"A NEW, LIP COLOR INNOVATION COMBINES A LIP STAIN WITH AN ULTRA GLOSSY FINISH. PRESENTED IN A UNIQUE, EASY-TO-USE CLICK-PEN WITH PLUSH, SPONGE-TIP APPLICATOR, PATENT FINISH LIP COLOR DELIVERS INTENSE, VIBRANT COLOR WITH LONG-LASTING HIGH-SHINE. WITH LIGHTWEIGHT TEXTURE AND FLEXIBLE, COMFORTABLE WEAR, STAY-TRUE COLOR GLEAMS IN EIGHT DECADENT SHADES."
~ Tom Ford
The pen is very lightweight so it's super easy to carry around in your pocket or hand bag.
The "TF" logo appears at the top of the pen.
The shade name label can be found at the bottom of the pen where you click to dispense the product.
Below is how the pen size compares to my slightly smaller than average hand.
Below is the sponge-tip applicator. This feels very smooth and comfortable when it glides on the lips, and it does deposit and blend the product evenly across the lips. The applicator does work well and easily enough, but it is tricky to get precision in the corners of your mouth. With such vibrant, intense colours that this product comes in, there's little to no room for error so you do need to be a more careful!
Note, it took a *LOT* of clicks to dispense the product the first time! I lost count and for a moment I thought I might've received a broken one, but eventually the product came out. Whew!
Colour
This product comes in 8 shades and I chose Infamy (04), which is a vibrant, medium to dark fuchsia pink. I was debating between this shade and Erotic, but based on the swatches I've seen online and Temptalia's comparison I could barely tell the difference - apparently a 95% similarity! Given such a hefty price tag on these, you probably want to get something more distinctive in colour if you wanted to get both. And, if you're looking for something lighter or more neutral then you won't find it in the current available range of colours. All of them are fairly intense, vibrant medium to dark colours and just as well as these provide the most versatility such that you can wear them as a more natural, "just bitten" lip stain, a more opaque liquid lipstick type of finish, to a richer, glossier finish for a night out or special event.
Finish
Infamy gives the most beautiful sheen + gloss - up close you can see the tiniest sparkly shimmers that glimmer and dance in the light - similar to what the Chanel Glossimers are known and adored for, except the Tom Ford's combines this with intense colour. I really love the beautiful finish it gives. It's really classy and ultra luxurious. Very Tom Ford. Stunning. Red carpet stunning.
Formula
This has a very lightweight, gel-like feel and isn't too tacky, so it's very comfortable to wear. The formula and product are most reminiscent of the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains, but these do have a little bit of a thicker consistency (not as watery and is a touch closer to a liquid lipstick), and the finish at least for the colour Infamy (I can't say for the others as I have not seen them in person), is unique. I do find that it feels nourishing on the lips, too and is one of those that you can't help but keep reapplying coz it feels so good. :)
On My Lips...
Here's how Infamy looks with one, two and three layers on my naturally, blue-toned pigmented lips and against my current medium to tanned, olive skin (~NC30-35).
1 Layer (stain)
2 Layers
3 Layers.
Comparison Swatches
For colour reference, below are swatches to a couple of lip glosses I have in the same colour family.
Scent
Similar to other Tom Ford lip products, this also has a soft sweet vanilla cake scent, which isn't really noticeable once it's applied on the lips. There's no noticeable flavour when you lick your lips.
RRP & Size
US$52 / £38 for a tiny amount of 0.07 oz / 2 ml. Ouch! >_<
Overall
Other brands have come out with click lip pens before, but this is the first to use an angled sponge-tip applicator (typically the same flocked material for lip gloss doe-foot applicators but for lip stain, lipstick and gloss in one). It's an interesting one, but probably not the best and easiest to use especially with a more fluid formula and strong, unforgiving colours. Many will appreciate the versatility this single product gives for achieving different looks, so it's worth getting and will be of great use especially when you're travelling and multi-purpose products enable you to carry less. Finally, but not least, I personally think it's the beautiful, glistening finish it leaves on the lips that really sets it apart from the rest. So, overall, I think it's worth splurging on one shade if it's within your budget. What lacks in quantity is made up for in the quality and the versatility of the product (though having said that, I rarely finish up an entire lip product!), and you are, after all, buying Tom Ford. Not for neutral lovers, though. ;)
Availability
Permanent so you can take your time choosing and thinking about it! I purchased mine from Selfridges.com, which ship internationally.
DO NOT REPUBLISH CONTENT OR PHOTOS WITHOUT PERMISSION
Similar to other Tom Ford lip products, this also has a soft sweet vanilla cake scent, which isn't really noticeable once it's applied on the lips. There's no noticeable flavour when you lick your lips.
RRP & Size
US$52 / £38 for a tiny amount of 0.07 oz / 2 ml. Ouch! >_<
Overall
Other brands have come out with click lip pens before, but this is the first to use an angled sponge-tip applicator (typically the same flocked material for lip gloss doe-foot applicators but for lip stain, lipstick and gloss in one). It's an interesting one, but probably not the best and easiest to use especially with a more fluid formula and strong, unforgiving colours. Many will appreciate the versatility this single product gives for achieving different looks, so it's worth getting and will be of great use especially when you're travelling and multi-purpose products enable you to carry less. Finally, but not least, I personally think it's the beautiful, glistening finish it leaves on the lips that really sets it apart from the rest. So, overall, I think it's worth splurging on one shade if it's within your budget. What lacks in quantity is made up for in the quality and the versatility of the product (though having said that, I rarely finish up an entire lip product!), and you are, after all, buying Tom Ford. Not for neutral lovers, though. ;)
Availability
Permanent so you can take your time choosing and thinking about it! I purchased mine from Selfridges.com, which ship internationally.
DO NOT REPUBLISH CONTENT OR PHOTOS WITHOUT PERMISSION