Guest Review of Tom Ford Private Blend Lipsticks

You may already realise that I would rather like a Tom Ford lipstick for Christmas. Of course when it comes to spending £35 on a lipstick you want to know you're making the right choice, so I often stalk other blogs as research. I feel very blessed as the gorgeous Lipstick Luvvie has agreed to do a guest post and share her thoughts on her Tom Ford collection. Jennifer has a lovely blog and I highly recommend popping along for read.

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Beauty lovers everywhere had something new to add to their wish lists in April this year when acclaimed fashion designer and recent film director Tom Ford branched into cosmetics, launching the perfect lipstick wardrobe of twelve universally flattering shades. Unfortunately for everyone's wallets, these luxurious delights cost a staggering £35. Granted, that is less than Serge Lutens, but they are a considered purchase.

If you are still catching your breath from the price, fear not, there is a chance to get the colour of your choice for free by entering my giveaway. For details see here. Now back to the product.

Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick in True Coral - £35

They come in sleek and distinctive white and gold packaging and the first thing that struck me about them is their weight. They feel heavy and expensive, and unlike traditional black or metallic, don't show messy fingerprints - important when whipping them out of your handbag.

Said to encompass pure colour with just the right balance of luminosity, the 12 shades of lipstick are divided into 3 distinct colour families, nudes, bolds and dramatics. The colours are as follows:

Nudes

• Vanilla Suede
• Blush Nude
• Warm Sable
• Pink Dusk

Bolds

• Pure Pink
• Ginger Fawn
• True Coral
• Cherry Lush

Dramatics

• Smoke Red
• Moroccan Rouge
• Bruised Plum
• Black Orchid

The formula includes rich, natural ingredients like Saja seed extract, Brazilian Murumuru butter and Chamomilla flower oil, to give a highly pigmented but non drying finish. Although not specifically scented, when you use them a definite vanilla fragrance comes through.

Left to right: Pure Pink, Cherry Lush, True Coral, Bruised Plum, Pink Dusk

The bolds were the colour family that really called out to me and my first purchase was Pure Pink. It was everything I hoped and more. Great pigment, comforting on the lips but not so much that you would worry your lipstick had smeared, for me it was worth every penny. It is one of those colours that lights up my face even if I am not wearing any other makeup.

My Tom Ford love affair has developed into a bit of an addiction, and since February, four more shades have appeared on my dressing table. I now have a shade from each of the three colour groups, but the bolds remain my favourite and I think the most flattering.

I'll admit I didn't get on with the nude I bought, Pink Dusk. It is still the same quality as the others, but the colour tends to wash me out and I would need a lot of smokey eye makeup for it to work. I'm sure it would look great on somebody else, but it doesn't work with my colouring. Bruised Plum was my first foray into the dramatics and it is a lot more wearable than it looks in the photos. Perfect for a vampy autumn/winter.

Swatches Left to right: Pure Pink, Cherry Lush, True Coral, Bruised Plum, Pink Dusk

Hopefully the swatches will give you an idea of the vibrancy of the colours but they really need to be tried to be believed. For that reason I am offering someone the chance to win one Tom Ford Private Lipstick in the colour of their choice. All you need to do is become a follower of my blog, www.lipstickluvvies.com, and leave a comment under the original Giveaway Post stating which two shades (a first and second choice) you would most like to receive.

Good luck!

Tom Ford Private Blend Lipsticks are available online from Selfridges and Harrods for £35 each.