January 22, 2019

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
3 stars out of 5

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Luxury Palette ($53) is a gorgeous rose eyeshadow palette that’s sold out the first time it launched on Charlotte’s site and again, when it was re-released a few months ago. I picked this up the first time it launched but I didn’t review since it’s rather frustrating to review a palette that no one can buy if they end up liking it you know? Thankfully enough, the re-release of the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette is looking good because so far it’s staying in stock.

Let’s check out my thoughts, review, and swatches on this super popular palette!

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette arrives in a small brown compact that holds four eyeshadow shades with a total of 0.18 oz total weight. For a high-end palette the packaging is fairly simple and the most glam thing about it would be the mirror inside that has a tiny little star etched into it. Like Charlotte’s makeup the packaging is simple yet elegant.

I actually have a love hate relationship with the Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette. I LOVE how it looks on my eyes but I hate that the shades all run together. I think the palette is much warmer than it appears in the get-the-look video that’s used to promote this palette and I do feel like the shades run together very easily versus the contrast they seem to achieve in the video. The eyeshadow palette and the blush in that video all appear a cooler pink when in reality these are brown-based pinks that are much warmer. That’s not really my issue though as I don’t mind brown in my pink!

What bothers me is I have a hard time getting any contrast with the two main matte shades (the pink on the right hand side of the palette and the brown locate below it). Once I start applying the colors they just run together and go a bit muddy. I’ve found a very, very light touch prevents this from happening.

I think the eyeshadows do lack a softer touch. These are fairly dense aside from the champagne beige primer shade. I wish they were a smidge softer especially the sparkly topper which is a difficult to pick up with a brush. They do apply and blend well thankfully although, as I said a lighter touch when blending will get the best contrast.

You ever run across an eyeshadow palette that doesn’t really have the greatest formula in the world but somehow, someway it actually creates really good looks? That’s pretty much the case with Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette for me. I actually somehow like this formula even though it has some mishaps. Not to mention I love how it looks on my eyes. I do wish there brown shade was a touch deeper as this might make the contrast much better overall.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette is certainly not without faults but if you’re like me and looking to overlook them you might find a delightful look in this palette!

Where to buy

Nordstrom Charlotte Tilbury

Do you own the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeshadow Palette?

Do you love it?

Do share!

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Luxury Palette is a $52 eyeshadow palette that contains four eyeshadows. This palette’s focus is a warm brown-based pink look that has a slight accent of sparkle. The eyeshadows are a bit dense and not as soft, silky as one would expect from a luxury brand but they still manage to apply and blend well. My main issue with the palette is I felt like the shades ran together so a lighter touch during the blending process was required to keep them from going muddy on my lid. This is a nice palette to accent eyes but doesn’t overpower them with a ton of color. It creates a nice, natural look without being too made up or overly done!

Pros

  • Great for those look to accent eyes but not overpower them with pigmented eyeshadow.
  • Fabulous for a natural look.

Cons

  • Expensive for the smaller size of the shadows.
  • Not enough contrast in shades which can make them go muddy during application and blending.

Who

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Luxury Palette isn’t a palette I’d recommend for those who like a powerful, dramatic eye look! This is for anyone looking for a more natural look to accent their eyes.

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Jujubes

    Thank you for your review! I look at the ‘real’ swatches and am so surprised by how different they look versus the ones on CT’s site! Like you said, I was expecting a cooler, more neutral palette but the swatches look very warm to me.

    I have Surrat Beauty’s Rosatre shade and it’s almost an exact dupe for the top right shade in the Pillow Talk palette. The other 3 shades are easily dupable. I think CT has a great marketing team, they make you want to buy all their stuff and when you use it, the expectations far exceed the satisfaction…

    The Pop shade (lower left) is always the weakest in her palettes in my opinion. I was surprised when she released 2 Pop palettes last year, they were by far the driest shadows she offers, with so much fallout.

    At this price point I feel that all 4 shades should be perfect!

    That said, the shades look beautiful on you. 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      I guess maybe there’s some coolness here due to the beige and sparkly pink but really to me it feels very warm! oh girl doesn’t everyone have the best marketing team to tempt us silly ;-D I agree! The pop shade is always a little weak! I always apply them with my finger. Dip in, pat on, good to go. No fall out though thankfully! And yes, they should at this price! No doubt! But I think with CT we are paying to subtly if that makes sense! Aw thanks <3!

  • Christina

    Phew! I didn’t pick this up because I thought it lacked contrast. Good to know you (and Temptalia) have the same experience. It’s been so widely praised on social media, and I have no idea why. It’s just another warm toned pinky brown palette.

    • Isabella Muse

      I WISH the brown was a little less tan and a little deeper that would really help it along. I’m prob one of those people that hailed it. It’s just a weird palette I love to hate as in some ways it’s not CT’s best but in others I’m like damn I like how this looks on my eyes!

  • Maritza

    I dont know if its just my oily eyeslids, my undertone or skin color but for me I can actually see the different colours pretty easily, I adore this palette and has become my favorite. I have wore it for 12 hours cause of work and it stays put (i use either my sephora or ud shadow primer). For me the only downside is the price.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m glad it works for you!!!!!!!! ;-D It’s a great palette that I love to hate ;-D

  • Julia

    Thank you for talking me out of purchasing this palette!! I had wanted it so badly the first time it was released but after your review, I’m gonna skip it. I had expected the matte brown to be darker so you could add definition to your eyes…

  • COURTNEY

    i want this pallette sooo BAD! but i just cant justify the price for 4 eyeshadows, and the fact that i have similar colors like this in my collection already. but, if someone gifted this to me, id be ecstatic!! the ‘Pillow talk’ bug definitely bit me, as i did buy the lipstick and blush, but this eyeshadow pallette was one that did not make the cut. it really looks so STUNNING on your eyes!

    • Isabella Muse

      I just posted about mac’s soft teddy today and that shade is really quite similar to ones in this palette if you want a soft rosy shade for eyes ;-D Omg thanks <3!

  • Jan Kelley

    That seems to be a universal complaint with the pillow talk eyeshadow palette. But, I still love it. I just use it a little differently by only using 2 shadows at a time. And, if I’m in the mood for a little sparkle I pat the pop shade on my lid with my finger. But, I do agree the deepest matte should be deeper.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m the same! I still love it anyway ;-D it’s just a great palette for me that makes my eyes pop!

  • Angela Briggs

    Hi Isabella I love your reviews as I always find them both honest and informative.
    I love some of Charlotte Tilburys products and already have the Vintage Vamp and Dolce Vita palettes which I like but still can’t believe I paid �39 for. I was thinking about getting the Pillow Talk palette so I read your review, as I do for most products I am thinking of purchasing, and once again thank you for being totally honest.
    Take care

    • Isabella Muse

      thank you very much Angela that means a lot to me! CT’s expensive as hell 🙁 I wish her stuff was a smidge cheaper especially since sometimes the quality isn’t that great! I’m glad to hear it! It’s a lovely palette, again, not the best quality, but by some miracle it really creates a soft, lovely look! Thank you for reading what I write! That means a lot to me! Good luck if you purchase and I hope you’ll update me if you do and let me know what you think!

  • Jen

    I’m glad I read you’re review. I just recieved this after ordering online and was worried mine was a dodgy one because the darkest shade was so brown rather than a more mauve shade shown on her website. It’s very warm toned which I was hoping it to be more cool as I am quite fair. I will try it properly tomorrow but a little sad that it’s so different from the CT website.