Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Review
Charlotte Tilbury extended its bestselling Pillow Talk line—here's the makeup to try
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Charlotte Tilbury
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As Reviewed’s beauty editor, I’m responsible for trying the latest and hottest products. But it may surprise you that my own arsenal of beauty items leans more drugstore than high-end. That said, I didn’t want to fall in love with makeup from the pricey Charlotte Tilbury when I purchased a few items last year, but everything I’ve tried matched up to or exceeded my expectations. For that reason, my ears perk up when I hear about any new launch from the brand, which is the celebrity makeup artist’s namesake company. Its latest launch is an extension of its bestselling “Pillow Talk” line—and I got to try out the four new products.
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What is Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line?
The Pillow Talk line began with a Lip Cheat Lip Liner shade named “Pillow Talk” in 2013. After receiving praise for its “universally flattering” subtle pink tone, the brand launched a Matte Revolution Lipstick in a corresponding shade in 2017. Charlotte Tilbury continued expanding the line—still harking back to the original Pillow Talk shade—into eye and cheek products, too.
In 2022, the brand announced four new products to the collection: the $29 Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara in “Dream Pop” (a new shade of an existing mascara), $45 Pillow Talk Multi-Glow (a highlighter), $53 Luxury Palette in “Pillow Talk Dreams” (an eyeshadow quad), and $27 Colour Chameleon in “Pillow Talk” (a cream eyeshadow pencil).
1. Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara in Dream Pop
"For instant length, volume, stretch & 24HR vertical lift effect."
What it claims: The Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara already existed in a single, black shade. But the berry-brown shade called “Dream Pop” that’s a “Pillow Talk hue to make every eye color pop.” The formula itself claims to provide volume, length, and a 24-hour “lifted” effect. The mascara’s flattened wand is diamond-shaped (rather than straight or curved) with combs on either side to comb through the lashes and deposit plenty of color.
What it’s like to use it: I tried this mascara in its “Super Black” counterpart while reviewing a Charlotte Tilbury gift set and was stunned by how much of a difference I saw in my already-long lashes in terms of length and volume. I feel the same about the “Dream Pop” shade. The formula and wand make it easy to coat my lashes in just a few swipes and the brown tone looks plenty dramatic and eye-popping despite being lighter than black. I typically prefer black mascara, but the brown looked softer with my blue eyes and light skin tone—and with a formula this beautiful on the eyelashes, I’d try it in any color.
Get the Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara in Dream Pop from Charlotte Tilbury for $29
2. Pillow Talk Multi-Glow in Romance Light
"Nude-pink highlighter in a silky-smooth powder formula for a cool-toned, fairy-like Pillow Talk glow!"
What it claims: The Pillow Talk Multi-Glow highlighter is available in two color options: the cool, pink-toned “Romance Light” and the warm, peach-toned “Dream Light.” Each highlighter is made up of four stripes of color that you can either swipe individually or mix altogether. “Romance Light” contains an icy white, light pink, deeper pink, and light lilac. “Dream Light” contains a cream, pink, tan, and light pink. Both promise a “soft focus, beautifying fairy glow” that provides a shimmering, blurring finish.
What it’s like to use it: I was sent “Romance Light” and initially felt nervous looking at the shimmery, almost purplish powder. I imagined it looking too icy for my skin tone and that it would show up as flecks of glitter rather than giving off a dewy highlight. I’m happy to report that I was wrong. The highlighter isn’t noticeably purple or even overly pink once on my skin and the shimmer gleams on the tops of my cheekbones without looking glittery or emphasizing texture on my skin. Based on this experience, I would guess the warm “Dream Light” also imparts a flattering glow, but with a color that better suits deeper or warmer skin tones than mine.
Get the Pillow Talk Multi-Glow from Charlotte Tilbury for $45
3. Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk Dreams
"Featuring 4 universally flattering shades, from pearlescent rose-gold and matte dusky rose to matte berry brown and shimmering rose-bud pink."
What it claims: “Pillow Talk Dreams” is the “dialed-up take” on the original “Pillow Talk” eyeshadow quad that features lighter rosy hues. The new iteration includes four shades: a pearlescent rose gold, metallic rosy pink, matte dusty rose pink, and a matte berry-brown. The brand claims that all shades should have a “buttery-smooth” feel thanks to their emollient ingredients.
What it’s like to use it: “Buttery-smooth” is accurate! A light dip into the dusty rose color with my E.L.F. crease brush picks up plenty of product to define the crease of my eyelid and a tap of the deep brown shade creates definition on the outer third of my eye. Lightly sweeping my finger on either metallic shade pulls plenty of pigment for a dramatic, shimmery pop of color all over my eyelids. Blending the eyeshadows is easy, too. I tapped the powders into my eyelids and swept back and forth and slightly up toward my brow bone to diffuse the colors to a more subtle look.
The rich, pink-infused tones are gorgeous, but not my favorite on my eyes—I prefer warm brown tones and champagne shimmers rather than rosy pinks against my skin tone. But if this color palette appeals to you, I think you’ll love the eyeshadow quality.
Get the Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk Dreams from Charlotte Tilbury for $53
4. Colour Chameleon in Pillow Talk
"This shimmering nude-pink eyeshadow pencil has a fool-proof formula that creates a dazzling, dialled-up look on fairer skin tones, and a dreamy, flattering look on deeper skin tones!"
What it claims: Colour Chameleon is a cream, crayon-like eyeshadow available in several shimmering jewel-tone shades, including the newest nude-pink “Pillow Talk.” It claims to last for up to 10 hours on the lids with a “water-repellent” formula that “brightens and widens” the eyes with its shimmer.
What it’s like to use it: I tried the “Pillow Talk” shade of Colour Chameleon when the brand released it early for its holiday kit. Despite my oily eyelids that always cause eyeshadow to crease, the Colour Chameleon stayed put for hours without any unappealing lines or smudges. As for the color, a few swipes of the pink hue showed up plenty pigmented on my light skin tone and I could easily blend it with my fingers. A downside to this eyeshadow is that you need to periodically sharpen it—the brand sells a pencil sharpener for $7—as it doesn't twist up. Without it, I imagine you’d run through the visible shadow very quickly—I used it a handful of times and burned through more than half of the exposed tip.
Get the Colour Chameleon in Pillow Talk from Charlotte Tilbury for $27
What should you try from Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line?
Of the new products, I would jump to get your hands on the Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara and the Pillow Talk Multi-Glow highlighter powder. Both of these items exceeded my expectations when it came to the formula and colors. The Luxury Palette is gorgeous on the eyes, but I would choose one of the 15 color combos that speaks to your makeup preferences—if that’s the new “Pillow Talk Dreams” quad, go for it. Finally, if you’re a cream eyeshadow fan, you’ll love Colour Chameleon’s pigmentation and staying power—I just personally prefer powder formulas.
No matter what you choose, I think you’ll be happy with the quality of Charlotte Tilbury’s products.