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Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad ($80.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a set of cooler-toned shades that range from pink to purple. Two of the four shades didn’t do so well, and the other two had minor issues (none were perfect, unfortunately). I think this quad in particular really is incapable of being used with decent results without a good primer (and adhesive base, if you want to use the glittery shade), whereas most of Tom Ford’s quads I think can be used without a primer (of course, a good primer will always improve your results!).

Lilac Dream #1 is a pale, light pink with cool, blue undertones and a frosted sheen. It had decent to good pigmentation with a soft, lightly powdery consistency that blended out well, but it emphasized the texture of the lid slightly. It wore well for eight hours. BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes #8 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Argente #1 (Eye Color) (LE, ) is less shimmery, more muted (95% similar). Tarina Tarantino Diamond Dusk #2 (DC, ) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Tarina Tarantino Delightful #3 (DC, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar). Cle de Peau Les Annees Folles #6 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #8 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dior Jardin #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Dance Flowers Dance (LE, $23.00) is more muted (95% similar). Too Faced I Ruff You (LE, $16.00) is warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I872 Pearly Pink (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Kindred (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Harpooned Heart (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Thessalonique (Left) (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel City Lights #2 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Too Faced Pink Frosting (LE, $16.00) is cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Touch of Lilac (P, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar). Clarins Rosewood #1 (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Dior Rose Garden #3 (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Foil Eyes 2 #9 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Whimsical (P, $9.99) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Lilac Dream #2 is a bright, sparkling silver with cool undertones and a glittery, metallic finish. It had semi-sheer coverage with a slightly wet consistency (at least, that’s how it felt) that blends over the lid fairly evenly, but I had fall out over time. The glitter felt looser and chunkier in this shade than in the average sparkle shade in Tom Ford’s quads. I would use this with an adhesive base. Lancome Tower Bridge (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Linda Hallberg Cosmetics Illusion (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Electric Illumination (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Starry Night #2 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). MAC High Concept (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Lovesmoke (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). MAC Discotheque (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Tinsel (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Ice Crystals (LE, $4.50) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Dior Moonlight #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Black Oyster (Eye Color) (LE, ) is darker (85% similar). NARS Silver Screen #3 (PiP, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). YSL Indie Jasper #3 (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar). NARS Creeper (LE, $25.00) is cooler (85% similar). MAC Unfazed (PiP, ) is cooler (85% similar). Dior Smoky Canvas #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Viseart Mercury (GPV2 #14) (P, ) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Magnetic Moon (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar). MAC Tree Topper (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Dior Volcanic #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Lilac Dream #3 is a muted, medium taupe with cool undertones and a frosted shimmer-sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, blendable texture that was slightly dusty but didn’t look powdery on the skin and didn’t sheer out when applied. The color wore well for eight hours before fading. Sephora Swell (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Wave (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Clarins Silver Plum (07) (P, $24.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Zoeva Wrapped in Silk (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Bounce Around (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Trading Post (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Smoky Black Friday #2 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Sydney Grace Down the Coast (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Mixed Tape (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Fondant (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Dangerous Cuvee (DC, $23.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Stroke My Ego (DC, $23.00) is warmer (90% similar). YSL Taupe Drop (03) (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Too Faced Cherie (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Clarins Rosewood #3 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Up Too Slate (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Down the Coast (DC, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Sydney Grace Troops (P, $6.25) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Gucci Beauty Sasso (DC, $37.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Lilac Dream #4 is a muted, medium-dark purple with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly shimmer and faint sparkle. It had semi-sheer coverage that was somewhat buildable, but it was finicky to work with. On one eye, it applied decently (not exceptionally well, though), but on the other eye, it was incredibly patchy (the photo of it in action is the best case scenario). I had trouble with the color applying and adhering evenly, so this is one that really can’t be used without a good primer in place. It lasted for seven and a half hours, though. Chanel Tisse Rhapsodie #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). City Color Spring Fling (P, $6.99) is warmer (90% similar). Sephora Getaway (DC, $10.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Elegant Friend (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Champs Elysees (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Hoodoo (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Milani Purr-fect Purple (DC, $6.99) is darker (90% similar). Guerlain Rose Barbare #2 (DC, ) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). MAC Get Physical (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Giorgio Armani Scarab Violetta (33) (DC, $33.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Too Faced Nashville (PiP, $16.00) is warmer (85% similar). NARS Canberra (LE, $25.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Sephora Rockstar (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Pretty Baby #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). NARS Flowers 1 #2 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #1 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #1 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #1 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #1 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #2 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #2 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #2 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #2 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #3 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #3 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #3 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #3 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #4 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #4 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream #4 Eyeshadow
Tom Ford Lilac Dream #4 Eyeshadow

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad
Tom Ford Lilac Dream Eyeshadow Quad

54 Comments

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Deidre Avatar

This is the one other quad I was debating getting since I already picked up Honeymoon. I can tell from looking at the swatches that I think I would really have to build this up to get the look I would want. I would rather not do that with such an expensive quad like TF. Thanks for the review Christine, it was very helpful.

Luka Avatar

Every time I buy a palette with these colors I experience the same issues. I have had a few – Clarins, Mac, etc. Maybe it’s hard to make a decent lilac/pale pink eye palette?

Asche Avatar

I will never understand why luxury brands will put out products that aren’t literally flawless. For $80 these should not only wear beautifully for hours, but should probably be washing my dishes as well. So disappointed in you Tom Ford.

Jane Avatar

If we compare just the looks, the Lilac dream looks much nicer and more interesting when applied. I believe that Lavender Lust was easier to apply, but the resulting look on eyes is really dated, especially if you compare it to Lilac Dream, which looks way more modern.

Helene Avatar

What a pity. I really liked the look of this quad. Lilacs are one of my absolute favourite eyeshadow colours, and this looked like a really good colour mix. Oh, well, I’m on a ban anyway, now I don’t need to feel tempted.
For some reason I couldn’t see all the photos, but I’m sure you made a very pretty look, using this.

Claire L Avatar

Sad performance for an expensive palette. The curse of the purples strikes again! I’d much rather buy the Clarins cream eyeshadow in Silver Plum.

Krista Avatar

I am so sad about this quad. I was really hoping that it would be good quality because shades like this look really great with my green eyes. What do you think of the Orchid Haze quad? Do you have that one?

Lisa Avatar

I swatched this quickly at NM last week and they seemed fine. I loved this palette! I was waiting for Beauty Week. I guess I need to to give this another look befor I pull the trigger. So sad. I always use an eye primer, I wonder if that would prevent some of the issues mentioned in your review. Still a sad review for an $80 palette!

Tabi Avatar

I bought this one and have been able to make it work for me, but I can understand completely if it doesn’t work for you or if others want to steer clear!

I’ve found that the Surratt brushes (I use the Moyenne and Petite Smoky Eye Brushes) make even the purple apply beautifully for me. I bought it specifically for that purple color to make a work-appropriate smoky purple crease.

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