Out of all the viral makeup trends that have hit my social media lately (soap brows, anyone?), glowing, dewy skin might be my favorite. My acne-prone skin has had to thank me time and time again for replacing my heavy, matte foundation with lightweight, breathable BB creams. It seems like a lot of makeup fans jumped on the glow car with me, as my favorite sunblock went out of stock in a hot minute.
Save for a small version of color 3, the entire Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($34) collection is sold out on Sephora right now—and for good reason. To outsiders, this magical complexion enhancer has gone viral on social media for its ability to create a smooth, luminous finish. Celebrity makeup artists have raved about the product’s ability to create an Instagram IRL filter on dull, uneven skin.
The hype on the internet is total is under warranty, but unfortunately, the need makes it extremely difficult to upgrade back. Since I hadn’t been able to track my shade for months, I went to Amazon looking for a dupe that was available, reasonably priced, and Oh Boy, I have found one.
Behold, L’Oréal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion ($12), an almost identical dupe by Charlotte Tilbury, and my current everyday makeup go-to. Just like the Hollywood Flawless Filter, Lumi Glotion can be worn under your favorite foundation for extra radiance or alone for maximum luminosity.
Before using Lumi Glotion, left and after, right.
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Lumi Glotion has the same mattifying, even-toning effect as Perfect Filter with the added hydrating benefits of glycerin and shea butter. When it comes to packaging and product accessibility, Lumi Glotion comes out on top. While the Perfect Filter’s glass container is beautiful, it does not allow for easy product removal, especially when combined with the included propeller applicator. Lumi Glotion comes in a bottle with no squeezer, allowing you to apply the perfect amount of product directly onto a mixing sponge.
Top Color Swatch: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (Shade: 4.5)
Bottom model: L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion (Shade: Light)
Since my summer tan is long gone, I decided to try out Lumi Glotion in the Light shade, a peachy difference from the Golden Perfection filter shade I usually use in the warmer months more pressure. While the colors in the image above are clearly different, the shimmer pattern in both is IMO indistinguishable. My main concern with drugstore clones is that they tend to rely on shimmery streaks to replicate the shimmer and shine of their brand counterparts, so this is a real surprise. interesting surprise. Over 13,000 5-star reviews on Amazon echo my praise of the Lumi Glotion, with some reviewers calling it a “100% CT dupe”.
Alas, all that glitters isn’t always gold. While I have a lot of respect for L’Oréal’s dupe lately, there are some obvious areas where the Lumi Glotion falls short of the Perfect Filter. One major difference that is noticeable between the two products is the texture. While Perfect Filter is light and airy, Lumi Glotion has a slightly sticky feel. This may not be a problem for those who like to apply foundation on top, but this change in texture can be a minus for those who prefer to apply foundation alone. For myself, a light layer of translucent powder on top has effectively removed any stickiness.
The perfect filter also beats its L’Oréal counterpart in terms of longevity. While Lumi Glotion lasts for a while, bare patches start to appear after a few hours. Refreshing quickly isn’t a big deal for half a day, but if you want it to stay in place all day, consider investing in a long-lasting fixative spray to lock in the light.
There’s no substitute for the OG Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, but I have to give L’Oréal some serious praise— Lumi Glotion makes my skin look just as radiant and for less than 34 dollars, I can say it’s a win.
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