Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder
Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder ($65.00 for 0.29 oz. or $95.00 for 0.75 oz.) is a medium-dark brown with warm, yellow undertones and a dusting of fine, gold shimmer. Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light (P, $50.00) is less red. Dolce and Gabbana Desert (P, $51.00) is lighter. Bobbi Brown Bronze (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery. MAC Delphic (LE, $33.00) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Unabashed Bronzer (LE, $90.00) is more shimmery. Urban Decay Bronzer (P) is warmer. Too Faced Sun Bunny #1 (P) is more shimmery. Wet ‘n’ Wild Bikini Contest (P, $3.99) is less shimmery. MAC Golden (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery. Burberry Summer Glow (P, $48.00) is darker, more shimmery. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.
First, I’m so happy to see the brand release their bronzers in a smaller format, because while your $95 stretches and gets you a ton of bronzer, it’s a lot to plunk down on a single item. If you’re a big bronzer fan or love one of the shades, then the larger size might be a better value, as the smaller compact is $224/oz. and the larger compact is $127/oz. The smaller size is better for traveling or keeping in a makeup bag, while the larger size is better if you keep everything at home and travel infrequently. The products themselves are the same in texture and color for both. It had semi-opaque color coverage with a very silky, smooth texture that is thinner than their powder blushes but not really thin, and it blended easily on the skin. This shade had a more luminous sheen from the pearly shimmer in it, but it wasn’t frosty and didn’t emphasize the skin’s natural texture or pores. The bronzer wore well for almost nine hours on me before fading.
Gold Dust
PPermanent. $68.00.
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Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder
Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder
Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder
Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder
Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzing Powder
Tom Ford Bronzing Powders
Tom Ford Bronzing Powders
WOW. What a beautiful bronzer. The shades look very similar on the skin (or maybe I just can’t see that well) but I think I’m liking it. The only issue I have is these products are so expensive. I’m glad it’s available in a smaller size, like you mentioned, but then they want 50.00 for a lipstick. I can’t seem to come to terms with that. LOL The MAC and Hourglass dupes really nail it though.
They’re somewhat similar! 🙂
Hmmm. I am glad this is offered in a smaller,less expensive version. I like this. It does lean really warm though. Generally warm reads orange on me. But, comparing this swatch to the Hourglass bronzer, this seems to have a tinge more red which may cut that a bit(you did mention the red in the review too). I pre-saled both of these through the store in the clutch-size. But, told her I may be changing that part of the order. I am anxious to see the other one! What’s your personal feeling on this shade of bronzer? Do you think this is something you would use?
Yep! This is definitely redder overall 🙂
I’m not a big user of bronzer, truly! I’d rather go for a highlighter + blush and contour then a bronzer. I liked this one – perhaps the “happy medium” between the more radiant finish of the new Hourglass but with a more suitable color. I usually go for Guerlain’s Terracotta for a standby bronzer, though.
Thanks for your opinion Christine. I wish their was just a counter near so I could actually see this! It’s so hard because it’s like a “trial” size even at $65.I think I will need to think on this one. I was pretty excited to see these in “clutch sizes”. It may drive me mentally nuts t not get them.
After thouroughly looking at the Hourlass swatches, I decided to pass. Both shades are entirely way orange.The finish is beautiful though! I did order the Teracotta #3 this am. So, thank you for the suggestion!
Sorry on that typo (“t”)??..new keyboard!
If it helps you think about it, the amount you get in the $65 version is still plenty of product – more comparable to like MAC Bronzing Powders, Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powders, Too Faced Bronzing Powders, NARS Bronzing Powders, etc. – the average bronzer is around 0.30 oz. or so. Obviously pricier than all of those, but it is TF and I’d expect a $10-20 increase, LOL.
I know and I am totally willing to pay $95 for the full-sized compact IF it is the bronzer I have been looking for. Seriously, I have a drawer of bronzers. There is something about them all that is off. I may just have to satisfy my curiosity with these. Maybe they are my dream bronzer(s). I read reviews on Nordstrom(for the full sized). it seems a few people are contouring with Terra and using Gold Dust like a traditional bronzer. Of course, a few people hate it,lol! If I love it, I will splurge on the big daddy sizes and have these for travel and bid my drawer farwell. Christine, would you happen to know if Nordstrom or anywhere with a more generous return policy usually gets the Tom Ford LE collections before launch?
I don’t think Nordstrom will do a pre-order online but it’s possible one of the counters will, though I think only the major metros have a TF counter (other than fragrances). They should get the collection, though.
Hi Nicole: your thoughts echo mine exactly. Anything very warm reads either sallow or orange on me, and in a flattering way. I was pondering picking up the small size of this bronzer. However, after seeing swatches, I think I’m taking a pass and probably steering myself more towards the Charolette Tilbury palette where the bronzer shades seems to run more neutral to almost cool. The only issue: I definitely will not use the powdered highlighter..so half the purchase is wasted on me. I can see the red in this bronzer which is a better choice overall compare to Hourglass especially, but I’m thinking this will make me look feverish rather than sun kissed. Thought I would share my thoughts since I’m feeling the same wavering yes/no on this product.
that was meant to be ‘NOT in a flattering way…’ damn fingers.
Hi wendy, Yeah orange and sallow doesn’t work for me either! I have the CT palette. It’s my go-to bronzer this time of year. But, as I gain color, it won’t give me enough color. My skin tone is close to Christine’s and in the summer I pick up color quickly even with sunblock.My daughter is a swimmer and we are outside a lot! But, my face, I tend to be more vigilant in protecting than my body(I know that is bad). Plus, with exfoliating products,its always paler. So, it’s nice to have a god bronzer. I tend to like a matte or semi- matte and a “glowy” one in summer. I also like Kevyn Aucoin’s The Celestial Bronzing Veil “Tropical Days” (geez,that’s a mouthful). But, half the pan is glimmer. It’s one you can decide the amount of shimmer. So, I have to be careful where my brush goes. Both the CT and KA are cool toned leaning with the CT being lighter and the KA being darker. I need something smack -dab in the middle both in shade and shimmer level. Maybe I could just mix until I see something. OMG, I seriously just though of that?! lol! But, the Tom Ford! I think I am in the midst of an illness. I am fairly new to the Tom Ford love and I am addicted. So,I have both the bronzers in the clutch size on pre-sale at Neiman’s in Dallas. They don’t charge until it ships. The SA taking care of my order is out until Tues. So, I have until Tues. to decide. Have you ever just bought something because curiosity drove you to it? That’s where I am with these. I read Sonia for Sweet Makeup Temptation’s review from 2012 on these and geeze, she made them sound like they reversed the clock..she said the smoothed over her fine lines..whoa! Is that possible in a bronzer?! lol..
Hahaha..laughed through your post because I totally get it. I absolutely do buy things just because I have to see it for myself. Thanks for the description of your skintones. It gives me a better idea and comparison point for reference on your posts. I think I am a shade or two lighter than you so the CT is sounding like a sensible bet for me. I find it difficult to avoid the TF craze and it makes me rather p-o’d at myself at times. I hate buying hype, but the label seems to thrive in this type of sales environment and many of the products are truly worth it. That’s the rub. Hope that bronzer fills in the stash gap. I get that too. 😀
Wendy, I think you will like the Charlotte Tilbury duo. If I recall correctly, you prefer liquid luminizer over pressed? But, it has a nice highlight too. You could always use it as an eyeshadow though, lol..(sorry. could not resist). Yeah. I color matched myself to 2 Guerlain foundations using Christine and it worked perfect. One day I’ll figure out my computer and how to load an actual photo. As far as the Tom Ford.. I know, it is worth it.I chucked half my list for the Sephora sale so I could get the stuff. As long as it is truly worth the $ , I can justify it. It makes me so happy that they got the press samples out in time before the release. That’s fair IMO. I think I’m just not going to buy anymore when companies don’t give the product ample time for review. what are they hiding?, is what I have to ask myself in that case. Hope the CT bronzer and eyeshadow works well for you! 😀
Ooo this looks beautiful!! I almost kinda want it
It is pretty!
I really like the idea of the smaller compact- but didn’t realize how expensive per ounce they are! That’s making me think twice for sure. Thanks so much Christine for this price comparison.
If it’s an help, the $65 version contains a similar amount to most bronzers, but it’s one of those “if you love it” products, then the $95 version is a better value – but only if you’d use it.
Very pretty. It reminds me a lot of the MAC Aquatic collection bronzer I have (totally blanking on the shade name), which I love and am nowhere near pan on.
It’s tough to get through a bronzer!
Gold dust is very pretty but too warm for me!
They need a silver dust, lol!
Very warm and flattering, pretty!
Glad ya liked it!