This spring Tom Ford surprised everyone with a new and EXCITING debut, Patent Finish Lip Color. Yeah, count me tired of that annoying matte liquid lipstick trend that’s taking over the world. My poor dry lips will never get on board that.
But seriously, how perfectly bold are these stunning shades of reds to berries hitting Tom Ford counters right now. Gimme more!
Since it’s customary to discuss packaging before product formulation over here, let’s start with that.
These hybrid gloss/lip stains come in a click pen version complete with a plush sponge tip applicator. As much as I like the idea of a sponge tip over traditional wand type packaging for liquid lip products, I found the clicking mechanism a bit annoying. It took over 20 clicks to get the product moving along (think Stila gloss pens…. loathe) and THEN, needed several clicks to get product out for every application. To be honest I was worried it just won’t dispense anymore and I had a bad batch, but I was wrong! That’s just the way they are it seems.
Anyways clicker fail aside, I love the overall look of the product and applicator. The sponge tip allows very good control for perfectly sharp edges. LOVE it!
Formula
The product is essentially a gloss on steroids. No joke possibly the most pigmented glossy formula I’ve ever come across.
They feel like a thick gel texture as they glide on, with each stroke delivering intense colour. I also liked that there weren’t any noticeable strokes and didn’t settle into lines which made the finish so professional. I truly do love that applicator, it’s magic.
As with all Tom Ford lip products there’s a scent to these. Something like a vanilla scent that quickly fades away leaving you with just smooth, juicy colour. The product also didn’t feel sticky on the lips and super comfortable to wear (you can barely feel them on).
As far as longevity goes, these do stick around for a couple of hours and stain. Although it’s worth noting I detected slight migration and strongly recommend a lip liner with these to stay put (I think the perfect match would be an invisible lip liner like the one’s by Kiko or Lipstick Queen).
Overall the formula was faultless as you’d expect and was a clear winner for me.
On to swatches! I have No Vacancy and Stolen Cherry. Two gorgeous reds (old habits do die hard! ;-) right?)
In comparison to a few other liquid lipsticks and glosses in my stash, the Tom Ford Patent Finish Lip Color is less opaque than the Armani Lip Maestro. Mac Retro Matte is obviously matte and fully opaque. Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Liquid Lipsticks are more opaque and a semi matte finish and the Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Gloss more translucent & less pigmented.
On to lip swatches of Stolen Cherry and No Vacancy.
Stolen Cherry is a deeper red with a neutral tone with No Vacancy a brighter, more of an orangey red.
For easy shopping, here’s a complete set of swatches, all thanks to a little Tom Ford fairy ;-) (swatches taken indoors in artificial lighting)
Final Verdict
Apart from the dispensing mechanism which clearly wasn’t working for me, I do love the product. I feel the end result was lovely and worth trying. Of course as all glossy finishes it’s high maintenance, goes without saying, and does get on your teeth & around the face (perils of long hair) if you aren’t careful.
For more swatches & a review, do drop by lovely Ree’s blog. Click here!
Collection Info & Pricing
The Patent Finish Lip Colors are set to retail at SGD 72. (New & permanent)
Launch date- End February at the Tangs Tom Ford Beauty counter.
