Burberry Hydrangea Pink vs. Tom Ford Narcissist blush

Hi all!

I wanted to make a quick post before I head on over to the doctor's office. Basically there are people who are wondering how the two blushes compare in terms of color and formula.

Amount of product you get:

Burberry: 7 grams 
Tom Ford: 8 grams

The biggest difference is the texture. Tom Ford's is drier and not as easy to apply compared to Burberry Hydrangea Pink. HP is smoother, creamier to the touch, hence the nicer texture, and easier to apply. 

I will say I do prefer Narcissist color wise -- it's slightly more vibrant and a cooler based pink. 

Basically for those who missed out on Narcissist, Hydrangea Pink is a nice alternative and it's a bit cheaper. 

Onto the photos:

Burberry Hydrangea Pink on the left, Tom Ford Narcissist on the right

Burberry Hydrangea Pink on the left, Tom Ford Narcissist on the right

Tom Ford Enchanted Eye Color Quad +

Tom Ford is a line...that for the longest time I couldn't get into. For a few reasons:

I own one of his original private blend lipsticks...Didn't care for the formula or wear time. When you're paying over $40 for a lipstick, it has to be special. Tom Fords lipstick formula isn't special to begin with, let alone the price point for what you were getting. His current lipsticks now are worse formula-wise. It accentuates flakies, the color only lasts an hour or so. It doesn't hydrate your lips, which is fine...but it isn't long lasting either. The only good thing about Tom Ford lipsticks is that he has a few nice nude shades. 

When I went to the counter years ago, I swatched Golden Mink quad, his concealer, his foundation...all of which are horrible. The concealer doesn't conceal, the foundation transfers far more than Chantecaille Future Skin. Don't even get me started about the Golden Mink quad -- it's patchy, dry, and the glitter falls out everywhere. I thought to myself, "How can people love this? It's far worse in quality than the worst YSL products."

Okay, then I was suggested to try his blushes...the texture isn't special. If anything they are a bit powdery and subpar in smoothness than other blushes offered by other lines for the same price point. Some of the shades are dupable.

Then you have Tom Ford himself. Yes I do think he makes amazing attire, but at the same time, I had this high expectation that if he makes the most amazing clothes, that the makeup would be on the same level. Sadly, it's not. Not to mention Tom Ford make these kinds of comments. Um. OK.

Of course a lot of people discuss how much they love Tom Ford makeup, but then you would find out said people would get it for free. *eyeroll*

Over time I think something happened, because then we now have Enchanted quad and Narcissist blush. Maybe it's a fluke that these items are just that awesome, or maybe it's a trend of what may happen in the future -- better quality items. 

Now that I finally had the opportunity to write how I truly feel about the makeup line...I still think his products are not even that great...but I do love some Enchanted !

Packaging: Signature Burgundy/Maroon colored packaging with gold accents. I'm sure all of you are familar with the appearance of TF packaging. I like it because it's sturdy, and a little 70's looking to me. It doesn't seem to scratch easily, which I really enjoy. The quads come with an eyeshadow applicator (double ended), but it also has a small brush. I tried using it and I personally find it useless (eyeshadow doe foot applicator), but maybe it's helpful to someone. Can we discuss the small brush, the white hair side is slighting fraying already? I haven't even used it because I personally am not a fan of the few brushes I've tried. 

Texture/Formula: Enchanted is a beautiful cool-toned quad. Pinks that flashes a bit of purple in some lighting once applied. It's a bit dry in terms of texture, but it glides on smoothly, not powdery, nor chalky. It's not as emollient or has that silk feeling like RBR or Burberry, for those who are wondering. I do like a dry eyeshadow formula because some super silky eyeshadows sometimes crease. These definitely do not.  I really adore this quad as it is by itself dry. Haven't used it wet (I'm generally not a fan of using eyeshadows wet...I don't know why). My favorite eyeshadow in terms of texture is the darkest one. It's a satin finish, and it's straight up beautiful. Some small sparkle, and it's so easy to work with, unlike some other satin finish formulas.

Price and Size: $75 for 6 grams or 0.21 oz.

with flash so you can see the shimmer

indoor natural lighting, no flash

with flash

indoor lighting, no flash

Tom Ford Smoke Red lipstick +

So I purchased this on Fashion Night out and this was recommended to me by the Tom Ford MA as the perfect color for fall. I purchased it with the intention of seeing Tom Ford himself, but that didn't happen, but back to the lipstick itself:

It's a lovely shade of cool-burgundy red, a bit deep in color, but it's not super bright. I consider this a "wearable" red, as in I can see this being flattering on a lot of skintones. It's definitely creamy in texture, with some slip to the lips, with the added benefit that it's not drying. What is a bit of a downer is I can't apply it with one swipe and be out the door. There's no smell to the lipstick, or at least none that I can detect. What I found out now about is if I do wear this alone (no primer, lipliner) it does feather VERY slightly into the second hour. It doesn't feather anymore after that, which isn't bad at all (given no primer/lipliner).

As for lasting power: it's not a long lasting lipstick, but it does leave a nice stain over time. I can get about 3.5 hours of this lipstick with a meal and a beverage (the color applied with lipliner and primer).

Pictures of the lipstick are seen below. I did one quick swipe so you can see how it applies, with no base, no lipliner, no blotting, straight from the tube (no lipbrush). As you can see, it will require two swipes so it can go completely opaque (as seen on my upper lip in the natural lighting).

Me wearing it indoors, with flash.

 

This is a picture of me wearing it next to a window in natural lighting, with no flash. 

I do adore the color for the fall. Is it worth the $45? If you want to indulge yourself for a lovely lipstick, with nice packaging then sure. I do think there are great lipsticks with longer lasting power and nice packaging as well for a bit less though. Do I regret the purchase? No. Will I buy another Tom Ford lipstick? Not really, unless they come out with a long-lasting formula and maybe I'd consider it.