Tag: Tom Ford

Matte Eyeshadow Palettes: Urban Decay BASICS and Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage


 Matte Eyeshadow Palette Face Off // Belle Belle Beauty

I must have a thing for matte shadows lately. Somehow these similar palettes have snuck onto my vanity and I can’t stop reaching for them. Both have their pros and both have their cons. But each is such a universal and wearable set, that they are both winners in my book. Here is the rundown:

Matte Eyeshadow Palette Face Off // Belle Belle Beauty

  • Total amount of product: Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage ($75) .35 ounces vs Urban Decay BASICS ($27) .30 ounces
  • Range of shades: both cover a spectrum but Urban Decay BASICS has more options
  • Blendability: Tom Ford takes the cake here – the shadows go on with even color and blend beautifully
  • Formula: I prefer the slightly creamer powder of the Urban Decay BASICS and both have outstanding staying powder with no fall out
  • Packaging: Tom Ford comes with applicators but I find those worthless anyway – Tom Ford still wins with a beautifully made palette
  • Exclusivity and “Cool Factor”: Tie – Tom Ford gets credit for being an iconic brand and Urban Decay wins for being such an iconic product (and probably brand in my humble option too)
  • Travel: Both are slim and nimble for lots of looks, but the Urban Decay BASICS has Crave (black at far right) which can be used as an eyeliner and W.O.S. (third from left) which can be used to set concealer

Hope you guys enjoyed this face off. Bottom line, Urban Decay BASICS wins. The smooth, satin formula, range of shades and price point make it a a classic. But frankly, I love having them both.

I purchased both of these products: Tom Ford from Neiman Marcus and Urban Decay from Sephora.

Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquer in Mink Brulee

I don’t usually splurge on nail polishes, but on a recent trip to Neiman Marcus, this color really caught my eye and I just couldn’t resist. I was under the impression that most nail polishes were equal in staying power. Turns out this might not be the case. Mink Brulee has beautiful texture, with an opaque nude finish. It only required two coats and had a shinny, glossy finish. But the real treat was when this color perserved through days of my normal hand abuse. I applied the color using my normal routine:

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick

So many recent “firsts” over here at Belle Belle Beauty. First Edward Bess, then La Prairie and now (finally) Tom Ford. I love it just as much as my other luxury foundation pick, Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream Foundation, but they couldn’t be more different. Clé de Peau gives a silky, glowy finish with medium coverage, whereas Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick is nimble, oil-free and buildable in coverage.

This stick has a unique quality: swiping the stick directly on my skin gives a creamy, blendable formula. The only other stick foundation I’ve used (Bobby Brown) is not near as blendable and almost cakey. As the Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick sets, the finish is more matte, bringing with it fantastic staying quality. I haven’t had a foundation EVER stay on as long as this does.

Shaped like a giant concealer stick, I wasn’t sure now precise I could be. But actually, the stick allows you to build coverage where needed and let a sheerness shine through where you don’t. If you are having a particularly good skin day, just use this as a concealer! And love this is airplane friendly and portable.

Tom Ford’s price point is definitely high ($78), but this stick is HUGE and excellent quality. You won’t be sorry.

Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color

Bruised Plum named “Best Dark Lipstick” in Allure magazine’s “Best of Beauty”

Tom Ford’s take on twelve classic lip colors – his first foray into cosmetics – instantly earned rave reviews.  Pick up a piece of his first collection before his second, a full line of cosmetics, hits stores this fall. Available at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.