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A week before its launch date, Charlotte Tilbury's new blush was already swirling on TikTok... such is the power of all things "Pillow Talk." But should you buy into the early hype around the Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands? Allure had three editors, with three different skin tones, try the new formula to find out. We also talked to Tilbury herself: mother of the blockbuster Pillow Talk franchise, makeup artist to the stars (Kate Moss, Amal Clooney, Naomi Campbell, and more), and — in her words — "an alchemist." Tilbury told us she's in the business of "stealing a little bit of DNA here, there, and everywhere" and this time the DNA in question is from babies. "You know when babies blush, and there's a certain pop of color?" Tilbury says. "It’s lit from within." (Don't worry — "DNA" is figurative for Tilbury. No children were harmed in the making of this blush.)
The Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands are the latest addition to the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk phenomenon that started a decade ago with just a neutral-pink lip liner. The company says one product from the line — which now includes various lip products, eye shadow, and blush — is sold every six seconds somewhere on planet Earth. When a franchise is this successful, more is more so this latest formula comes in three shades on top of the classic soft-rose Pillow Talk. There’s also Pillow Talk Pink Pop (a bubblegum pink), Pillow Talk Peach Pop (a bold coral), and Pillow Talk Dream Pop (a vibrant raspberry). "They don't sit on top of the skin and blend right in," Tilbury says of the formula. Cosmetic chemist Marisal Mou explains that the formula’s silica spheres are "critical to creating a natural look" and "fill into the gaps of wrinkles and lines to create a blurring effect." And while this is certainly not Tilbury’s first wand rodeo — she also has the Beauty Light Wands, Hollywood Contour Wands, and Easy Eye Wands – the formula in these wands stands out because of its skin-like finish. "It’s unique because psychologically, we almost expect a cream or liquid product to give a dewy look, and when it gives the unexpected result of being matte, it can have a ‘wow’ effect," says Mou.
I’m wearing a touch of the shade Pink Pop on my cheeks when I’m chatting with Tilbury on Zoom — and even through my laptop screen, the effects are visible: Tilbury tells me, "It’s gorgeous. It looks so fresh on your skin." Of course, she has to say that, but I don’t disagree. You’d never know the ethereal flush beaming from my cheeks wasn’t natural. As a blush enthusiast, I’ve tried it all — powders, liquids, balm, creams — and nothing blends quite so seamlessly. Mou explains that liquid formulas (versus powder blushes) have better spreadability on the skin, and one key ingredient, isododecane (a carrier fluid), "helps to deposit the powder and pigments onto the skin and evaporates shortly after to leave the skin with nice even coat of color."
All that said, the placement of this pretty pigment matters a lot. Tilbury’s advice: "Never start too low — it pulls your cheeks down. Always go high on your cheekbones. It lifts!" She suggests that blush should be the last step in your routine. "If I’m doing a very neutral look with just gloss and a little bit on my eyes — fine, more blush. But if wearing a strong lip or a strong eye, you can then measure it in the mirror," Tilbury says. Regardless though, the way Tilbury sees it, blush is currently a necessity. "I think that the whole world is tired. A lot of people are drained. What happens when you're tired? The color falls from your face. Blush is vital."
She might be right. Three Allure editors tested the new Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands and they already earned a permanent spot in their makeup routine. Here, they blush and tell.
Dianna Mazzone, Associate Features Director, in Pillow Talk
I'm a major (and I mean major) fan of Charlotte Tilbury Highlighter Wand in Pinkgasm, so when I heard the brand was launching liquid blush in the same format, I couldn't volunteer my face fast enough. I tried the shade Pillow Talk — the pink-y beige hue the brand has famously launched in the form of lipstick, liner, powder blush, you name it — and was a little worried it might be too dark on my fair complexion. So I used a light hand when dotting it on in a C-shape that ran from the tops of my cheeks to my temples. I blended out the pigment using a brush, and lo and behold, I was left with a gorgeous, natural-looking flush. The finish is more matte than that of my beloved Pinkgasm, but it certainly isn't flat.
Annie Blay, Associate Beauty Editor, in Pillow Talk Dream Pop
I desperately wanted to love the original, glittery Charlotte Tilbury Highlighter Wand but when it comes to my cheeks, I prefer a matte finish. This new liquid blush has completely won me over for the sheer fact that it doesn't have any shimmer. Don't get me wrong, I love a glowy moment as much as the next person but this blush gives more of a natural glow which is always what I'm going for. The color is pigmented which I appreciate and a little goes a very long way. I applied it with my fingers (my favorite way to apply cream blush), and it melted easily into my skin, leaving a very natural flush of color behind. As someone who loves the rosy cheek look but doesn't blush naturally, this product has definitely secured a spot in my everyday beauty routine.
Talia Gutierrez, Associate Manager, Special Projects, in Pillow Talk Peach Pop
I’m all for more Charlotte Tilbury makeup, especially a new extension of my go-to Pinkgasm Wand. Out of the new shades, I immediately gravitated toward Peach Pop. An orange-toned blush gives my olive-toned complexion the illusion of a summertime tan… in the middle of winter. After a satisfying new-tube squeeze, I applied two dots worth of product on the high points of my cheekbones and began blending it out with an angled blush brush. Even with a light coverage foundation underneath, the liquid blush blended like butter. So much so that I went ahead and applied one additional dot on either side just for kicks. I love a semi-dewy finish, which is exactly the complexion I achieved with a dewy base and this matte blush on top. While I could go on, I’ll let my selfie take it from here.
The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand is $42 and will be available on February 2 at charlottetilbury.com.
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