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When it comes to designer makeup brands, I tend to categorise them in my head. You’ve got the absolute classics, like Chanel and Dior, that I know I can always rely on for go-to products, such as foundation and blush. Then you’ve got brands such as Guerlain and Sisley, which take the word luxurious to a whole new level, creating makeup masterpieces that wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery. However, a makeup brand I believe is in a league of its own is Tom Ford.
Launched in 2006, Tom Ford quickly made a name for itself within the beauty space, with iconic fragrances such as Black Orchid proving incredibly popular. However, it’s the makeup that truly stole the show for me. If you’ve ever walked past a Tom Ford counter, you’ll know just how chic this brand is. Each product comes housed in sleek brown-and-gold packaging, and the formulas are just as showstopping.
Much like Tom Ford perfumes, the brand’s iconic eye quads and lipsticks certainly pack a punch, while the base products focus on soft, radiant finishes. But what’s consistent throughout is the way this makeup makes you feel. From the high-end designs to the sophisticated textures and statement shades, there’s something about Tom Ford that makes me feel like my most powerful self. So much so that I decided to create a full makeup look using the brand’s most sought-after products. Below, I’ve shared the Tom Ford makeup truly worth the investment, plus my top tips for getting the most out of each item.
The Best Tom Ford Makeup Products, Tried & Tested
1. Tom Ford Architecture Radiance Hydrating Foundation
Tom Ford
Architecture Radiance Hydrating Foundation
Pros
- Chic packaging
- Medium-to-full coverage
- Naturally luminous finish
- Blends like a dream
Cons
- Expensive, but a little goes a long way
First up, foundation. Part of Tom Ford’s Architecture collection (designed to enhance your natural features), I’m a big fan of this radiance-boosting formula. Chic bottle aside, this glowing foundation ticks all the boxes. While most illuminating base products don’t give much coverage, this hydrating formula is enhanced with light-diffusing powders, offering medium-to-full coverage and a naturally luminous finish. It’s the sort of foundation that will take you from desk to drinks, and I reach for it whenever I want to feel like my very best self. Oh, and did I mention it blends like a dream? As I said, it truly ticks all the boxes.
2. Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Concealer
Tom Ford
Shade & Illuminate Concealer
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Easy to blend
- Adds natural radiance
Cons
- Can crease a little under the eyes
I’m very fussy when it comes to concealers, but this one passes with flying colours. Similar to the foundation, it boasts this creamy, hydrating formula that glides onto the skin like butter. The brand says it offers medium coverage, but it’s definitely buildable in my opinion. I think of it as a two-in-one formula as it covers imperfections while also boosting radiance, making it a great option for the under-eyes. My top tip would be to use a small amount at first and see how you get on, as I find if I apply too much it can crease a little throughout the day.
3. Tom Ford Architecture Soft Matte Blurring Powder
Tom Ford
Architecture Soft Matte Blurring Powder
Pros
- Chic packaging
- Lightweight, hydrating formula
- Blurs the skin
- Adds a soft matte finish
Cons
- I don’t love the brush that is included, so like to use my own
While I love a radiant finish as much as the next person, I get a very oily T-zone, so setting powder is a must. I have to be honest, I was never really one for luxury setting powders, as in my opinion, they all do the same thing, but then I was sent the Tom Ford Architecture Soft Matte Blurring Powder, and everything changed. First, let’s talk about the packaging. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to top up my makeup more than when I popped this in my handbag. It’s so beautiful that it makes the mundane task of powdering my face feel like a heavenly experience. However, the formula is equally impressive. I find some powders can be too heavy on the skin, but this velvety texture is almost undetectable, adding a soft matte finish alongside a subtly blurring effect. Plus, the hyaluronic acid-infused formula means it never feels dry.
4. Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Contour Duo
Tom Ford
Shade & Illuminate Contour Duo
Pros
- Creamy formulas blend like a dream
- Create a seamless, naturally sculpted finish
Cons
- Highlighter is very subtle
I know people say you can’t use powder and cream products together, but as someone who has had masterclasses with some of the best makeup artists in the world, I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can. So, although I used a powder blush for this makeup look (more on that later), I started with this luxurious cream contour duo. I much prefer cream bronzers as I find they look more natural on the skin, and this Tom Ford formula is no exception. Funnily enough, when I first got my hands on this palette, I thought both the contour shades looked really subtle, so I loaded up my brush and was shocked when I realised that it’s actually incredibly pigmented. When testing it for the second time, I started with a small amount and loved how seamless it looked. It’s perfect for a naturally sculpted effect. The highlighter contains a very small amount of shimmer, again creating a naturally luminous effect. However, I needed to use more of this product to see results.
5. Tom Ford Architecture Soft Matte Blush
TOM FORD
Architecture Soft Matte Blush
Pros
- Pigmented shades
- Adds a flushed finish to the cheeks
- Stays in place all day long
Cons
- Can be a little hard to blend
Alongside the lipstick below, this blusher was the star of the show. I usually shy away from bright colours, but I think this hot pink shade will be my go-to for spring and summer. My top tip is to start with a small amount on your brush and build up as you go. The cream powder formula is infused with microsphere technology to create a flushed finish, and while I tend to use cream blushers, this powder has won me over as it never looks dry or heavy on the skin. The only thing stopping me from giving this product ten out of ten is that I found it a little hard to blend, but the upside is that it stays in place all day long.
6. Tom Ford Eye Colour Quad
Pros
- Palette comes with a larger mirror and two small brushes
- A mix of shimmery and matte shades
- Easy to blend
- Very pigmented
I’d never tried a Tom Ford eyeshadow quad before writing this article, but I can 100% say that it was worth the wait. I opted for the shade “Insolent Rose”, a beautiful blend of dusky pink and mauve tones. The palette features two matte shades, a demi-matte shadow and a shimmery option, alongside a large mirror and two mini Tom Ford brushes. I applied the lightest shade all over my lid before mixing the two darker shades in the crease, and all I can say is wow. Creamy, pigmented, blendable, long-lasting…I can see why people swear by Tom Ford eyeshadows. I literally have no notes. This eyeshadow palette has rendered me speechless.
7. Tom Ford Eyebrow Laminator
TOM FORD
Eyebrow Laminator
Pros
- Small brush grabs every hair
- Sets eyebrows into place for a naturally laminated look
Cons
- Can leave a little bit of residue on the brows
Have you ever seen such a stylish eyebrow gel? I certainly haven’t. Anyone who knows me will know that I don’t do a lot to my brows, but I do like to set them in place with a clear gel in the mornings. This is a great option as the small brush grabs onto every hair, lifting and sculpting for a naturally laminated finish. The gel actually comes out white, but dries down clear on the brows. That said, after a few hours of wear, I noticed a bit of white residue on my brows, but I quickly learned this was because I’d applied too much product in the first place. Like most Tom Ford makeup formulas, a little goes a long way.
8. Tom Ford Emotionproof Mascara
Tom Ford
Emotionproof Mascara
Pros
- Long-lasting formula
- Easy-to-use wand
Cons
- Would love to see more shades
I feel like I’m always on the hunt for a groundbreaking mascara that doesn’t transfer onto my eyelids halfway through the day, and I think I might have just found it. Yep, the clue is in the name. This long-wearing, waterproof formula is quite literally “emotionproof” and lasts all day. It creates a fluttery effect that can be layered for a more dramatic finish, and the long, tapered wand makes it easy to coat every lash. Tom Ford, you’ve done it again.
9. Tom Ford Soleil Summer Ultra-Shine Lip Colour
TOM FORD
Soleil Summer Ultra-Shine Lip Colour
Pros
- Impressive colour payoff
- Hydrating formula
- Glossy finish
- Easy to apply
No makeup look is complete without a bit of lipstick, and while there are so many good Tom Ford options to talk about, I thought I’d try something new for this article. Introducing the Soleil Summer Ultra-Shine Lip Colour in the shade Rose Beam. Possibly the most summery, hot pink hue out there, I was a little scared when I opened this up, as I don’t usually stray from my nude lip balms and glosses. However, I didn’t need to worry, as I’ve had more compliments on this lipstick in the last week than I have had on my makeup this entire year. The lightweight, hydrating, gloss-like formula glides onto the lips, creating a plump, almost pillowy effect while delivering an impressive pop of colour. To me, this product is somewhere in between a lipstick, lip gloss and balm, and I hope my handbag is never without it this season.
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