Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick: Matte Revolution and Beyond

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick: Matte Revolution and Beyond

A Charlotte Tilbury lipstick starts with the Matte Revolution shades, so I walk through the ones I would pick first. Then come the satin and balm formulas from the same brand, and matte and satin lipsticks from other houses that play in the same range.

Charlotte Tilbury says her love of makeup began in Ibiza when she was 11, watching family friend Mary Greenwell do makeup for supermodels on a Vogue shoot. Decades of backstage and red carpet work later, she launched her own brand in 2013. That history is why a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick feels less like a random shade and more like a flattering color someone has tested on real faces. The charlotte tilbury matte revolution lipstick is the line I reach for first. The formula is long-wearing and buildable, with Vitamin E and a blend of waxes to hydrate, and 3D glowing pigments meant to make lips look fuller.

The shades are named like a guest list. Very Victoria is a taupe nude, and Super Model is a nude rosewood that suits a quiet day. Catwalking is a nude peach matte, and Gracefully Pink leans pink coral. Sexy Sienna is a true coral, Secret Salma is a deep rose plum for evenings, and Red Carpet Red is a ruby red that does what the name promises.

A practical tip from the brand's own directions: draw just over your natural lip line with the matching Lip Cheat liner, then fill in straight from the bullet. Start with a nude or a pink coral if matte lipstick is new to you, since those forgive an uneven swipe.

Big numbers collage titled MATTE REVOLUTION, six products numbered one to six with each product set beside its number: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Very Victoria, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Sexy Sienna, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Secret Salma, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Gracefully Pink, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Stoned Rose and Guerlain Rouge G in 08 Le Nu
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick

Satin, Hot Lips and the balm that melts

Matte is only one way Charlotte Tilbury does lipstick. The K.I.S.S.I.N.G Satin Shine Lipstick is a moisturizing soft-satin formula, and the shades read as a small wardrobe. Nude Kate is a light pink-toned nude, and Penelope Pink is a nude with pink undertones. Stoned Rose is a warm coral rose that I find easier to wear than a true coral, and Tell Laura is a warm orange red for anyone ready to commit.

The Hot Lips Lipstick 2 range uses the K.I.S.S.I.N.G and Matte Revolution formula in 11 shades inspired by strong icons and rule-breakers. Amazing Amal is a berry pink, and In Love With Olivia is a pink that sits between everyday and party.

Then there is the softer option. The Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick Balm is a balm with lipstick payoff, made with hyaluronic acid for a dewy, plumper-looking lip. Crystal Happikiss is a sheer nude pink, and Passion Kiss is a soft brown. The texture is described as fondue-like, so twist out only as much as you need.

How to pair them: wear a Happikiss over a matte Revolution shade in the same family and the color stays but the flat look softens.

What I would skip: a Happikiss on its own if you need a crisp edge for a long dinner. A balm melts by design, so add a liner.

Matte and satin lipsticks from other houses

Not every lipstick I love comes from one brand. Here are matte and satin options that sit in the same nude, coral and red range as the Tilbury shades above.

Guerlain Rouge G in 08 Le Nu is a rosy nude in a refillable, customizable system, and the gold case is sold separately from the refill. Givenchy Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet in N15 Nude Ambre is a warm brick nude in liquid form, with a matte-velvet finish and up to 12 hours of wear. Prada Monochrome Soft Matte Blur in B101 Tiepolo is a soft nude pink that is also refillable, with a diffused matte finish. Laura Mercier Caviar Smoothing Matte in 143 Nude Sateen is a warm medium peach with hyaluronic acid, made for comfortable matte wear.

For satin, Gucci Long Lasting Satin in 202 Moira Sienna is a sienna raspberry with a creamy feel. Tom Ford Runway Lipstick in Wild Ginger is a bright orange, and the formula includes pomegranate seed oil and camelina seed oil to hydrate. Chanel is here too, with Rouge Allure L'Extrait in 812 Beige Brut and Rouge Allure Velvet in Rouge Vie, two shades I would swatch in person before choosing.

A pairing tip: use a nude liner from your Tilbury Lip Cheat shade under any of these matte formulas and the edge stays sharp.

What I would skip: Wild Ginger as your first orange. It is bright, so try it on a day you are ready to be noticed.

Choosing your first Tilbury red, nude or coral

Pick by the undertone you already know. If nudes wash you out, go for Sexy Sienna or Gracefully Pink, which bring warmth. If you love a soft look, Very Victoria or Super Model are the easy ones, and Secret Salma is my choice when the plan turns to evening. Once you know your family, try the K.I.S.S.I.N.G satin in a nearby shade for days when matte feels like too much. Test any new shade on your lips, not your hand, and carry a liner. A good Charlotte Tilbury lipstick is a color you keep reaching for, so start with one and let the rest follow.