Part of the reasonGenshin Impacthas not onlysurvived in the crowded gacha gaming field, butthrived, 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.
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’re able to 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.
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 may 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.
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.
