Browsing Tag

Tom Ford Beauty

Bronzer + Blush Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil Collection – Terra and Bronze Age Bronzing Powders and Pieno Sole Cream Cheek Color

April 4, 2016

For the bronzers in this year’s Tom Ford Soleil Collection, there are a couple repromotes and a few new shades for cheeks. This summer they’ve relaunched the Small Bronzing Powder ($68 each) version along with the Large Bronzing Powder ($98 each) in three shades: Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age. This year’s version has the letters TF embossed in the bronzer which adds a nice luxurious touch to the overall look. For the Cream Cheek Color ($68 each) they’ve brought back Pink Sand (reviewed here) and introduced a new color called Pieno Sole.

In case you’re new to the Tom Ford Bronzers in general, I’ve swatched all three shades of the powder bronzer in Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age alongside the new Pieno Sole for reference. I did not rephotograph the Gold Dust Bronzer or the small versus large compacts but you can see a quick shot of the small and large Gold Dust in this post here.

Descriptions and thoughts on all the shades:

  • Gold Dust Bronzing Powder is a classic medium bronze with a hint of golden shimmer, it gives the skin a luminous glow without being too shimmery or frosty, for a comparison reference, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzers are a lot more luminous compared to Tom Ford Gold Dust. Gold Dust is warm but not orangey on the skin.
  • Terra is a semi-sheer cool-toned matte bronzer. When I tried this one last year the artists actually recommended I skip this because they said it would too sheer on my medium skintone. I bought it anyways in the large size (not shown) and found this to be more like a soft contouring powder. If you’re looking for a cooler-toned bronzer this one is a good one to check out. Do note that it’s not as pigmented as other bronzers so your mileage may vary if you are tan to deep in skintone. On me it does show up but it gives a very natural look.
  • Bronze Age is a new shade this season, it’s deeper and more golden than the other bronzers. This one is matte and has medium pigment. It applies smoothly and is easy to build. On my skin this looks very golden but not orangey. If you are super fair this will probably look more dramatic and warm on your skin. I think this one will be better suited for medium to deeper skintones unless you don’t mind a dramatic bronze.
  • Pieno Sole is a Cream Cheek Color but I’ve grouped it with the bronzers since it’s a golden shimmer color. I had very high hopes for this as a cream blush since I’m beyond in love with Pink Sand. I’m at the exact skintone where this one almost matches by skin color and looks like my skin but with shimmer. Since it matches my skin, as a cream cheek color it’s almost invisible. For me it works better as a highlighter which I think is very pretty but more subtle than I expected. Not necessarily a bad thing as it goes on the skin smoothly and doesn’t emphasize pores. 
First a quick look at Terra, Bronze Age and Pieno Sole in direct sunlight (lip color is Le Mepris):

Swatches of Powder Bronzers in Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age alongside the new Pieno Sole Cream Cheek Color:

Powder Bronzers in Gold Dust, Terra and Bronze Age applied on the face – they all look very similar when applied with a light hand, I hope you can tell that Bronze Age is the darkest/deepest color and Terra is the sheerest/most natural. Gold Dust is somewhere in between. I tried to photograph a cheek swatch of Pieno Sole but it just looked invisible so I didn’t publish it.

On the lips Tom Ford Moisturecore Lip Color in Carriacou:

Some comparison swatch sets:

Set 1:
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light

Set 2:
Edward Bess Bronzer in Daydream

Set 3:
MAC Powder Blush in Trace Gold
MAC Cream Color Base in Desert Roadtrip (d/c)
MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Magnetic Appeal (d/c, review here)
Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Afterglow (review here)

I own more bronzer than I know what to do with (probably multiple lifetimes worth) but out of all the powder bronzers I’ve tried I can say that the Gold Dust is one I reach for frequently. It’s a no-fuss kind of bronzer that adds warmth and glow to the face without looking too orangey or overdone. Terra is one of the sheerest bronzers I’ve tried and probably one of the few I’ve tested that have a cool undertone without looking too cool. Both are on the steep side for price but they go on smoothly and flawlessly every time and do not emphasize pores (huge plus for me) or look chalky. Another plus is the colors do not darken or oxidize on the skin even on oily skin days so I don’t have to worry about looking like an Oompa Loompa with these (even though I do like a good bronze tan look). I personally like the look of Bronze Age – I don’t own anything as golden in color. Bottom line is I think these are well worth the high price tag (I’ve purchased them in previous seasons and have no regrets). If these aren’t in your budget you might want to check out the MAC Powder Bronzers as a less expensive alternative – they are also very good in quality and come in a wide range of options/finishes. I would say the main difference is I find the MAC less pigmented and more sheer in finish but they are easy to layer.

I have mixed feelings about Pieno Sole – my first impressions left me wanting more color or more pigment, but the more I play with it, the more I like it. On me it’s still more like a highlighter than a cream blush but the golden color is really pretty. The finish is similar to that of Armani Fluid Sheers on my skin but Tom Ford Pieno Sole does have more pigment/coverage by comparison. I like using this as a base for bronzer to enhance the color or as a subtle cream highlight on the cheeks. If you’re on the hunt for something similar in color but in powder form, I recommend checking out MAC Trace Gold Powder Blush which is a pretty golden color. 

You can find the bronzers and cream cheek colors from the Tom Ford Soleil Collection at Tom Ford counters and stores now. Online at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tom Ford.

Have you checked these out yet? Or do you already own some shades from previous seasons? What’s your current favorite bronzer?
Terra and Bronze Age were provided as press samples for review consideration. Pieno Sole purchased by me.

14 Comments
Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil Collection – Moisturecore Lip Colors

April 2, 2016

There are six shades of Moisturecore Lip Color ($55 each) from the Tom Ford Soleil Collection this summer. These come in luminous glowing fresh colors perfect for spring to summer – but really you can wear these year round. These are described as:

Two exclusive formulas in one innovative lip product. In the center, a liquid core infused with passion fruit oil provides luxurious moisture in a pink pop of color throughout every Moisturecore Lip Color shade. A luminous lip color encases the core, infused with an exotic blend of melon fruit extract, murumuru butter and plant derived esters that conditions lips. Sprinkled with subtle gold pearl to complement bronzed, summer skin. Shades, ranging from sandy nude to rosy mauve, provide a soft veil of lightweight, long-lasting color.

The center of each lip color is identical which is a sheer melon pink color that blends seamlessly with the outer colors of each tube. The packaging is the same size as the Lip Color Shines – they come in a slim twist up tube but with this season’s white and gold packaging. Since the formula has the word “moisture” in the name I expected an ultra hydrating lip color – they do have a moist slightly glossy finish with a cushiony lush feeling but I didn’t find them as moisturizing as a traditional lip treatment. I actually feel the Ultra-Rich Lip Colors are more hydrating on my lips.

Pigment is medium but buildable. They covered the lip entirely with the exception of Scandola and Otranto which I found a bit sheerer. You’ll see in the lip swatches below that the colors do show up but there is a slight transparent quality in the shimmer which makes my natural lip color show through a bit. There is a slight vanilla scent but it’s very subtle and disappears after a few  minutes.

Top row, left to right: Scandola, Carriacou, Mustique
Bottom row, left to right: Pipa, Cala di Volpe, Otranto
At first swipe some of these colors felt on the dry side. The colors do all get better after the initial top layer of the lipstick is worn down and after the first swipe I had no issues with any of them. They all had very good smooth application without any streaks or patches. Lasting power is medium with these. As with any lipstick that has a shine finish they usually don’t last as long as a matte or long-wear lipstick but the Moisturecore Lip Colors still last a relatively long time. They don’t disappear immediately like some other sheers do, by comparison I find they last longer than Rouge Dior Baumes but not quite as long as the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylos. By comparison to other Tom Ford formulas, the Moisturecore Lip Colors last longer than the Lip Color Shines but not quite as long as the regular Lip Colors.

The colors are all on point for neutral lip lovers who want something that isn’t a beige nude. The only color I feel slightly off about is Cala di Volpe – it’s such a pretty copper in the tube but on my lips it turns almost orangey. Color descriptions, close ups and swatches:
Scandola is a sheer golden nude shimmer
Carriacou is a soft peachy pink
Mustique is a cool baby pink that is surprisingly wearable
Pipa is a gorgeous medium bright pink melon
Cala di Volpe is a shimmering copper
Otranto is a shimmering plum

Scandola:

Carriacou:

Mustique:

Pipa:

Quick look with Golden Peach Eye Duo (reviewed here), Bi-Coastal Sheer Cheek Duo (both colors swirled and blended together, review soon) and Pipa Lip Color:

Cala di Volpe:

Otranto:

All the colors swatched side by side:

I give all of the colors a thumbs up – they are really pretty wearable colors. If I had to skip any, I would say Scandola and Carriacou are similar on my lips but do note I have pigmented lips so Scandola will most likely show up more close to the arm swatch on you. Cala di Volpe is not something I would wear a lot right now – in the lip swatch it may be hard to tell but it pulls orangey against my complexion right now. It will probably be better for me when I have more of a tan. The others are all winners.

Formula-wise I don’t know that I would say the moisture core has enough noticeable benefits to justify the higher price tag (they are priced slightly higher than the other Tom Ford lipsticks). Still for me the price is not a deal breaker as I think the quality is there and formula is very good. Colors are all up my alley and ones I can see myself wearing everyday for either day or night. If you’re wondering whether I prefer the Moisturecore or the Ultra-Rich formulas (both new for summer), I will say I like the Ultra-Rich formula better but the Moisturecore range has colors that are more of what I am comfortable wearing.

You can find the Tom Ford Moisturecore Lip Colors for $55 each at Tom Ford counters and stores now. Also online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s and Tom Ford.

Have you checked out the summer collection yet? What did you think?
Press samples include four shades Carriacou, Mustique, Cala di Volpe and Pipa. The other two options Scandola and Otranto purchased by me.
24 Comments
Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Soleil Collection – Ultra-Rich Lip Color

April 1, 2016

 

One of the new lip color formulas this summer in the Tom Ford Soleil Collection is called the Ultra-Rich Lip Color ($52 each). These are packaged in the white and gold tubes with a similar lipstick shape to the Lip Color Sheers but the Ultra-Rich Lip Color formula this summer is more creamy with fuller coverage and more of a moisturizing feel.

 

These are described as, “A vivid and high-shine lip color that moisturizes lips instantly. Over time, lips appear smoother, softer and suppler. This luminous and vivid lip color collection lasts up to 6 hours.”

 

After playing with 4 of the 6 shades over the past week I have found they do indeed offer instant moisture to the lips. On my lips they feel like a hybrid between the regular Lip Color and Lip Color Sheers with a smooth and creamy feel. Coverage is very impressive – it’s basically flawless with medium to full coverage that is easy to build without looking or feeling heavy. Lasting power is very good – I didn’t test for up to 6 hours per the description but the colors lasted for 4 hours without fading or budging.

 

The four shades I have shown in the below photo from left to right:

 

 

  • Le Mepris (my press sample says Le Mepris but online it’s labeled Les Mepris) is a bright reddish coral color. I’m normally drawn to neutrals but this one stands out as a knock out summery coral red. It has the perfect mix of red in it so brightens the complexion without looking garish.
  • Revolve Around Me is one of the most perfect flawless nudes I’ve ever tried. As many of you know I love nudes but because I have pigmented lips so many look like concealer on my lips or look patchy. Revolve Around Me has amazing full coverage on my lips and covers the surface with a smooth veil of color. It’s clearly a beige nude on me but has enough color that it does not wash out my lips like Nude Vanille, Blush Nude or the SS16 Lip Shine.
  • Temptation Waits is a medium brown cafe shade. My press sample was labeled Sex Oyster. I confirmed with the Tom Ford team that they changed the name to Temptation Waits so if you see that around on other blogs or websites know they are the same shade, the actual name is Temptation Waits. This one has a semi-sheer to medium finish but you can swipe and build for full coverage. It has a tiny bit of rose in it so it’s not a pure brown.
  • Solar Affair is a peachy coral. I thought this one would be my favorite since I’m drawn to coral shades. The color has a bit too much warmth and orange so when combined with my olive skin it makes my skin look more yellow, almost sallow. It’s a lovely color – when I compared Solar Affair next to Le Mepris, the red one won me over.
Swatches:

 

 

More close ups and lip swatches, for reference I’m wearing the Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation in Bisque 4 in these swatches. Up first is Les Mepris:

 

 

Revolve Around Me:

 

 

 

Temptation Waits:

 

 

 

Solar Affair:

 

 

Two sets of swatch comparisons below, Set 1 includes the neutrals:

 

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Honeycomb (lip swatch here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Nude Vanille
Tom Ford Lip Color Sable Smoke (lip swatch here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer Skinnydip (lip swatch here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Sweet Mystery (aka Lips and Boys Peter, lip swatch here)
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Chai + Molasses (lip swatch here)
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme J’Adore (lip swatch here)

 

 

Set 2 for the corals:

 

Tom Ford Lip Color Naked Coral (lip swatch here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer Sweet Spot (lip swatch here)
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer Paradiso (lip swatch here)
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Gingersnap, Persimmon + Gazpacho (lip swatch here)

 

 

 

The formula is a winner in my book. I didn’t think they could make a better lip color formula, but these new Ultra-Rich Lip Colors far surpass the regular Lip Color formula because it has a softer slightly more creamy feel which makes them glide easily on the lips. The Ultra-Rich Lip Colors do have a bit of shine to them which makes them look a bit less opaque than the regular Lip Colors. I think the formula is definitely worth checking out this summer.

 

You can find the Ultra-Rich Lip Colors at all Tom Ford Counters now for $52 each. My top 2 favorite shades include Le Mepris and Revolve Around Me. I haven’t checked out the other shades yet (there are 6 total), but right now I have plenty to play with.

 

Available in stores and online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora and Tom Ford.

 

Ultra-Rich Lip Colors provided courtesy of Tom Ford for review consideration.

 

24 Comments
Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Color Collection for Summer 2016 – Sneak Peek + Swatches

March 31, 2016

Tom Ford just launched their summer beauty items in the Soleil Color Collection and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Everything is cased in the white and gold packaging for this season with new formulas for lips and beautiful items for the skin and cheeks. I have a quick sneak peek and wanted to list all the items that are available for reference. I received some press samples and purchased additional items to review which made a serious dent in my bank account but I don’t mind one bit because everything is gorgeous. Personal first impressions are all very good. Some items that were limited-edition in previous seasons have been repromoted this season such as the Cream and Powder Eye Duos, Pink Sand Cream Blush and Firelust Skin Illuminator. Also on a great note is that Tom Ford Beauty has now launched online at Sephora (yay!). The items in this year’s Soleil Color Collection:
Also not part of the color collection, but the Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum and Shimmering Body Oil (previously reviewed here with other spring launches) have launched at all retailers (it was an early exclusive to Neiman Marcus for a while). Several of you have asked if this year’s oil is the same as last year’s – it unfortunately is not and I find this year’s version a bit sticky/tacky. I personally would recommend you skip the oil.

 
Quick swatches of what I have including some of the repromotes. Note I don’t have the entire summer collection swatched but here is what I have:

Fire Lust Skin Illuminator (press sample)
Pink Sand Cream Blush
Pieno Sole Cream Blush
Bicoastal Sheer Cheek Duo (press sample)

Gold Dust Bronzer
Terra Bronzer
Bronze Age (press sample)
Soleil Contouring Compact

Moisturecore Lip Color in Scandola
Moisturecore Lip Color in Carriacou (press sample)
Moisturecore Lip Color in Mustique (press sample)
Moisturecore Lip Color in  Pipa (press sample)
Moisturecore Lip Color in Cala Di Volpe (press sample)
Moisturecore Lip Color in Otranto
Ultra-Rich Lip in Les Mepris (press sample)
Ultra-Rich Lip in Temptation Waits (press sample)
Ultra-Rich Lip in Revolve Around Me (press sample)
Ultra-Rich Lip in Solar Affair (press sample)

Cream & Powder Duos in Golden Peach and Naked Bronze (original review here):

Most of the summer collection has launched in stores and online. The only item that is a bit hard to find right now is the Bicoastal Sheer Cheek Duo which is on backorder at many places. I bought some of my items (non-press samples) from Nordstrom. The collection is also available online at Sephora, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. 

Stay tuned for individual reviews! I hope to have the Ultra-Rich Lip Color review up later this afternoon!

Some items featured include press samples and others purchased by me. Press samples indicated above next to the swatches.

37 Comments
Uncategorized

Spring Face Cleanser Rotation

March 11, 2016

For skincare I think my favorite things to try out are facial cleansers. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as the feeling of having squeaky clean skin. I have sensitive skin that reacts to a lot of products and when it happens it usually happens instantly with a flash of tiny little red bumps that surface everywhere. I need cleansers that are gentle but still effective at getting rid of excess oil and dirt. I have normal combination skin so I look for cleansers that are strong enough to feel like my skin is thoroughly cleansed, doesn’t leave any film but at the same time won’t strip the skin and leave it feeling tight. I have a roundup of face cleansers I think are really good for right now, especially as we transition to spring. A few are tried and true and some others are new to me that I’ve been testing since January. I took these photographs a little over a month ago but wanted to wait and use up a few tubes entirely to see how I felt about them and also which ones I thought I would be repurchasing.

Finding a cleanser depends on so many different things. Skin type is the main deciding factor so if you have normal but sensitive skin like me I think you will find this review most helpful. I probably switch up my cleansing routine more than the average person. I tend to use a different cleanser for morning versus night. Also on full makeup days I like to double cleanse by using a cleansing water or cleansing oil first to remove my makeup. Then I follow with a regular liquid or cream cleanser afterwards to make sure my skin is cleansed all the way. On workout days I find myself giving my face an extra wash – right after I work out and also right before I go to bed because I have this thing about sleeping with clean skin.

I’ll split my recommendations by type and by intensity. I’m a huge wimp when it comes to any kind of tingle for skincare so all of these in this roundup are tingle-free and super gentle.

Up first are the cleansing oils I’ve had in rotation from Tom Ford, Tatcha, SK-II and L’Occitane. For these it’s really hard to pick a favorite because all four are extremely good. I’ve reviewed oils before (a few years ago) and I’m really picky with what I repurchase. As long as an oil doesn’t break out my skin or cause a reaction I’ll use it up entirely because I don’t want it to go to waste. Many leave an emollient film on the skin that I personally don’t like. Others strip the skin. Some others just don’t emulsify well on my skin when you add warm water. A few thoughts on these four:

Shown above from left to right:

  • Tom Ford Purifying Cleansing Oil ($80 for 6.7 fl oz) is the newest cleansing oil that I’ve tried, it just launched this year. Tom Ford Beauty describes this one as having a velvety formula, filled with nutrient-rich natural oils such as Jasmine Flower oil, Evening Primrose oil, Buriti oil, Tamanu oil and botanical extracts such as Panax Ginseng Root Extract and Thistle Fruit Extract, to cleanse and detoxify skin.” It indeed does have a velvety texture and cleanses the skin entirely. It removes all traces of makeup including eyeshadow, although I did not test on mascara because I don’t like oils near my eye area. It is on the purifying side but isn’t stripping. It did leave my skin feeling firm and smooth, but not tight.
  • Tatcha Pure One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48 for 150 ml / 5.1 fl. oz.) has been reviewed here on The Beauty Look Book before. I would say this is my no-fail go to for cleansing oils. It’s gentle and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s non-irritating and melts away all the makeup from your skin when you add warm water to emulsify and massage into the face. I love that they make a well packaged mini versions perfect for travel.
  • SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil ($70 for 8.4 fl oz) is another favorite. This one has the most velvety cushiony texture out of all the ones I’ve tried. It’s just as gentle as the Tatcha but I find the SK-II leaves the skin feeling a bit more moisturized. On days I feel dry this one is best for my skin because it’s not quite as purifying as others but still removes all traces of makeup.
  • L’Occitane Immortelle Cleansing Oil ($32 for 6.7 fl oz) full review here, but quick take is this is one of the most gentle but effective cleansing oils I’ve tried and used up. I really love this one because it’s nourishing and leaves the skin feeling super soft and smooth without any residue.
_____________________________

Next are more traditional formulas, but as I’ve been testing some new ones I’ve found some really interesting ones that are quite innovative in texture and how they apply on the skin.

Shown above from left to right:

  • Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash ($34 for 4 oz) this is one I’ve used up entirely and I love it. Over the summer I fell in love with the Detox Daily Cleanser because it was good for those super hot humid days. As we transitioned to cooler weather I started using the Gentle Daily Wash and it’s a lot more gentle on the skin. It’s a really good daily mild cleanser that I love for super sensitive skin days. It’s effective enough to use every day multiple times a day without stripping the skin. For me this one is pure love and I will be repurchasing this one. It helps calm down the skin on irritated days.
  • Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser ($38 for 4 oz) is the newest cleanser from the Kate Somerville line. I also used this one up entirely (I just finished it 2 days ago). This one is such a unique cleanser. It has no gritty texture like scrubs do but does contains a mix of glycolic acid and lactic acid along with pineapple, pumpkin and papaya enzymes to exfoliate the skin in a natural way without being harsh or drying. It’s gentle enough to use daily but I like to use this 2-3x per week and alternate with the Daily Wash. It’s super gentle – there has been no irritation or harsh feeling  on the skin. It’s amazing at improving the skin texture without the harsh feeling of a scrub.
  • Algenist Gentle Rejuvinating Cleanser ($25 for 4 oz) is another really good gentle cleanser option. I’m about 80% finished with this one and think it’s yet another incredible discovery. It’s similar in performance to the Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash but the Algenist is a unique cream texture that has a slightly mousse-whipped feel. This is one of the few cleansers I can use 2x a day 7 days a week without feeling like I need to switch up cleansers. It’s gentle as the name implies but does a great job at cleaning the skin.
  • First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay ($24 for 4.7 oz) has been featured on the blog a few times and definitely has reached a favorites spot for me in terms of being one of the best purifying cleansers. It cleans out the pores and the red clay helps draw out excess oil. It helps clear up the skin when I have breakouts. The texture is almost gel-like but still liquid. I think this is a great balancing product for those with normal, combination or oily skin. Right now I can’t use it daily because it’s a tiny bit drying for the weather/season right now – but that’s for my normal combo skin.
  • bareMinerals Clay Chameleon Transforming Purifying Cleanser ($22 for 4.2 oz) is another really good clarifying cleanser. This one is interesting because you apply it directly on dry skin and massage it until the cleanser turns white. It’s a light red color that has a clay-cream like texture. Once you massage it into the skin you rinse with warm water and it cleans the skin entirely. This one is slightly stronger than the one from First Aid Beauty but is still gentle and non-irritating. It leaves the skin feeling firm but not tight. I like this on days I feel oily or after workouts. My husband really likes this one, although his go-to is still the Kiehl’s Facial Fuel.
_____________________________
Out of all the ones I’ve been testing, I would say that my top two favorites for cleansing oils right now are the L’Occitane and Tatcha with SK-II being close third. I find L’Occitane to be the most soothing and gentle for my skin while Tatcha is a classic staple. The SK-II one is good but the price prevents me from wanting to purchase over and over again although I really really like it. The one from Tom Ford is one of the most purifying ones I’ve tried – I suspect it might be a bit too strong if you have dry skin. It’s definitely a luxurious one but I think you can find other more affordable options that perform just as well.

For the regular cleansers, I’ve been so impressed with Kate Somerville. I can’t rave enough about the line because the skincare just works so well for my sensitive skin. For everyday my favorites are the Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash and Algenist Gentle Rejuvinating Cleansers.

Do you have a favorite cleanser of the moment? I always love hearing about skincare favorites so please share in the comments!
Press samples included from all brands featured above except SK-II. As always all opinions my own.

31 Comments
Fragrance Men's Grooming

Spring Fragrance Rotation for Him and Her

February 12, 2016

When it comes to fragrance, I feel like it takes me forever to pick something new and also forever to use one up. I have a few go-to’s but love trying new things and if you’re like me you will take a long time to build up a fragrance collection. If you’re looking for a new fragrance for spring, here’s what I have in rotation right now. I also have some of my husband’s favorites if you’re looking for gift ideas for any of the special men in your life.


My go-to spring scents are Byredo Black Saffron and Chanel Beige. Even though we have mild somewhat warm weather year round here in Southern California, I still think some fragrances are seasonal. It’s finally that time of year when I feel like I can wear the sweeter florals. Most of these last pretty long on my skin, at least until early afternoon. I do have an extremely sensitive nose though, so what smells strong to me might be non-existent to others. Out of the ones below I would say Byredo, Tom Ford and Creed have the longest lasting power on my skin.
  • Byredo Black Saffron is a mix of berry and musk, I’ve had this one for like forever, it’s one of the few berry scents I can wear because it’s not too sweet yet not too musky
    • Top notes: pomelo, saffron, juniper berry
    • Middle notes: black violet,
      accord cuir, cristal rose
    • Base notes: blonde woods, raspberry, vetiver
  • Byredo Bal D’Afrique is something I am beyond obsessed with, I have this in the single mini from the holiday Discovery Set, it’s a sweeter scent to me it smells kinda peachy and floral all at the same time, I also have it in the oil rollerball version, if you’re debating between the oil or spray, get the traditional spray version, it has better lasting power
    • Top notes: bergamot, lemon, neroli, African marigold, bucchu
    • Middle
      notes: violet, jasmine petals, cyclamen
    • Base notes: black amber, musk,
      vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood
  • Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is one of the latest fragrance launches from Tom Ford, it’s a clean white floral that has a summery beachy feel, there’s a hint of amber in it to prevent it from feeling too powdery or too floral (review here)
  • Chloe Eau de Parfum is one of the most popular fragrances on Sephora’s website, it’s been on my radar for a long time, it’s very soft and girly, for something this strong a floral I’m surprised that I liked it, I decided on the 10th time of trying it in store after spritzing samples on myself to just go ahead and go for it
    • Notes: Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Honey
  • Chanel Beige Exclusifs is one of my all time favorites, it’s one of the only Chanel fragrances I’ve liked enough to splurge on, it’s a clean white and warm floral mix that smells very natural and fresh
    • Notes: Hawthorn, freesia, frangipani, honey
  • L’Artisan Mure et Musc is one of the fragrances I’ve used for the longest period of time, I discovered this line from one of my long-time friends from college, it’s a blackberry musk described as having notes of lemon, basil, blackberry and musk, I feel like this one is my no-fail everyday, every season kind of fragrance
  • Maison Martin Margiela Replica Lipstick On is my newest discovery, it’s a soft feminine blush floral kind of scent that smells like makeup, it’s a floral and has powdery notes, so it surprised me how much I like it because powdery scents typically make me gag, there is a very slight hint of vanilla in it which makes it feel warm and well rounded
    • Notes: Bergamot Oil, Heliotrope Accord, Neroli Oil, Orange Flower Absolute,
      Iris Concrete, Galbanum Oil, Tonka Bean Absolute, Vanilla Bourbon
      Extract, Patchouli Oil
  • Maison Martin Margiela Replica Beach Walk in the rollerball is the prettiest relaxing soothing beachy scents I’ve ever tried, if you’ve smelled the Henri Bendel Beach Candle, this is similar in fragrance form that’s wearable, it smells like a fresh mix of musk and coconut with peppery notes, it’s a beachy scent without the floral notes many others have
    • Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Lemon, Ylang Ylang, Coconut Milk, Heliotrope, Musk, Cedarwood, Benzoin
  • Creed Royal Princess Oud is the most exquisite and most expensive perfume I have ever owned, the Creed team kindly sent me a sample to try – I love Oud fragrances but my husband always says they are too masculine for me (even though I disagree and think they are unisex), this one has a distinct feminine touch to it, this is a lovely mix of violet, iris and sandalwood, lasting power is extremely good, one of the longest lasting fragrances I’ve ever tried
    • Top notes: bitter Sicilian bergamot, rose, sweet violet
    • Middle notes: jasmine, vanilla, patchouli, iris from Tuscany
    • Base: benzoin from Thailand, Mysore sandalwood, styrax
  • Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is a classic favorite, this one is my special occasion or date night kind of scent to wear, it’s too strong to wear everyday for me, but I know many other women have told me this is their all time favorite, the notes of patchouli are dominant in this one, noticeable floral notes are rose and freesia
    • Notes: Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli
My husband is the kind of guy who wants to use 2 colognes at most. I think he smells amazing no matter what he has on so I don’t mind if he wears the same scent on a regular basis, but I’ve been trying to get him to explore more which is where the little mini samples come in. Every time I order something online and they have the option to pick samples I try to find men’s skincare or fragrance minis. If he has a mini sitting on his counter, he will try it. He’s discovered a few new loves this way. Right now here is what he has in rotation:
  • Hermes fragrances can be found at a wide range of retailers, but at the Hermes Boutiques and online they have a Pocket Fragrance Set where you can customize your own travel set of 4 fragrances. You can mix and match any ones they have available, pricing varies depend on what you select, but it’s around the $125ish range, I picked four for him:
    • Voyage d’Hermes Eau de Toilette smells of citrus, musk and leather
    • Voyage d’Hermes Eau de Parfum smells of amber and citrus with a hint of floral, this is more masculine compared to the Eau de Toilette version
    • Terre d’Hermes Eau de Toilette smells like a mix of wood, bitter citrus, spice and vetiver
    • Terre d’Hermes Eau de Parfum is a more masculine, woody, stronger version of the Eau de Toilette
  • Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette is his favorite fragrance of all time, he’s gone through at least a dozen of the travel size versions and multiples of the full size bottles, every so often they will have gift sets with aftershave or showergel travel size minis that he likes to try, this one is a clean masculine woody scent
  • Dior Sauvage is a lightweight clean masculine scent, it has notes of citrus mixed in with pepper, in terms of everyday scents, he says this is one of them, but he prefers the Chanel Bleu de Chanel, he wanted me to mention that if the man in your life likes something simple but polished and new from his everyday cologne, the Dior is a good one to try
    • Notes: Reggio Bergamot, Sichuan Pepper, Ambroxan
  • Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb comes in a limited-edition gift set trio for Valentine’s Day, this is one of the most peppery fragrances I’ve smelled for men, I thought it might be too strong or peppery for my husband, but for some reason everything transform into an amazing kind of smell on his skin, this one according to him is more for a date night or special occasion kind of fragrance, not for everyday, you can really smell the saffron, vetiver and pink pepper notes
    • Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Cinnamon Leaf, Pink
      Pepper, Lavandin, Chilli, Saffron, Elemi, Vetiver, Balsam Fir, Tobacco Accord, White
      Leather Accord
  • One last men’s fragrance of special note, he also really likes Tom Ford Azure Lime which he is currently out of, I will be getting this for him for Valentine’s Day, it’s a clean fresh masculine scent, for something so clean and simple smelling the notes are really complex
    • Notes: bergamot, lemon, Valencia orange, Thai basil, mint, rosemary,
      lime tonic accord, juniper berry, fennel, iris, jasmine, neroli, orange
      blossom, pittosporum, bucchu leaves, violet leaves, black currant buds,
      cypress, oak, patchouli, sandalwood, moss, skin accord, tonka bean
I always get the best recommendations from my readers of what to try. I’m pretty set on a lot right now, but it’s always nice to explore and add things to the fragrance wishlist. If you have anything you love right now please share. Also if there are any new discoveries for you or the men in your life – let me know in the comments!

Press samples include the Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb, Spicebomb, Maison Margiela Lipstick On and Creed Royal Princess Oud.

17 Comments
Eye Makeup Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes – Spring 2016

February 9, 2016

 

This spring Tom Ford has launched eight shades of Cream Color for Eyes ($45 each for 0.17 fl oz/ 5 ml, made in Italy). Two of the eight shades have been launched before as individual cream colors in Platinum and Spice. One of the shades Caviar has a very close resemblance to Black Oyster Cream Powder Duo from a year ago (swatched here). The new ones launched this spring are smaller in size compared to previous launches, but the quality is still extremely good, easy to blend with pretty good lasting power for a cream shadow. All the colors have some degree of shimmer. According to Tom Ford PR, all the shades in this launch are limited-edition.

 

 

I have seven of the new ones swatched and reviewed. I didn’t repurchase Spice as I already own the full size and it was also part of the Naked Bronze Cream Powder Eye Duo which is the same for the cream color, but I have re-swatched it for reference. The colors in this launch are quite stunning. Descriptions of each color:
  • Opale is a pale champagne ivory shimmer, the shimmer is smooth and non-glittery, although the shimmer is definitely noticeable
  • Sphinx is an iridescent pink gold peachy duo chrome color, the shimmer flecks are slightly more visible and larger in this one compared to other shades, it’s not a full on glittery shade, but the sparkle factor is definitely there, even though there are chunks of sparkle, it’s smooth and I didn’t experience any fallout
  • Platinum is the perfect lids-but-better kind of subtle contour light beige tan color for me, it has a smooth shimmer that works so good alone or as a blending shade
  • Siren Blue is the only color that I can’t see myself wearing alone on a regular basis, I did try this alone and it gives the lids the prettiest wash of aqua colored shimmer. It’s not for me alone, but I did try this one layered softly over Midnight Violet and Caviar for two separate looks. Add this one on top and it gives the other shades a soft iridescent sheen.
  • Burnished Copper is a shimmering khaki olive color, it has a very smooth texture similar to that of Platinum
  • Midnight Violet is a deep violet shade, it sheers out when you blend it on the lids, but is easy to layer and build
  • Caviar is a deep metallic grey-black shimmer with tiny flecks of silver shimmer, it’s not as sparkly as Sphinx but the shimmer particles are visible for a smokey shimmer look

 

Close ups of each shade:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To apply the shadows, I like to use fingers or any one of these brushes.

 

 

My favorite cream shadow brush to use is actually a concealer brush. The Chanel Brush #10 is my go-to for cream shadows. It has a smooth tip and it’s just the right size to blend colors nicely on my lid (not too small and not too wide). I also really like the Laura Mercier Corner Eye Brush for powders and creams. To layer and blend creams as a detail color I like Tom Ford’s Eye Definer Brush #15.

 

Swatches left to right are Platinum, Opale, Sphinx, Spice (original), Siren Blue, Burnished Copper, Midnight Violet and Caviar

 

 

I did three different eye looks to share for some ideas, in each one I used only the cream shadows listed, nothing else for eye bases or liners:

 

 

 

 

For comparisons, I pulled a few other Tom Ford Cream Shadows (most of which have been discontinued or limited-edition colors) and some Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadows. In my testing experience the cream ones from Charlotte Tilbury have the most similar texture in terms of how emollient they are, pigment and color payoff, shimmer and overall quality. I find all of these last extremely well throughout the day without fading, creasing or budging – but do note I think I may be the only person I know who doesn’t have oily lids. Most eye bases are too drying for my skin.
Below for size and packaging comparisons:
Swatch Comparisons 1: Note the original and new Platinum colors are identical, but if you’ve played with it you know that depending on the angle the light hits it sometimes you see more of the shimmer, other times you will see more of the tan base. All the shades in Set 1 are from Tom Ford. Escapade, Pink Haze, Spring 2015 have been d/c.

 

 

Swatch Comparisons 2: Shown below are some of the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Eyeshadows and NARS Dual Intensity Eye Shadows.

 

 

Based on my comparisons, Tom Ford Opale is a lighter version of Charlotte Tilbury Norma Jean. On my skin once blended, they are similar. I have a slight preference for Norma Jean, but both shades are such pretty neutral shimmers.

 

NARS Himalia is more metallic and frosted than Tom Ford Platinum. Charlotte Tilbury is a few shades darker and warmer compared to Tom Ford Platinum. I’m a sucker for a good taupe shimmer, but I think Platinum is a must no matter how many other taupes you own.

 

Between Charlotte Tilbury Bette and Tom Ford Spice, I vote for the Charlotte Tilbury in terms of color choice. It’s warmer in color, but I think they are close enough that you don’t need both.

 

Tom Ford Midnight Violet almost seems like a muted violet plum shimmer, but when swatched next to Charlotte Mona Lisa, the Tom Ford almost looks bright.

 

I don’t own many aqua colored shadows, NARS Lysithea is a cool-toned sage, on my skin it pulls almost blue.

 

 

Bottom line all winners. With the exception of Siren Blue, I can see myself wearing each color on a regular basis for everyday. They have enough shimmer to dress up the look for an easy evening look. You can always layer powder shadows on top of these colors. They have an emollient texture that makes them super easy to blend. It takes a little bit of time for them to set which I like because then I don’t have to rush the blending and layering process. I think the only color some might have issue with is Sphinx – it’s the most unique peachy gold shade that flashes pink, but there are tiny micro sparkles I think some might find too sparkly. I really like it, alone or layered over another shade, but if you’re super conservative on the shimmer you may want to see if you can test before buying. What I like the most about these is that they brighten the eyes with the prettiest wash of shimmer. They are indeed on the pricey side, but a little goes a long way. All the ones I’ve purchased in the past have lasted a long time and none of them have gone bad yet.

 

According to Tom Ford PR, these are all limited-edition. If there’s one shade you track down, definitely pick up Platinum if you don’t already own it.

 

You can find the Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes now. Online at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tom Ford Beauty.

 

Five of the shades featured sent courtesy of Tom Ford Beauty for review consideration, two of the colors purchased by me.
37 Comments