Part of the reason Genshin Impact has not only survived in the crowded gacha gaming field, but thrived, is because of its wide appeal. Its anime aesthetics are malleable, dark and gothic one moment, cutesy and kawaii the next. This has helped it draw in a sizable crowd of female gamers, who are the core demographic of the game's latest crossover with make up brand Charlotte Tilbury.

Gaming has had make up crossovers plenty of times before, but many have felt disingenuous. The result of analysing player demographics, realising they're losing money by not appealing to women, and panicking about how to pick up girls like a stammering student in a bar asking "S-so , y-y-y-you like make up, r-r-r-right?", resulting in either an incredibly basic offering or a eclectic blend of mismatched colours and poor product choice that feels precisely like what a group of gaming executives with no experience in cosmetics would think women want. Genshin Impact's crossover feels far more confident and curated.

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Released at the end of April, these boxes will be available until July 2, and both come with in-game rewards, but when they're gone, they're gone.

Everything Included In The Genshin Impact x Charlotte Tilbury Collab

There are two boxes in the collection, a smaller one (Starfell Treasure, RRP £55) and a larger one (Starry Miracle, RRP £155), though both are unique (rather than the larger one containing the items of the smaller one, plus some other goodies). You can see this confidence even in the item selection too - rather than the classic 'yes this is a make up' items of lipsticks and eyeshadow, the collection contains a lot of unsung essentials with that touch of Charlotte Tilbury class.

Item

Box

Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream [15ml Travel-Size]

Starfell Treasure

Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray [34ml Travel-Size]

Starfell Treasure

Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir [Deluxe Sample]

Starfell Treasure

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Eye Mask

Starfell Treasure

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Eye Mask

Starfell Treasure

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Drawstring Pouch

Starfell Treasure

In-Game: Primogems 160

Starfell Treasure

In-Game: Hero's Wit 5

Starfell Treasure

In-Game: Sanctifying Unction 5

Starfell Treasure

In-Game: Mora 50000

Starfell Treasure

Charlotte’s Magic Cream [30ml]

Starry Miracle

Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum [Full-Size]

Starry Miracle

Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum [Full-Size]

Starry Miracle

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Sticker Pack

Starry Miracle

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Sticker Pack

Starry Miracle

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Sticker Pack

Starry Miracle

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Headband

Starry Miracle

Charlotte Tilbury × Genshin Impact Make Up Bag

Starry Miracle

In-Game: Primogems 300

Starry Miracle

In-Game: Hero's Wit 10

Starry Miracle

In-Game: Sanctifying Unction 5

Starry Miracle

In-Game: Mystic Enhancement Ore 10

Starry Miracle

In-Game: Mora *50000

Starry Miracle

While the setting spray and hydration cream are very useful items, I think my standout in the smaller box is the compact mirror. Though recognisably Genshin Impact with the etched logo on the front (as you can see in the images below), it has a more mature look that feels at home with any outfit. I enjoy Genshin Impact as much as the next person, but I don't think I'd be using the mirror in public if it were wrapped in a cheap plastic shell covered in anime ladies. There's a balance in the design here, which helps it stand out from other gaming crossover kits.

In the large box, meanwhile, there are a lot of storage items, which might be exactly what you're looking for. It feels closer to being an Genshin Impact product because the various bags and pouches allow for a lot of branding, while the badge and stickers are an easy sell for fans. Of the make up itself, though, I'd have to say I noticed the biggest impact with the Cryo-recovery eye serum, but maybe I just don't get enough sleep. Too many late nights playing Genshin Impact.

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The only major flaw with the presentation is the clasps on the boxes themselves. Made of flimsy card, it's hard to close the boxes securely after opening them the first time. On the one hand, these kits come with make up bags anyway, and the actual items are destined to be shoved into handbags or jewellery boxes, not kept in a chunky cardboard display box. But on the other, these boxes look too good to only be used for delivery, and yet feel like that is their only purpose.

Overall, the word I'd use to describe the crossover is 'understated', which is exactly how you want it. The actual make up items, the things you're going to get the most use out of, are standard Charlotte Tilbury offerings, meaning they are high quality and long lasting - that matters more than how exactly they tie into Genshin Impact itself, which for a lot of them you'd really have to say 'not at all'.

But added to that, the miscellaneous extras included, from the make up pouch to the eye mask, even the metallic compact mirror, all show enough Genshin fandom pride that the link feels ever present without being invasive. It's easy to recommend these kits, because they're make up sets first and a Genshin crossover second, which is exactly the right amount for a product like this.

Mihoyo provided TheGamer with both kits for this review.

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Genshin Impact

RPG Action Adventure Gacha Open-World Systems 10 8.5/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released September 28, 2020 ESRB T for Teen - Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference Developer(s) HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo) Publisher(s) HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo) Engine Unity
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