Today, like wavering rays of light on a distant desert dune, the Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Sahara Haze made me doubt what I was seeing.
“Is it a mirage?” I wondered, sweeping the taupe shade into my crease. “Could it really be this good?”
At one point this afternoon I think my heart, which was booming like a timpani at both the beautiful quad and its exorbitant $78 price, actually did skip a beat. Few things in this world ever make me feel that way. Great makeup is one of them; glazed doughnuts are another.
Flawless, I tell you. Like a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed. So glowy. So pigmented. So melty and delicious…
Never mind that for $78 one could get 132 Krispy Kreme doughnuts at $0.59 each (or 78 sticks of $0.99 Wet ‘n’ Wild #666 Brandywine).
Sahara Haze is about a million miles from budget — it’s even costlier than the most expensive Chanel palette I can think of, last spring’s $65 Ombres Perlees de Chanel — but I still find it and the other color products, nail polishes, skin care and makeup brushes in the new Tom Ford Beauty line very, very hard to resist.
I want to gobble it up!
Everything about this stunning mother trucker — from the clean, contemporary packaging (
the dark chocolate and gold), to the featherweight, pigmented powders that fill the pans — spells l-u-x-u-r-y.
The quad’s cool lemony beige feels so soft that I almost thought it was a cream (but it’s not), the cool grayish taupe has a delicious finish perfectly perched between matte and shimmer, and the forest green and charcoal shades sparkle with flecks of golden glitter that glimmer like fireflies in the light.
But then there’s the price…
$78 is a LOT of tacos.
The Tom Ford Beauty Line Includes…
The Color Collection
The core of TOM FORD Beauty places a strong emphasis on colors including: sensual eyes, bold cheeks and lacquered lips.Products include — Eye Color Quads ($78 each), Defining Pencils ($35 each), Noir Absolute for Eyes ($35), Brow Sculpture ($42 each), Extreme Mascara ($42), Cheek Color ($55 each), Lip Color ($48 each), Shine Lip Gloss ($45 each), Lip Lacquer ($30) and Nail Lacquer ($30).
The Flawless Complexion
TOM FORD Beauty includes a selection of illumination and sculpting products to perfect the complexion and change and enhance features.Products include — Foundation Sticks ($78 each), Foundation SPF 15 ($78 each), Illuminating Highlight Pen ($52), Shade and Illuminate ($75), Illuminating Powder ($75), Translucent Finishing Powder ($75).
Radiant Skin
TOM FORD Beauty believes that a truly beautiful face begins with skin that appears energized, clear and radiant. This philosophy inspired the pursuit of advanced skin treatments that use proprietary treatments.Products include — Purifying Complex (TBD), Infusing Complex (TBD), Gelée Cleanser ($60), Crème Cleanser ($60), Intensive Infusion Daily Moisturizer ($190), Intensive Infusion Ultra Rich Moisturizer ($230), Intensive Fusion Concentrate Extreme ($250), Intensive Infusion Eye Treatment ($135), Makeup Remover ($45) and Illuminating Protective Primer SPF 12 ($70).
Makeup Brushes
Twelve makeup brushes for the face, eyes, cheeks and lips complete the TOM FORD Beauty Collection. Crafted to Tom Ford’s specification by the world’s finest brush maker, the tools combine white horse hair, super goat hair and synthetic fibers according to the specific need for each color product.Brush Lineup Includes — Eye Shadow Brush ($55), Eye Shadow Blend Brush ($55), Eye Shadow Contour Brush ($55), Smoky Eye Brush ($50), Eyeliner and Definer Brush ($50), Shadow and Concealer Brush ($60), Foundation Brush ($70), Cream Foundation Brush ($70), Cheek Brush ($75), Shade and Illuminate Brush ($70), Bronzer Brush ($110) and Lip Brush ($45).
I can’t deny how much I love this quad, even though I’m disappointed in the price. It looks and behaves like luxury makeup should — with pigments that last for days without a crease, little to no fallout (I detect a tiny bit from the glitters) and packaging that looks like it could have come from a jewelry store.
PRICE: $78
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to Neiman Marcus stores but available for pre-order online at neimanmarcus.com and bergdorfgoodman.com; available now at London’s Heathrow Airport, Terminals 3 and 5
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (an A if not for the price)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Hope you had a nice afternoon. I can’t believe it’s almost Friday. What’s up with that? 🙂 After I finish packing for my trip, I plan to park my bum in front of the TV and catch up on Law & Order: SVU and Project Runway. Can’t wait!
Lilit says
October 20th, 2011 at 10:07 pmFirstly, that quad and your description is just to die for. Die I tells you. It looks so perfect. But there is no way I could pay $78 for it, especially since chances are in Australia it would be double that. But I can drool.
Secondly, I now have a craving for Krispy Kreme original glaze and I don’t even like donuts!
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Carmela says
October 20th, 2011 at 10:35 pmThat palette is awe-inspiring. Both in the way it works and the way it’s worth. This one is a budget smasher for sure, and as much as I want to be a proud owner for $78..maybe not. I shall have to live vicariously through you instead. Or own it in (day)dreams.
Have a safe trip! 🙂
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Karo says
October 20th, 2011 at 10:38 pmOh wow…I´m in love! Such a pretty colours!
I love Tom Ford but I´m disappointed in the preis!
And in Germany this products are not available.
have a nice day 🙂
Karo recently posted … I love UGGs
gio says
October 20th, 2011 at 10:58 pmWhat a beautiful palette! Love that green shade! But ouch at the price!
gio recently posted … QOTW: Do You Match Your Nail Polish To Your Makeup?
Rita says
October 20th, 2011 at 11:39 pmI have a TF lipstick (True Coral), and I would love to get one of his new palettes. Althougt, I have to travel abroad (UK) to get one, so it’s going to cost waaay more! We’ll see, one day.
Lulle says
October 21st, 2011 at 1:45 amAs pretty as it looks, I’ll never buy any Tom Ford products, for I won’t support a brand which bases (or based) its communication campaigns on outrageous degrading images of women, period.
Olga says
October 21st, 2011 at 1:49 amIt looks amazingly awesome, as well as the whole beauty line! Nonetheless, it’s difficult to get this here in Spain, so I’d probably wait for a trip to a country where it’s sold or get it shipped from the UK.
Sonya says
October 21st, 2011 at 3:06 amTempting, tempting… $78 is WAY out of my makeup budget, but the photos are gorgeous and I can always admire from afar..
Sonya recently posted … OPI Miss Universe Collection – Swatches, Photos, Review
Vonvon says
October 21st, 2011 at 3:41 amIt is so beautiful! I am trying to save up for a Tom Ford eyeshadow quad and one of his lipsticks!
Vonvon recently posted … Swatches & Review: Famous by Sue Moxley Eyeshadow Shimmer Shade 12
Kim says
October 21st, 2011 at 4:58 amYour eyes look amazing in that last picture. Like, total glowy awesomeness. Everything about that quad is lovely (price aside). Of course, looking at Tom Ford’s skincare prices, the quad seems like a bargain. 🙂
Are you thinking of checking out Once Upon a Time on Sunday night? I’m going to try to catch it. And on another TV note, my cat collecting/ghosty friend was talking about being scared to death by American Horror Story. She felt better when I told her about your bread knife by the door. 🙂
Nina says
October 21st, 2011 at 5:42 amTom Ford did nothing wrong with this line — from packaging, to colors to quality – it gets an A+++ from me!
peach_ says
October 21st, 2011 at 5:42 amBeautiful! I am loving your Tom Ford swatches. I swear you make most colors that I’d be scared of trying look wearable and pretty.
peach_ recently posted … Dior Vernis Perfecto 804 (Rock Your Nails Collection Spring 2011)
Chris25 says
October 21st, 2011 at 7:28 amI love that lip color on you!
Hboo says
October 21st, 2011 at 8:30 amWhile I love the green on the bottom left, this is not worth $78. I can’t believe they priced it that high! I like how the case looks, but unless it’s plated in gold, I’m not financially able to drop $80+ after tax on 4 shadows 🙁
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Kelly says
October 21st, 2011 at 8:36 amWow, I’m really impressed! The packaging is to die for and those colours are gorgeous and on you as well! I think this is one splurge that is definitely worth the price 🙂
Kelly recently posted … St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse Review!
Glosslizard says
October 21st, 2011 at 9:02 amAfter all the lead-up, I was pretty disappointed in the conservative color choices for this line! I was expecting some serious luxury brights, and most of the quads look so…. safe (although lovely). I think at this price point I’m gonna have to say nay, especially since I’m with the camp that finds Tom Ford’s attitude toward women a total turn-off. If I have this much to spend on makeup I’m buying Cle de Peau!
Joyce says
October 21st, 2011 at 9:06 amThe green looks gorgeous while the other colors look easily dupable. $78 is alot of money to spend on 1 eyeshadow. lol
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VictoriaJane says
October 21st, 2011 at 12:02 pmIt’s all beautiful, but I’d like to see the “super goat” of the super goat hair makeup brush!
Linnea says
October 21st, 2011 at 2:31 pmThat is a lot of tacos. At least they made it worth it with fabulous quality.
mulberrytea says
October 23rd, 2011 at 11:16 amWow, I’m definitely going to try out this quad when it hits counters! I wasn’t too interested in any of the quads originally based on the color choices, buys I’m really intrigued by this one now 🙂
xoxotoe says
October 23rd, 2011 at 7:48 pmi would buy this palette as a gift for someone who would not buy it for herself. but i am so satisfied with my little w&w palettes, i don’t need it for myself. and i do agree, that sparkly green is AMAZING. if he would have just put that out in a single & charged $30, it would sell out in one day. great post! i love his whole line, regardless of price. that bronzer brush is $110. what is it? baby chinchilla hair?! xo
M says
October 25th, 2011 at 3:15 amI noticed you’d listed H’row terminal 5 as one of its stockists! That’s awesome as I’ll be heading there in early Nov! Tax free Tom Ford Beauty here I come!
Leslie says
November 4th, 2011 at 4:34 amGreat post. Thanks for sharing and posting!~ I love the shades. your pictures look great!
Linda says
April 12th, 2013 at 12:38 ami’m about a century late in stopping by, but i just bought Sahara Haze, and it’s heartstoppingly gorgeous!!! I have oily lids, and Chanel creases like no business… This doesn’t!!! The price is decadent for sure, but this is a-m-a-z-i-n-g! 😉