Tom Ford Summer 2013 Beauty Collection Illuminating Cheek Colors in Blush Guilt and Bronzed Amber - Up Close and Personal

When I tried Tom Ford's new Illuminating Cheek Colors ($58) in Blush Guilt and Bronzed Amber at Neiman Marcus, I was thrilled with both of them. After that, there was no question. I had to have both of them. I'm excited to continue my series of swatch photo features taken at my house immediately after applying items from this beautiful collection.I purchased mine from Dustin Lujan at the John Barrett Salon in New York City.

These generously sized cheek "sticks" apply very sheerly, and you can build the color seamlessly. From photos of the tube, those with pale faces might believe that Bronzed Amber, shown at right above, would be too dark. No way! It's so sheer I had to paint it on heavily for my swatch photos. You'll see light and dark applications below. Blush Guilt (shown at left) provides a natural, radiant glow in a shade that's going to send pale faces rushing to buy. Both shades offer a beautiful sheen.

I took my swatch photos in full, mid-day sunshine. I swatched both shades straight from the tube, which is how it came to be that one of my swatches, Bronzed Amber, is very large. I kept painting, gradually widening out the swatch because I was so impressed with the control it offers for coverage.

Let's start with the ultra-sheer Blush Guilt (#01). I applied it extremely heavily for these photos, rolling the color stick over and over the swatch.

I can't believe how perfect it is. The transparency, sheen, and shade combine to add an extraordinary glow to the skin. As you can see, the color is a golden peachy pink. I suspect your own cheek pigmentation will affect how it looks on you. Consider that my arm is a fairly blank canvass.

On my cheeks, it's definitely warm, appearing like the sun kissed my cheeks. I can wear it as a blush too, not just for its glow.

Turning to Bronzed Amber, I applied it heavily at the top of my arm, making my swatch larger and larger as I played with its sheer finish. Can you see the gradations in color in my photo above? Darker at the top, lighter at the bottom. Because I feared I went overboard in the application of Bronzed Amber, I applied a smaller, lighter swatch at the bottom on my arm. I hope you can see that the color is a perfect golden bronze without a trace of muddiness. Anyone who has had trouble finding the perfect bronzing shade in the past should take a serious look at Bronzed Amber.

The cream formula of the Illuminating Cheek Colors makes them glide on with ease straight from the tube. There are many moisturizing ingredients in them. You could apply them from the tube, but I'd recommend a cream blush brush or Armani's Blender Brush. Run the brush over the stick in the tube and apply to your face, layering the sheer color until you achieve the effect you like. You can use your fingers if you prefer; that will make it easy to reapply these colors when you are on the go. I know many of you will be delighted that they carry no discernible scent.

I'm almost giddy with excitement over these new summer products. I will be using them year-round. I hope that Tom Ford hears my message and develops a full line of colors. These Illuminating Cheek Sticks are magnificent.

If you plan to order and need help, please give Dustin Lujan a call. You can tell I'm promoting his new Tom Ford full-service practice at the John Barrett Salon. He will help you pick out the best colors for your complexion, based on his incredible eye as a makeup artist. You can reach him at (212) 872-2714.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty