I Tried This Iconic Lip Liner to See if it Really Can Make My Lips Look Fuller
Main image – Courtesy of writer
Before the Pillow Talk lipstick became the global phenomenon that it currently is, there was Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat liner in Pillow Talk – the product that started it all.
Launched before the lipstick, this liner (now available in 23 shades) quickly gained cult status and is now the #1 lip liner in the UK prestige makeup market, according to Tilbury.
Of those 23 shades though, there’s one that still really stands out above the rest; Pillow Talk Original, a shade which promises to be both universally flattering and to make lips look fuller and more defined.
As a model by day, when I’m off duty I like my makeup as straightforward and hassle-free as possible. And since the Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk Original really does make my lips look great with the minimum of effort, I’m lucky enough to have it in my current rotation.
Now that the Lip Cheat Pillow Talk range has (somewhat confusingly) expanded to four shades though, I wanted to see whether any of these shades could really offer the same flattering benefits.
Image – Courtesy of writer
For context, I have fair skin, warm undertones, naturally dishwater blonde hair (currently red), and blue eyes. I was interested to see whether the two further Pillow Talk shades closest to my own natural lip colour would still be just as flattering and lip defining as the original.
Read on to see whether they are; and whether the Lip Cheat formula in general really lives up to its moisturising, non-smudging and long-lasting claims.
Product details
As I mentioned, the Lip Cheat liners now come in 23 shades, all featuring Charlotte Tilbury’s signature playful names, such as Icon Baby (a warm rose), Hollywood Honey (a caramel brown), and Kiss ‘n’ Tell (a warm, scarlet red), expanding well beyond just the OG Pillow Talk hue.
Four of these shades are Pillow Talk shades; Pillow Talk Fair, Pillow Talk Original, Pillow Talk Medium, and Pillow Talk Intense.
The formula is designed to last up to six hours, as well as being smudge-proof, and waterproof.
It’s also cruelty-free (though not vegan) and includes jojoba seed oil for a smoother glide, carnauba wax to help it stay put, and hydrogenated cottonseed oil for nourishment.
The liner is available in full size (£22 from Cult Beauty UK /$26 from Sephora US) or as part of a mini lipstick & lip liner duo (£20 from Sephora UK/ $25 from Sephora US).
I’ll be trying the Pillow Talk shades closest to my own lip colour- Fair and Medium- as well as comparing them to my existing experiences with the Original shade.
Image – Courtesy of writer
First impressions
Straight out of the box, the rose-gold packaging is in line with Charlotte Tilbury’s signature aesthetic – chic and luxurious. The pencil itself is sharpenable, which I prefer over twist-up for when I’m trying to keep the tip really precise.
Swiping a quick hand swatch, the formula feels creamy but firm. It has a slight waxy texture, which actually gives me confidence that it’s smudge-proof. It didn’t tug on my skin, but it does require a bit more pressure when lining, which I take as a good sign – especially for a matte liner.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My results
On my lips, Lip Cheat applied just as smoothly – there was no dragging, no skipping. The texture isn’t too dry or too creamy, striking a perfect balance for precision.
Now for comparing shades. Pillow Talk Fair is a little lighter and pinker than the Original. On my fair skin with yellow undertones, it works well, though I can see it looking slightly pale on deeper skin tones.
Pillow Talk Medium is a warmer, rosy-brown shade that added more definition to my lips. This one looked really cool with my red hair – I actually now like it more than Original.
In my day-to-day makeup, I usually go over the liner back and forth to create a soft, blurred halo effect for the ultimate plumped-lip look. I tried this technique with the lighter liner, which worked well for creating a fuller-looking lip.
You can see from my photos below just how much plumper my lips look with Pillow Talk Fair on (right) compared to my lips without liner (left). And the best bit is that the results still look really natural, not like I’ve been trying too hard to contour my mouth.
On my skin tone though I found the shade Medium lends itself to a more precise, defined line. You can still see a slight plumping effect though in the photo below.
My lips still look slightly plumper with shade Pillow Talk Medium on. Image – Courtesy of writer
How did the liners last though?
Both stayed put around four hours before fading, though I think that’s partly down to my habit of constantly applying Vaseline and touching my lips.
Despite that, they barely transferred onto cups and only needed a slight touch-up after eating.
Both felt comfortable and not drying at all. When paired with Pillow Talk Original lipstick, the match was spot on and definitely helped the lipstick last longer.
And in terms of pigment, I was really impressed with how well these liners stood up when worn on their own without lipstick over.
You can see from my photos below how much pigment there is from the liner alone (left), and that adding the Pillow Talk Lipstick over the top (right) doesn’t make a dramatic difference.
This is particularly useful for anyone who wants to try a Pillow Talk product without the expense of buying both the liner and lipstick here, as you’re getting serious amounts of pigment from one product alone.
What other users are saying
When it comes to longevity, opinions on Lip Cheat are divided. On Reddit, reviewer @thiccmango noted, “While the colors are nice and the pencils glide nicely, they don’t last long. Whenever I use my CT lip liner, I find myself reapplying often throughout the day—which makes me run through the product a lot faster than others.”
In my experience, I usually expect to reapply once during the day or night, which I think is reasonable for a lip liner.
When it comes to colour and tone of the Pillow Talk liner range, opinions are just as divided. Reviewer @thelostboyz87 shared, “I don’t think it’s worth the money by itself, it unfortunately wasn’t a flattering color for me, but everyone is unique.”
While both the fair and medium liners worked with my undertones, based on the thread, I’d say this liner isn’t as universally flattering as advertised. On some people, it leans too warm, while on others, it pulls too cool. If you’re unsure, I’d recommend trying the mini before committing. With 23 shades now available, it’s worth swatching in-store to find the best match.
Value for money
At £22/$26, this is definitely a luxury lip liner. The original shade has been my go to for the last 10 years. It does its job – enhancing lips, defining shape, and extending lipstick wear. But is it irreplaceable? Not necessarily.
If you love the shade and formula, it’s worth it. If not, there are cheaper dupes like NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Peekaboo Neutral, Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner in Natural, or Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner in Dusty Rose, all of which are under £10/$10.
The takeaway
The Pillow Talk Lip Cheat liner is a great product and iconic for a reason, but whether it’s a must-have really comes down to personal preference. It’s long-lasting, easy to apply, and pairs beautifully with the lipstick – though it also works just as well on its own, with Vaseline, or layered with a gloss.
I think we probably do need to talk about the fact that making a ‘universally-flattering’ liner in four shades somewhat negates just how universal the original shade was to start with, but hey. With 23 shades to choose from now, chances are there’s a match for everyone; it may just take a bit of swatching to work out which one is the best one for you.
When it comes to the Fair and Medium shades though, given that I already regularly use Original, would I repurchase either new shade?
Actually, yes – I think I’d repurchase both! Each works well for different looks with my undertones and hair, making them versatile additions to my makeup bag.
Get Glowing!
