Tom Ford Lip Color Shine Collection

I got my hands on three of Tom Ford's new Lip Color Shines ($48). I had to call Bergdorf Goodman to order them because our brand new Tom Ford "shrine" at Neiman Marcus had not received them, and the Tom Ford representative with whom I spoke could not tell me when they would arrive. So, I shopped on the phone, with a delightful woman named Keke, who helped me select a few shades.

The collection has 10 shades. Those shown above are, from left to right, Chastity, Smitten, Insidious, Frolic, Ravenous, Quiver, Willfull, Bare, Nubile, and Abandon. I scoured the Web looking at the shades while Keke and I selected three shades for me. I had asked Keke to put her card in my box - and she did. I just talked to her. I always like to have business cards so that I can work again with people I like. Not only did her card not make it to me with the lipsticks, the box had no receipt in it. Sometimes I think the packaging employees at department stores are useless (or dishonest). I'll save that discussion for another day.

Tom Ford's new lipstick-lip balm hybrid was made for me. Now, if I could only meet the master of fashion and beauty who made it for me. That would be a trip.

"Lips are a woman's most alluring and sensual feature. Luminous, semi-transparent lip color is seductive in a very kissable way," said Ford, the man who has a knack of making a woman feel sexy. [quote courtesy of telegraph.co.uk].

If you're as addicted to lip balm and creamy lip colors as I am and hit the snooze button with the emergence of the bold lipstick movement, then this new collection of sheer, hint of tint Lip Color Shines will delight you. I want more shades already and plan to purchase lottery tickets this afternoon. They are pricey.

The range of shades is fabulous, so there's bound to be a shade that you will like. With help, I selected 03 Quiver, shown at left above; 07 Nubile, shown in the middle; and 08 Frolic, shown on the right. I tried to get a good color range with my three choices.

I took swatch photos in full, morning sunshine. It was bright and windy. I'm glad these tubes are square. They didn't roll around on me. The shades are shown on my arm in the order listed above, with Quiver at the top of my arm, Nubile in the middle, and Frolic at the bottom. The bright sun washed the shades out a tiny bit - but not significantly. They are sheer.

As promised, these lipsticks are like tinted balms - but they offer much more color than tinted balms. They are definitely sheer, shiny, and hydrating. Quiver is a beautiful girly pink. Nubile is brown with a hint of rose - enough to make it look very natural on the lips. You could call it rosewood. Frolic is a juicy peach that will thrill peach lovers (and those who like warm pinks).

Click on these photos to enlarge them so that you can see the richness of the transparent shades. I'm smitten.

I thought Abandon might be a fun shade to purchase after I saw Charlotte Tibury wearing it in a photo (backstage at a Tom Ford show) at the Telegraph feature. Keke steered me away from Abandon after I told her that I didn't want anything too orange. She said it does not look nude like it appears in this photo. I got the sense that it was definitely orange - and not all that exciting. I can see for myself once the collection shows up locally.

If you are a devoted fan of sheer, shiny, creamy lip colors, you will love Tom Ford's new Lip Color Shine Collection. You can purchase it today at Bergdorf Goodman. Eventually, it will arrive at all Tom Ford counters and online.

Photos at top and bottom courtesy of telegraph.co.uk; other photos by Best Things in Beauty