Yusur Al Khalidi has been blooming all over our FYPs and for good reason. This Iraqi influencer was tapped to be the face of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk in Bloom campaign. We sat down with the one of the Middle East’s most recognisable creator personalities to find out more about her thoughts on beauty rituals, identity, and reppin’ the region globally.
Cosmo ME: How does it feel to be the Middle Eastern face of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk in Bloom campaign, and what does this moment represent for you personally and professionally?
Yusur Al Khalidi: Honestly, it feels surreal.
Being the Middle Eastern face of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk in Bloom campaign is one of those “is this really happening?” moments.
It means so much to represent where I’m from on a global stage. Personally, it’s empowering and humbling. Professionally, it’s a reminder that being unapologetically yourself actually opens doors.
Cosmo ME: How does that Pillow Talk in Bloom aesthetic align with your own approach to beauty?
Yusur Al Khalidi: The whole Pillow Talk in Bloom vibe is very me, it’s set in the blooming meadows – soft, glowy, romantic but still fresh. I love beauty that feels like you just woke up glowing, and that’s exactly the energy of this campaign.
Cosmo ME: Walk us through your everyday beauty rituals. What are the non-negotiables that make you feel like your best self?
Yusur Al Khalidi: I’m a creature of habit when it comes to my routine. Skincare is everything to me–hydration, SPF and keeping my skin happy. Even if I’m in a rush, I won’t skip that.
Then comes my new obsession that I’ve been travelling the world with, Pillow Talk Blush Balm Lip Tint. It’s a 3-in-1 sheer lipstick, balm and tint powered by Charlotte’s pH Custom Colour Chemistry, which creates a beautiful stain effect that’s unique to every wearer.
Cosmo ME: The campaign celebrates effortless, love-blushed skin. How do you typically create that fresh, radiant look in your own routine?
Yusur Al Khalidi: It all starts with skin prep for me. As Charlotte says, “You can’t have a beautiful painting without a beautiful canvas!”
If your skin looks good, everything else just falls into place. I keep my base super light, then use Charlotte’s Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Palette and was so excited when I heard it was coming back.
I love alternating between the new Rosewood shade and her iconic Flawless Pink. I’m in love with the packaging too – it’s so nostalgic.
Cosmo ME: What does femininity mean to you today, and how has your relationship with it evolved over time?
Yusur Al Khalidi: Femininity used to feel like something I had to fit into. Now it feels like something I define. With Charlotte’s Pillow Talk world you can be soft, strong, bold, quiet –sometimes all at once. I think that’s what makes it so powerful now.
Cosmo ME: As an Iraqi woman representing a global beauty brand, how do you bring your culture and identity into your beauty rituals?
Yusur Al Khalidi: Being Iraqi is such a big part of me, and it naturally shows up in my beauty. There’s a certain warmth, a love for glowing skin, defined eyes – it’s in everything I do. It’s subtle, but it’s always there.
Cosmo ME: Do you have any beauty traditions or rituals that have been passed down to you that you still hold onto today?
Yusur Al Khalidi: Definitely. Things like using natural oils, really taking care of your hair, and treating beauty as self-care, not just appearance – that’s something I grew up with. I still hold onto those rituals, they feel grounding.
Cosmo ME: What are your go-to products from the Pillow Talk in Bloom collection, and how do you incorporate them into your routine?
Yusur Al Khalidi: I’m obsessed with anything that gives that soft, rosy glow. In the campaign shoot, I wore Charlotte’s new Pillow Talk Blush Balm Lip Tint in Pillow Talk Medium, which is my favourite cool rose shade.
I also wore her Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Palette in new shade Flawless Rosewood, which I can’t get enough of.
These are my new go-to products for an effortless, natural look, and they are so versatile – you can also dial them up for a more glamorous Pillow Talk moment
I adored the look I wore in the new campaign – it also featured some of Charlotte’s iconic Pillow Talk Icons, like her Charlotte’s Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk Dreams, Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes!
Mascara in Super Black and her iconic Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk Medium, which I’ve always been a huge fan of.
Cosmo ME: Confidence is such a big part of this campaign. What makes you feel most confident, both in your skin and beyond it?
Yusur Al Khalidi: Pillow Talk has this incredible ability to make you feel confident the moment you wear it. It’s subtle yet transformative, enhancing your natural beauty in the most effortless way.
Being part of Pillow Talk in Bloom feels so special because it captures that soft, romantic energy while still feeling modern and empowering. For me, Pillow Talk is about feeling comfortable in your own skin and embracing every version of yourself with confidence, elegance, and a little bit of magic.
Cosmo ME: Your look always feels polished yet effortless. We’d love to know what’s your philosophy when it comes to balancing glam with simplicity?
Yusur Al Khalidi: I always say: pick your moments. You don’t need everything at once. For me, it’s either glowing skin, or a defined eye or a statement lip – but never all three competing. That’s how my look stays polished but still effortless.
Cosmo ME: How do you approach beauty on days when you’re not feeling your best. Are there any small rituals that help shift your energy?
Yusur Al Khalidi: On those days, I keep it really simple and gentle. A fresh face, with a blush, a balm, and maybe Charlotte’s Love Frequency fragrance, which is such a romantic woody floral scent that instantly boosts my mood.
It’s less about “fixing” how I look and more about shifting how I feel. Small things really do help.
Cosmo ME: Looking ahead, what does it mean to you to be part of a global beauty narrative, and how do you hope to inspire other women from the region?
Yusur Al Khalidi: It means being part of something bigger than just me. Sharing a campaign with the likes of Sienna Miller, Bella Tilbury and Calum Harper is inspirational.
I want girls throughout the Middle East region to see this and think, “that could be me.” Representation matters, and I’m really proud to be part of that shift.
Cosmo ME: If you had to describe your beauty philosophy in three words, what would they be and why?
Yusur Al Khalidi: Soft, glowing, real. Soft because I love that romantic feel, glowing because healthy skin is everything, and real because nothing beats just being yourself!
Purchase the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk in Bloom products here.