Tom Ford Inhibition & Gratuitous Cheek Colors (2017) Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Inhibition
Tom Ford Inhibition Cheek Color ($60.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a soft, medium rosy brown with warm, peachy undertones and a satin sheen. There was very fine gold pearl in the finish that added a subtle glow to the skin as it was buffed and blended on my skin. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation. The consistency was soft, velvety, and slightly dusty in the pan, though it applied beautifully and blended easily. The color wore well for nine and a half hours before starting to fade on me.
For 2017, Tom Ford reformulated this powder blush formula, and the new formula is described as “layers of possibility, from a sexy glow to a more dramatic, color-rich look” (that sounds like “buildable”) that is supposed to apply “with the comfort of a cream.” Overall, the texture is thinner, finely-milled but drier than the original formula, and the shimmer has become finer and less apparent through many of the new-old shades. The formula was still fairly blendable to very blendable and particularly long-wearing with semi-opaque to opaque pigmentation.
Top Dupes
- Essence Satin Love (P, $2.99) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Dior Charnelle (459) (P, $46.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Milani Berry Rays #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Terrace (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Body Talk (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Elegance (370) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- By Terry Savannah Love #5 (LE, ) is warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Kissin' a Frog (LE, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Milani Bronze Burst #2 (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Black Opal Rose Gold (P, $8.95) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Look Using this Product
Inhibition
PPermanent. $60.00.
Gratuitous
Tom Ford Gratuitous Cheek Color ($60.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a dark plum with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable color coverage with a finely-milled, thinner texture. I had some trouble blending out this shade on skin; it applied best if I powdered prior to applying, but it had a tendency to go on unevenly and was harder to diffuse and blend out over bare skin or over foundation. The finish became more satiny as I blended and worked the product onto the skin. On me, the color wore for almost ten hours.
Top Dupes
- MAC Plum Sparkle (LE, $24.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay TMI (DC, $26.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Cool Berry (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Take Me Home (Bottom) (LE, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Corolline (P, $15.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Blackberry (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Candid (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Potted (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Dior Confident (783) (LE, $46.00) is less shimmery, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay NOHO (DC, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Inhibition looks lovely, definitely my kind of shade 🙂 The glow looks subtle enough for me.
That is great to hear!
I was really hoping Gratuitous would score better… 🙁
I thought it was a fluke initially, but I’ve tried applying it half a dozen times 🙁
I would say if you’re fair and like Gratuitous, it may work better for you. I’m more fair than Christine, so I don’t need it to build up for a nice flush. I don’t use powder, but had no trouble blending over Armani Maestro and Tom Ford stick foundations. My overall experience with his blush line is more limited than Christine though.
I really like both colours! Inhibition is a great everyday colour ?.
It is sad that Gratuitous is difficult to work with. When I first saw the cheek application I noticed straight that it was a bit uneven. Considering that you use excellent tools and that you are very experienced (and the price of course! ) … It could be reason enough to pass for some!
I tried it a few times, including on separate days, but it was always a little uncooperative!
Of the two shades, Inibition would be the more complementary to my skin tone, though not special enough to add it to a wish list. I’m more struck by your eyeshadow, Christine. ☺️
Aww 🙂
Both are pretty!
They are!
I’m really looking forward to getting Gratuitous and playing around with it. Inhibition will be a no-brainer but I don’t have anything like Gratuitous (or Disclosure). I’ll have to be verrrry light handed with it. Good to hear that the more it’s buffed/blended, it takes on a satin finish – I don’t care for heavy frost or random shimmer deposit.
Can’t wait for you to get them, Pearl!
Wow, love both colors! Will need to check my stash for dupes, but I swear TF is going to get me some day. Unlike other HE blushes (Guerlain, Burberry, Chanel), his don’t have any fragrance, which means trouble for my wallet!
Here’s hoping you have some dupes!
Inhibition is such a nice shade for everyday type of use, I would think. Almost like a warm alternative to my favorite UD Rapture blush! Making it a “maybe”, but would rather find something similar for less.
It would be a doable everyday shade on your skin tone, I’d guess!
Will you be doing a comparison post with them all like you did with prior brand reformulations (UD vice lipsticks, for example)? Thanks Christine!
I compared each shade to its previous formulation right in their respective reviews! I even linked to a side-by-side comparison!
I am surprised Gratuitous scored a B+ being it was so hard to apply and blend out the shade is really pretty.
It wore a really long time – most blushes last around 8 hours but Tom Ford’s formula is very long-wearing which always helps to boost the rating compared to another shade with similar texture/blending issues!
Inhibition is a beautiful shade and looks good on you Christine.
Thank you, Genevieve!
For so long you wore the Guerlain foundation. The finish was always sublime, flawless on you. It photographed beautifully. This Dior foundation that you are wearing does not measure up to the Guerlain. It does not give you that flawless finish and photograph as well as the Guerlain. (IMHO)
Thanks for sharing, Lisa! I very much enjoy the finish and look of Dior Star personally. I did not see anything wrong with my skin in these photos, but I guess there is!
Sad that Gratutious didn’t apply well. I was very interested in that shade. I have very dry cheeks. Will have to pass.
I was surprised 🙁
Inhibition should have been one of my picks. It looks more similar to traditional TF blush finish, but I have a number of the dupes. Definitely a can’t go wrong blush colour.
Gratuitous I wore for the first time yesterday, layering a touch of it over Surratt Rosee du Soir right on my cheekbone point. It’s was tricky to blend even over another blush and using very diffused brush end. I ended up liking the effect/combo, but the formula is a letdown for me in this shade. The older formula was definitely more ‘melty’ into the skin regardless of the intensity of the shade; so wearable by light to dark skintones easily. The new formula, not so much.
I’m relieved that you experienced some blending difficulties, Wendy, though I am also disappointed that you did, of course 🙁
Estée Lauder now owns Tom Ford, per the Lauder district manager in our area. In time you will see more and more of the Tom Ford products change to the Lauder formula. Personally, I have never really been impressed with Lauder products. The eyeshadow palettes are for the most part very ordinary and quite dry. The lipsticks are average and a bit heavy feeling when applied. While I own a number of Tom Ford eyeshadow palettes, blushes and lipsticks and love the quality, I doubt I’ll be buying any more….certainly not at the current price.
Estee Lauder has always owned Tom Ford, FYI. Tom Ford Beauty was born out of a collaboration between Estee Lauder and Tom Ford from its inception. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48354-2005Apr12.html
Thanks Christine. Will share that with the Lauder rep next time I see her. She also mentioned they recently purchased La Mer Skin Care and now own Jo Malone fragrances as well.
You might want to check out Estee Lauder Companies, which is the Estee Lauder corporate umbrella because La Mer was purchased in 1995 by Estee Lauder, and Jo Malone was purchased in 1999. Neither are recent acquisitions!
Thanks again Christine. This is why I love ❤️ and appreciate your beauty blog. Your reviews and information is always up to date. This gal use to work for Lancôme and is now with Estée Lauder. Will recommend your beauty blog to her.
No problem, Adriana! 🙂
I am enjoying my Silk and Bloom Blush by Burberry it is a pretty rosy plum shade so I would skip on Gratuitous.
Good call!
This looks like a gorgeous color. I love cooler/mauvey blushes, but it does look like it might be tough to blend out.
It’s a gorgeous shade, but I wish Gratuitous was easier to blend!
Christine, How does inhibition compare to savage?
http://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_search=Tom+Ford+Beauty+Savage+%28Discontinued%29&sbs_1=116692&sbs_2_search=Tom+Ford+Beauty+Inhibition&sbs_2=274468