Charlotte Tilbury Hel’s Bells, Tell Laura, Carina’s Love Hot Lips Lipsticks

Charlotte Tilbury Hel's Bells Lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury Hel’s Bells Lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury Hel’s Bells Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep berry with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had mostly opaque color coverage that went on evenly and smoothly. It had light slip, so it didn’t cling or feel uncomfortable on, but it thinner than most lipsticks. This shade is a Matte Revolution formula, though it wasn’t truly matte to me. The color lasted for five hours, left a stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating. Maybelline Berry Bossy (P, $7.49) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Venom (P, $17.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). MAC Rebel (P, $17.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). MAC Quelle Surprise (LE, $17.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Fashion Revival (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC New York Apple (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). Urban Decay After Dark (DC, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Fatale (P, $50.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Little Pretty (130) (DC, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Smashbox Jam On It (P, $21.00) is darker (85% similar). Bobbi Brown Brocade (P, $35.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Velvet Violet (16) (P, $50.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Xavier (P, $35.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Too Faced Bend and Snap! (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color payoff (not what I’d call buildable–you’d have to use just a pat and blend with fingertips for sheerer coverage!) that went on smoothly and evenly. This shade is in the Matte Revolution formula, and it had a more matte finish and felt a smidgen clingy, but this shade was denser and a little heavier than most of the Matte Revolution range. This shade wore well for four and a half hours and was neither just slightly hydrating. Colour Pop Bootie (P, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Cray Cray (P, $20.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Tarte Mai Tai (P, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). Kat Von D Countess (P, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Lady Danger (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Scarlet Ibis (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Maybelline Craving Coral (P, $7.99) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Barbecue (LE, $17.00) is more muted (90% similar). MAC Lover's Lane (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flame (06) (P, $50.00) is brighter (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Charlotte Tilbury Carina’s Love Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had medium, buildable coverage–in line with the Matte Revolution formula–that applied evenly and felt a little clingy due to the thinner consistency. The color lasted five hours and left a stain behind, but I found it a little drying after three hours. MAC Charlotte (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red (P, $32.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Bae (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Ruby Woo (P, $17.00) is less glossy (90% similar). MAC Ronnie Red (LE, $17.00) is glossier (95% similar). Milani Romance (LE, $8.99) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Colour Pop Creeper (P, $6.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, less glossy (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) has two variations–the original, Kissing, and the matte, Matte Revolution, both of which are featured in the Hot Lips collection. The Kissing formula is supposed to be pigmented and luminous, while also being hydrating, while the Matte Revolution formula is designed to be matte, buildable, hydrating, and long-wearing in a matte finish. The Kissing range is creamier, light-medium in weight, comfortable and hydrating, and average wearing (three to five hours with most shades). The Matte Revolution formula feels velvety, thinner and somewhat clingy (I find that they can sometimes emphasize the texture of my lips or highlight imperfections), wear four to six hours, and are drying to lightly hydrating. Both formulas have a sweet, vanilla scent with no discernible taste.