Beauty Product Reviews
A lazy day essential!
I'm so excited to see that we're finally carrying my favorite Sisley-Paris product! As both a foundationphile and sunscreen advocate, I've been reaching for this tinted wonder constantly since purchasing it last summer; it's become essential for days when I don't have time to apply both sunscreen and foundation!
My favorite aspect of this product is that it's truly a tinted sunscreen, not a foundation with added sunscreen. The Tinted Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 contains an outstanding 14.74% of titanium dioxide and 10.89% of zinc oxide, both mineral (physical) sunscreen ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin. These high percentages will ensure that you're properly protected from UVA/UVB rays. It does this while providing medium to medium-full, buildable coverage that still looks like natural skin!
While there are only 2 shades, they do adapt to multiple skin tones quite nicely. I use 1 Natural which adapts to my NC25 skin tone very nicely. I've also seen that Maree Sye (@alittlebitetc) who is very fair uses this shade as well with great results. If you're in the Medium-Tan shade range (NC30-40), 2 Golden should be a befitting match. Lastly, I find this works best applied with clean fingers like a traditional sunscreen.
I will continue to repurchase as long as Sisley continues to make it!
A True Oil-Serum
I want to start by saying that this is not your traditional facial oil! In recent years, more and more brands have been releasing oil-serum hybrid products, which nourish the skin like a facial oil but also contain a power-punch of nutrients that correct imbalances in the skin. May Lindstrom's The Youth Dew is a perfect example of this!
While this is certainly an oil-based formula, the oils used pack antioxidant, soothing and healing qualities, while the inclusion of Coenzyme Q10 adds a nice dose of anti-aging properties.
Because this is truly meant to be used as a serum, massaging a few drops into clean, damp skin is a must. Your skin will thank you!
Convenient and quick way to achieve a simple glossy eye look!
The Tom Ford Cream & Powder Eye Colors are an absolute must-have! Those of you familiar with Mr. Ford's cream shadows know that the emollient and ultra-pigmented formula glides on and blends easily, providing intense color payoff so you can easily wear one shade on its own. For an on-trend glossy look, simply pat the sparkling powder on top and be ready to dazzle!
Side Note: I've seen a few reviews where people seem to be confused by the powder: this is not meant to be a high-pigment eye shadow (that's what the cream shadow is for), but rather a shimmering topper to be used over an existing eye look.
Effortless Sultry Lips
Patent Finish Lip Color is the product every fan of high pigment, lacquered lips has been waiting for! Unlike a pigmented gloss, this isn't heavy or sticky, and instead has a beautifully lightweight gel-like formula that leaves a stain as well. I find the "patent finish" lasts for about 3-4 hours (depending on how often you're eating/drinking), and then settles into a stain that lasts all day on me.
My personal favorite shade is No Vacancy, which is a vibrant orange-based red with a touch of coral as well; it's a very unique take on a bright warm red! For application, I truly recommend using as little product as possible since these are so pigmented, and I do find that a touch of lip liner helps if you have issues with bleeding as well.
Sunkissed Glow in a Bottle
I'm absolutely enamored with the Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil! I wouldn't say this replaces the actual Eau de Parfum by any means, as the scent is much lighter, but I find spraying the oil on my shoulders and limbs adds a sunkissed glow that pairs beautifully with Soleil Blanc EDP. I particularly appreciate that Mr. Ford decided to package this with a spray nozzle, making application very easy for the user.
I'm already looking forward to warmer weather so I can finally add this back to my daily routine!
Glazed Perfection
Tom Ford's Lip Lacquer Vinyl adds an incandescent shine to the lips without any heaviness or excessive stickiness that other glosses often have. What I love most is the addition of the pulverized pearls, which adds a stunning diamond-like effect to the lips when lightly patted to the center. I could also see this mixing beautifully with pigments to create custom lip lacquers!
Effortless Definition
The number of contouring and highlighting products that have been released over the past few years can make choosing one that works for you quite daunting. Not only that, but cream products in general can tend to either be too stiff and difficult to blend, or so emollient that they disappear throughout the day. Tom Ford Beauty's iconic Shade & Illuminate duo makes enhancing your natural features completely effortless!
The formula of both shades has a gel-like emollience that applies and blends easily, and sets completely within a few minutes. The Illuminate shade has a sheer glossy effect that imparts a true dewy finish, while the Shade portion is very flat and pigmented, so you don't need very much product for the desired effect. Because it's a gel-like cream, Shade should be used after foundation application and before any powders, while the Illuminate shade should be used as a final step to achieve that dewy finish.
If you're goal is to naturally define and enhance your features, then Shade & Illuminate is the product you've been searching for! A note on the shade options: Intensity One is suited for warmer skin tones, while Intensity Two is ideal for cooler skin tones
Perfect subtle summer glow!
As mentioned in my previous review, I tend to reach for Terra as more of a "brontour" during the winter months. However, Gold Dust is my shade of choice throughout the summer months!
It's a medium bronzer that's similar in depth to Terra but has more of a warm golden undertone, which is why I absolutely love it during the summer. Gold Dust also has a touch of subtle gold shimmer (nothing too intense) that adds an ethereal golden healthy glow.
If you're looking for a similar effect but have a more of tan to dark skin tone, then I would highly recommend looking into Bronze Age!
Perfect neutral matte bronzer!
It's no secret that Tom Ford Beauty carries some of the best bronzing powders on the market, but Terra in particular is such a versatile and wearable shade! It's a true neutral bronzer with a matte finish, meaning that nearly every undertone and skin type will be able to wear it beautifully.
Myself, having a neutral/olive complexion, find I can use this shade as an effortless "brontour" during the winter months when I'm at my palest. I can certainly still use this in the summer as it's not too light, but I have a separate review on the shade I prefer during the warmer months...
High coverage. Natural finish. Longwear.
As a self-proclaimed foundation-phile, I had my eyes on the Traceless Foundation Stick for quite some time. I was immediately drawn in by the claims, primarily the versatile coverage, flawless finish, and natural appearance.
Having owned this foundation for a few months now, I can honestly say that it lives up to the claims! I find I need just 3 swipes (1 on each cheek and 1 across my forehead) for a true medium coverage with the Tom Ford Cream Foundation brush, which I can easily sheer out with a dampened beautyblender if desired. The finish truly is smooth and flawless and I find this wears better than most other cream foundations I have tried (8-10 hours)!
Having combination skin, I find this doesn't become too dewy on my oily t-zone and that it doesn't catch onto any dry patches around my jaw. If you're skin type is very oily, I think you could still make this foundation work, but you will need to prep and set appropriately.
Among my extensive foundation collection, I reach for the Traceless Foundation Stick for special events or occasions as it truly perfects my complexion without any heaviness in both feel or appearance. I also find the shade Natural a befitting match for my NC25 skin tone, or light-medium with a neutral/olive undertone.