Charlotte Tilbury's New Lipstick Line Is Inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood

If there's one beauty brand that can embody the glamour and magic of Old Hollywood, it's Charlotte Tilbury. From the brand's ornate packaging and luscious formulas to its founder's frequent use of "darling" and "sensational," the golden age of cinema's influence is clear. In fact, the time period directly inspired the brand's iconic Hollywood line, starting with the Hollywood Flawless Filter, the highlighter-foundation hybrid that went extremely viral and created a whole new category of glow boosters.

The line has since expanded to include the just-as-viral contour, blush, and glow wands, the new-ish Glow Glide powder highlighter, and a shimmering eye palette. The one thing missing? Lipsticks. That is, until today, with the launch of Charlotte's Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipsticks ($35) in Tinseltown-inspired shades of pinks and reds.

Ahead are all the details on the new collection and my honest review.

The Inspiration

Inspired by vintage Hollywood glamour and the soft-focus look of old films, the Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipsticks include two separate collections: the Hollywood Reds and Hollywood Pinks, with five shades in each. The brand also launched five new shades of the Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($25) to complement the lipsticks.

"When it comes to lipstick, Charlotte has often noticed that so many people are afraid of pinks and reds, but the right shades for you can instantly make your complexion pop, your eyes sparkle, and your lips look fuller and wider," Sofia Tilbury, celebrity makeup artist (and Charlotte's niece) tells Byrdie of the line. "Of course, they can also be the least forgiving if you choose the wrong shade!"

"Charlotte solved this problem when she created her universally flattering Pillow Talk shades to suit everyone, and with this collection, she wanted to create the same universally flattering filter effect in both pinks and reds," Sofia continues. "It’s a nuanced range of easy-to-use, contour-effect lipsticks to give everyone that Hollywood star confidence."

The campaign is a nod to that classic film era and features the brand's muses, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Jourdan Dunn, and Kate Moss, in their Hollywood best. (In case you're wondering, Sofia tells us that Moss's fave shade of the bunch is the cool-girl pink Icon Baby, which was created in homage to her.)

The Pinks

The Hollywood Pinks use Charlotte Tilbury's classic K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick formula, which has a satin finish and hydrating base. The formula is enriched with lipstick tree extract and vitamin E for a moisturizing and soothing feel. The lipstick's subtle shine has a light-diffusing effect to make lips look fuller and smoother for that Hollywood lighting effect.

"With the Hollywood Beauty Icons Lipsticks collection, Charlotte wanted to create a universally flattering filter effect in both pinks and reds, so we have trialed and tested each shade to create a truly nuanced range of 10 easy-to-use, easy-to-choose lipsticks for everyone," Sofia says of the collection.

The Hollywood Pinks collection includes five shades of lipstick: Icon Baby, a warm '90s rose; Candy Chic, a warm nude rose; Red Carpet Pink, a soft mauve; Rose to Fame, a classic pastel pink; and '90s Pink, a candy pink shade. The collection also includes two brand-new shades of Tilbury's beloved Lip Cheat Lip Liners: Icon Baby and '90s Pink.

When it comes to picking a shade, Sofia says you really can't go wrong but suggests "analyzing the natural color of your lip and choosing a pink that is closest to it." She continues, "Bite, smack, or rub your lips together a few times, then take a close look at the shade they become to match with your Hollywood pink and get a ‘your lips but better’ look."

When it comes to application, Sofia says to pair your favorite pink with a lip liner in a darker shade of pink to "add extra contour to the lip shape for a perfected, heart-shaped pout." (Her favorite combo is Red Carpet Pink with the Lip Cheat in Love Trap.) She instructs to "use your lip liner to carve out your lip shape, cheat the perfect symmetry, and slightly overline the cupid’s bow for an extra plump look. You can also fill in the entire lip shape before applying your lipstick for longer-lasting performance."

The Reds

The Hollywood Reds use Tilbury's Matte Revolution formula for a velvety matte finish. These are not the crusty mattes of yesteryear, and the formula uses the same lipstick tree extract as the K.I.S.S.I.N.G. formula for soft, hydrated lips. The 3D effect pigments blur and "architect" the lips for a smoother and more defined shape and keep the shade from looking flat. Finally, the brand promises a buildable, transfer-proof, long-lasting, matte color with up to 10 hours of wear.

Like the pinks, the Hollywood Reds come in five shades: Hollywood Vixen, a classic bright red; Cinematic Red, a true cherry; Fame Flame, a warm chili red; Pizazz, a soft modern red; and Mark of a Kiss, a deep blue-toned red. The matching liners come in Mark of a Kiss and Red Carpet Red. "Wearing red lipstick is like painting on confidence—it immediately boosts your mood," says Sofia. "You want to find a red that complements your warm, cool, or neutral undertones, and one of the easiest ways to do this is with the lipstick shade finder tool on the Charlotte Tilbury app."

To nail the perfect Hollywood-worthy lip, Sofia says to start by lining your lips, and then apply a thin layer of your favorite shade. "Then, place a tissue over the lips, using Charlotte’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder ($48), and apply a thin layer of powder over the tissue. Remove the tissue and apply a second coat of red for a flawless, long-lasting, red-carpet-worthy lip!"

My Review

Wearing '90s Pink

Let's start with the pinks. To be transparent, I am not much of a pink lipstick girl (I prefer neutrals or bright reds), so I did not expect to be obsessed with this collection. While each shade was actually very flattering, the one I really loved was '90s Pink. It's an unusual shade and has a browny-purple tone that makes it a little more interesting than a classic baby pink. I also liked Icon Baby, but I wouldn't wear it every day because of the subtle sparkles in the formula.

That being said, I really love the formula. They glide on and are so comfortable, which is especially important to me this time of year. And if you gravitate towards pink lip products, I think these could become a key part of your daily makeup routine. I also must add that the Icon Baby liner is a must-try. If you've ever wished Pillow Talk had a little more brown, you'll love this. I immediately added this one to my purse and could see it being the brand's next viral hit.

Wearing Hollywood Vixen

In my eyes, the reds are the real stars of this collection. Every single shade is gorgeous, and none feel redundant. If you're a true red lip-lover, you could easily make the argument for having each shade in your lip wardrobe. My personal favorite is Fame Flame, which is a rich yet easy-to-wear red, with Hollywood Vixen coming in second for a true cherry moment.

Again, the formula is excellent. They're so creamy and have a really vibrant, rich color that just looks expensive. They're matte but not flat, and while they don't add a ton of extra hydration or slip, they don't feel or look dry at all. They really do have a Technicolor effect that brings glamour to your look, even if it's just a sweater and jeans.

Shop the Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipsticks for $35 each at charlottetilbury.com.