remarkably well. The Charlotte Tilbury had developed a subtle, natural glow, while the Estee Lauder maintained its matte finish. Natural oils were beginning to show but neither had caked or settled into fine lines.
The Charlotte Tilbury seemed to create a slightly more natural, radiant look, while the Estee Lauder remained consistently matte. Both showed impressive oil control for my typically oily skin type.
Both foundations were impressive at the six hour mark, with minimal oil breakthrough and no caking or settling. The difference was mainly in the overall finish – a radiant glow for Charlotte Tilbury, and a smooth matte finish for Estee Lauder.
Fourteen-Hour Check-in and Conclusion
My final check-in at nearly 14 hours revealed that both foundations had stood the test of time. Oil production had increased, but both still looked surprisingly good, with minimal settling or caking.
The Charlotte Tilbury maintained a lovely glow, and surprisingly showed very little settling into my nose and smile lines. The Estee Lauder remained impressively matte, demonstrating its oil-controlling capabilities.
Ultimately, while both are exceptional long-wearing foundations, I give the slight edge to Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless. Its smoothing effect, natural glow, and impressive long-lasting power made it my personal winner in this face-off. However, the Estee Lauder Double Wear remains a very strong contender, particularly for those who prefer a matte finish.