Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Tom Ford Velvet Bloom Collection for Fall 2016 - Velvet Orchid Lip Color

The Tom Ford Beauty Fall 2016 colors have started to arrive at Neiman Marcus, and I've already plunged into the lip colors and compact powders. My first selection jumped right out at me. There are two shades in the Velvet Bloom Lip Color Collection, and after a very quick swatch, I knew that #59, Velvet Orchid ($60), was perfect for me. I added it to the day's purchases in a heartbeat. The other shade in the collection, Velvet Bloom, wasn't "me."

Part of a nine-piece, limited-edition collection, that includes fragrances, lipsticks, and blushes, Velvet Orchid is a stunning shade for fall.

I have always worn and loved rosy plum lip colors, and Velvet Orchid, with it pearlescent/satin finish, looks fabulous on my lips. I suspect many of you will draw the same conclusion. It feels lighter than air on my lips and applies evenly for a flattering shade for fall - or now. It makes my eyes pop blue.

I took swatch photos in late-morning, full sunshine - one in front of the green dogwood leaves directly above and one in front of a lavender crepe myrtle. The close-up above shows a shine from the sunlight, and the photo below is probably more true because I backed off the swatch to show the pretty flowers of the crepe myrtle. Both show the pearlescent satin finish that is "Tom Ford flattering."

The case, with its rich blue and gold coloring (jewel-toned blues are one of the "it" colors for fall), is heavy and luxurious. The lipstick is fragranced, but the fragrance dissipates quickly enough to satisfy my dislike of heavily fragranced lipsticks.

I have three of the new lip contour duos to show you this week, along with a powder that will highlight anyone's face with a glow that coordinates with the aura of this small collection, the first for fall that will be followed by other beauties that are likely to fall onto your must-have lists.

I purchased my Velvet Orchid Lip Color at Neiman Marcus. I suspect all of the stores that feature Tom Ford Beauty will have it available soon, if they don't already. I think it's time for Tom Ford fans to make their way to a counter. I have not seen this collection on Tom Ford's Web site yet. I'm sure it will arrive any day. If you'd like to have yours sent from Neiman Marcus, give Debbie O'Malley a call at (202) 966-9700. Ask for her at Tom Ford Cosmetics.

Photo at top courtesy of Tom Ford; orchid photo courtesy of Pinterest; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

21 comments:

Tatiana said...

I saw these about a month ago for pre-order on the Tom Ford website. Seems like they've come and gone there. My local Neiman's does not have these in yet. When you say they have fragrance, do you mean the regular scent of Tom Ford lipsticks? Or have they added the velvet orchid scent to these? I can tolerate the regular scent of TF lipsticks, but I'm not sure about anything above and beyond that. That is such a beautiful color and I thought it would work well with my very fair skin.

Charlestongirl said...

Tatiana, it's the regular TF fragrance.

Anonymous said...

Very hesitant to buy another pricey TF lipstick as I have had 3-4 go rancid on me in a matter of months. It is a pretty color though.

Charlestongirl said...

Wow, I haven't had any go rancid. Did you by any chance have them in your purse in a hot car?

Anonymous said...

No, I wish I had. I stored them the same place I store all of my other lipsticks....cool, not humid, etc. Have never had a problem with any other brand. There are others who have had the same experience.

Anonymous said...

Your swatches look just beautiful! Is this lip color purple toned at all?
Would you say it is more rosy than plum-purple??

franlynne said...

What a lovely color. I too have had 4 TF lipsticks go bad. I also keep makeup stored in a cool dry place. I have a large TF collection and it pains me to even think about passing on this gorgeous one. My very first TF lipstick is still good and that is from quite a few years ago. I have had others turn in under a year! Thank you for the beautiful swatches.

Nemo said...

How strange. The Orchid Collection has been on the TF website for some time. And here's an idea, Cg: Since every NM store has Tom Ford (and every other brand), why not make a list of all the beauty SAs throughout the NM chain available on your blog here? That way readers can choose to buy from anyone, not just the one who happens to be featured in your post. Fair?

Charlestongirl said...

Anonymous, 4:53, more rosy than plum, but the plum is definitely in the blend.

Charlestongirl said...

Nemo, I don't have that kind of time. Call your favorite store and buy there.

Anonymous said...

Wow pretty but too expensive for me, that's almost the price of the photo facial I got today for $75. Will stick to Chanel it looks like half the price. This blog is fun for me to read it's my treat!
Kris in Seattle

Eileen said...

This is such a luscious rosey plum and I like that bit of irredescence. I ordered it but haven't received it yet. I think it will be a gorgeous evening shade for fall and winter.

That's odd about TF's lipsticks turning rancid. I personally have never had that problem but then I never, ever keep a lipstick more than two years. It doesn't matter whether I've worn it once or a thousand times, whether I've paid twenty dollars for it or sixty, out it goes. I'd be seriously bummed, though, if it turned rancid within a year.

Charlestongirl said...

I was unaware of the complaints that TF lipsticks turn rancid. I've never experienced that. I did some Google searches and found many complaints. What astounds me is that these are just EL lipsticks. I'm wondering if the culprit is the fragrance in the formula.

I would be interested in knowing whether this is a significant problem or anecdotal. Anytime one pays $60 for a lipstick, the buyer will be more likely to complain when it turns rancid than the loss of a drugstore lipstick.

Charlestongirl said...

Eileen, I think you will find this a daytime lipstick. It's not at all dramatic.

Anonymous said...

This looks so pretty but unfortunately I will pass. I have had 2 Tom Ford lipsticks--Casablanca and Spanish Pink-- turn rancid within a year. It broke me to have to throw them away with the "TF" embossing even intact but it was not tolerable --nor safe I imagine-- to use them. Not going down that road. I keep my "fancy" lipsticks on my dresser in my bedroom, cool dry and with a ceiling fan year round! In the past I've had some Dior, Chanel, and Guerlain lipsticks that have lasted for over 10 YEARS because I've found them in purses since I forgot about them--(LOL)-- and these still had the same wonderful violet fragrance and creamy texture intact, Lancome and even drugstore L'Oreal ones too. I think the L'Oreal companies must use a preservative that Estee Lauder companies do not--I've had Bobbie Brown lipsticks, an EL company, go rancid in less than year too. Clinique and MAC ones haven't gone rancid though. Lesson learned.

Charlestongirl said...

I've put in a query about the lipsticks. In the meantime, if your lipstick turns rancid in months, return it!

Anonymous said...

I have more than a few unopened Tom Ford lipsticks and will have to check on them. I just tried on Blush Nude after a long time and thankfully it did seem alright. I want to get to Neiman's soon and look at the new collections in person and try them on.
On another note, there seems to be a negative person that likes to pick arguments, some of these verging on insulting, in the comments section.
This is happening more and more and seems to be a constant pattern, every time they post. I guess the answer is to just not read their comments because, to be honest, most of what I read from them is cringeworthy.
You could not be more nice and gracious if you tried, CG. Theresa

Charlestongirl said...

Theresa, thank you for noticing. I am not ready to stop publishing her comments, but I agree they are cringeworthy on occasion. When they cross the line, they will not be published. Sometimes good people have bad days. I'm hoping that's all it is.

Maureen said...

This is such a pretty seasonal transition colour into fall and winter. It's not available in Canada yet, but based on the price of previous TF lipstick releases it will be almost C$80 in my province. That's a pricy lipstick I'll admire online only.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your post and your lovely blog, CG. I must weigh on the Tom Ford lipstick formula. Something is seriously wrong with it! I've had at least a dozen lipsticks turn rancid within a few months of purchase. Further, I've received several that were rancid on arrival. I strongly suggest that anyone buying these lipsticks purchase them from Nordstrom, if possible, for customer service reasons. Nordstrom is the only retailer I'm aware of that will exchange or credit customers for used products. You'd think that other retailers would stand behind their products, particularly those that turn rancid within a short time after purchase, but this apparently isn't the case. In my experience, Saks and Neiman Marcus will not do so (and Tom Ford online has virtually nonexistent customer service). Just a PSA!

Charlestongirl said...

Anonymous, Saks and Neiman Marcus both take back defective products, including rancid lip products. I know that first-hand. I've returned a rancid lip gloss to NM. It isn't only Nordstrom that provides appropriate service.