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5 lipstick dupes that could pass for Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk

If a new bullet of the real thing isn't in the budget

By Delaney Loane

Editor / February 27 2024

Ask any celebrity, beauty editor, or hell, human which lipstick they have in the highest rotation and their reply would probably be "Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in 'Pillow Talk' ($49 at Charlotte Tilbury)".

And we get why. The perfect shade of pinky-nude that happens to flatter an impressively universal amount of people, it’s practically the travelling pants (you know, the jeans that fit everybody) of the lipstick world.

But with such status comes high demand. So it’s not unlikely that you’ll sometimes find the stocks a little low, whether on Tilbury’s site or at your local MECCA.

And while, yes, the real thing is always going to be our favourite, we do like knowing there are a few backups on the market if a new bullet isn’t available/in the budget this month.

So if you want to swipe on something as similar to the cult-status shade as possible (but can’t swing the real thing right now), here are the alternative lipstick dupes that can pass for the almighty 'Pillow Talk'…

Nude by Nature Creamy Matte Lipstick in ‘Blush Nude’

Boasting a twin-status creamy-but-still-matte texture, this formula toes the line between rosy and peachy in a stunningly similar way to the OG. Seriously, we're not sure we could pick 'Pillow Talk' out of a lipstick lineup with this also in the mix. With a velvety feel (that can be credited to its hyaluronic acid-packed formula), it's the kind of everyday neutral that'll genuinely last the entire day, too.

$24.95 at Adore Beauty

Maybelline New York SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick in 'On The Grind'

Before you hit us with the 'but that's a liner' argument, let us set your mind at ease: this spice-inspired shade is actually a lip crayon, and it goes on every bit as velvety matte as the real deal. The tapered shape scores extra points in the precision column, and it comes with a sharpener to keep it lip-ready at all times. It's the subtlest smidge pinker in colour, but all in all, it's a bargain-priced dead ringer.

$21 at Big W

Makeup Revolution Powder Matte Lipstick in 'Teddy'

Makeup Revolution have always taken the art of delivering dupes seriously, and this creamy, longwear lip shade is one of their biggest success stories. Its name seems to be an homage to one iconic lipstick shade (anyone heard of a niche little colour called Velvet Teddy?), but its formula was evidently crafted to replicate the exact finish and colour of another (spoiler alert: it's Pillow Talk).

$10.86 at Care To Beauty

Revlon Colorstay Suede Ink Lipstick in 'Hot Girl'

Pillow Talk somehow manages to look slightly different on every person (yet another reason why it takes the top spot in lipstick land), and this dupe seems to have run with the original's slightly brickier undertones. We'd describe it as 'Pillow Talk for those who wish Pillow Talk was just a tiny bit less pink'. As for the finish, you're getting the same silky matte formula for less than $30; a steal.

$29.95 at Priceline

Stila Stay All Day Matte Lip Color in 'Sunkissed'

Ringing in at only $8 or $9 less than the real thing (depending on which stockist you shop), this is more of a 'what if a Pillow Talk world shortage occurred' rather than a 'I can't pay 40-something dollars for a lipstick' type of dupe. And while we pray that said scenario never, ever occurs, it's comforting to know that this bullet houses a rosy, hazy matte that could easily be mistaken for Tilbury's true shade.

$40 at MECCA

Main image credit: @glamzbyessnza

Want more cult-status swaps? Here are the top Dior lip oil dupes...

Delaney Loane

Delaney began her career in the Australian beauty media industry in 2015, landing amidst the glossy world of women’s lifestyle magazines (or more literally, in their beauty cupboards). Since then, she has gone on to write across a multitude of beloved Australian media brands, including OK!, NW, InStyle, and Harper’s BAZAAR. She’s covered every side of beauty content, from directing beauty editorial shoots to rounding up the best glossy serums for golden hour skin. Having spent nearly a decade immersed in the beauty realm, Delaney’s knowledge of beauty is as extensive as her collection of tinted lip oils (read: extremely extensive). Delaney is currently the Digital Managing Editor of BEAUTYcrew, and her beauty wisdom also appears across beautyheaven, ELLE and Marie Claire. She enjoys channelling her personal hobby (testing beauty products) into her professional work (talking about testing beauty products), and considers perfecting the art of a cat eye in a moving car her life’s greatest accomplishment.