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Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer ($49.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a new and limited edition formula for spring. They’re described as a “shimmering nudes with accents of hot, sun-kissed color,” and then later on, “semi-translucent formula.” I don’t think “Lip Color Sheers” is a great name for this formula, because they’re not really sheer. The “semi-translucent” is a somewhat more apt description, as they’re not fully opaque and have noticeable translucency. The formula falls between the Lip Color range (which are opaque) and the Lip Color Shines (which are sheer, described as a “veil of color”). The formula is lightweight, moderately hydrating, and comfortable to wear. They are vanilla-scented with no discernible taste. The consistency is creamy without being thick, emollient without being too slick or slippery. It seems like this formula has a lighter look on lips than the Lip Color range, which is creamier, thicker, and fully opaque–but these are not actually sheer.

I gotta tell you: these are flying off the virtual shelves–Nordstrom only has three shades left, but Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and Saks still have a good selection. I’ll be reviewing the other four shades later today, so stay tuned!

In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer ($49.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a light-medium, gold-shimmered peach with warm undertones and a luminous shine. It had semi-opaque color coverage with noticeable translucency where the natural lip color comes through. This shade wore well for four hours on me. Marc Jacobs Beauty Dizzy Spell (104) (P, $30.00) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Frolic (P, $48.00) is darker, sheerer. MAC Innocence (LE, $16.00) is lighter, pinker. Chanel Peregrina (P, $34.00) is less warm-toned. See comparison swatches.

Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer ($49.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a gold-shimmered, medium peach with a hint of pink and a luminous sheen. It’s slightly darker, warmer in comparison to In the Buff. It was semi-sheer applied to lips and added noticeable amount of shimmer and color to lips but the natural lip color still came through. This shade wore well for four and a half hours. Chanel Indecise (125) (P, $34.00) is slightly darker. Chanel Mystique (57) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery. Tom Ford Beauty Frolic (P, $48.00) is sheerer. MAC Supreme Style (LE, $17.00) is pinker, lighter. See comparison swatches.

Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer ($49.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a reddish-plum with a subtle gold micro-shimmer and warm undertones. It had mostly opaque color coverage with slight translucency. The color wore well for five and a half hours. Bobbi Brown Plum Shimmer (3) (P, $25.00) is more shimmery but very similar. Too Faced Pink Chocolate (P, $21.00) is lelss shimmery, less warm-toned. Laura Mercier Cozy (P, $24.00) is lighter, less shimmery. Chanel Scenario (P, $34.00) is browner. Chanel Grace (P, $34.00) is slightly more muted. MAC Glamourdaze (LE, $16.00) is cooler-toned. Chanel Bel Ami (P, $34.00) is slightly cooler-toned. See comparison swatches.

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer ($49.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a light-medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a luminous shine. It had mostly opaque color coverage with a slight translucency. This shade wore well for four hours on me. L’Oreal I Pink You’re Cute (175) (P, $8.95) is darker. Tarte Pink Peony (P, $16.00) is similar. Urban Decay Fiend (P, $22.00) is darker, more opaque. Urban Decay Naked (P, $22.00) is slightly darker. Urban Decay Native (P, $22.00) is lighter. Chanel Saga (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer. Chanel Liaison (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker. NYX Blush (P, $4.00) is a smidgen darker, less glossy. MAC Flamingo (LE, $16.00) is very similar. See comparison swatches.

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford In the Buff (01) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Pink Dune (02) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Bittersweet (03) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer

Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer
Tom Ford Summer Fling (04) Lip Color Sheer

Makeup Look
On eyes:
  • Marc Jacobs Intro(vert) Eyeliner
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Liquid Highlighter (mixed with foundation)
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Pressed Powder
  • Tom Ford Lovelust Blush

81 Comments

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Adetoun Avatar

I’ve been waiting for this review, though I’ve already purchased sweet spot and incorrigible. I prefer sweet spot to incorrigible, I thought it’d be the other way around. Incorrigible is somewhat slippery on me. I wrote off Bittersweet as I thought it’d be too brown but seeing it on you makes me reconsider.

meganlisa Avatar

I can’t do this price point for lipstick. Skin care, yes. Lipstick…I can’t do it. I look at them and just think…pretty…but so expensive! So curious to read more responses from people who have tried them as well. They’re pretty on you Christine.

Christine Avatar

I’m probably, in general, more willing to spend money on color cosmetics than skincare. My skincare price pain threshold is lower, relative to the spectrum of prices, but I’m very, very cynical with skincare, so I know that’s part of why! But I totally understand when someone says Tom Ford’s prices are too high or can’t be justified. There are fantastic lipsticks for $10 or less!

meganlisa Avatar

Yes! Or at least around $20 (mostly when I try drug store brands they don’t seem to work for me). At the Tom Ford price point I start adding it up as “one mac and one guerlain or two urban decays…”. I can’t help it! Some of these are pretty however!
I’m a skin care nut! But do get a lot of it on sale honestly.

Ammara Avatar

With new collections coming out almost every month, I’m amazed at how much money people spend on makeup because everything finishes up so quickly, regardless of price! 😮

Ammara Avatar

Haha, that’s why I’m surprised too. Forking out 50 dollars for lipstick isn’t exactly easy. I guess maybe the other spring collections have been underwhelming, and this is something worth splurging on? I dunno. I don’t understand why all the new lipsticks are either sheers or frosts though. I’d like something opaque.

Ammara Avatar

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I like sheer colour too because, well, I don’t always want opacity. I’m just wondering why all the spring collections I’ve seen have had sheer or frost lipsticks. I guess it’s just a spring thing?
The fact that they’re flying off the shelves quickly is another, unrelated story, haha.

xamyx Avatar

I like them all, but at $49 USD, I just can’t… I’m still waiting for that one lipstick that can make me justify paying more than $15, LOL! I will pay top-dollar for eye products, but when it comes to lips, my threshold is much, much lower.

Christine Avatar

For me, Guerlain’s Rouge G is still one of the best for the over $40 club. I think the way they play with color, tone, and shimmer makes their shades just slightly more interesting on top of having a good formula. Though the packaging is an utter beast to store if you own more than a few, and you surely do not want to tote around more than one of those bad boys in your purse, at least it’s serious packaging. One of the biggest annoyances with Chanel and Dior are their plastic compacts – sure, practical, but it’s not sexy or luxe to me at all. Saying that, Giorgio Armani’s lipstick packaging is very luxe but also practical – love the magnetic enclosure. Burberry does it well, too, where they balance practicality, functionality, and still deliver more than mere plastic for the price tag. (Tom Ford’s packaging is also better than standard, run-of-the-mill plastic and the like for lipsticks at least.) You absolutely pay for name, and that’s one of those things where you’re either game or you’re totally turned off by paying for brand/designer names. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy!

I’m of the mind that if it’s a shade you’d use, love, and wear regularly – it’s worth the price, whether it’s $10 or $50. If you actually use it up, I just think it has to be worth it, because even before blogging, I had tons of lipsticks I’d wear once or twice and rarely look at again–and I didn’t exactly have anywhere near the number I have today!

xamyx Avatar

The funny thing is, these are all shades that would be *perfect* for everyday wear, given my lifestyle. However, I’d feel “guilty” wearing a $50 lipstick just to walk my kid to school, run errands, PTA meerings, etc…! On the other hand, finding that bold/unique shade that would push me to take the plunge may not be a shade that gets much use, LOL!

With eye products, particularly eyeshadow, those tend to be powder products, and have a much longer shelf-life, whereas lip products tend to go off (although I have several I won’t publicly admit to how long I’ve had them that are still fine…).

Eileen Avatar

You raise an excellent point about the value of paying more for a product you love and will use regularly. Years ago I fell in love with a lipstick by La Prairie called Rose Bronze. It cost $50 so I decided I’d look for a dupe. Long story short, nothing compared to it in formula or complexity of color. I ended up spending more on so-called dupes than I would have spent had I bought Rose Bronze to begin with. Lesson learned: If you can afford to do so, go with your heart’s desire 🙂

KaseyCannuck Avatar

I love these colours! I prefer sheer colours and these are right up my alley, but not at this price point. I did find my one lipstick that I splurged on, NARS Afghan Red at $30 CAD, and I wear it so lightly that I could wear it every day and it would probably still last for years!!

Kate Avatar

Bittersweet looks like a lovely everyday option. I’m really happy to see you posting makeup looks again, if if just seen as part of your reviews. I always very much enjoyed seeing the looks that you came up with, since a lot of the colour combinations you did weren’t ones that I would have come to on my own.

Eileen Avatar

I bought these in Summer Fling and Paradiso. Although I have chronically dry lips, neither shade has given me any problems. Even the glitter strewn Summer Fling is quite comfortable to wear. I find them quite moisturizing and my lips actually look and feel smoother and softer both during and after use. Summer Fling is a warm, golden, pink-coral shade on my lips and Paradiso is like a burst of tropical fruit punch. Both are very pretty. I find them to be in between TF’s classic lipstick and shine lipstick in terms of pigmentation and longevity. These are definitely more than “just a tinted lip balm” and for many of us these will be the perfect transition piece as we set aside winter’s deeper, more opaque shades in favor summer’s lighter, more sheer shades. I can hardly wait to see how the more vibrant shades look on you, Christine. I’m sure they’ll be gorgeous with your rich coloring.

Christine Avatar

The Lip Color Shines are more similar to tinted lip balm to me, since they’re much sheerer and more emollient (like a lip balm). I’m with you that these fall somewhere between Lip Color and Lip Color Shines for both pigmentation, wear, and general look. I find Lip Colors to be a little too thick/heavy sometimes, so these are a nice alternatives. I just think the “Lip Color Shine” name is soo much more appropriate for these – because they’re on the richer side like the regular Lip Color but shiny, lol!

So happy to hear these have been kind to your dry lips, Eileen! Will you be buying any other shades?

narine Avatar

Wow I really love the In the Buff and Pink Dune, such natural and soft colors, they look soft on lips too, ,but since it’s $49 I’d get just the Pink Dune :/ sadly won’t get all.

beka Avatar

i didn’t think i would like any of these, but bittersweet looks nice. i don’t have a problem with the price if i love it, but i think i’ll pass on it anyway. the frostiness wouldn’t work on me…i’m going to check out too faced pink chocolate instead.

Fina Avatar

These are quite lovely. When I think of “nude” shades, most of these (sans Bittersweet) are great examples. The natural lip color comes through. They do not appear jarring at all.

Resisting!

Klee Avatar

$49 for a lipstick is insane. I already spend $35 for the YSL glossy stains, but thats only because 1 swipe lasts all day and the formula is perfect (glossy without being slick). But this? No. Just, no.

Bre Avatar

*sigh* I purchased Incorrigible & Paradiso they should be here Friday, can’t wait to try them on. Christine that TF Lovelust blush looks good on you!

Melissa Avatar

All colors look beautiful on you but I am feeling bittersweet for myself. I rather spend money on bittersweet because it has more color than the other shades. Plus I have pigmented lips and I think bittersweet will show up more against my skintone. Thanks for the swatches and reviews!

Rachael Avatar

I tried on a few colors and loved the feel but couldn’t pay the $50. I went looking for a darker plum color and it was discontinued. If I find “the perfect shade”, I might pull the trigger.
I love all of your comparisons, they’re really helpful. Lots to consider!

Reem Avatar

I went today to buy a Tom ford lipstick that every body is taking about but I end up buying the sheer one without knowing that it’s a new line I just know that from your amazing review I bought the sweet spot I loved it because my lips and face taned and I want a light color that can blend nicely with my tan and Inhance my color I don’t like to put a light lipstick like I’m putting a stikers in my face and I think it’s very difficult to find somethink similar so I bought it. Do you think there is dope for sweet spot with a color sheer ?

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