I am excited to introduce you to one of my favourite bloggers, Emily from Emily’s Anthology. Today she is treating us to a guest review on a product from the new Tom Ford Beauty cosmetic line, the Shade And Illuminate duo/palette. Please give a big Plastic Diaries welcome to Emily!

The beautiful Emily from Emily’s Anthology

The beauty world by now is well-acquainted with luxury cosmetics brand Tom Ford, whose products ooze pure opulence and class. I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the exquisite Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate, a cream contour and highlighting duo, in Intensity One.

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

Here is what Tom Ford has to say about this duo:

A duet of highlighting and shading creams designed to make sculpting and contouring the face remarkably intuitive. The super sheer, light shade formula can be used to draw light onto the skin to brighten and lift the face. The dark shade defines and contours bones, while staying invisible to the naked eye. Offered in two intensities

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity Two

Review

Personally, I find this duo does everything it says and so much more.

I am no stranger to contouring, but even in doing it so often, I find that contour products (whether cream or powder) tend to be difficult to apply and, look unnatural on the skin. It seems like the majority of my time spent in front of the makeup mirror is spent buffing and re-buffing contour products into my skin. I expected it to be the same with this contour cream, but in fact, it was the exact opposite. I applied the contour end of the duo with a stippling brush, and after a couple of swipes, I was gold. No kidding, it was that simple.

It is also pretty difficult to get the colour right with contour products – if the colour is too orange or too brown for your skin tone, your skin can end up looking dirty and muddy. In this case, though, Tom Ford has gotten the colour just right. I went to the counter to try it, and the very helpful salesperson swatched it on both my skin, as well as another customer’s. It looked good on both my warm-toned skin and her very cool-toned skin. What’s more, it can be layered, and comes in two shades so you can up the intensity according to your needs and skin colour.

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

Highlighting products are much simpler to apply. Just use your fingers or a stippling brush and brush it over the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and even your collarbone for a healthy glow. What I look for in an illuminator is small, fine particles of shimmer, which should be multi-coloured so they match either warm or cool-toned makeup and skin. This product has both qualities, and the effect is a beautiful dewy glow that makes you look healthy and glamorous.

One problem I had with this duo was that they were really difficult to pick up with my brush. The products are quite waxy and don’t separate well without a little heat. I like applying the illuminator with my fingers but I prefer a contour brush for contouring. A solution I found quite effective was to rub my fingers into the product, transfer it onto my hand, and then pick it up with my brush.

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

After using this product for a week or so (for countless makeup looks!), I am completely sold! It makes my face look healthy, sunkissed, and glowing. The fact that it helps make my face looks skinnier is also a big plus! The price is a little more than I would usually pay for makeup, but I cannot help myself. Once I run out, I am definitely buying it again! After all, who can resist the killer combo of luxe packaging and an effective product!

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate packaging

Swatches

Daylight Swatch: Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

Swatch with Flash: Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

Stockist Details

AUS $100 from David Jones Elizabeth Street Sydney and Bourke St Melbourne

USA $75 from Bergdorf Goodman

UK £55 from Harrods* (international shipping available)

Have you tried any of the new Tom Ford Beauty cosmetics? Does the idea of this palette entice you? Let me know by commenting below!

Tom Ford Beauty – Shade And Illuminate Intensity One

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