I am a firm believer that there is a red lip color out there for everyone.  If you haven’t found your shade yet, you should definitely check out the red offerings from TOM FORD Beauty.  I’ll be reviewing Crimson Noir and Cherry Lush on Full Time Ford, but you should also take a look at Scarlett Rouge!

I am fortunate because my skin tone actually allows me to wear most blue-, orange- and pink-based reds.  Crimson Noir is a tricky one because it looks like a brick-red color in the tube, but it goes on quite differently.

Taking a photo of the lip color outside brings out more of its true color.

Crimson Noir definitely isn’t a brick or dark red – it’s a gorgeous, bright red color with pink undertones.  The pigmentation is excellent and the smell – pure vanilla heaven!

Compared to Cherry Lush, which was one of the original Private Blend Lip Color shades, Crimson Noir is a bit lighter, warmer and more pink.

As is true of all TOM FORD Private Blend Lip Colors, the staying power on Crimson Noir is something to write home about.  This last around 5 hours for me and even makes it through coffee fairly intact.  After a meal it transforms it to a lovely stain that reminds me a bit of Benetint in Rose.  Pretty.

The bottom line: If you are looking for a beautiful bright red lip color with a touch of pink, this is a great option that is well worth the $48 tag.  However, if you are looking for a deep, brick red shade, this is not the color for you. 

So, tell me, what do you think of Crimson Noir?

TOM FORD Crimson Noir Lip Color is available now at your closest TOM FORD Beauty counter and online at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and other fine retailers.

Credits: All images were taken by me.  Crimson Noir was provided courtesy of TOM FORD Beauty

I started wearing TOM FORD Private Blend Lip Colors in 2010.

First was Black Orchid.  Then Pure Pink.  Finally, True Coral.

To say I am a fan of the TOM FORD Lip Color line would be an understatement: True Coral and Pure Pink have been my go-to shades since the day I purchased them, and Black Orchid remains in regular rotation.  I love them.

The colors are astoundingly beautiful and they wear better than any other lipstick I have tried, including my beloved MAC and Bobbi Brown shades.   Seriously, people.  When you apply a TOM FORD Private Blend Lip Color first thing in the morning, it will last for a good 6 hours.  As the formula wears throughout the day it doesn’t just disappear from your lips – it evolves into a stain that leaves your lips touched with color for hours.

Not to mention, the lippies have a lovely vanilla scent and are extremely rich and emollient.  Some are more moisturizing than others, but most will leave your lips feeling and looking sexy.

When the news about the expanded Private Blend Lip Color line broke, I was both excited and disappointed. Excited to learn about the new shades, but devastated that Pure Pink, my go to pink lipstick, was being discontinued!

Oh no! Not Pure Pink!!!!

The news about Pure Pink was extremely upsetting, but I consoled myself with thoughts of the new shades that would be available.  When the new colors finally became available to order online, I wasted no time in purchasing Violet Fatale, Cherry Lush and Indian Rose.  Out of the three, I wasn’t sure if Violet Fatale would be wearable for me, but I knew I had to try it.  And you know what?

It is officially my favorite Lip Color E.V.E.R.

I swear I took about 100 pictures of this lipstick before I finally captured the true color.  That is it, my friends.  Amazing, no?

How about another angle?

And another?

Know what else?  It looks beautiful on!

Top: multiple layers/Bottom: single application

It isn’t quite as dramatic on me as it is on Lara Stone (I think Lara is actually wearing a gloss on top that makes the color even more striking) but it’s amazing nonetheless.  The color can be ramped up by applying a number of layers until it’s fairly true to the way it looks in the tube.  That is my preferred method.

After a few hours it fades to a lovely stain:

After 4 hours/lunch/coffee/etc.

 As an added bonus, it turns out that a single application of Violet Fatale can serve as a decent substitute for the now discontinued Pure Pink!

Violet Fatale is a bit more on the blue/violet side of the spectrum compared to Pure Pink, but that is perfectly OK.  I love the fact that you can increase the intensity by simply layering a few applications: that way you decide if you are in the mood for pink or purple!

As if that wasn’t enough, this lipstick is also one of the most moisturizing in the line.  As a Midwesterner, this time of the year takes a toll on my lips.  Typically, if I miss a day of moisturizing with my lip balm, my lips declare war on me.   I missed a few days this week  and, so far, my lips are still smiling when they are wearing Violet Fatale!

Finally, the packaging is absolutely stunning.   Admittedly, I have a soft spot for the original white packaging you can see above, but the new darker version has grown on me.  This isn’t a cheap lipstick case.  It’s weighty and it’s luxurious.

The case actually isn’t black.  It’s a stunning dark mahogany color that looks more black than red, but when the light hits it you can see the red/brown tint clearly.  You can see the tiniest hint of it in the image below, but I wasn’t able to capture the true color with my camera.

In case it isn’t evident by everything I wrote above…

I LOVE THIS F@#!NG LIPSTICK!  It is Amazing with a capital “A”.

Not to mention, Sexy with a capital “S”.

Is it pricey?  At $48, the answer is “yes”.  But it is absolutely worth the money and it’s going to become my signature lip color!

What do you think of this shade?

Are you planning to buy it?

TOM FORD Violet Fatale Lip Color is available now at your closest TOM FORD Beauty counter and online at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and other fine retailers.

Credits: All images were taken by me and Violet Fatale was purchased by me.

This is just a quick preview of the TOM FORD Beauty Lip Colors I’ll be reviewing here in the next few days.  It’s a mix of new and old colors, with the focus mostly on the new!

The colors are: Nude Vanille, Indian Rose, Deep Mink, True Coral, Wild Ginger, Pure Pink, Cherry Lush, Crimson Noir, Violet Fatale and Black Orchid.

First up is my new favorite, Violet Fatale.

This is one of those instances where I really wish I lived in New York City.

I was reading 5th/58th (the Bergdorf Goodman Blog) earlier this afternoon when I came across this announcement:

Mr. Ford will be at Bergdorf on November 1st, from 5 – 6PM ET, promoting the new TOM FORD Complete Beauty Collection. Even though his appearance is only scheduled for an hour, I think it is most definitely worth attending.

If only I wasn’t stuck in work meetings all day—in Cleveland!—I would consider flying out to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Will you be attending?  If so, say “hello” to Mr. Ford for me 😉

The November 2011 issue of Los Angeles CONFIDENTIAL isn’t out quite yet (It’s out now: update here!), but here is a look at the cover photographed by Ford-favorite Simon Perry.

(image via)

When it comes to portraits of Tom Ford, Perry can’t be beat.

Don’t you agree?

Have you ever come across something that you felt you were destined to own? I am not talking about some passing fascination or admiration you may feel for an item that comes and goes.  I am talking about a piece that actually speaks to you.

There are a few pieces in my jewelry collection that I feel very strongly about, including my Wendy Brandes Vampire Diana Ring, but it has been years since I felt that something was actually destined to be mine.

The first time I came across this Scorpion Necklace by TOM FORD I was captivated by what I could see of it.

And then it happened…  I stumbled upon the photo below and I swear the clouds parted and I could hear angels singing.  It spoke directly to my Scorpio-self and softly whispered:  “We Belong Together”.

(image via)

Oh, yes.  We definitely belong together.

This is one of the sexiest things I have ever seen.   Ever.

Santa, are you listening?  I’d even settle for a ring or bracelet version!

Well folks, the OWN Visionaries: TOM FORD documentary on the Oprah Winfrey Network was everything I hoped it would be. I’m planning to post a full review in the next few days, but in the meantime here are a few more tidbits, including a look at an additional scene from the doc AND two deleted scenes (including one where Tom discusses the double standard that surrounds nudity in today’s society). If that isn’t enough, check out some other scenes in this prior post.

On being a perfectionist:

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Deleted Scene 1: On the double standard of nudity:

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Deleted Scene 2: On spirituality and fashion:

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

So tell me – did you watch? What did you think?

I have just three words to describe Tom Ford after watching: Brilliant. Class . Act.