Tom Ford launched three minimalist beauty pieces for their SS18 runway collection. All three are limited-edition that come in special edition silver packaging, two repromoted products and one new:
- Shade and Illuminate Intensity One SS18 is the classic shade and illuminate in a limited-edition silver packaging. Colors are a sheer glossy white pearl and cream tan.
- Eye Gloss was launched last season with eyeshadow singles but has been repromoted with silver packaging.
- Shadow Extreme SS18 is a new product of intense shimmer shadow in a silver case. Color is a metallic gunmetal silver loaded with tons of sparkle.
Everything has pretty mirrored-like packaging that looks modern and sleek. The only downside is fingerprints show up like crazy.
The Shade and Illuminate has been a longtime classic and I can’t believe that I have never tried it. Cream products for cheeks can be hit or miss and contour colors need to have some warmth for my complexion so I never looked into this. I’m glad I did because it lives up to the hype for a natural dewy contour and glow. I would pretty much die of happiness if Tom Ford launched this in a powder form, but for now these two give a very natural contoured effect. Cream finish does have a natural dewy glow but it’s not overly shiny and stays put pretty well throughout the day. I applied on top of my powdered/foundation face and had no issue with it disturbing the base.
A closer look:
The Eye Gloss has been relaunched in the special packaging. I reviewed it back in December when I reviewed the Tom Ford Private Shadow singles. I wasn’t a huge fan of it then and I’m still not. Eye gloss just isn’t my thing. I do like the packaging design though and think if this were to be used for regular cream shadows with a sponge tip applicator it would be perfect.
Last but not least is the Shadow Extreme SS18. This is a new eyeshadow formula Tom Ford describes as, “light-reflective, long-wearing shadow that mimics the look of melted metal in two distinct finishes—micronized glitter, which gives a lustrous, opulent finish, while a bolder, shinier look is achieved with a foil finish. Longwearing polymers ensure each shadow glides an ultra-thin, water-resistant gloss of color effortlessly onto lids.”
SS18 is a gunmetal silver with lots of sparkle. One swipe gives a medium wash but you can layer it for more intensity. This color is quite trendy for me. It’s hard to tell in the eye look I’ll show below, but I hope the arm swatch will show just how sparkly it is. I think it would be fun for a date night out if you did a smokey eye. I wore it alone to show the color, but normally I would layer and blend with a black liner. This is the first color in the Shadow Extreme formula, based on the snippets on social – more to come in March.
Swatches of everything in the collection:
Wearing the Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate, Shadow Extreme SS18 and Bad Lieutenant Lipstick (reviewed here). Foundation shade worn is Estee Lauder Doublewear in Tawny 3W1.
Overall thoughts: I’ve been a long-time die hard Tom Ford fan ever since he launched the lipsticks. The quality is usually on point and texture, pigment, lasting power etc. is phenomenal. These three items were no exception and performed very well. That being said I can’t call any of the items in this collection must-haves.
The Shade and Illuminate is indeed a classic, but the color already exists and I suspect many of you already own it. As happy as I am to now own it, I would have been more excited about something new or different. If you haven’t tried this yet though, I highly recommend you check it out because it’s a product that I think will become a regular beauty staple in my routine.
The Shadow Extreme is very sparkly and I did experience fallout with the glitter falling off the brush, even a densely packed one. It’s best applied in a patting motion. Once on the eyes it stayed on all day. I did apply over a cream shadow base to help the glitter adhere. I’m lukewarm about this one because the particular color just isn’t for me. I do love a glitter shadow, I adore his Powder Cream Duos and the Natasha Denona Crystal Top Coats are amazing. SS18 is too trendy for me for everyday wear with the sparkle and glitter color-wise. I’m looking forward to the other shades because if this comes in a lighter champagne or bronze or nude than I will be all over it.
I am however super excited about the Spring-Summer launches which have already popped up online at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. I ordered the Soleil Contouring Compact in Nude Glow and one of the new Ultra-Shine Lip Colors. I plan on seeing if anything else is in stores this weekend.
Several of you have asked about the Eau de Soleil Blanc and Soleil D’Ambre Eye and Cheek Palette. I did check out both last week. The new fragrance smelled almost identical to the original Soleil Blanc but when I was in store I had smelled several other items so my nose may have been confused. I’ll have to smell it again. At this time I decided to pass on the Soleil D’Ambre Palette. It is really beautiful but I really preferred the previous launches from other seasons. I decided to see what summer would bring instead.
That wraps up my Tom Ford SS18 Colour Collection review. All three pieces are limited-edition. You can find the items now online and in stores at Neiman Marcus and Tom Ford. Did you check out anything from this launch? What did you think? Is Shade and Illuminate on your favorites list or is there another contour product you love?
Tom Ford SS18 item provided courtesy of Tom Ford Beauty for review.
