This is the latest eye color quad from Tom Ford for Fall/Autumn 2014 and it's a limited edition.
PACKAGING
Below: the outer box packaging.
Like most luxury makeup brands, the compact is housed in a pouch to protect the compact from scratches, etc when stored in your bag. This one has a suede feel to it and is quite soft.
I don't smoke, but as I mentioned before in other Tom Ford posts, the packaging kinda reminds me of a cigarette case. It's very masculine with its sharp, square edges and dark chocolate and gold colour combination. Quite retro. ;)
The compact is relatively long compared with most eye shadow quad compacts, but while it's rather large and hefty looking - it is actually very lightweight so it's ok to travel with.
Above: The size of the eye shadow compact with respect to my (smaller than average) hand, and below: the product description label on the bottom of the compact.
Below: it's all in the details with the Tom Ford logo embellished on the mirror.
The compact comes with a mirror and two applicators:
- A little dual-ended applicator with a semi-soft, angled blending brush (made of natural hair) on one end and a sponge applicator on the other end for patting on the product;
- A dual-ended sponge applicator with one end being smaller and pointed for applying eye shadow as an eye liner, or highlighting the inner corners of the eyes.
APPLICATION, TEXTURE, PIGMENTATION & LONGEVITY
This eye shadow quad (similar to the previous limited edition from Tom Ford called Enchanted) are in smaller sized pans with the "TF" monogram embossed on each eye shadow. These eye shadow formulas can be used wet or dry unlike the permanent eye shadow quads which are housed in larger pans with no monogram that can only be used dry. When used dry, it already delivers excellent colour pay off that's typical of Tom Ford eye shadows - and what you would expect from such a luxury brand (see dry swatches below). But, the pigmentation - particularly the transformed metallic finish is even more spectacular with a dampened brush (see wet swatches further down below). The texture is buttery smooth when dry for easy, even application and blending, and develops into a soft, creamy (almost air-whipped) texture (much like a cream eyeshadow) when mixed with a wet brush. Overall, it works extremely well either way.
When used dry (with no eye primer), the eye shadows wore for about 6-7 hours on my eye lids which have normal (neither oily or dry) skin conditions before there was any noticeable fading of colour and shimmer.
COLOURS & FINISHES
From top (left to right) then bottom (left to right) we have the following colours in the palette:
1] Warm, champagne highlighter (sparkly/shimmery finish when dry and frosty/metallic when wet)
2] Warm, light to medium, slightly pinkish copper (shimmery when dry to frosty/metallic when wet). This is a more muted, softer copper that's not as harsh-looking or too warm on skin tones so it's very easy to wear! :)
3] Light to medium taupe (shimmery when dry to frosty/metallic when wet)
4] Cool, dark brown (satin finish when dry with a subtle sheen when wet)
Despite most of the colours being shimmery when dry, the palette as a whole is surprisingly and pleasantly wearable and appropriate to wear for day time! So do not fear my friends! ;) The shades are rather neutral and nothing over the top at all. The shimmers add brightness to the eyes and makes them look more awake. The two lightest shades in the top row of the palette in particular, are the type of shades I would wear just on the mobile lids on their own for everyday. However, as they are shimmery, I would advise against applying them above the crease, especially for those with heavy, hooded eyes - it can look unflattering and dated. The light to medium taupe(shade #3) provides just enough depth if required for day wear. While the darkest shade is just right for lining the eyes or adding more depth and intensity, or smokiness for evening wear, and its satin finish balances out the rest of the shimmery colours.
SWATCHES (DRY)
Swatches below were applied dry (with no primer) on medium, olive (~NC30) skin tone and unless otherwise stated, photographed indoors using a strobe. The swatches are numbered according to their corresponding eye shadow colour in the palette (pictured above).
Below: at an angle to capture its shiny finish.
Below: photographed in low light (without a strobe) to depict its shimmers.
SWATCHES (WET)
Just when you thought the eye shadows were pigmented enough on their own (swatched dry), the intensity is taken it to another level when using a damp brush! You can see the shimmers are much stronger when applied wet so it gives an incredible metallic finish - perfect for more special occasions. The silvery metallic sheen certainly takes away much of original warmth of the shades.
Below: wet swatches in low light (no strobe).
COMPARISON SWATCHES
Nude Dip is unique in my stash, but for reference, here are some comparison swatches that are kind of in the same colour family.
3] Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Raffinement (39)
4] Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Nude Dip (03)
INGREDIENTS
SIZE
6 g / 0.21 oz
Made in Italy.
OVERALL
While the colour combination doesn't have an obvious wow factor, I still think it's a really beautiful palette to own. It's one that I'm sure I would get a lot of use out of, especially for day. It applies effortlessly, it's versatile (can be used wet or dry for different finishes and therefore, looks), and the wear is reasonable when dry and without primer. Nude Dip boasts in both quality and quantity, so I think it's worth the moolah. I foresee this palette being good solid, workhorse for flattering ones eyes without being over the top. So overall, if you can afford it, grab it while you can!
AVAILABILITY
Limited edition for fall/autumn 2014. So hurry if you don't want to miss out on it forever!
Hope this was helpful. :)
Thanks for stopping by! ^_^ xo