Charlotte tilbury mini lipstick matte review

Charlotte Tilbury makes some of my absolute favorite beauty products. (I'm obsessed with the cult-favorite Magic Cream and the Beautiful Skin Foundation, and I have more of the eyeshadow palettes than I can count.) But, as a Charlotte Tilbury loyalist, I'm ashamed to say I was late to the party when it came to trying one of their most iconic offerings, the Pillow Talk lip products.

In case you're not familiar, Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat liner in Pillow Talk ($24) first put Pillow Talk lips — known for giving a plusher, juicier look with a natural rosy flush — on the map in 2013. Another long-time iconic product is the Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk ($34), which claims to be a "moisturizing matte" and a perfect partner for the coordinated liner. Pillow Talk lips (and the Charlotte Tilbury brand in general) have a huge celebrity following, but they most recently made headlines for being the lip kit ($52) Britney Spears wore for her June 2022 wedding to Sam Asghari.

Although I've long admired the nude-pink hue, my main hesitation was that I generally don't love matte formulas. My lips chap easily, so drying mattes often look flaky on me. However, I was recently given the opportunity to test these beloved products — if it's good enough for Britney, it should be good enough for me, right?! — and now I finally know what all the hype is about.

The Original Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick and Lip Cheat liner come in Tilbury's signature rose gold packaging. Talia Ergas/Insider

What the Pillow Talk lipstick is like to wear

After priming my lips with a touch of Aquaphor, I applied the Matte Revolution lipstick. The formula felt creamy and nourishing compared to most other mattes I've tried thanks to conditioning vitamin E that gives it softness and a silkier texture. It glided on easily and didn't drag my lips like mattes tend to.

Charlotte Tilbury's website claims the Pillow Talk lipstick "enhances the natural hue of your lips," which for me, it did. My bare lips have a medium-pink tone, and the product really played that up and evened it out without adding a ton of pigment. I found the nude-pink shade subtle and flattering. (If you prefer a bit of a darker berry tone, try the Pillow Talk Medium hue or the Pillow Talk Intense for the line's deepest, richest offering.)

(Image on the left) My bare lips without lipstick; (Image on the right) Wearing Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution lipstick in Pillow Talk Original and the Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk Original. Talia Ergas/Insider

I wore the lipstick for a recent evening of dinner and drinks and was pleasantly surprised by how well it held up. After finishing dinner, I had lost only a bit of color. I reapplied for moisture and longevity more than necessity. I did not reapply beyond that and, after hours of drinking, I posed for a selfie and my lip color was still in pretty great shape.

(Image on the left) What my lips looked like with lipstick and lip liner before going out; (Image on the right) What my lips looked like hours later at the end of the night after eating and drinking. Talia Ergas/Insider

With the lip liner versus without

If you're going for maximum fullness, I recommend pairing the Matte Revolution lipstick with the Lip Cheat liner in the corresponding shade. It takes the volume up a notch and gives the color boosted staying power. For an extra exaggerated pout, you can overline your lips.

(Image on the left) Wearing the lipstick without the lip liner; (Image on the right) Wearing the lipstick with the lip liner. Talia Ergas/Insider

I tried the lipstick with and without the liner. For a more dramatic night-out look, I preferred the plumping effect of overlining my lips with the liner before adding the lipstick. (An optional step: Top it with a clear gloss for an even juicier appearance and shine. I used Victoria Beckham's Posh Gloss in Ice.) If I were to wear this for daytime or to work, I'd skip the liner for a softer look.

The plumpest look: Lipstick plus overlined liner and gloss. Talia Ergas/Insider

The bottom line

After trying Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution lipstick in Pillow Talk and pairing it with the Lip Cheat liner, I can totally see why these products are cult favorites. They give the effect of fuller, plumper lips and the natural rosy hue is easy to dress up or down. The lip kit has become my new go-to, especially since it holds up against eating and drinking, and I can't wait to try the Medium and Intense shades to expand my lineup.

Talia Ergas is a writer and editor covering style, beauty, home, food, pets, weddings, fitness, entertainment, and celebrity news. Her work has appeared in Us Weekly, Bravo, Elite Daily, and more. She graduated from New York University with degrees in Journalism, Sociology, and Creative Writing. You can follow her on Instagram.

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Are Charlotte Tilbury lipstick worth it?

One thing I really can't go without mentioning is that yes, they are pricier lipsticks. I personally find them worth the price tag, but I'm a high end beauty addict, so maybe that's just me. But they're so beautiful, both the product and the packaging, and wear so well, that I don't mind.

One of the most popular Charlotte Tilbury lipstick shades is undoubtedly Pillow Talk. This stunning dusty rose color has taken the beauty world by storm, and it's not hard to see why. The shade is universally flattering and perfect for any occasion, from everyday wear to special events.

Is Charlotte Tilbury matte lipstick drying?

If you're looking for a matte finish lipstick that wears all day without drying out the lips, Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick is the formula for you. The unique cut of the lipstick itself shapes the lips and contours the mouth without needing lipliner.

What is the best selling shade of Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick?

MATTE REVOLUTION PILLOW TALK ORIGINAL.