Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream has earned cult status thanks to its super-hydrating, dewy formula. However, priced at an eye-watering £79 for a 50ml pot, it’s definitely a luxury purchase for most and may not be in some people’s budgets.
The best-selling moisturiser claims to transform skin from dull and lacklustre to “hydrated” and “glowing”.
Since Charlotte’s Magic Cream was released in 2013, a new, cheaper dupe has come onto the scene that has been lauded as yielding the same results as the £79 moisturiser but at a fraction of the cost.
The Revolution Pro Miracle Cream, much like Charlotte’s Magic Cream, claims to transform dull and tired-looking skin using a cocktail of skincare heroes.
So it’s no surprise that the Miracle Cream caught the attention of beauty experts and TikTokers leading to the moisturiser selling out multiple times online and in shops.
When I spotted a pot of the coveted moisturiser a few months ago in my local Superdrug, I snapped it up and couldn’t wait to test it out.
Over the years, I’ve used multiple moisturisers at different price points with varying results to tackle my dry skin. Some of my favourites include Clinique’s Moisture Surge moisturiser, Tatcha Dew Skin Cream, Weleda Skin Food and Aldi’s Lacura Caviar Day Cream.
I finally managed to get my hands on a small pot of Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream over Christmas after a friend very kindly gifted me Charlotte’s Radiant Glow on the Go Set which included a toner, the brand’s supercharged serum and the award-winning Charlotte’s Magic Cream.
I tested out each cream for one week to directly compare how hydrated, plumped and rejuvenated my face felt to see which formula worked best.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Charlotte’s Magic Cream contains all the skincare ingredients you would want to see in a luxury moisturiser.
Vitamin C and E work to brighten your complexion and even out your skin tone while hyaluronic acid helps to keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours. Other important ingredients include camellia oil which gives the skin that sought-after dewy finish, and aloe vera, which calms and smooths the skin.
The moisturiser is powered by Charlotte’s “magic eight matrix” which claims to give skin that plumping, hydrated, glowy complexion we all yearn for.
Most importantly, Charlotte’s formula features SPF 15 which gives skin some protection against UV rays.
The glass jar itself feels luxurious and can even be recycled and refilled – but only if you have the 50ml pot. The rose-gold-coloured lid looks beautiful perched on my dressing table alongside my other pale pink skincare products and the white inner seal keeps the cream fresh.
One of my favourite aspects of this product is its scent. The floral, rosey scent is really subtle and doesn’t become overwhelming when applied to the skin. While I love the scent, those who prefer more neutral smells or an unscented formula should probably steer clear.
I applied the formula every morning and was very impressed with its thick consistency and luxurious feel. I massaged two pea-sized amounts into my face and neck and loved how dewy and plumped my skin instantly felt.
The product also sits really nicely underneath make-up which isn’t surprising considering Charlotte Tilbury first designed the cream as a primer for models backstage at runway shows.
I love this cream and if it wasn’t for the price it would easily become my go-to daily moisturiser. However, the price is a big sticking point for me.
My skin is very dry in the winter months and while a little may go a long way for some skin types, I found I needed to apply more halfway through the day to cater for my dry patches. I also found that I was using the cream quite sparingly because I was concerned about the cash I’d need to shell out for a new jar in a few months’ time.
The verdict: 4/5
I love this product but its high price point takes some of the enjoyment out of using it. If you’re willing to splurge, you won’t find any better than this award-winning formula.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream costs £52 for a 30ml jar from Cult Beauty or £79 for a 50ml jar.
Charlotte’s Magic Cream costs £195 for a 150ml jar.
Revolution Pro Miracle Cream
I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by Revolution’s Miracle Cream but at just £10 for a 50ml jar, this affordable dupe certainly packs a punch.
The Miracle Cream formula contains some similar ingredients to Charlotte’s Magic Cream including hyaluronic acid which hydrates skin, vitamin C which protects against environmental aggressors and shea butter which softens and nourishes skin.
Unlike the Magic Cream, Revolution’s cream contains one of my favourite skincare ingredients, niacinamide, which brightens the complexion while minimising enlarged pores.
The Revolution Pro Miracle Cream claims to “transform dull and tired-looking skin” and is designed for all skin types to create a flawless canvas for makeup.
Similar to the Charlotte Tilbury jar, the Miracle Cream has a pretty pink ombre glass jar with a luxurious-looking gold lid and a pink inner seal which keeps the formula fresh. The only slight difference is Charlotte’s Magic Cream lid feels slightly more weighty which definitely gives it more of a luxury feel.
When comparing the formulas side-by-side, they appear quite different. Revolution’s is a lighter formula that feels slightly gooey while Charlotte Tilbury’s is thicker. I thought I would prefer Charlotte Tilbury’s formula on my dry skin but I actually found Revolution’s Miracle Cream lasted longer and left me looking radiant all day.
It also works brilliantly underneath my make-up, adding a dewy glow that even some of the best primers can’t replicate.
The only two issues I have with Revolution’s Miracle Cream are the smell and the lack of SPF.
The moisturiser is fairly unscented but does have a slight plasticky smell which some may find off-putting. The lack of SPF does mean I have to make sure I apply a good sunscreen every day which may not be idea for those who are looking for a moisturiser that contains SPF.
The verdict: 4.5/5
I am obsessed with this moisturiser and have started using it daily both underneath makeup and without. Unlike Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream, I don’t feel like I have to use Revolution’s Miracle Cream sparingly.
If you’re looking for an affordable moisturiser that delivers radiant, dewy skin then look no further.
Revolution Pro Miracle Cream currently costs £8 from LOOKFANTASTIC and £10 from Boots UK.
