Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation - shade 4.0 Fawn: before & after, swatches, complete review

Hello, Beautiful!

I don't know who I think I am lately, but I've been splurging on luxury makeup. But after my recent makeup purge -- which was my biggest purge yet (I purged over 1,200 items... over 700 went into my recent blog sale, the rest was given away) -- I decided to treat myself to some select luxury items. I have plenty of high-end makeup, but a handful of luxury makeup products in my collection.

Tom Ford definitely falls into the luxury makeup category with the average price of one item being in the $60 to $80 range; that's expensive! And that's also why up until very recently I had never purchased any of his makeup.

If there is one makeup category I am all for splurging on, it's a foundation (liquid or powder formula). So when I decided to try a Tom Ford item, I knew I wanted to try a foundation product. I'm currently still in love with my Marc Jacobs Remarcable Full Cover Foundation, so I didn't want to try another liquid foundation, but I did want to try a powder foundation. That's when I purchased the Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation. Did it live up to my expectations? Am I just paying for a name? Continue reading to find out all my thoughts...

Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation Info & Review

Cost: $80.00 (0.24 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the Tom Ford website, at Nordstrom, and everywhere else Tom Ford makeup is sold. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses


PRODUCT DETAILS AND CLAIMS...

This versatile foundation glides onto skin with a silky, light as air formula to create a flawless and natural-looking canvas for color. Designed to be worn as a buildable foundation offering light to medium coverage or as a luxurious finishing powder, it features micro-fine, light-reflecting powders for a luminous finish. Includes a special sponge applicator to build coverage or set the look. Use flocked white side for a sheer, natural finish. Use flat-sponge beige side for a full-coverage effect.

Currently available in 8 shades.

Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation
Shade: 4.0 Fawn

Here is what the front and back of the box looks like. Click on them to view larger.

 

The compact comes in a little suede pouch, which is a nice touch, but I will likely never use that pouch again. I've had products come with them before, even lipsticks, and they always end up tossed in the trash. I do plan to keep it though to use it for maybe travel to if I take this palette with me it would be a nice way to help protect it, and I guess an $80 powder is worth the extra level of protection. 

The compact is your typical Tom Ford compact size and look (same size/look as his shadow quads).

It comes with a duo-sided sponge applicator....

The flocked side is for a more sheer application of powder - great for touch-ups too.

While the sponge side will give a fuller coverage....

I chose the shade 4.0 Fawn. I had a really hard time narrowing down to one shade because I know the pics online don't really add up to what it looks like in person, and I don't have a Tom Ford counter near me to go swatch these in person. After some research, I decided that the shade Fawn would work best for me. It actually is a really perfect shade match for me! For reference, in MAC I'm NC25/NC30.

Below are several Before & After pics. Click on the pic below to view them larger. 

I applied it with the sponge side to get the coverage, and it's just one layer. You could build it up. For me, I was really impressed with the coverage on its own. It certainly can give you a good medium coverage. It's not a full/complete coverage. I have read that you can wet the sponge and apply it that way to get fuller coverage, but this foundation does not list its use as wet/dry, so I certainly won't risk ruining an $80 powder when I am happy with the coverage and how I'm using it.

I actually purchased this to use as a finishing powder to give my face a flawless, airbrushed look. But I ended up also being happy wearing it on its own. If I need to just run a quick errand I don't feel like I have to do my normal foundation routine and can instead just apply this powder foundation in about 30 seconds and be out the door.

When worn on its own you won't even feel it on your skin. It's incredibly light weight, silky smooth and looks really nice. Gives your skin a healthy look; not a flat matte that a lot of powders can give you. As the day goes on it looks more and more luminous. Doesn't look heavy or cakey at all. On me, it lasts (without a primer) for about 4 hours before I notice I need to touch-up - but even at that point you don't really need to touch it up. If anything, you may want to blot and you're good for another 1 to 3 hours. But I don't find it's very long wearing (and has no claims to be). It certainly can wear a decent length of time before you need a touch-up, especially if you use a primer and a setting spray, but just on its own you shouldn't expect it to look perfect for more than 4 to 5 hours.

This powder doesn't control oil, but it also doesn't have any claims to help with oil control - so I wasn't expecting it to control oil, but I also don't have really oil skin. My skin is combo, and more dry than anything, and I still see shine as the day goes on. If you have oily skin I don't think this is the best powder for you, unless you want to top it with an additional powder (a translucent setting powder, to help control oil). This would be best for those with normal, combo or dry skin. So pretty much anyone except those with oily skin. Slightly oily skin (meaning you fall into the combo skin category) may still love this powder. 

THE FINAL VERDICT...

I think this powder formula is beautiful - both in the texture and how it looks on your skin. It can look great on its own or as a finishing powder to give your skin that final/extra layer of flawlessness. The shade selection isn't the best; only 8 shades (currently) but I was lucky enough to fall perfectly in the 4.0 Fawn shade. If you can find your shade this powder is a nice luxury.

However, for $80 I do wish it was longer lasting and did a bit more of oil control. Those are my only two cons to this powder, and it's why I only gave this a 4 out 5 Kisses rating. If it just lasted longer I would have given this a 5 out 5 Kisses easily.

This powder is one that I really have been enjoying but I'm not sure if it's one I will re-purchase just because $80 is a lot of money and I feel like I can get longer wear from cheaper powders. Still, this is one luxury powder I'm going to enjoy having in my collection and it certainly is nice enough that I don't want to return it.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this powder? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

With summer here in full effect, I've been needing more and more products to keep me matte and oil-free. The new Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder is a pressed powder that is meant to mattify skin and set your makeup. I actually really did like this! Check out my full review, including all the product info, after the pics.

Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder

Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $3.99 (0.28 oz full size). Available at Ulta and everywhere else Essence cosmetics are sold. 

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

If you prefer pressed powder, this fine, compact powder is for you! It can be applied over foundation to mattify skin and set your makeup. Gives a matte, natural and smooth complexion. Available in one, transparent color for all skin types.

I thought the texture of this was a bit rough... although I'm sure that's the wrong way to describe the point I'm trying to make. What I mean to say, is that this powder isn't as silky and smooth as some other compact powders. Despite how it feels being swatched, it actually goes on pretty well.

It does swatch a bit white, but it will blend out nearly - if not completely - translucent. If you have darker skintones you may want to apply with a fluffy brush and a light hand to avoid using too much, which will give you skin a white cast to it. Medium to fair complexions probably won't have any issues with this having a white case. But that is pretty true with a lot of "transparent" powders.

This surprisingly worked really well! It made me matte, but not overly matte -- which is something I was really fond of with this product. It absolutely helped keep me matte for several hours, and if you need to, touch-up's are easy. I apply with a fluffy powder brush/blush brush.

For $3.99 (and cheaper if you use a coupon at Ulta), I think this is a budget-friendly product that will keep you matte. I think I may like it even more than the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, but I need to use them both one after another to really see which I prefer. But, I would absolutely recommend you pick up the Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this mattifying powder? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder in 018 Creamy Beige - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

It's taken me long enough, but I finally tried the Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder! This oil-absorbing powder has a cult following, and many people swear by it. I have oily skin, especially in the summer, so I couldn't wait to try this out and review it here on my blog. Check out my full review below, including all the product info, after the pics.

Rimmel Stay Matte
Long Lasting Pressed Powder
Shade: 018 Creamy Beige

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: About $4 to $5 depending where you shop (0.49 oz full size). Available at Walmart, Target, Ulta, and everywhere else Rimmel Cosmetics are sold. Click here to find a retailer near you.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses

Up to 5 hours natural shine control with natural minerals. An oil-absorbing pressed powder that leaves you with a flawless, shine-free complexion. Helps minimize the appearance of pores. Dermatologically tested. Available in several shades - including translucent.

This powder has a cult following, and for some reason I've waited up until recently to try this out. The shade I have 018 Creamy Beige, works okay with my skintone; maybe a little too deep/red in undertone - so I plan to try the translucent shade out.

It does a nice job at mattifying the skin and controlling oil for several hours. I really have no complaints, other than the shade not being a spot on match for me - but that's easy to fix. I'd recommend to anyone who gets oily or is oily.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this powder? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

Lucy Minerals Blush (3 shades); Eyeshadow (2 shades); Navy Liner; Ambrosia Lip Dip; Finishing Powder; Ambrosia Multi-Tasking Serum - pics, swatches, reviews

Hello, Beautiful!

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Lucy Minerals Foundation, which you can check out by clicking here. In this post I'm going to show you everything else I have from Lucy Minerals. That includes their Blush in shades Juicy Peach, Afterglow, and Sunny Bronze. Their Eyeshadow in Raisin and Mocha Shimmer. Their Navy Liner, Ambrosia Lip Dip, Finishing Powder, and Ambrosia Multi-Tasking Serum. Overall, the Lucy Minerals brand is really great and one of my new favorites!

Check out my pics, swatches, stats, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Lucy Minerals Blush
Shades: Juicy Peach, Afterglow, Sunny Bronze
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.

Basic Stats for Lucy Minerals Blush:

Formula: loose powder

Wear: average to above average

Coverage: buildable; nice pigmentation

Shade Info: currently available in 14 shades

Cost/Availability: $11.00 (full size), $2.00 (try it size), or $20 (full size with Ultimate Blush Brush). Available on the Lucy Minerals website.

Packaging: the full sized is a rounded jar with twist-off lid and clicking sifter

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Lucy Minerals Blush Info & Review:

Lucy Mineral Blushes are richly pigmented and free of waxes, chemicals, bismuth oxychloride, preservatives, fragrance, and talc.

I found these blushes to be really nicely pigmented and easy to blend. A little goes a long way, so don't use too much at first because you won't need to. Out of the shades I have have, Juicy Peach is such a pretty shade and a sweet way to add color to your cheeks. The shade Afterglow is a little too light for me to wear as a blush, but I would certainly wear it as an eyeshadow or highlight shade. The shade Sunny Bronze is also a shade I may not use as a blush, but would wear in other ways.

Overall, great pigmented blushes that I'd recommend!

Lucy Minerals Eyeshadow

Shades: Raisin, Mocha Shimmer
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.

 

 

Basic Stats for Lucy Minerals Eyeshadow:

Formula: loose powder

Wear: average to above average; use a primer for longest wear

Coverage: nicely pigmented

Shade Info: currently available in 7 Neutral Shimmer shades, 8 Cool Shimmer shades, 6 Warm Shimmer shades, and 8 Matte shades.

Cost/Availability: $7.00 (full size). Available on the Lucy Minerals website in Neutral Shimmer, Cool Shimmer, Warm Shimmer, and Matte shades.

Packaging: rounded jar with twist-off lid and sifter

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses

Lucy Minerals Eyeshadow Info & Review:

Richly pigmented shadows that can be used wet or dry. Very easy to blend and much prettier in person.

I really liked these mineral shadows. They were richly pigmented and so beautifully shimmery in person. Out of the two shades I have, Mocha Shimmer is my absolute fav! I certainly would buy more shades!

Overall, I highly recommend!

Lucy Minerals Navy Liner

Shade: Navy

Basic Stats for Lucy Minerals Liner:

Formula: loose powder

Wear: average to above average

Coverage: nicely pigmented

Shade Info: currently available in 6 shades

Cost/Availability: $7.00 (full size). Available on the Lucy Minerals website.

Packaging: rounded jar with twist-off lid and sifter

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses

Lucy Minerals Liner Info & Review:

Use this mineral liner wet or dry to create a precise line or smokey look.

This liner was so gorgeous! It can double as an eyeshadow too, which is always a great option with mineral makeup. I love the navy shade; it has gorgeous shimmer in it and a nice smokey quality to it. If you think it looks pretty in the swatch then wait until you see it in person!

Another product I highly recommend!

Lucy Minerals Ambrosia Lip Dip

Shade: Clear
 

Basic Stats for Lucy Minerals Ambrosia Lip Dip:

Formula: stick balm

Wear: average; re-apply as wanted/as needed

Coverage: clear

Shade Info: currently available in clear, and 4 tinted lip balm options

Cost/Availability: $5.00 (full size). Available on the Lucy Minerals website.

Packaging: rounded tube with pull-off cap and twist-up lip balm

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Lucy Minerals Ambrosia Lip Dip Info & Review:

This is a colorless lip product that can be dipped in any mineral blush to create a beautiful lip color. Or it can be used alone to keep your lips soft and well conditioned.

I found this lip balm to be good and love the idea of dipping it into blush to create a lip color. I haven't tried that yet, but I like the option! The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of is the scent... it's not awful or anything like that (and my husband and son both thought it smelled good), I just have a weird sense of smell.

Lucy Minerals Finishing Powder

Basic Stats for Lucy Minerals Finishing Powder:

Formula: loose powder

Wear: prolongs wear

Coverage: sheer

Shade Info: currently available in 4 options

Cost/Availability: $12 to $14 (full size), $2.00 Try-It Sizes. Available on the Lucy Minerals website.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Lucy Minerals Finishing Powder Info & Review:

This is the original finishing powder, which sets makeup and softens the look of fine lines and pores. It works to reduce oily shine without drying the skin. Applied over blush it gives the appearance of "glowing from within" and blends everything together.

As someone with oily skin, I need some sort of setting/finishing powder/product with all my makeup. The Lucy Minerals Finishing Powder is a good one. For me, it does make my skin look a little light but that's pretty typical with "translucent" powders. It starts to blend with your skin more as it has time to set.

I'd like to try one of the Oil Control options!

Lucy Minerals

Lucy's Ambrosia Multi-Tasking Serum

Basic Stats for Lucy Minerals Lucy's Ambrosia Multi-Tasking Serum:

Formula: serum

Cost/Availability: $24.00 (full size), $5.00 (try it size). Available on the Lucy Minerals website.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Lucy Minerals Lucy's Ambrosia Multi-Tasking Serum Review:

This serum is for skin, hair and nails. If your eye area is dry or crepey, just mix a tiny drop with your Lucy Minerals foundations to make a smoothing concealer for around your eyes. It only takes a drop for your face. Apply it to a damp face or mix with a drop of water in your hand before applying to your face.

For nails, hands and hair apply a few drops and rub it int to your cuticles and over hands, then smooth through damp hair.

This serum is great because of how multi-use it is, but I wasn't a fan of the smell. But keep in mind I have a weird sense of smell and you may have no issues with it. It does have a nice texture and great uses, so definitely check this out!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this product? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.