Tom Ford Nail Polish, "Mink Brule"

I loved this color even in Bergdorf’s poor lighting, and was really surprised to discover after applying it home that it’s my perfect nude.  In my search for a good nude color, I only looked at colors with yellow undertones, totally underestimating the amount of red in my skin.  It’s hard to describe this color -  it's a dusty pink with slightest hint of brown.

I’ve worn this polish twice.  The first time I used Deborah Lippmann’s Rehydrating Base Coat, two coats of polish, and Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.  I failed to take photos of that application, but the ridges of my nails didn’t show through as they do in these photos.  The mani lasted a week, with only minor wear on the tips and no shrinkage.  I used a-england base coat in the photos you see here, two coats of polish and Dior Top Coat.  I switched base and top coats because I’m out of the Lippmann base coat, and my bottle of Seche Vite contains some red polish, probably picked up from the last time I applied it over Chanel Dragon.

Color love aside, the formula leaves a lot to be desired, especially at a $30 price point.  During both applications, despite different base coats, the polish streaked and required two carefully applied coats to smooth out.  The brush is short so doesn’t hold as much polish as longer ones do, making it almost impossible to apply to the length long nails in one sweep, which compounds the problem.  The thickness of Seche Vite evened out remaining streaks.  The Dior topcoat, which is thinner, could not.  

It's Office Friendly!

Tom Ford Nail Polish is available at selected Neiman Marcus and Saks stores, Bergdorf Goodman, and online. 

I haven’t tried the second color I bought and realize that this tendency to streak may be an isolated incident, as batches may vary.  What has your experience been?

Tom Ford Brow Sculptor

Sorry that I've been slow to review the new makeup I bought in New York a few weeks ago.  Sabrina's post on Tom Ford lip glosses jump started me today, and I've used the comments I made on her blog as part of my review of Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor.

I love, love this product. The color, Taupe, is perfect for me. It's lighter than my hair color so doesn't look harsh, but dark enough to define my brows, and has no hint of red. The unique, self-described "calligraphy" tip makes for fast, easy, and varied application. Depending upon how you hold it, you can apply fine lines or broad swathes of color, and it covers any grays you might have. The sharpener screws out of the spoolie/brush end, and acts like a plane to sharpen the tip. I've used it everyday since I bought it and will repurchase when I run out.

I also bought the Shade and Illuminate contouring and highlighting cream and two nail polishes.  Though the high price point was a factor, the surprisingly poorly lit counters at the New York Saks and Bergdorf  Goodman made me reluctant to buy more.  (I've read that some California and London counters are just as poorly lit.)  Neither store had skin care or foundation samples and that the sales associate (SA) at the Bergdorf counter was reluctant to make any for me. Finally convinced that I would not buy the foundation without wearing a sample for a day or two, she scrounged up a container from another counter to make a sample for me after she rang my purchases. I was in a hurry by the time I arrived at Saks so didn't ask for any skin care samples there. The promo photos of Bitter Bitch nail polish looked wonderful - I saw a beautiful muted taupe/mauve color in the promotional photos - but I didn't buy it because in Bergdorf's lighting it didn't look any different from Chanel's Vamp, which I already have.  I passed.   Perhaps I'll give it another look if the line ever arrives at DC counters and I have more time to step outside in the sunlight to look at it.  I hope we do get the Tom Ford line here:  some of the other products in the line look promising, but I won't buy before being able to assess colors in person.  The Brow Sculptor sells for $42 at selected Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks stores and online.

Tom Ford Lip Color "Warm Sable"

I wanted "Warm Sable" when tested on my wrist a few months ago.  The price, $45, made me hesitate.  When I won the Neiman Marcus shopping spree it was one of the first items I picked up.  It's good quality, but not stellar.  It's not drying, but not particularly moisturizing either.  It wears well; it lasted throughout the morning, and there were traces left after lunch.

It's the right all around neutral for me - the right balance of brown, pink, and yellow for my complexion and perfect for any eye color I chose, not too dark, not too light, and it doesn't bring out any odd colorations in my face.  I'd buy another when it runs out.  Unless I find dupe.

Neiman Marcus Shopping Spree!

I won a $500 beauty shopping spree at Neiman Marcus thanks to Charleston Girl at Best Things in Beauty and of course NM!  I was breathless for hours after I found out.  NM gave readers of Charlestongirl's blog, Best Things in Beauty, the cute gift below, and entered us in the shopping spree drawing.  The keyring's adorable, and I will use my notebook to catagorize lipsticks and glosses a la Twisted Knitter.

I had so much fun this afternoon! I picked out a Tom Ford lipstick first, then headed straight for Le Metier de Beaute as soon as Lisa, the Le Metier representative, was free. She gave me one best makeovers ever. She's a doll! She used LM's Peau de Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe, followed by foundation and blush, then one of their new lipglosses. I was little doubtful about the Anti-Aging Complexe, but I loved the glow it gave me, so I bought everything as you can see below. I think Annalisa, from NM Public Relations and who escorted me throughout the department, may go back for a few LM items herself - and we will find the perfect red for you!

From left to right: Le Metier foundation, Peau de Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe in the tall silver cylinder, LM lipgloss "La Belle," LM Face Kaleidoscope, LM foundation brush, YSL Faux Cil Noir Radical mascara, Chanel eyeshadow in "Khaki Vert," Tom Ford lipstick in "Warm Sable," Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss "Impertinence" a mauvy pink, and in the back, the ultimate extravagance, Chanel Le Coton.

I will begin blogging these items with swatches soon.

Thanks again to Charlestongirl, NM, Lisa, and AnnaLisa who with great patience sweetly helped me gather my gifts this afternoon.  I had blast!