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Aug 10, 2023

I tried the Charlotte Tilbury lip blur loved by Bella Hadid and found the perfect shade for autumn

The iconic brand's latest innovation is a buttery matte liquid lip colour that can be worn in two different ways - so I tried every shade to find my new favourite Charlotte Tilbury has launched a

The iconic brand's latest innovation is a buttery matte liquid lip colour that can be worn in two different ways - so I tried every shade to find my new favourite

Charlotte Tilbury has launched a brand new liquid lip formula - and when a brand as iconic, trusted and loved as this drops their newest innovation, the whole world takes notice. The celeb-approved retailer has unveiled their Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur range , with a campaign fronted by none other than supermodel Bella Hadid.

A matte-meets-moisture liquid lipstick , the collection features eight shades that can be worn in two different ways. Beauty enthusiasts can choose to wear their favourite shade ‘blurred’ or ‘bold’ depending on your preferred style or the occasion.

Priced at £27 each , they’re quite the cosmetic investment, so I tried out every single shade to find my favourite and see what makes these coveted formulas so magical. And in the process, I discovered the perfect shade for autumn and a new nude must-have.

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What makes the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur different to every other matte liquid lipstick on the beauty market is that it features a one-of-a-kind Powder-Blur Technology that works to visibly smooth, blur and mattify lips. While other liquid lipsticks I’ve tried in the past have make my lips feel like I’ve spent a week in the desert, the CT collection is infused with hyaluronic acid to help put that hydration back into the skin, with the brand describing it as ‘every lip hack in a tube’.

The range features eight wearable shades including the ‘ suits-all’ nude-pink Pillow Talk which has become legendary among lipstick lovers. There’s also a few other nudes like Honey Blur, Nude Blur and the darker Pillow Talk Medium, while Rose Blur is a pinkier option. For those who enjoy something a little more vibrant, Flame Blur is a juicy orange colour, with Ruby curating a Hollywood-ready red pout. Finally, there’s Walk of No Shame which is a berry rose number that feels like the perfect shade for autumn.

Now the question is do you go blurred or bold? I tried wearing each of the lipsticks both ways - and some were far easier than others. For the blurred effect, Charlotte Tilbury instructs: “Swipe onto lips from the centre outwards, then lightly press using your fingertips to blend and blur – the formula hugs the contours of the lips, fills in lines and diffuses for a modern matte finish.” And as for bold - then you can simply apply as you usually would all over the lip. The angled tip mimics a lip brush for precise application allowing you to achieve some pretty clean lines.

As the blurred effect is for achieving a soft tint, the more nude shades were definitely better suited to this method, offering a ‘barely there’ but beautifully blurred pout for that ‘is she or isn’t she wearing makeup’ look. However, when it came to trying to blur out shades like Ruby and Flame, I began to start looking a little like Miranda Sings - towing an incredibly fine line between ‘blurred’ and ‘smudged’.

However, these are the exact shades that really come into their own when wearing them bold. I’d have never thought to reach for an orange lippy before now, but it’s actually a very flattering shade, even on my paler skin.

Now for the formula itself. These liquid lip colours glide on like melted butter - it’s so soft and smooth and the colour payoff is pretty impressive, needing just one swipe for a flawless finish. Some of the darker shades can look a little patchy as you get the hang of how much product to use - the knack is to not overload the applicator because you simply don’t need to.

On the lips, the product feels weightless and not sticky like I’ve found with other brands like Rimmel’s Stay Matte or Sleek’s Matte Me Up. However, it doesn’t feel as though it really stays put, feeling quite slippy as I pressed my lips together, also transferring onto my mug when I drank, so I wouldn’t consider it a kiss-proof product. With some shades, more noticeable with the darker colours, there was some feathering around the edge of my lips, so a lip liner is an essential. The Refy Lip Sculpt is a great option because they have the lip setter which ensures it doesn’t budge, which is a must for these bolder colours.

When it comes to the nudes though, I feel like you can be a little more haphazard with them, making shades like Honey Blur and Pillow Talk great everyday options. Pillow Talk Medium was one of my favourite nude shades, and felt really moisturising on the lips, too.

And after trying on and taking off eight lip shades, you’d be forgiven for thinking that my lips would feel like sandpaper - but au contraire. I felt like I’d applied my favourite lip balm, my lips feeling soft and smooth which is an added bonus.

But don’t just take my word for it, other shoppers have been leaving rave reviews on the Charlotte Tilbury website since their launch, with one commenting: “This lippie is pretty unique in the market. It’s more of a lipstick/lip balm hybrid product that fills in any lip lines and makes lips look smooth no matter what your age. I was expecting more of a standard liquid lip but this has less pigment and is not transfer proof.

“Actually, CT’s version fades gradually over time and once it sets it doesn’t leave residue on your coffee mug. It also leaves a slight stain behind, but more like your lips but better. In my extensive lip collection, I have nothing else like it! If you want a lip colour that feels like nothing on the lips while still giving pigment, moisture and smoothness, THIS is the one you want! Charlotte darling, please make this in more nude shades!”

Another added: “I wish I could afford getting all the shades and Charlotte Tilbury have been breaking my bank for years!” While a third said: “Leave it to Charlotte Tilbury to always come up with the best products! It truly does give your lips a soft airbrushed blurred look. The pigment was beautiful and was long lasting throughout the day… dare I say I like this better than Kylie’s cosmetics?!”

However, some did find them to make their lips feel a little dry, adding: “The Lip Blur glides on effortlessly and does feel a little hydrating at the time. But, less than an hour later, my lips feel really dry. The colour lasts a little better; I can still see a faded version on my lips a few hours after application. And the colour IS gorgeous! I just found I had to apply it more frequently than I originally expected.”

For me, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blurs’ biggest draw is the shades. They are undeniably stunning and suit a range of skin tones - particularly Pillow Talk. Out of all of them, Nude Blur was my least favourite as it was lighter than I’d usually wear, but Pillow Talk Medium was gorgeous. Rose Blur was an unlikely love for me as I don’t usually go for pinks, but I just know Walk Of No Shame will be getting her wears worth in the coming months as autumn approaches.

While hydrating and lightweight, the formula was just a little too buttery to make them suitable for life’s daily adventures and worrying about whether I’ve smudged it, but for special occasions where you’re unlikely to be eating a burger, it’s stunning. At £27, they’re definitely on the higher end of the price scale, so you’ll want to find a shade you will wear often if you do plan to invest. They’re currently available to buy at Charlotte Tilbury here , or here at Cult Beauty.

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