Tom Ford Summer 2013 Beauty Collection

For anyone who might have totally escaped the news of Tom Ford's Summer 2013 Beauty Collection, here is a photo of the collection provided by Tom Ford to Elle magazine. Is it a coming attraction, or is it "here"?

According to Elle, "This summer Ford sticks to what he knows best with a line of illuminating bronze products. “I wanted to capture a very particular look of skin that is bathed in sunset light in the summer,” said Ford. “It is a sultry and sublime glow. In this light, every woman looks irresistibly relaxed and sensual.”

The Summer 2013 collection boasts a Liquid Skin Illuminator ($65), Bronzy Cheek Color Sticks ($58), Creamy Eye Colors ($40), a Lustrous Rose Gold Lip Lacquer ($30), and an icy Nail Varnish ($30). Most of the collection made my heart skip a beat - and also made me totally anxious about what I might be compelled (really!) to spend.

It appears the pieces are dawdling into Tom Ford counters, although it has been widely reported that the collection will be available in May at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus. I've got my Neiman Marcus on high alert. They all think I'm crazy.

Photo courtesy of Elle

Tom Ford Gold Dust Lip Lacquer

The limited-edition Gold Dust Lip Lacquer ($30) by Tom Ford was calling my name. "Charlestongirl, buy me because I look beautiful." Gold Dust, I wanted to buy you, but I was shopping at Saks online, and they wanted to charge me over 1/3 of your price for shipping. I mentioned the shipping constraint in a comment, and reader Kate reminded me that I could buy you at Neiman Marcus online. I'm so happy she did - and I did.

Tom Ford, the man who does little wrong, "brings a solar-touched seduction to your lips" with Gold Dust. I say "little," rather than "no," because some of his fragrance ads seem to me to be in bad taste. I continue to buy his fragrances, so they aren't that over the top. I've been known to stop buying fashion from a male pair of designers because their advertisements were demeaning to women - their customers. Go figure.

Back to the lip gloss. In Gold Dust, delicate, gold-particle pearls are infused in a clear and lustrous lacquer that creates a super-reflective shine and a lavishly soft, moist, lightweight feel. The feel on the lips is great - almost imperceptible. Not only is it not sticky or tacky, I can barely tell I have it on, except for the stunning shine I see when I apply it.

Wear Gold Dust on a nude lip as a sensuous lip accent (you can!), or layer it over your favorite lip color for a glistening, sheer, warm gold sheen. I think you'll be happy with it.

Can you see the lively shine in my swatch photos? Gold Dust isn't really sprinkled with gold glitter, as the name implies (and unlike the new Guerlain's gorgeous new Shine Automatique lipsticks, which do have sparkles that outlast the color). It's sheer and shiny. It adds a touch of gold, which lasts longer on my lips if worn over another lip product. While there is fragrance listed in the ingredients, I smell or taste no discernible scent or taste.

Everyone needs a gold lip gloss for summer (I need them year round). Tom Ford's new option is worth your attention. If you don't have a Tom Ford Beauty counter near you (I don't), check it out online at Neiman Marcus, where shipping is free with the code SPRINGFS. Because Gold Dust is a limited edition, you should consider it this spring, before it makes way for the next seasonal blockbuster.

P.S. My finger isn't really that crooked. I think I must have had it bent forward when I snapped the photo.

Photo at top courtesy of Neiman Marcus; other photos by Best Things in Beauty