Lipstick, Literature, and Liberation
An Afternoon with Waterstones, Charlotte Tilbury, and Gillian Anderson’s Want
Written by Katie Barr
There are some Sundays that feel like a gift in themselves – an oasis of care, conversation, and just the right amount of sparkle. The book club pamper afternoon held at Waterstones Nottingham on the 31st August, in collaboration with Charlotte Tilbury, was exactly that. Indulgent, inspiring, and utterly unforgettable.
From the moment I entered the event room, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Waterstones’ event manager Kibrina greeted us all with smiles and bubbly, making sure we were comfortable from the start. It was from this point I realised this was like no other event I had experienced here; it felt like stepping into a sanctuary where beauty and literature intertwined seamlessly.
“…skincare became a communal ritual.”
The Charlotte Tilbury team were nothing short of amazing. The afternoon opened with a massage-along skincare workshop led by Holly (Lead Artist at Charlotte Tilbury Nottingham) and accompanied by Emma (Charlotte Tilbury brand manager). Now, I have attended my fair share of events but this was different: skincare became a communal ritual. Guided step by step, we used the products and learned how to work in the luxurious creams and serums to give our complexions a well-deserved treat.
There was something almost poetic about it. Gillian Anderson’s book is about intimacy, secrecy, and the hidden worlds of women’s desire – and here we were, collectively giving ourselves permission to slow down, indulge, and care for our own skin.
Of course, no Tilbury event would be complete without a touch of glamour. Glasses of bubbly were passed around and topped up, laughter bubbled alongside them, and we drifted towards the pop up shop, a dazzling display of Charlotte’s most popular products.
Swatches of the iconic pillow talk shades, professional gazes that told me my shade match from a glance, and the occasional “I need this in my life” punctuated the aid. The best part? The products weren’t just on display – they were to be experienced, tested, adored, and yes, inevitably purchased. Between the goody bags of deluxe samples and the enticing full-sized offers, it was impossible to resist. The Tilbury team made it feel personal too. They tailored suggestions, answering questions, and radiating a passion for their craft.
And then, as the last lipstick was swatched and the final class of bubbly enjoyed, we settled into what was arguably the heart of the afternoon: the book discussion.
Anderson’s Want is bold, raw, and unapologetically honest. By gathering anonymous sexual fantasies from women worldwide, she strips away taboo and judgement, replacing it with honesty, complexity, and liberation. The conversation at Waterstones reflected this spirit beautifully. Some attendees admitted parts of the book surprised them, others shared how refreshing it was to see such candid explorations of desire in print, and a few acknowledged how difficult – yet important – it can be to talk about intimacy in safe, respectful spaces.
“There was … an unspoken solidarity in simply being present for the dialogue.”
There was no pressure to overshare, but rather an unspoken solidarity in simply being present for the dialogue. Listening to different perspectives, feeling the collective curiosity in the room, and reflecting on what Anderson’s words meant personally and culturally was the icing on the cake for a great afternoon.
Walking out of Waterstones, bag full of goodies in hand and a my mind humming with both beauty tips and bookish thoughts, I couldn’t help but reflect on what made the afternoon so special. It wasn’t just the Charlotte Tilbury sparkle (though that was divine) or the literary richness of Want (though that was profound). It was the fusion.
“Sometimes, the most nourishing experiences come from blending … a swipe of lipstick alongside a sentence that makes you pause and rethink.”
The event reminded us that indulgence doesn’t have to be shallow, and intellectual engagement doesn’t have to be solemn. Sometimes, the most nourishing experiences come from blending the two – a swipe of lipstick alongside a sentence that makes you pause and rethink.
A big thanks to all of those involved in organising this event – both those at Waterstones for the seamless experience and the Charlotte Tilbury team for adding the glow both inside and out. It was an afternoon of literature, luxury, and liberation, and I left feeling radiant. Both in complexion and in spirit.
All content is original to The Literary Lounge.
In-article image courtesy of Good Reads and taken by Katie Barr. No changes were made to this image.
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