TOM FORD UNABASHED EYE AND CHEEK PALETTE FOR SUMMER 2014

The outer box packaging in itself makes the heart flutter with excitement.  The gold just beams at you.  You almost need sunnies. ;)

The product description label on the bottom of the case.

'Unabashed' is very first multi-product palette to be released from Tom Ford.  It consists of three eye shadows on the left of the palette.  A the top is a pale, champagne highlighter that is pretty much made of big sparkles (no real pigment to it).  Note, this is not chunky, glitter with a gritty finish, but a very smooth texture and has been dubbed as 'adult glitter' by some. ^_^  It is beautiful and is consistent in texture with other 'adult glitter' found in Tom Ford eye palettes like the 'She Wolf' and 'Cognac Sable'.  I find the best way to apply this is by dabbing with a clean finger for better placement and intensity.  The middle shade is a cool-toned, medium to dark matte taupe.  Simply perfect in texture (buttery soft and smooth similar to Burberry Sheer Eye Shadows) and has excellent pigmentation.  The bottom shade is the shade I am in love with the most.  It is a vivid cobalt blue with a satin to matte finish - the most pigmented I've come across!  I love blue eye shadows as they contrast with my brown eyes, but very often they apply too sheerly on the lids or don't apply a "true-to-pan", vivid colour.  However, this does not disappoint!  I'm absolutely thrilled by it!  It's almost an "inky" cobalt, and when swatched on my arm then washed off with an oil-based cleanser, it still left a stain!  It took a few good goes to remove it completely!  I agree with Chic Science's review that although this is very slightly drier in texture than the rest, it still blends quite easily.  All eye shadows do and I experienced no fall-out during application.

The top right of the palette is a light to medium bronze gold to be used to illuminate the skin (such as the high points of the cheeks, bridge of the nose, and on the eye lids) to give that warm and sexy glow that Tom Ford summer collections typically embody.

Last but not the least, the peachy pink blush with subtle golden micro-shimmers.  It's somewhat reminiscent of Nars 'Orgasm' Blush, but not a duplicate (see comparison swatches below).  Tom Ford's has a more vibrant peachy/coral tinge in comparison.  Nars 'Orgasm' and has a lot more obvious/strong gold shimmers through it and is a shade or two lighter.

Applied on olive medium to tan (~NC35) skin tone.

1. Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in 'Taupe Brown' is two shades darker.

2. Tom Ford 'She Wolf' Eye Trio (middle shade of palette) is lighter, has a satin to sheen finish and slightly sheerer - swatches & review here.

3. Tom Ford 'She Wolf' Eye Trio (highlighter shade of palette) has a sheer, taupe pigment (darker) to it - swatches & review here.

I love the cobalt blue so I tend to wear it on the lids (or alternatively, as an eye liner for more subtly) with just a little hint of it peeking through just above the crease (not too much to avoid an outdated 80s look!).  With just a light wash of the high lighter on the inner corner and a little through the crease for that hint of sparkle when you bat your eyes. ;)  The cheek colour on the upper cheek area and highlighter blended through the high point of the cheek bones. The look is already quite intense so find it best paired with a nude glossy finish.  The subtle lip shade keeps the look focused on the eyes and the glossiness keeps it modern and fresh.  I avoid matte lip colours as I think this also seems to make it look outdated, especially since the cobalt is also matte.

Above is my favourite lip pairing.