Thursday, December 20, 2012

Review: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Intensity 2


Given that Shade and Illuminate was the main target of my first trip to Tom Ford counter, I could have reviewed it first. Why didn't I? Um uh well, as typing this line, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Part of me loves it for its blendability, natural result and quick setting. The other part feels disappointed with the short wearing, and lack of intensity of the highlighter. Oddly enough, I don't hate the price. Let's break it down then, shall we. A look I wore the highlighter is here.

Tom For Shade and Illuminate ($75 for 0.49 oz) comes into two shades Intensity 1 and Intensity 2. They share the same highlighter, only the contouring shades are different. Based on my swatch, Intensity 1 is really yellow and lighter, even on my yellow skin tone. Intensity 2 has deeper brown/grey undertone and matches my skin better. The girls at Tom Ford told me that Intensity 2 matches most people while Intensity 1 looks yellow on most people. Puzzled :)

The close-up. White and brown!
At the first glance, I thought the highlighter would be stalky white and the contouring shade would look muddy. Not at all! The highlighter is a sheer shimmery white while the contouring shade is a matte deep neutral brown. The shimmer of the highlighter is beyond delicate. You guys probably remember I always rave about Edward Bess All Over Seduction for its finely milled shimmer. This is even more sophisticated. The texture is, as you would expect from Tom Ford, heavenly smooth. It blends seamlessly and effortlessly into the skin. You won't detect the transition from your skin to the area with product.

It surprises me that both the highlighter and contouring shade are sheer. I have to apply about 4 layers of the contouring shade to create believable high cheekbones. It does take me sometime to feel comfortable with the application. Once you get it, faking those hollows is really enjoyable. 

I want a quite visible glow so 4-5 layers of the highlighters are needed. Even so, the highlighter looks very natural under direct sunlight. No stalky white strips, guaranteed! Your skincolor peaks through a veil of sheer shimmery glistening soft white. Your cheeks will glow at certain angles when you turn your face. Now, if you like extremely natural glow, you'll enjoy this. I prefer more visible effect at all angles, so this falls short for my expectation. The highlighter reminds me of Giorgio Armani Sheer Fluid in cream formula only more opaque and of higher consistency. 

The highlighter stays put for about 6 hours on my combination skin, in the drier months. After hour 6, it becomes a layer of sheer sheen. I'm not sure how it'll behave in more humid weather. I would want it to last 8 hours, especially for the price. The contouring shade stays fresh for at least 8 hours. 

 Heavily swatched under direct sunlight. Both the contour shade and highlighter are sheer

Compared to some of my highlighters, Shade and Illuminate is the most natural and also the sheerest. But the consistency and texture is the best. Becca Skin Perfector in Pearl is more white and more frosty. Edward Bess Sunlight has beigy champagne undertone and about as shimmery as Shade and Illuminate. MAC cream color base in Cream is ivory cream and just a little bit less shimmery than Shade and Illuminate. I don't have another cream bronzer or contouring blush to compare. Just want to show you how it stands against the shimmer highlighters. 
 Compared with some other highlighters

Tom Ford is the sheerest of the bunch

Different angle to show the level of luminosity

What about the price? You pay $75 for 0.49 oz of product assuming $37 for 0.245 oz of highlighter or contouring shade. That's A LOT if you think about Edward Bess All Over Seduction - $38 for 0.08 oz of highlighter (same formula). Of course, it's way more expensive than Becca Pearl. But you have a large mirror and sleek compact for traveling. I do think the case can be more sturdy with metal material instead of plastic.

Now, I use the Shade and Illuminate brush to create a crispy line with the contouring shade then blend upward. I prefer my fingers for the highlighter as they curve with my cheek bones. The brush is a wonderful product that demands a separate post. Spoiler -alert: if you are skilled at contouring, you can skip it. I bought it for the ease of application. Also, I have quite a few cream face products that require a good brush.

Bottom line. After the above analysis, I conclude that Shade and Illuminate is a great product for everyday use. And I need it. If you want more intense highlighter, you probably want to look somewhere else. The contour shade, however, would cover all your needs from day to night. I don't want to highly recommend a $75 palette for everyday use. It's your personal preferences to determine whether you need it. 

16 comments:

  1. thanks for the awesome review! have not tried tom ford products yet though.

    x
    elviemousse.blogspot.sg

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    1. I'm glad you like the review. I only started to try Tom Ford recently. The quality is phenomenal. If only the price is friendlier. Thanks for stopping by Elvie!

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  2. What a beautiful palette of luxury! I can't wait until I am working again and cant treat myself to some Tom Ford make up! Good review, thank you! xx

    itsallaboutb.blogspot.com

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    1. You're very welcome B! It's luxury indeed and well worth the investment.

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  3. Oh my.. I just swatched this at the counter and almost bought it! reading at your post makes me wants it even more and more!

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    1. Shade and Illuminate is lovely, isn't it? And Tom Ford is addictive to me. Thanks for stopping by Memoiselle!

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  4. Wow, these looks gorgeous! I'm a new follower~! I found your blog through your guest post Arielle's blog~! :)

    http://makingupashlee.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Ashlee, Thank you for the sweet comment and your following! Your blog is CUTE xx

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  5. Check out sethakins7 You Tubes; he has several where he LOVES this sculpting product under the Chanel Notorious for contour. I think in one video he even demonstrates how to use the two. I really don't remember him saying much about the highlighter. Happy Holidays!

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    1. AAHH, thanks so much Delacotta for the comment! sethakins7 did a great job showcasing this palette. Happy Holidays to you too xx

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  6. for fair indian skin with a yellow undertone would you recommend intensity 2? (cant get hold of a tester!). thanks for the review!

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    1. Hi mm, it might work. Intensity 2 has deeper brown tone than intensity 1. It's also sheer and very easy-to-blend. So you can hardly go wrong with it. The only thing is you probably want to apply lightly on your fair skin. Hope this helps x

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  7. I like that the Tom Ford highlighter isn't as shimmery as the rest. It's more understated, so I bet it would look more natural too :-) Not sure about the contour shade though -_-

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    1. At first, I didn't like the highlighter much. I thought it was too subtle but now I really enjoy it, especially for office.

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  8. Oh my..
    I am dying to try this TF Shade and illuminate. I personally love this highlighter so much when I tried this on the counter. It gives me that radiance and shine. What I doubt from this palette is the bronzer which I am afraid will get chalky on my face after few hours wearing. Ahh I really need to go to TF counter and see it again :)

    Meryl

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    1. It doesn't go chalky on me even at the end of the day. I'm light medium (MAC NC 25) warm skin. But yeah, it does take me a lot of testing before going home with it. Thanks for stopping by Meryl xx

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