The Magic of
Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury knows beauty. As a world-famous makeup artist she honed her craft working with some of the biggest celebrities and models, but she soon set her sights even higher by launching an eponymous beauty brand in 2013. “I wanted to bottle all of my red carpet, backstage, and celebrity beauty secrets to share the power of makeup with everyone of every age,” Tilbury explains. And she and her team have definitely delivered on that goal, with product after product inspired by her work as a makeup artist, her personal philosophy on beauty, and the famous faces she continues to work with—resulting in creations like her cult favourite Magic Cream and the romantic Pillow Talk Collection.

Here, Charlotte Tilbury takes time out of keeping the world beautiful to talk inspiration and innovation, how to master the Pillow Talk look, and why she thinks her makeup and skincare is so beloved.

What inspired the Pillow Talk collection?

“When I first created my now world-famous Pillow Talk shade, I wanted to create a ‘suits-all’, effortless, lip-enhancing colour. I know this colourway is flattering for everyone at every age and because it was loved by millions, I wanted to continue the Pillow Talk love story by creating a long-lusted after look. From the original Lip Cheat to the Matte Revolution lipstick and my Luxury Palette and Cheek to Chic, the dreamy shades are natural looking makeup at its best. You can wear it anywhere, for any occasion—it’s you at your best!”

What is your favourite Pillow Talk product, and why?

“I love them all darling, they are so easy-to-wear and look amazing on everyone! The Matte Revolution Pillow Talk lipstick is my ultimate lip icon. When I first launched the sumptuous, perfect, nude-pink shade it created Pillow Talk mania! From a meeting at my magic office, to working long days on a shoot, or leading the artistry backstage at Fashion Week, it’s my go-to colour for every occasion—I even wore it on my wedding day!”

What are your tips for mastering the Pillow Talk look?

“My Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk gives you the ultimate supermodel look. The divine rose-bud pink, nude, and taupe shades create the most dreamy, seductive and naturally gorgeous eyes. Start by using a Blender Brush and take the Prime shade all over the lid up to the brow bone. Follow by applying the Enhance shade onto the lid and into the socket line. Next, focus the Smoke shade on the outer V corner of the eye, making sure to blend, blend, blend. For night-time drama, add a touch of Pop shade into the centre of the lid with your finger for mesmerising and enchanting eyes!”

What makes your Magic Cream so magical?

“It’s so magical because it has a unique blend of oils and active ingredients which I call the Magic 8, including Bionymph Peptide, Hyaluronic Acid, Camelia Oil and Vitamins C + E. The amazing thing about this cream is that you can see and feel the results instantly! It’s instantly hydrating, comforting and gentle just like a beautifying comfort blanket for the ultimate, magical Goddess skin. The cream was actually named by all of the actors, actresses, influencers, beauty editors, CEOs, supermodels and starlets who had seen the magic for themselves. I was asked daily for what they called my Magic Cream because everyone who experienced it knew that it gave magic skin!”

Your brand is beloved around the world—why do you think your products and beauty philosophy resonate with so many people?

“I love hearing stories and meeting people who love my brand! I believe my beauty philosophy and my products have resonated with so many people all around the world because I’m giving everyone, of all ages, what they really need—easy to use, easy to choose, and easy to understand glamourous makeup magic! From the very beginning I had a crystal-clear image of how I wanted the brand to be; incredibly personal, magical, and unique. Every product has a bit of Charlotte Tilbury inside! I created my brand so it would feel like every woman, and man, had me sitting with them at their vanity tables, helping them to become the most beautiful versions of themselves.”