Review: Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick Black Orchid - FOTD

Tom Ford lipstick in Black Orchid ($48 for 0.10 oz) is a classic. It's a chic luxurious and opulent shade of deep cherry infused with ultra delicate red shimmer. The lipstick goes on opaque with two layers but I'd like to wear it at the maximum intensity with 4-5 layers. The red shimmer creates a nice sheen finish on the lips yet no red pigment is visible. How clever Tom Ford is!!! Despite its deep cherry brown undertone, Black Orchid doesn't look like dead old brown thanks to that red shimmer. I also think it will compliment various skin tone and skin depth.

Delicate red shimmer infused in the lipstick

But Black Orchid isn't just a pretty color. Like the rest of Tom Ford lipsticks, it has luxurious and exceptional texture, i.e. ultra smooth and creamy yet not too creamy to break easily. It feels weightless on my lips. It reminds me of Guerlain Rouge G and Edward Bess Ultra Sleek but not exactly identical. It glides on my lips evenly. 

Like any dark lipsticks, Black Orchid emphasizes every little imperfection of the lips. So I would highly recommend a good exfoliation and moisturizer to prep your lips. The lipstick will feather more easily on top of well-balmed lips though. To prevent feathering, you can use a lip pencil to line your lip liners, creating a surface for the lipstick to attach to. 

Black Orchid stays fresh for 5 hours on top of my lip balm without drinking or eating. It stays on about 8 hours with lip pencil. This wearing is remarkably better than another favorite of mine, Bite Beauty Mulberry. I'm impressed and very pleased with the quality. 

Tom Ford lipsticks come in a golden-rimed brown square case. It shuts tightly and securely. The case certainly looks luxe but don't weight as much as Burberry's. So if you are one of those who carry 15 lipsticks in your purse, you won't injure your arms. 

Now there is always a question about Tom Ford's price tags. For this exceptional quality but average amount (0.10 oz), I myself don't think Black Orchid is worth $48. You can find another outstanding vampy lipstick that works for your skin tone from other luxurious brands. I love the color and the quality so much that I actually overlooked this fact :D. 

 Swatches, overcast

Swatches, under direct sunlight, no visible shimmer

Bottom line. Totally in love! Tom Ford Black Orchid is more like a splurge than a necessity for my makeup stash. But it's more than just a good liptick. However, other designer brands offer relevant vampy lipsticks at two thirds of its price.

I love Black Orchid on Reika of Front Row Beauty! It also looks stunning on very pale complexion here. Below is a casual look featuring Black Orchid, Shade and Illuminate Intensity 2, Golden Mink Eyeshadow quad. Not the best look and photos but I'm pleased with how the lip color turns out. In two layers, Black Orchid has more red than brown but it's still a deep cherry color. As usual, please scroll down for full makeup breakdown:) 

Warm lighting

 Cool lighting

Look breakdown

Face

Clarins Ever Matter Foundation

YSL Touche Eclat No 8

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Intensity 2

Eyes

NARS Pro-prime eye primer

Tom Ford Brow Sculptor Espresso

Tom Ford Eyecolor Quad Golden Mink

Bobbi Brown Gel liner Espresso

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Stretch Mascara

Lips

Fresh Sugar Gentle Lip Scrub

EOS Lip Balm

Tom Ford Black Orchid (2 layers)