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 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 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