Self-care Diaries: Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury, the make-up artist who loves crystals

How make-up artist Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury is spending this time in lockdown

Self-care doesn’t mean you have to be a kundalini yogi, have mastered meditation or achieved nirvana. Even the most minute act done for yourself, from wearing bright lipstick to making yourself a cup of tea, has the power to turn your whole day around.

There is no right way to do it. So we’re asking women during this period of isolation to tell us about the joyful moments in their days, be it a beauty product or a Netflix series.

Today’s self-care diary comes from Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury, a London-based make-up artist who grew up in Ibiza.

Sofia is the niece and right-hand woman of Charlotte Tilbury, has a host of celebrity clients including Emma Roberts, Irina Shayk, Sienna Miller and Olivia Palermo, has created beauty looks backstage for the biggest names in fashion and worked on every red carpet from the Oscars to the Met Gala.

Here, she shares how she’s spending her lockdown.

Where are you self-isolating at the moment?

I’m self-isolating in the countryside in the UK right now. I’m very lucky to have access to a garden and to be with a few of my friends, but I’m missing family so I spend a lot of time on Zoom and Facetime calls, checking in with my loved ones!

What is your daily routine consisting of while in quarantine?

I’m working from home, so the majority of my time is spent in conference calls, shooting make-up videos on myself and answering emails. I can’t wait to get back to creating make-up looks at work, but for now, I’m using make-up to stay creative, positive and boost my mood. I’ve been using one of my favourite lipsticks, Walk of Shame, like a lip stain, patting it on and blending with my fingers for a flush of natural colour. One of the unexpected positives of self-isolating is the time to do things you love, like cooking, reading and indulging in your skincare rituals. I have been trying to relish those slower moments by cooking breakfast for my friends, meditating using the Headspace app and lighting candles in the bathroom to make it feel like a sanctuary while I remove my make-up after a long day.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of Shame, €32

How are you dressing while working from home?

This is such an unusual time for all of us, and the main thing we should be focusing on is our health and our wellbeing, so for me, your at-home style should be as comfy and cosy as possible. Here in England, the weather is getting sunnier and brighter, so I’m loving breezy loungewear from brands like LouLou Studio. For me, it’s all about a clean silhouette that still feels easy and relaxed. Even pyjama bottoms work! Some of my favourite brands for pyjamas are Yolke, Rails and Agent Provocateur. In the UK, we’re permitted to take one daily walk, so I usually throw on a pair of jeans—I love Levi 501s and Frame denim—along with my favourite Jennifer Fischer gold hoops and Celine sunglasses. Accessories are a great way to make you feel pulled together and glamourous, even if you are just taking a quick walk to refresh your mind.

Celine oversized square sunglasses, €385

Are you working out at home?

Working out is a huge part of my life and I can’t wait to get back to my regular Pilates and swimming routine! At the moment, I have been loving the Joe Wicks classes to get my heart rate going, and I also really enjoy running, at-home Pilates workouts, and short toning ab workouts you can find easily on YouTube. My favourite workout gear is by Adidas—it’s comfortable and stylish enough to wear all day. I have a pair of Adidas London trainers that are great for low impact activity like walks and home workouts.

How are you engaging with self-care at the moment?

Obviously, we’re all at home at the moment so I know a lot of people are struggling with anxiety and stress, and I have found that skincare is an amazing way to build self-care into your routine. Scent is so important for your mood, so I like to light a Diptyque candle in the bathroom, and I then get my hair out of the way using a silk headband by Slip. I start by cleansing my skin with Charlotte Tilbury’s Goddess Cleansing Ritual. It’s a two-step, double cleanse consisting of a citrus oil cleanse to melt away makeup and a purifying charcoal cleanse to draw out deeply-rooted dirt. Next, I apply the Goddess Skin Clay mask. Charlotte actually sends this mask ahead of time to her celebrity clients before a red carpet event if she knows they won’t be able to see their dermatologist, so it’s perfect for times like this. It gives you baby-smooth skin in just 15 minutes. I have also been using the Current Body Light Therapy LED mask, which is amazing for keeping your skin bright, even and glowing. It looks slightly crazy, but it always makes me, and my friends laugh, and the light stimulates the lower layers of your skin to help it get that healthy look. For my hair, I’ve been using OUAI products like their Repair Shampoo and Treatment Masque. I like to braid my hair or put it in a bun while it dries to create a natural-looking wave without heat or styling tools.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, €72

What beauty product are you enjoying using the most at this time?

The beauty product I’m enjoying most at the moment is the new Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir. Since I’ve been using this serum, I’ve noticed such a huge change in my skin, and on conference calls, Charlotte has been saying my skin has never looked better. One thing I love about this serum is that it actually has crystals like Rose Quartz, Moonstone and Amethyst in it! I’m from Ibiza, so I grew up around crystals and a bohemian way of life. I wear crystals every day, I keep a crystal under my pillow at night; I really do believe in the mood-boosting and holistic healing aura of crystals, so this feels extra special and powerful right now.

Photography by @sofiaschwarzkopftilbury.

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