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Bronzer + Blush Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Color Duos in Softcore and Stroked

September 2, 2014

Tom Ford Contouring Cheek Color Duos ($77 for .70 oz/29 g) are new for fall and come in two shades: Softcore is the cool-toned option with a pale white pink highlighter and medium to deep terracotta pink while Stroked is the warm-toned duo with a soft peachy champagne highlighter and a medium bronzed coral. Both duos have blush/contour shades that are on the shimmery side with highlighters that have high shimmer.

Both duos sold out very quickly in stores and also online when they first launched. It seemed to be a blink and you might miss them kind of thing. Keep checking online because many retailers have restocked. I bought mine from Saks a little over a week ago. You can also find them online at Tom Ford, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Selfridges.

After testing these for over a week, I prefer these as a blush and highlighter duo rather than as a contouring set. The shimmer and color make both duos them more blush-like. Color-wise I adore Stroked (the warm one) and have lukewarm feelings about Softcore (the cool one). I wish the names didn’t both start with a letter “s” though because I often get them mixed up.

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Stroked is easy to wear (for me). The shimmer factor is on the medium/high side but it blends easily onto the skin and the color warms up the complexion. I found the blush color to be very unique with a mix of copper and bronze intertwined with the peachy coral base. The blush is very pigmented so I prefer to use a soft skunk brush to apply the color so I can build it up. The highlighter is also intense which I find best applied with a fluffy brush.

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Softcore is very difficult for me to wear. It is cool-toned and cooler tones tend to clash with my warmer olive skin. The blush is very dark and the rich pigment make it very easy to overdo (even with a light hand) resulting in a sunburned or punched look (yes it makes me look like someone punched me in the cheeks). The highlighter is almost white on my skin and enhances pores if I swipe it one too many times and ends up looking too sharp and frosted. The quality and pigment are still very good, but the colors only work if I use an ultra light hand.

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Swatches and comparisons: left Softcore, right Stroked

Comparisons to:

The blush side of the Stroked Duo is a mix between Love Lust, Ravish and Savage. If you swirled all three colors together, you would get something very similar to Stroked.

Bottom line I love Stroked. It’s really flattering and brightens the face. I was worried it would be entirely orange based on some swatches I had seen online. I prefer applying with a lighter hand but even with a regular one, I don’t find it turns orangey at all on my skin.

Softcore is hit or miss, for me it’s been mostly a miss. I was able to get it to work on me a couple times, but most of the times I tried it, I found it looked too dark/harsh and too cool-toned. I ended up having to redo my makeup entirely, but I’m still determined to try and make it work. It looks better if I use only the blush side on the face and save the highlighter for the eyes. Still for cheeks, I need something that is easy to use, naturally flattering, easy to build – not something I need to be super careful with.

The Contouring Cheek Color Duos retail for $77 each. Both are limited-edition. They are online now at Saks, Tom Ford, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Selfridges.

Did you check out the Cheek Duos or purchase any of them? What did you think? Did they work for your skin tone?
14 Comments
Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Negligee and Twist of Fate Lip Color | Fall 2014

September 1, 2014

Tom Ford has two new lipsticks for fall in the Lip Color formula: Negligee and Twist of Fate ($50 each for 0.1 oz/3g, made in Belgium). I’ve been a fan of all the Tom Ford lipstick formulas, the Lip Color option offers the most pigment with full coverage. They have a thicker texture which makes them last longer and adhere better to the lips (in my experience) but they still glide on easily. The lipsticks have a slight vanilla scent which fades after a few minutes. I like that it’s a softer vanilla and isn’t too sweet. At $50 each, Tom Ford Lipsticks are a luxurious splurge. I can’t say that they are must-haves due to the extremely high price tag, although I do adore Spanish Pink and Pink Dusk and haven’t found anything that is quite like them in terms of color and pigment. They are smooth and non-drying. I can’t say they add any moisture but I like that they don’t dry out my sensitive lips.

Negligee is a medium pink rose nude. It’s on the darker side for my medium skin tone but it’s still a good neutral with enough pink in it so it doesn’t give me that deathly look that MAC Twig or Spirit gives me (they have quite a bit of brown). For those with darker lips or tan complexions looking for a good neutral rose that isn’t pale, this one is perfect. For light to medium complexions, this is a good neutral but deeper color. I didn’t want to love it because I thought it would be too dark but I actually do.

Twist of Fate is a bright coral. It looks more neutral in the tube, but on the lips it transforms to a brighter coral shade that pulls more orange. If you’re a neutral lip lover, this one may be too bright for you. I found it a bit too garish when applied with full coverage due to the orange base, I needed to blot a bit for this one. NARS Juliette is very similar (at a lower price) with slightly more pink and less orange. For me this seems to be more of a summer shade rather than fall. It’s a lovely shade but due to the amount of orange mixed in, some might find it too warm.

Close ups and lip swatches of each color:

Some comparisons swatches:

MAKE Pink Clay Silk Lipstick Cream (review)
Tom Ford Negligee Lip Color
Tom Ford Sweet Spot Lip Color Sheer (review)
NARS Julie – Audacious Lipstick (swatches)
NARS Juliette – Audacious Lipstick (review)

I’m overall really pleased with the color and quality of each shade. They aren’t typically the colors I gravitate towards but I really like Negligee especially for fall. That being said they are a lot darker than I expected them to be. In discussing fall releases with a few other beauty bloggers, I know many have expressed concern that these will probably be too dark for them. I do think Negligee is the more universally flattering color.

Tom Ford Negligee and Twist of Fate are both part of the fall collection. They are available at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Tom Ford. According to Nordstrom Live Chat the fall collection will be available online at Nordstrom within the next day or so.
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Chanel Eye Makeup

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadows | Tissé Mademoiselle, Tissé Vénitien, Tissé Vendôme, Tissé Gabrielle

August 28, 2014

I have four more shades of the Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadows to share with you today. After falling in love with Poésie and Tissé Rivoli I decided to look at the other colors in more detail. I picked up Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tissé Mademoiselle 214, Tissé Vénitien 232, Tissé Vendôme 204, and Tissé Gabrielle 208 ($61 each for 2 g/0.07 oz, made in Italy).

I had my eye on the neutrals initially but one of my favorite Chanel artists recommended I try Gabrielle and Venitien as well for more color and something different. All the quads have some degree of shimmer in each color. I found each quad to be well pigmented, some are more subtle than others. After testing all six quads that I now own, I think Tisse Rivoli and Poesie are still my favorites. If you find these don’t adhere well to your eyes, I recommend using a slightly dewy base. Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base is my absolute favorite for evening the lids without making them look flat or dry. It sets after a few minutes but retails a slightly dewy texture for shadows to adhere well. It will help bring out the color without changing the shadow (some super matte eye bases end up looking very dry and change the colors of shadows by dulling them).

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Tissé Mademoiselle is a neutral quad with a satiny tan, satin cream, shimmery light peach champagne and a dusty fawn brown, all the colors have some variation of shimmer, on my Chanel B30 skin, this is very nude almost matching my skin color. If you start applying the colors from lightest to darkest it will all kinda blend in and blur. My recommendation with this is to start with the medium shade first and pack it onto the lids (top left corner shade), then layer the soft champagne (bottom left corner) and use the darkest shade to smudge on top. Finish with the palest color to highlight or blend any edges.

Here it is compared to Dunes (discontinued):

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Tissé Vénitien has a stunning mix of green, metallic silver, soft sheer pink and deep green. I’m normally not a fan of greens but this one is really lovely when layered together. The greens pop if you layer them over a black or brown liner with a dense smudge brush (I like Laura Mercier’s Smudge Brush or Corner Eye Brush for darker detail colors.)

Here it is compared to Murano (also discontinued):
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Tissé Vendôme is a another neutral palette. It has a tan brown shimmer, soft peach, apricot shimmer and deeper satiny brown. For this one I also recommend starting with the medium/middle shade (top left brown) and applying it all over the lids. Add the coral on top to blend and the darkest brown (bottom right) to intensify/define the lids. Finish with the lightest color as a highlight. You can of course apply this from lightest to darkest or whichever way you like the most. Some have mentioned that the colors all blend together (except for the darkest color) and end up looking the same on the lids. I personally like layering lightest to darkest, but with some quads, I like to start with the medium shades first.

Compared next to Shimmering Dunes (also discontinued, please excuse photo typo):

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Tissé Gabrielle is a smokey eye palette. It’s not the traditional grey/white/black smokey which makes this unique. I found the colors to be well pigmented but the colors went on lighter in color than what I expected.

I didn’t have anything similar, but here it is compared to Variation 37:

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Bottom line: new and definitely improved. I’ve always been a fan of Chanel quads for their neutral fool-proof easy to use combinations. I know not everyone has liked them as much as I have due to the sheerness of the colors. The new Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadows have much better pigment and a super smooth texture. There is a diverse range of color options including blues, pinks and purples (which I didn’t gravitate towards but are still really stunning).

If I were to pick my top three, it would be Poesie, Tisse Rivoli and Tisse Venitien.

The Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadows retail for $61 each. You can find these quads now at all Chanel counters and boutiques. They are also available online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Bloomingdales and Chanel.com.

29 Comments
Base Makeup Dior Nordstrom

Dior Beauty Favorites + A Few New Discoveries

August 25, 2014

Several new readers have e-mailed telling me they have just started to explore higher end cosmetics asking for advice on where to start building their makeup wardrobe and what I recommend for them to buy. Many are open to trying new brands and products but often prefer recommendations from one single brand to simplify their makeup routine. I personally like to mix it up with different brands each day depending on mood but for those who want to stick with one single brand, Dior is one of a few lines I’ve tried that I would feel comfortable using exclusively for everything from foundation, skincare, makeup and tools. I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share some of my Dior Beauty favorites with you today.

I’ve been using Dior beauty since my college days (early 2000’s). Over the years they’ve revamped almost all formulas for every product. I always panic anytime I hear “reformulate” thinking why change something when it’s already really good? Dior has revamped their products for better though. Their nail polish keeps getting better, the Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer is the latest and it has a lush glossy look with rich pigment that applies flawlessly. Their Addict Lip Gloss is a classic favorite for a super glossy natural tint. It comes in a diverse range of colors from pales, brights and darker shades.

A few of my favorites which I highly recommend for anyone whether you’re getting into Dior or higher end lines include:
Dior’s Purifying Foam Cleanser is one of my top cleanser picks out of all that I’ve tried. I’ve repurchased this countless times. There are several different formulas of Dior cleanser, the Purifying Foam is for Normal/Combination skin. It is really effective at cleansing the skin but is still gentle. My husband loves it as well. It foams up nicely and leaves the skin feeling really clean without making it tight or leaving a film.

Diorskin Airflash Skin Foundation is one of the longest wearing foundations I’ve tried. There is a learning curve for application though. The Airflash comes in an aerosol spray. Hold it about 5-6 inches away from your face and close the eyes before you spray. You have to make sure your face is completely relaxed or else it will apply unevenly and miss spots. I spray in a Z motion twice from top to bottom. I don’t always get a flawless application with the spray but it is easily fixable with a brush or sponge. I set with a sheer loose powder and it stays put all day. If you find yourself getting oily or shiny from this, you’ve probably applied too much. It is long-wearing and has fuller coverage, so to take it off, I recommend you use either a Cleansing Water or Cleansing Oil combined with your regular facial cleanser.

Dior has a good range of gloss options. The Addict Glosses are sheer, shimmery and add the perfect tint to the lips. My favorites are Nuit Boreale (a pale iridescent pink with some blue and green shimmer), Bed of Roses (a soft pink rose) and Diablotine a sheer but bright coral. If you’re one that likes more pigment, the new Dior Addict Fluid Stick is incredible. They have super rich pigment and they glide onto the lips really nicely. Blend it and the color melds with your lip flawlessly. It’s a hybrid lipstick and gloss so it has that lush gloss look but pigment of a lipstick and stays put relatively long.

For nails, Dior has always been a favorite. The formula has been revamped several times over the year and it just keeps getting better. There are a lot of limited-edition shades released each season. They often don’t do repeats of the trendy shades although sometimes they will release something similar at a later date. I’ve been a collector for years and have amassed a sizable collection. If you’re just starting to get into higher end nail polishes, Dior is a great option. I am one who really believes there is a difference in formula. The ones by Dior glide on seamlessly. The pigment and coverage is phenomenal these days. The brush is chiseled at the tip for easy two-swipe application. The colors are rich and range from classic to neutral to trendy. I love the Gel Top Coat over other Dior Polishes. I can get up to 7 days of wear without any tip wear or chipping. If you’re looking to start with color, my top three can’t-go-wrong picks are Incognito for an everyday classic neutral, Wonderland for a brightening pink and Nuit 1947 for a classic vamp with a jelly finish.

Painting on Nuit 1947 with the Gel Top Coat

The Diorshow Brow Styler is something I discovered mid-July. One of my favorite Dior artists recommended this for me. I was skeptical since the Brow Styler only comes in one shade in the US in Universal Brown 001. It’s a light taupe brown that actually works for my lighter brows and dark black brown hair. Often times an exact match to my hair makes my brows look too intense and sharp. I like to opt for a color that is lighter but doesn’t contain any red or isn’t too ashy. The Universal Brown appears to be really universal from what I’ve seen.


above, wearing Nuit 1947



For lashes, my go-to lash primer is the Diorshow Maximizer Lash Pluming Serum. It’s a white base you apply to your lashes as a primer. It helps add volume to the lashes and makes them look thicker without clumping. The trick to this one is to not let it dry completely before adding mascara. You can still add it, but applying your mascara while this is still a bit wet helps the product glide on better. The mascara will adhere to the primer and if it’s completely dry, I find it tugs a little. You don’t need to rush application, but I wouldn’t wait a long time.


For mascaras, I’ve tried almost every Dior mascara made. They have the best mini samples each time a new one is released. I’ve developed a couple really good relationships with Dior reps at my Nordstroms so they always call me when they have samples. My favorite is the regular Diorshow for the plush bristles and rich color (and it doesn’t flake or smudge). Nordstrom sent me one of the new ones for review which is the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara. It has a curved comb which helps get all the lashes in a few strokes, no need to angle it in weird ways. It’s supposed to help curl lashes. For my super straight lashes I always need a lash curler, but I find this one does keep the curl well. After testing it, I found it doesn’t flake or smudge. I did need to wipe off the brush with the first application (I use a piece of paper to wipe off excess) but I usually need to do that with most mascaras.

above, wearing Wonderland
For eyeshadow, Dior has so many options. Their 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette also keeps getting a makeover in formula, color options and packaging. They’ve retained the same navy rectangular compact but the newer ones keep getting sleeker in design. Nordstrom sent Bar 056 (one of the five new fall options) for review. I normally cannot wear greys on the eyes as they turn out to be too cool-toned. Bar offers a lovely classic subtle palette of greys I can actually wear without looking washed out. If you’re looking for an everyday neutral, Rosy Tan 754 is hands down one of my favorites. I jus opened my backup a few months ago after going through one entire palette.

For those new to Dior or new to higher end lines, I hope you found this helpful as an introduction to Dior Beauty. There is a lot to explore within each product family for eyes, lips, cheeks, nails, tools, lashes etc. Even though I like to mix up brands in my daily beauty routine, I find Dior is one of the few that can really be a one-stop shop. I’ve fallen in love with their lipsticks, blushes and bronzers (although many are limited-edition ones). If you click on the Dior tag at the bottom you’ll see more Dior reviews I’ve featured over the years. If you’re a Dior fan, I’d love to hear what your favorites are. I’m always up for discovering new things.

Shop my favorites from Nordstrom:

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. The Dior Bar Quint and Iconic Overcurl Mascara were provided for review. All other items purchased by me. For more information, please refer to my Disclosures page.

13 Comments
Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty / Net-A-Porter Preview Sets

August 20, 2014

Beauty alert for those who have been eagerly waiting for Charlotte Tilbury Beauty to launch in the US: Net-A-Porter has launched three exclusive preview beauty sets online starting today. The full line and individual items are scheduled to launch in the US this September at select retailers.

The three sets currently available via Net-A-Porter:

http://rstyle.me/n/j6b5kubf6

Golden Goddess Set ($225) includes:

  • Luxury Palette – The Golden Goddess (Eyeshadow)
  • The Classic- Sophia (Eye Liner)
  • Full Fat Lashes – Glossy Black (Mascara)
  • Cheek to Chic – Ecstasy (Blusher)
  • Lip Cheat – Pillowtalk (Lip Liner)
  • K.I.S.S.I.N.G – Stoned Rose (Lipstick)
  • Lip Lustre – Ibiza Nights (Lip Gloss)
  • Makeup Bag
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http://rstyle.me/n/ny4adubf6

Face & Body Sculpt and Highlight Set ($255) includes:

  • Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream mini (Moisturizer)
  • Wonderglow (Primer)
  • Supermodel Body
  • Lip Lustre – Blondie (Lip Gloss)
  • Filmstar Bronze and Glow (Bronze + Highlight)
    Powder & Sculpt Brush
  • Makeup Bag
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http://rstyle.me/n/nywp2ubf6

Bigger, Brighter Eyes Set ($195) includes:

  • Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream mini (Moisturizer)
  • Luxury Palette – The Sophisticate (Eyeshadow)
  • Double Cube Pencil Sharpener
  • Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eye liner in Eye Cheat (Eyeliner)
  • Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eye liner in Marlene Midnight (Eyeliner)
  • Life-Changing Lashes Eyelash Curler
  • Full Fat Lashes – Glossy Black (Mascara)
  • Take It All Off Eye Makeup Remover
  • Makeup Bag
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After falling in love with the Filmstar Bronze and Glow Set from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I placed a sizeable order via Charlotte Tilbury online a few weeks ago and the package finally arrived at my house. I’ll have reviews and swatches in the upcoming weeks as I work my way through testing. First impressions are that this line is very good and the colors are amazing.

Have you tried anything from Charlotte Tilbury Beauty yet? I would love to hear your recommendations. I’m seriously considering the Golden Goddess set but am torn between waiting for individual items versus getting the set now.

18 Comments
Cle de Peau Beaute Highlighters

Cle de Peau Beaute Luminizing Face Enhancers in #13 Sand Beige and #14 Delicate Pink

August 17, 2014

 

One of the things I love about blogging is connecting with readers who are even more passionate about beauty, cosmetics and fragrances than I am. I’ve learned so much from others who have taken time out of their day to write me about their latest discoveries and loves. Clé de Peau Beauté is one brand that gets frequently mentioned in my inbox. I’ve avoided most of the items from the brand due to the high price points but after so many raves, I couldn’t help but finally check out the Luminizing Face Enhancers ($95 each for the compact+case, or $55 for just the refills). The Luminizing Face Enhancers are powder highlighters that come in a refillable prism-like covered gold mirrored case. There are currently four shades available in a pale white, silvery pink, gold and peachy-bronze.

 

I picked out #13 Sand Beige and #14 Delicate Pink at Neiman Marcus. The Luminizing Face Enhancers are finely milled super soft pressed powders each containing multiple shades of shimmer pressed together in a jewel-like pattern. It’s difficult to tell exactly how many different shades there are per compact, but there are at least four different colors pressed together. These come with a  sheer veil of glitter overspray (which I’m not fond of) but once you dust it off you get a luminous powder underneath. Once applied on the skin the shimmer is visible but it provides a natural glow. I’ve applied on the cheeks, temples and eyes. These blend in with the skin extremely well. Some powder products can look like they just sit on the skin, but the Clé de Peau Beauté highlighter melds quite well giving a natural look.
For me these are too shimmery to apply all over the face, but they are not frosty. I like them as traditional highlighters. I would say the shimmer factor is light-medium, somewhere in between the shimmer of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders in Dim Light and Luminous Light, but with larger shimmer particles infused throughout.

 

 

#13 Sand Beige is my favorite. It’s the darkest option which might look more like a bronzer on fairer skins (anything lighter than a Chanel B20). On my medium olive skin the Clé de Peau Beauté #13 is the perfect natural golden honey highlight. It’s similar in color to Chanel Dentelle Precieuse not quite as shimmery as the Chanel (swatch comparisons below). The brush that comes in the compact is quite good, I’ve used it for touch ups, it’s soft and dense and picks up product well. I do wish it was bigger, but for a compact brush, it’s the best I’ve tried.

 

 

 

 

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#14 Delicate Pink is a cool-toned silvery pink on me. It’s on the pale side which contrasts with my olive skin. I’ve seen it on fairer skin tones and it makes the entire face glow. For me it’s something I use with a very light hand on the temples, on the nose, under brow bone (applied very softly) and it gives dimension to the face. It’s difficult to capture the luminous shimmer in photographs but this one gives the skin a perfect glow.

 

 

 

 

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Swatches below. The flash and light emphasized the shimmer particles, in real life they are more subtle on the face, I swatched these with a heavy hand to show the color and shimmer. When applied normally, the shimmer isn’t quite as pronounced as shown in the detail shot.

 

 

Comparisons to a few other highlighters:

 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette with Radiant Light, Incandescent Light and Dim Light (review)
Chanel Dentelle Precieuse (reviewed here)

 

 

Second view with larger swatches up close:

 

 

Many have reported these Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancers to be the best powder highlighters on the market. For me, there are so many different types of highlighters, I think finding the “best one” will depend on what you are looking for. Some highlighters offer intense shimmer or color like Mineralize Skinfinishes from MAC or Shimmer Bricks by Bobbi Brown. Others like Chanel Poudre Douce (discontinued shades like Rosee or Peche Tendre) or Dolce & Gabbana are highlighting powders that are designed to be use over the entire face. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders have a wide range of shimmer finishes and textures created for different skin tones to either warm up and bronze the skin, give a candlelit glow-from-within look, or create a diffused glow. There are also different skin types that look better with certain highlighters. There are highlighters that some will find enhance their pores, but on others that same product won’t. Depending on your skin tone, if you’re fair, certain shades will flatter you more than if you are darker.

 

So for me, when someone asks me “what is the best powder highlighter?” My answer would be “it depends.” I’ve been partial to Chanel, Edward Bess and Hourglass for highlighting powders. I’ve also always been a huge fan of MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes (even the frosty ones) for different looks.

 

To sum up my thoughts on the Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancers, I do think they are amazing highlighters. If you’re looking for a natural luminous glow that makes the skin radiate, adds dimension to the face, isn’t frosty and doesn’t emphasize pores, these fit the bill. They do come with a steep price tag which is why I’m reluctant to give a 100% glowing review. The quality of the product and packaging is there and I don’t see any other product on the market that can provide that same glow. The texture is finely milled and it glides onto the skin blending in perfectly. The $55 price tag for the refills is reasonable for me, but the $95 price for the powder + compact is just too much for me no matter how good the product is.

 

That being said, I’m very happy with both and I know I will be using both regularly. These are highlighters you have to try in person to really see how good the glow is. Have you tried Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancers? What did you think?

 

I bought mine from Neiman Marcus. They are also available at Cle de Peau, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, and Bergdorf Goodman.
26 Comments
Base Makeup Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation Bisque 4 Review

August 6, 2014

I’ve been playing with Tom Ford’s new Traceless Perfecting Foundation ($80 for 1 fl oz/30 ml) in Bisque 4. I’ve been testing about a week now and I’m in love. I shared my initial thoughts (and swatches of all 15 shades) last Friday. I’m happy with my selection of Bisque 4 as it matches my skin perfectly right now. After playing with it some more, here are my thoughts:

Color Choice: I was torn between Bisque 4 and Natural 5. Based on the counter recommendation after applying them both (one on each side of the face), I bought Bisque 4 and took home a small sample of Natural 5. I’ve been testing them both and really could get away with using either shade. Natural 5 is a bit darker and a tad more olive while Bisque is more neutral.

Formula, Coverage, Texture: The new Traceless Perfecting Foundation is a bit thicker in texture than most foundations I use and it gives perfect medium to full coverage. It blends very easily and covers well. Even though it’s thick, it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin and the finish and feel is very natural. I’ve tried all of Tom Ford’s foundations but have only purchased the Traceless Sticks. My thoughts comparing the three:
  • The regular Traceless Foundation (liquid in a square bottle with pump) is absolutely gorgeous on the skin but always looked a bit too dewy and glowy on my skin. It’s sheerer in coverage and has a sheen finish while the Traceless Perfecting Foundation is more velvety (but not matte).
  • The Traceless Stick Foundation is best used layered over other foundations for more coverage. It’s the perfect alternative to concealer for larger areas of the face that need more but isn’t quite as dry or pigmented as concealer so it blends easier on the skin.
  • The newest Traceless Perfecting Foundation is something I find really does have that perfecting effect. It doesn’t give me 100% perfect skin but it evens out skin tone and texture really nicely. It gives medium to full coverage without caking. It stays put and doesn’t sliding off. It also looks completely natural.
Application: The first few days I tested this we had a bit of a heat wave in Southern California. It was humid and we also had some rain. Those first few days I found the foundation felt a bit heavy although it stayed put the entire day from morning to evening. It didn’t slide off, get greasy or oily as the day wore on but it felt heavy. After playing with this a bit more I’ve found my perfect combination of product. You do need to use a lightweight moisturizer and good primer to prep the skin (it makes a world of difference). My go-to is to use:

Who can wear it? This is a thicker foundation compared to the thin fluid texture of Armani Maestro or even Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet. I would say it’s comparable in texture to Chanel Perfection Lumiere but a tad more airy and thicker in texture. I think it could suit a wide range of skin types but if you’re on the oily side it may not be the best option for you. For normal combination or dry skins I think this will be perfect.

Packaging: The foundation comes with an interesting twist up pump similar to the packaging of the Illuminating Primer. It dispenses product easily without any issues. I use 2 to 3 pumps to cover the entire face.

Packaging comparisons (review on primer here):

Here it is swatched on my arm:

Many of you have asked for comparisons to other foundations. I pulled out ones I use and a few lighter options I have leftovers of from winter/spring and I also had some samples in my drawers that I pulled out. I tan easily and my skin has gotten darker since spring. I’ll put a * next to the shades I currently use:

Set 1 includes:

Set 2 includes:

Overall thumbs up. It’s something I keep reaching for these days since I purchased it. For reference you can see all 15 shades swatched here. I hope this helps as a guide to help you select a color. If you need a shade match or recommendation, I highly recommend you call a Tom Ford counter. I’ve found the reps at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island, Beverly Hills and San Francisco to be extremely helpful.

12 Comments