Tom Ford Universal Appeal & Violet Fatale Lip Lacquer Liquid Matte Review, Photos, Swatches
Universal Appeal
Tom Ford Beauty Universal Appeal Lip Lacquer Liquid Matte ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a medium-dark, pinky-peach with warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had rich color payoff in a single layer, which was easy to apply in a smooth, fluid stroke for even coverage. The consistency was lightweight, thin without being watery, but it dried down to a very clingy, “tight” feeling liquid lipstick that was physically uncomfortable to wear for me. It wore well for eight hours but was moderately drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Homeslice (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Kiss (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mija (LE, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Sellout (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop With the Band (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Melon (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Maria Carla (LE, $27.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Intrigue (P, $36.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Teddy 2.0 (P, $22.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Foxtrot (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$54.00/0.09 oz. - $600.00 Per Ounce
The matte formula is supposed to be "feather-light" with "concentrated color" that is a "fade-resistant, full-coverage velvet matte." It is supposed to "smoothing moisturizers" in it, though I'd say the matte version of the Lip Lacquers isn't very moisturizing in any way. The formula was quite pigmented, certainly "feather-light," and very long-wearing, but they clung noticeably to lips and made my lips feel tight throughout wear, which made it an uncomfortable formula to wear. The dry down took 15-30 seconds on my lips (but took forever on my arm!) and typically dried down to a fairly smooth finish and didn't seem prone to "cracking" or separating around my lip lines. They lasted over eight hours but were drying on me.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Lip Lacquer Liquid Matte swatches.
Universal Appeal
PPermanent. $54.00.
Violet Fatale
Tom Ford Beauty Violet Fatale Lip Lacquer Liquid Matte ($54.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark magenta with cool, blue undertones and a flat, matte finish. The color payoff was nearly opaque in a single layer (you could see a hint of my lip freckle peeking through). It had a smooth, thin consistency that felt lightweight after it had dried down, but the lipstick had a tendency to cling and made my lips feel very tight and just made it uncomfortable to smile (which stretches the lips). This shade stayed on well for over eight hours but was moderately drying to me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Date Mate (LE, $7.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Revlon Tunnel Vision (P, $12.39) is lighter (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Electric Pink (15) (P, $55.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- YSL Rose Ink (3) (P, $36.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Be Silly (LE, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Backstage Bambi (P, $20.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Smoked Rose (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Unlocked (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Personal Statement (P, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- NYX Sweet Pink (P, $6.00) is cooler, glossier (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$54.00/0.09 oz. - $600.00 Per Ounce
The matte formula is supposed to be "feather-light" with "concentrated color" that is a "fade-resistant, full-coverage velvet matte." It is supposed to "smoothing moisturizers" in it, though I'd say the matte version of the Lip Lacquers isn't very moisturizing in any way. The formula was quite pigmented, certainly "feather-light," and very long-wearing, but they clung noticeably to lips and made my lips feel tight throughout wear, which made it an uncomfortable formula to wear. The dry down took 15-30 seconds on my lips (but took forever on my arm!) and typically dried down to a fairly smooth finish and didn't seem prone to "cracking" or separating around my lip lines. They lasted over eight hours but were drying on me.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Lip Lacquer Liquid Matte swatches.
I love the shade of Violet Fatale, but it looks way too dry and sounds uncomfortable. I’ll stick to NARS Stefania when I want a bright magenta lip.
Wow – these look so dry and uncomfortable, an easy pass.
Universal Appeal looks like a wonderful pinky nude liquid lipstick, which I have personally struggled to find (so many seem to just be light brown on my lips). Too bad it sounds so uncomfortable! I’d be perfectly willing to fork over $54 for that color because I’d wear it constantly, but I struggle with dry lips.
Since I cannot bear KVD ELL’s much past the 6 hour mark, these would be impossible to deal with. At $54 a pop, TF ought to have formulated a liquid lipstick that actually feels luxurious when worn!
No offense, EL/TF, but for $14 more you could get a Viseart palette this holiday. No brainer, despite it’s an apples/oranges comparison. After all, the bottom line w/ m/u is to get the most bang for your buck. Others can do a flat matte and make it wearable. Vaguely affronted by how poor the formula is, esp for UHE.
Pretty color but $54.00, a B rating and an uncomfortable matte. Pass.
Universal Appeal is tempting, but then I realize something. I always gravitate to the same lip colors over and again. Always. Pay a fortune and bring home identical shades. Who has me going to the makeup counter/online shopping uninformed? Then I check your makeup charts and see I AM buying dupes/lookalikes time after time. I am so boring!!