Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! :) I have been really busy this week and haven’t updated my blog as often as I would have liked. Balancing a full-time job and a beauty blog is one tough job! :) Since today is a special day, I thought I’d do a review of something special, too! And what could be more special than the new lipstick collection from Tom Ford called Lip Color Sheer!
The limited edition Lip Color Sheers are housed in luxury retro white and gold packaging. It’s the original packaging of Tom Ford lipsticks before they replaced it with the current mahogany brown version. I personally like how the tip of the bullet was cut differently to a sharp edge so you can easily line your lips with it. There is a lovely vanilla scent to the lipstick — a signature scent of Tom Ford lip products. Lip Color Sheers contain Vitamin C and E and Shea Butter as nourishing ingredients to keep lips soft and hydrated during wear.
The collection features 8 brand new shades from nudes to (super) brights. I had a hard time choosing the colors but finally narrowed down to 04 Summer Fling and 07 Paradiso as they are more wearable than the rest and the pink shades are within my comfort zone. :)
Advertised as Lip Color “Sheers” but from online swatches, not all the colors in the collection are sheer. Summer Fling, yes. Paradiso, far from it. I wouldn’t say they are as creamy and incredibly opaque as the original Lip Colors but they are definitely more creamy and pigmented than the Lip Color Shines. I think the new lineup was specifically formulated for those who love to wear something a little less than a full-on lipstick but a bit more than a tinted lip balm — something in the middle that would be perfect for everyday wear.
04 Summer Fling
Summer Fling is a shimmering yellow-toned pink with gold shimmer. The shimmer content is high and you can feel it on the lips during application. It is a beautiful, flattering shade of pink that would compliment any makeup look. It is so easy to wear and I don’t think you even need a mirror for application! :) It is quite sheer but the opacity can easily be built up. When worn sheer, it still allows my natural lip color to shine through. When built, it becomes an opaque sheen of light pink. It also makes my lips look full and plump (I like!) with a soft, luminous shine.
Considering how light and shimmery it is, I’m surprised that I did not see it settling into lip lines or emphasizing any dry patches. The wear time is rather short, though, about 2-3 hours, but the gold shimmer stays on long after the color has faded. Now, I might be in the minority here, but I find Summer Fling to be quite drying after the color’s gone. So much to the point that I have to top with a lip balm to relieve the dry feeling. My other fix is to apply it on top of a good, thick lip balm to help lips stay hydrated — a super easy and doable fix! :)
07 Paradiso
Paradiso is a really bright, warm-toned watermelon pink. It’s really pigmented and becomes opaque with 2-3 passes. It glides on the lips much better (with a little slip) than Summer Fling because of its shimmer-free and incredibly creamy texture. I think Paradiso looks more flattering on me and I find it to brighten up my complexion a little, too. Paradiso also leaves lips a higher level of glossy shine especially when layered.
Similar to Summer Fling, Paradiso does not fall into lip lines or accentuate dry areas on the lips. The wear time is excellent! I do get at least 5-6 hours easily without re-application, and even through meals and drinks. When the color starts to fade, it fades evenly, leaving a lovely reddish soft stain on the lips. I don’t find Paradiso to be drying at all even after the color has worn off so I think it’s probably the shimmer in Summer Fling that causes dryness.
I’m still surprised that Summer Fling dries out my lips, considering all the good moisturizing ingredients in the formula. Perhaps it’s the large shimmer particles that don’t agree with me. The color is absolutely gorgeous, though, so I wouldn’t mind having to work with it a little.
Lip Color Sheers come with a really high price tag. Justifiable or not depends on one’s preference (and whether or not you are a die-hard fan of Tom Ford lipsticks!). I only purchase Tom Ford products on special occasions or when I want to treat myself to something really nice. Having tried all 3 formulas (Lip Color, Lip Color Shine, and Lip Color Sheer), I think my favorite has to still be the original Lip Color due to its exceptionally creamy texture and pigmentation. I definitely recommend the original if you are just starting. Having said that, the formula of the Lip Color Sheers has its own perks, too. Being more lightweight and still providing decent color payoff, I see it being a good alternative lip product to wear when the Spring/Summer comes. :)
What are your thoughts on Tom Ford lip products? What formula do you like?
Purchase
US$54 at Sephora ○ Nordstrom ○ Saks Fifth Avenue
At Tom Ford counters
They are indeed quite shimmery… not my thing! And to still be drying despite all the moisturizing ingredients?! Shame :( I was eyeing Sweet Spot but am super hesitant to drop 49 bucks for a lipstick Im not sure I will like (esp since Im not a fan of sheers!!). Thanks for the lovely and always honest review, Jaa! You look lovely in both shades, though!!
Thank you, Shari! :) Sweet Spot would look REALLY lovely on you, though! And it can be built up! :)
These look gorgeous. Great pics as always!
Thank you, Ellen! Are you a Tom Ford lipstick fan? :D
!!!!!! Ive been considering SWEET SPOT but the price has really been putting me off :(
It will be worth it, Rachelle! Hehe. It’s TOTALLY your kind of lipstick!!!
Hey Jaa, gah, I’m so sorry to hear about Summer Fling being drying! That close-up shot totally stole my heart! Here we only get their original lip colors, so I can’t really compare. What bothers me is they vary quite a bit in terms of moisturization/pigmentation levels. That makes it hard to gauge what I might and might not like!
I have to say the close-up of Summer Fling with gold flecks really makes me drool, too! Haha
I agree with the moisturization/pigmentation levels of these lipsticks. I mean, they are so different from each other and I wouldn’t guess they are from the same line. Summer Fling and Paradiso are two completely different things and yet they are both put in the Sheer category. LOL.
Paradiso look like a great shade for summer and I think it suits you better!
Thanks, Erin! I like Paradiso much better. :)
Hi there! Lovely photos, really so gorgeous!
Thanks so much for this review. I had to chime in and say yes! those dry my lips too! I wrote in a forum to see if I am the only one, but another blogger friend wrote also hers were drying. I have exactly the same shades as you, Summer Fling and Paradiso. On me Paradiso is drying, Summer Fling not, go figure, lol. But these are really no where near to a very moisturizing formula, rather like matte lippies from Chanel. And really nothing dries my lips, even Rouge Allure Velvets…
That said I think the shades are lovely. I just wished they would be a tad more moisturizing.
Oh I’m so glad I’m not the only one experiencing the dry feeling! At first I thought it was just me! :)
I agree that they should be a little more moisturizing! For $49 they should be perfect, haha. :D
Thanks for stopping by! :)
These are absolutely stunning, but I haven’t seen “The One” yet. You know the One. The color whose sweet swan song finally beckons you from merely cooing at the TF range, to actually hitting “ADD TO CART”. For $50 clams, I am seeking perfection, lol! Paradiso is SO beautiful, though!
Haha I love your explanation of The One!!! :D
I totally agree, for $50 it should be perfection! I shouldn’t have to experience any dryness! But then again, it could just be my lips! :/
These are just stunning! Love the Paradiso on you.
Thank you, Kayla! Did you pick up any? :D
wow, your photos are so so so beautiful! :) I think my heart stopped and would have bought these right away had I not read your review!
The packaging looks so pretty too, but I don’t think I can spend such a huge amount of money on something that isn’t very opaque and drying (summer fling). :( I have yet to try one of these, but I hope that I get to try the original formula when I finally decide to drop 50 bucks for the gorgeous babies!
Thank you so much, Maxine! It definitely was fun taking photos of these two beauties. :D
I’d go with the original formula first if I were to purchase Tom Ford lipsticks for the first time. :)
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! :)