Is Pillow Talk Lipstick Really Universal? I Find Out After a Hair Colour Change
Main image – Courtesy of writer
Charlotte Tilbury is no stranger to a viral product, but arguably her most iconic is the Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk Original (£29 from Cult Beauty UK /$35 from Ulta Beauty US).
With one sold every 10 seconds worldwide, it has cemented its place as a staple in makeup bags everywhere. This universally-flattering shade is designed to suit all skin tones and hair colours, making it a go-to for many beauty lovers.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Pillow Talk Original was the first lipstick I ever bought in my 20s, when my hair was golden blonde and I religiously used fake tan. Years later, the lip liner is still one of my go-tos in rotation in my makeup bag.
I’ve since dyed my hair red and ditched the tan, so I wanted to revisit the lipstick to see if it’s still as good as I remember – and if it’s really as universally flattering as they say.
My lipstick preferences and skin tone
For context, I have fair skin with yellow undertones, which is something I’ve always been mindful of when choosing makeup.
My natural hair colour is dishwater blonde, but it’s currently dyed red, a shift that has changed how certain makeup shades look on me. When it comes to lip products, I either gravitate to shades that enhance my natural lip colour, or a more stoney 90s lip.
Image – Courtesy of writer
One of my current go-to glosses is Fenty’s Fu$$y, which is a similar pink to Pillow Talk in terms of the shade. I usually line my lips with either Pillow Talk or a Sephora alternative – I like smudging this to have a blurred effect rather than a strict definition. I occasionally get dry lips when using some lip products, so the real test for me is whether my lips stay moisturised.
Product details
Originally launched as a lip liner in 2013, Pillow Talk quickly gained cult status before expanding into a full lipstick. Since then, it has become a part of an entire Pillow Talk makeup line, which includes blushers, lip liners, highlighters, and even mascara.
There are four shades in the Pillow Talk lipstick range: Fair, Original, Medium, and Intense, which cover a spectrum from pale pink to deep berry tones. While I’m reviewing the Original shade, each variant offers a slightly different take on the universally-flattering nude.
A mini version of the lipstickl is also available as part of a duo with the lip liner for £20 from Sephora UK /$25 from Sephora US. The lipstick is also cruelty-free, though not vegan.
Key ingredients in the formula include orchid extract, which provides hydration; Lipstick Tree extract (yes, it’s a tree!) for antioxidant protection; and 3D glow pigments, which are designed to create a fuller, plumper-looking pout.
First impressions
Right out of the box, Pillow Talk looks luxurious. The rose gold packaging feels solid for its price. The lipstick itself has a soft vanilla scent that I absolutely love.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Swatching it on my hand, the texture feels creamy but lightweight, and the colour is a soft pinky-nude. Despite being a matte formula, it doesn’t seem drying on first application, it’s actually pretty moisturising.
My results
Applying the lipstick was smooth- it feels velvety and the formula glides on easily with no tugging. It has a soft-matte finish rather than a flat, dry matte. It also made my lips look fuller (I’m assuming this is down to the 3D glow pigments).
What I noticed after all these years is that while Pillow Talk suited my skin tone, and complimented my blue eyes and yellow undertones, it was slightly too pink for my shade of hair. The red I have isn’t natural, and I think this lip shade might work better with natural hair colours.
Image – Courtesy of writer
Wear test
As for longevity, Pillow Talk held up fairly well. It passed the drink test, I had a smoothie half an hour after applying and there was barely any residue on the glass. It lasted three hours on my lips before needing a top up. My lips began to look a little dry after two hours, which I think is normal as a chronic vaseline reapplier.
In my day-to-day routine, I typically wear the Pillow Talk lip liner with just Vaseline, slightly overlining my lips to create a soft, blurred halo effect. That said, the lip liner itself is quite solid, so blurring it can be tricky!
Image – Courtesy of writer
When I paired it with the Pillow Talk lipstick, I opted for a slightly more defined overline. This gave the lipstick a cleaner, neater finish and helped it stay looking fresh for longer.
What other users are saying
I spend a lot of time on Reddit when looking for beauty recommendations. It turns out that there’s a lot of debate about Pillow Talk and whether it is truly universal.
On the topic of shades and tones, a reddit poster @tealsparkles said: “It really depends on your undertone, IMO. I looked at Pillow Talk Medium as an alternative to the original, but both wash me out. I’m medium-dark olive.”
While another user, @dragons-lava, said: “I’m a rich caramel color with very golden undertones, and I love Pillow Talk!”
I think the real deciding factor is undertone. On some, it pulls peachy-nude, while on others, it leans pink.
From what I’ve seen, it tends to complement yellow and golden tones better than olive or green ones.
If you’re unsure, definitely swatch it first – many users recommend trying the mini version before committing to the full size.
Value for money
At £28, Pillow Talk is a luxury lipstick, but if you love the shade and formula, it’s worth it.
However, if you find it drying or not quite right for your skin tone, there are cheaper alternatives, like Revolution’s Satin Kiss Lipstick in Chauffeur (£4 from Boots UK /$8 from Revolution USA).
The takeaway
Pillow Talk has remained my go-to lipstick for a reason. It’s a beautiful, wearable nude that blushes and makes my lips look ever so slightly plumper. While it may not be truly universal, it’s a classic shade that suits a wide range of people, and they now have several variations of the original shade.
Would I repurchase? Absolutely – it was my first-ever lipstick, and I can’t imagine my makeup bag without it!
Get Glowing!
