Fashion

LVMH Kicks Off Sixth Edition of Global Open-Doors Event

Fashion

Phoebe Philo Spring 2027: Easy Does It

Fashion

Samuel Gui Yang, Oude Waag Lead a Quieter Shanghai Fashion Week

Shop
Beauty

We Tested Charlotte Tilbury’s New Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand — Here’s Why It’s Worth Checking Out.

Read our full review to find out why this new release is the perfect matte blush for people who hate shimmer.

By Nikki Chwatt Plus Icon

Nikki Chwatt

Style Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD

Recent Articles by Nikki Chwatt

View All

February 3, 2023, 3:55pm

Add us as a Google Preferred Source

Charlotte Tilbury New Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand being applied to arm

WWD Shop editor Nikki Chwatt testing the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand. Courtesy of WWD

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

Thanks to a cheeky-named shade called Pillow Talk, Charlotte Tilbury has become a well-known celebrity-loved makeup and skincare brand. And while it’s the brand’s iconic Pillow Talk Lip Cheat Lip Liner that makeup artists and beauty lovers have been loyal to for a decade, the brand is now introducing the new Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand that we’re confident people will also fall in love with.

Inspired by the viral, sell-out success of Pinkgasm, Charlotte’s new Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand is a lightweight, wearable liquid blush in the beauty light wand format that shoppers know and love. This product merges the ease of a cream blush with the gorgeous effect of a refined matte finish.

Teen Beauty Spend Is Up, as Is Rhode's Stock, Piper Sandler Survey Shows

Beauty Features

Jennifer Lawrence Teases Biodesign-Driven Hair Care Brand mes°

Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Beauty Blush Wand drops at an exciting time since the bestselling Pillow Talk franchise turns ten this year. To celebrate this and the launch of the anticipated beauty wands, Charlotte Tilbury tapped fashion darling and LGBTQIA icon Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to be the brand’s newest and first American beauty muse, joining Kate Moss, Twiggy, and Jourdan Dunn.

Liquid and cream blushes tend to have subtler color payoffs than matte blushes. Still, they play an equally important role in accentuating your facial structure, defining the contours of your face, and adding some lively color to make your skin appear hydrated and radiant. In recent years, we’ve seen loads of newness in the matte blush category, from pigmented stains to loose-shimmered powders that melt into your favorite foundation. So we had high expectations for Charlotte’s new Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands when it landed on our desks, wondering if the matte blush category is about to get a makeover. Read on to read our full review of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beautifying Kit Review

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighter

Sign up for WWD’S Shop newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

Product tested: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands in Peach Pop and Drema Pop
Application method: On the first application, I used my fingers to blend the product onto the apples of my cheeks and the bridge of my nose. Then, I went in with a blush brush to see if the product could blend into my skin even more.
Number of shades: 4
Size: 0.4 fl oz tubes
Period of testing: Two Weeks
Price of product: $42
Pros:
- Highly pigmented
- A little goes a long way
- Available in four shades
- Easy to apply
- Vegan
Cons:
- Not super blendable
- Little product in the tube
Testing verdict: This blush delivers a high payoff. It’s intensely pigmented and a breeze to apply with a makeup brush or your fingertips. The shade range suits fair to dark skin tones, and a little goes a long way, so it’s well worth the price. Because the product sets quickly, the placement matters a lot. Make sure to follow a C-shape, starting at the tops of your cheeks and blending toward your temples.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand $42 Buy Now at charlotte Tilbury

About Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands

It’s no secret that the no-makeup-makeup look has taken off on TikTok and Instagram. But the question is, how do these beauty creators achieve this look and fool us into thinking they woke up like that? Sometimes, all it takes is the right blush — a matte blush. With Charlotte Tilbury’s new blush wand, anyone can achieve a natural makeup look effortlessly. This product adds the perfect flush, making it impossible to tell if they’re using one of the best matte blushes or if their crush just strolled by.

The Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand’s formula is free of light-reflecting additives giving it an understated finish. However, while the texture is more muted than its shimmery cousins, the effect is just as striking. Consider it a lip stain or tint designed for the cheeks, giving them a rich color that looks like you just got back from the beach.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands Editor Testing Review

At first glance, Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands look like the brand’s best-selling Beauty Light Wands. The tubes contain the easy-to-use magic cushion applicator and the on-and-off twist top that lets the product out seamlessly. But my perception changed after putting one dot on my face — these matte blushes are unlike any blushes I’ve tested.

To start, I applied the darker shade, Dream Pop, and immediately noticed that the product had a lot of pigment. At first, I was nervous it was too much, but once I started spreading it out, I was pleased to see that the color deposited naturally onto my skin and evaporated shortly after to leave the skin with a nice even coat of color. While it did take me a little bit longer than usual to blend, I loved how quick drying the formula was — it set in seconds. I could rub my finger over the pigment, and none would transfer.

The blurring finish of this product matches that of the best setting powders, like the brand’s Airbrush Flawless Finish. It includes LUMI-BLUR technology, flawless film formers, and poreless polymers that prevent the cream from settling into fine lines, giving the skin a smoothing airbrush finish. Not only does this even out any texture, it also makes your makeup last all day.

I’ve since swatched other shades, including Peach Pop, an orange-toned blush, which has a similar effect on the skin, with only differences in color preference. However, since the color payoff is heavy, I recommend testing the shades on your skin tone before making a purchase.

How We Tested Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands

To test Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands, we first applied the product on our hand to note its color payoff, texture, and feel. Then we tested the formula on the cheeks over cream, liquid, and powder complexion products, noting if different textures impacted the wear time or ease of application of the blush (it did not). Finally, we tested two shades with multiple application techniques, using clean fingertips and blush brushes to diffuse the cream onto the cheekbones and bridge of the nose. Finally, we noted whether the cream creased or smudged throughout the two-week testing window.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand $42 Buy Now at charlotte Tilbury

Meet the Author

Nikki Chwatt is the Style Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She’s spent many researching, reporting on, and writing about the beauty industry and keeping up with the latest launches in the cosmetic space. She’s swatched hundreds of blushes, be it cream, liquid, or powder, during her career. Chwatt tested Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand for two weeks, taking notes on the color payoff, packaging, ease of application, and wear time in different environments.

WWD Recommends

Ferran Torres Talks World Cup and That Hat

Character Study: Classic Men’s Looks with Modern Updates

Thom Browne and Teyana Taylor: Designer and Muse

CEO Talks: How Gucci Westman and David Neville Are Building a Luxury Beauty Brand for the Ages

Icebreakers with François Arnaud

Getting Ready for Marc Jacobs 2026 with Nicky Hilton

'Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans' Stars Talk Costumes and Society

Getting Ready with Kerry Washington & Michael Kors

Head to Toe: How to Style Outerwear for Everywhere

A Tour of the New Hermès Madison Avenue Flagship

Adidas Terminates Yeezy Partnership With Ye With Immediate Effect

Louis Vuitton Launches New Exhibition in NYC

Willy Chavarria Takes Us Backstage of His Energetic SS23 Collection Minutes Before Showtime

Head To Toe: Transitioning Your Wardrobe

A closer look at LaQuan Smith's new collection and designing for Beyonce

WWD Report Card: Beyoncé’s Fashion ‘Renaissance’

Men’s Spring 2023 Trend: Skin Show

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Stars Kim Chi and Trixie Mattel Launch Beauty Collaboration

Zoey Deutch Shares Her Red Carpet Favorites and What it's Like Backstage at the Met Gala

A Look at Serena Williams’ Best On-Court Tennis Outfits Over the Years

Megan Fox’s Best Fashion Moments Over the Years

WWD Report Card: Selena Gomez’s Fashion Evolution

The Biggest Fashion Collaborations of 2022 — So Far

5 Things To Know About The Louis Vuitton And Nike Air Force 1 Sneaker Collection

LAUNCH PAD: First Look at the New J. Crew

WWD Report Card: Brad Pitt vs Ryan Gosling

Report Card: Rating the Looks from Paris Couture Week

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 5 | Kenzo, Hermès, Thom Browne

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 4 | Junya Watanabe, Dior, Officine Generale

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 3 | Issey Miyake, Amiri

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 2 | Lemaire, Givenchy, Reese Cooper

First Impressions: Paris Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 1 | John Elliott, EgonLab

First Impressions: Milan Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 2 | Versace, Fendi, Armani, MSGM

First Impressions: Milan Men's Spring 2023 | Day 1

First Impressions: Milan Men’s Spring 2023 | Day 3 | Etro, Prada, JW Anderson

Hot Summer Bags

WWD + Beauty Inc. at Cosmoprof 2022

On the Red Carpet at the 2022 Met Gala: All the Looks

'And Just Like That' Costume Designers Talk Process for New HBO Show

Netflix's 'Halston' Costume Designer Talks Working with Ewan McGregor

Video: J Balvin on the Deeper Meaning of the J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 Sneaker

Video: How Princess Diana’s Fashion Choices Hinted at What Was Happening Behind Palace Doors

Video: Do These Outrageous Celebrity Fashion Looks Hold Up?

Video: Sarah Cooper — Writer, Comedian, Trump Impersonator, and More

Video: Bob the Drag Queen Grades Legendary Fashion Looks

Video: Supreme Court Style: Inside the Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Collars

Video: The Origins of French Girl Style à la Chanel

Video: WWD Presents 'Creating Queer'

Video: Model Shaun Ross Talks Diversity in the Fashion Industry

Video: Fashion for All CEO Hannah Stoudemire On Her #BreakingtheSilence Campaign⁣

These Inclusive Face Masks Provide Functional PPE to All Frontline Workers

Most Popular

WWD

Get all the top news stories and alerts straight to your inbox.

Enter your Email

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

We Tested Charlotte Tilbury’s New Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand — Here’s Why It’s Worth Checking Out.

Recent Articles by Nikki Chwatt

You May Also Like

Related Articles

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

About Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands Editor Testing Review

How We Tested Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand

Meet the Author

Tags

WWD Recommends

Ferran Torres Talks World Cup and That Hat

Most Popular