Tom Ford Private Shadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Part 2)
Silver Screen
Tom Ford Beauty Silver Screen Private Shadow ($36.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium gray with subtle, cool undertones and a pearly sheen. The consistency was drier and more powdery, which resulted in less pigmented, somewhat uneven coverage that just was much more difficult to work with than it should have been, and the price point just makes all of the work a little more painful to deal with. It lasted for seven hours on me before fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Chanel Tisse Smoky #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Milani Bella Gray (10) (P, $4.49) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Volcanic #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Pyrenees (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Piaf (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tory Burch Beauty Stone Cold (P, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Abracadabra (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Catch My Snowdrift (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Darkside (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Knight Divine (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.04 oz. - $900.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "unadulterated color" that's "highly pigmented, longwearing, and crease-resistant." The packaging is clever, though for anyone who has more than few eyeshadows in their stash, the compact is rather large relative to the actual pan of product (which is less than average for a full-sized eyeshadow--given the price point, I would have expected closer to 0.07 oz. or even 0.09 oz.). The formula itself varied a lot between shades with enough inconsistency that would make me weary of buying blind online.
The pailette (glitter) finish was most similar to the glittery shades in the brand's eyeshadow quads, though I felt that there was more of a base color/powder coming through and slightly finer, less fleck-like glitter particles. The ultrasuede (matte) finish seemed to have the softest, most finely-milled consistency out of all five finishes. The suede finish is like a satin in my mind--barely-there sheen, whereas the sateen finish seemed to have more noticeable, larger shimmer particles in comparison and was more pearly overall. The vinyl (metallic) finish had a denser texture relative to the other finish but wasn't as creamy or as rich in feel as I would expect based on luxury brand formulations that have been releasing.
The price point is high for singles, which wasn't unexpected given the brand is positioned as a luxury brand. I wish that the quality was higher, and I wish that the formula was more innovative and interesting. I only tried 10 of the 3-shade range, but there wasn't enough within those 10 (which were varied across the finishes) to justify purchasing the remaining shades to review. Some shades were very rich in pigment, others were weaker; some were drier and others were satisfactory; and most wore for around seven hours well.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Private Shadow swatches.
Silver Screen
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Smoked Opaline
Tom Ford Beauty Smoked Opaline Private Shadow ($36.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium-dark, olive green with warm undertones and a golden, pearly sheen. It was richly pigmented with a soft, smooth consistency that was just a touch dusty at times, but it applied well to bare skin and blended out with little effort. This shade lasted well for seven and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- KVD Beauty Immaculate (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I328 Bronze (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty The Free Spirit No. 8 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Moss (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury The Rebel (2020) #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Sideline (P, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Eureka (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Green Lights #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Isamaya Motor (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Safari (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.04 oz. - $900.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "unadulterated color" that's "highly pigmented, longwearing, and crease-resistant." The packaging is clever, though for anyone who has more than few eyeshadows in their stash, the compact is rather large relative to the actual pan of product (which is less than average for a full-sized eyeshadow--given the price point, I would have expected closer to 0.07 oz. or even 0.09 oz.). The formula itself varied a lot between shades with enough inconsistency that would make me weary of buying blind online.
The pailette (glitter) finish was most similar to the glittery shades in the brand's eyeshadow quads, though I felt that there was more of a base color/powder coming through and slightly finer, less fleck-like glitter particles. The ultrasuede (matte) finish seemed to have the softest, most finely-milled consistency out of all five finishes. The suede finish is like a satin in my mind--barely-there sheen, whereas the sateen finish seemed to have more noticeable, larger shimmer particles in comparison and was more pearly overall. The vinyl (metallic) finish had a denser texture relative to the other finish but wasn't as creamy or as rich in feel as I would expect based on luxury brand formulations that have been releasing.
The price point is high for singles, which wasn't unexpected given the brand is positioned as a luxury brand. I wish that the quality was higher, and I wish that the formula was more innovative and interesting. I only tried 10 of the 3-shade range, but there wasn't enough within those 10 (which were varied across the finishes) to justify purchasing the remaining shades to review. Some shades were very rich in pigment, others were weaker; some were drier and others were satisfactory; and most wore for around seven hours well.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Private Shadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Smoked Opaline
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Tempete Bleu
Tom Ford Beauty Tempete Bleu Private Shadow ($36.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a blackened, navy blue base with lighter flecks of medium and navy blue sparkles. It had good color payoff, but the texture was chunkier and drier, which resulted in application that had a lot of fallout and additional fallout during wear. It was better applied with a dampened brush, which helped minimize the initial fallout, though there was still fallout during wear. The edges were hard to diffuse evenly, though. The base eyeshadow seemed to start fading on me after seven hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Clionadh Necromancer (P, $5.25) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Midnight (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors A Moment (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Lucid Dream (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Python #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D222 Night Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Vega (P, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Astral Blue (383) (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Hello Kitty Kitty-Chan (LE, ) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Rendezvous (DC, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.04 oz. - $900.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "unadulterated color" that's "highly pigmented, longwearing, and crease-resistant." The packaging is clever, though for anyone who has more than few eyeshadows in their stash, the compact is rather large relative to the actual pan of product (which is less than average for a full-sized eyeshadow--given the price point, I would have expected closer to 0.07 oz. or even 0.09 oz.). The formula itself varied a lot between shades with enough inconsistency that would make me weary of buying blind online.
The pailette (glitter) finish was most similar to the glittery shades in the brand's eyeshadow quads, though I felt that there was more of a base color/powder coming through and slightly finer, less fleck-like glitter particles. The ultrasuede (matte) finish seemed to have the softest, most finely-milled consistency out of all five finishes. The suede finish is like a satin in my mind--barely-there sheen, whereas the sateen finish seemed to have more noticeable, larger shimmer particles in comparison and was more pearly overall. The vinyl (metallic) finish had a denser texture relative to the other finish but wasn't as creamy or as rich in feel as I would expect based on luxury brand formulations that have been releasing.
The price point is high for singles, which wasn't unexpected given the brand is positioned as a luxury brand. I wish that the quality was higher, and I wish that the formula was more innovative and interesting. I only tried 10 of the 3-shade range, but there wasn't enough within those 10 (which were varied across the finishes) to justify purchasing the remaining shades to review. Some shades were very rich in pigment, others were weaker; some were drier and others were satisfactory; and most wore for around seven hours well.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Private Shadow swatches.
Tempete Bleu
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Vertigo
Tom Ford Beauty Vertigo Private Shadow ($36.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a medium taupe-brown with soft, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was nicely pigmented with a smooth, velvety texture that wasn’t too soft nor too firm in the pan, so there wasn’t any excess product kicked up in the pan when used but I could pickup product easily. The eyeshadow blended out beautifully along the edges and lasted for eight hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Wet 'n' Wild Sweet as Candy #1 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Vow (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Les Cendres #1 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #7 (DC, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Stone Unturned (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Blackbird Cosmetics Dog Days (DC, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- theBalm Dig It (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Viseart Cendre (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Cool Brown (P, $5.25) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mythosaur (LE, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.04 oz. - $900.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "unadulterated color" that's "highly pigmented, longwearing, and crease-resistant." The packaging is clever, though for anyone who has more than few eyeshadows in their stash, the compact is rather large relative to the actual pan of product (which is less than average for a full-sized eyeshadow--given the price point, I would have expected closer to 0.07 oz. or even 0.09 oz.). The formula itself varied a lot between shades with enough inconsistency that would make me weary of buying blind online.
The pailette (glitter) finish was most similar to the glittery shades in the brand's eyeshadow quads, though I felt that there was more of a base color/powder coming through and slightly finer, less fleck-like glitter particles. The ultrasuede (matte) finish seemed to have the softest, most finely-milled consistency out of all five finishes. The suede finish is like a satin in my mind--barely-there sheen, whereas the sateen finish seemed to have more noticeable, larger shimmer particles in comparison and was more pearly overall. The vinyl (metallic) finish had a denser texture relative to the other finish but wasn't as creamy or as rich in feel as I would expect based on luxury brand formulations that have been releasing.
The price point is high for singles, which wasn't unexpected given the brand is positioned as a luxury brand. I wish that the quality was higher, and I wish that the formula was more innovative and interesting. I only tried 10 of the 3-shade range, but there wasn't enough within those 10 (which were varied across the finishes) to justify purchasing the remaining shades to review. Some shades were very rich in pigment, others were weaker; some were drier and others were satisfactory; and most wore for around seven hours well.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Private Shadow swatches.
Look Using this Product
Vertigo
LELimited Edition. $36.00.
Videotape
Tom Ford Beauty Videotape Private Shadow ($36.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a dark, red-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, slightly drier, dustier texture that did not apply that well to bare skin. It was kinder to my lids using primer, where the eyeshadow appeared smoother and more “melted” on the lid. This shade blended out fairly easily on bare skin and stayed on well for seven and a half hours.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Maple Sugar (LE, $5.25) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M608 Red Brown (P, $17.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Smashbox Miss Chili (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Iris Bronze #4 (LE, ) (100% similar).
- LORAC Mahogany (Mega Pro 4) (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Facet (P, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Moments (DC, $6.99) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Sephora Burnt Umber (LE, ) is less shimmery, brighter (95% similar).
- Sephora Tree-Hugger (301) (P, $9.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Viseart Honeysuckle (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$36.00/0.04 oz. - $900.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "unadulterated color" that's "highly pigmented, longwearing, and crease-resistant." The packaging is clever, though for anyone who has more than few eyeshadows in their stash, the compact is rather large relative to the actual pan of product (which is less than average for a full-sized eyeshadow--given the price point, I would have expected closer to 0.07 oz. or even 0.09 oz.). The formula itself varied a lot between shades with enough inconsistency that would make me weary of buying blind online.
The pailette (glitter) finish was most similar to the glittery shades in the brand's eyeshadow quads, though I felt that there was more of a base color/powder coming through and slightly finer, less fleck-like glitter particles. The ultrasuede (matte) finish seemed to have the softest, most finely-milled consistency out of all five finishes. The suede finish is like a satin in my mind--barely-there sheen, whereas the sateen finish seemed to have more noticeable, larger shimmer particles in comparison and was more pearly overall. The vinyl (metallic) finish had a denser texture relative to the other finish but wasn't as creamy or as rich in feel as I would expect based on luxury brand formulations that have been releasing.
The price point is high for singles, which wasn't unexpected given the brand is positioned as a luxury brand. I wish that the quality was higher, and I wish that the formula was more innovative and interesting. I only tried 10 of the 3-shade range, but there wasn't enough within those 10 (which were varied across the finishes) to justify purchasing the remaining shades to review. Some shades were very rich in pigment, others were weaker; some were drier and others were satisfactory; and most wore for around seven hours well.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Private Shadow swatches.
Ooooh – Smoked Opaline is gorgeous but I have about 5 (or more) dupes. And Tempete Bleu is a real head-turner; I just wish it rated better. But it’s got me thinking that I should dig out that MAC MES duo from the Venomous Villains collection that a similarly stunning blue in it.
Looks like I’ll be getting a few of those new MUFE eyeshadows in spite of myself. In particular: Bronze for Smoked Opaline. (Plus, I think something from the other day, too?)
Nancy, I was thinking the same thing about getting yet another dupe for Smoked Opaline. It is SO pretty.
These are really beautiful shades, especially Silver Screen and the olive shade. However, as you mentioned Christine, they are just not worth the money being charged for them. The quality is average – how can Tom Ford get a silver grey so wrong? Plus, all of these singles are eminently dupable too for half the price.
Thank you for the review Christine, you hae, once again, saved us all some money and delighted us with your beautiful eye looks.
I’m drawn to the Smoked Opaline, though I may have a dupe for it somewhere…. I had hoped the Silver Screen would be a blue grey. Will be looking at both more closely next time I go by the Tom Ford counter.