Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo Review, Photos, Swatches
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo ($77.00 for 0.70 oz.) contains a highlighter and blush. Though pricey, as far as Tom Ford goes, the duo is actually a bit of a steal–it contains 0.70 oz. of product, which is over double the amount of product contained in a Cheek Color single (0.28 oz.), and those retail for $55. There was some confusion in regards to which duo was named what, but I purchased one of each direct from the Tom Ford Chicago boutique, and Softcore (featured in this post) is the darker, plummier shade, and Stroked is the lighter, more coral shade. I wish Softcore’s blush color was cooler-toned–more berry than plum–and its highlighter shade pink-toned so that the duos would be more distinct. (I also like the idea of giving a cool and warm-toned option for better coverage of the spectrum of skin tones.) The quality of both shades was nice, long-wearing, and blendable.
Highlighter (Softcore) is a light, warm-toned peach with a shimmery finish. It is less yellow compared to Stroked’s highlighter. It had excellent color payoff, and a little goes a long way. I felt like this one was more shimmery than the highlighter in Stroked. It read more metallic on the skin, and it did slightly emphasize pores, though it lasted for ten hours before fading. Surratt Beauty Duchesse (P, $32.00) is less shimmery. Urban Decay Streak Highlighter (P) is pinker. Sephora + Pantone Universe Spanish Villa (LE) is more beige. Urban Decay Highlighter (P) is similar. NARS Devotee (LE, $29.00) is a touch lighter. Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight (P, $44.00) is lighter, less peach. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Contour (Softcore) is a lightly brightened, reddish plum with warm udnertones and a satiny finish. The texture was soft, finely-milled, and blendable. It is very, very pigmented and the merest touch of the brush to the surface yielded plenty of color for application. The consistency is not quite as dense or as buttery as the highlighter, though. It wore well for eleven hours before fading. Surratt Beauty La Vie En Rose (P, $32.00) is lighter. NARS Realm of the Senses #2 (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery. NARS Seduction (P, $29.00) is darker. NARS Lovejoy (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, warmer. Illamasqua Allure (P, $26.00) is slightly warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Softcore
LELimited Edition. $77.00.
Highlighter (Softcore)
LELimited Edition. $60.00.
Contour (Softcore)
LELimited Edition. $60.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore Contouring Cheek Color Duo
Tom Ford Softcore / Stroked Contouring Cheek Color Duos
Tom Ford Softcore / Stroked Contouring Cheek Color Duos
I think the colors are super pretty but the name is a little misleading for me; I think it comes across as if it’s a contouring product vs a blush and highlight
I wore the blush as a contour in the review, actually!
Did you also wear stroked as a contour, in you review of stroked?
And I would love to see some swatches of stroked and softcore side-by-side!
Thanks for the review! 🙂
Yes, I did 🙂 I wore both along the hollows of my cheeks blended upwards. You can see them side-by-side in the Swatch Gallery!
The last picture of you wearing both (I think?) is really pretty and natural, otherwise this color may go too dark? The highlight section is beautiful!
It is super, super pigmented, so it is easy to over-apply!
Woww! That highlighter is seriously no joke
Now i have another reason to splurge lol
Uh oh!
Thx for the review. You’re rock as always 🙂 Sigh. I probably pick this up as well just because it is a good value (liked you said comparing to the single blush) and it is LE. I don’t have any dupe for the blush yet so it is also good. However, I have a feeling that I love the Stroke more on my skin tone.
Stroked is definitely easier to wear/more foolproof, since this is a darker, very pigmented shade so a little goes a long way!
This looks great, especially the highlighter! Such a pretty color.
It is! ;D
Tested this n the other plus the eyeshadow yesterday. Am going to get this when it arrive next week. Do not buy things sight unseen….if I can help it. Very pigmented.
It is SO pigmented!
Which if the duos would compliment my NC 42 skintone?
Both would, but if you want something with more depth, Softcore.
I’m a huge fan of this colour combo! The highlighter looks amazing and the blush is swoon-worthy!
Glad ya liked it, Stephanie!
This is just crazy beautiful, but I truly don’t get the idea behind contouring with it, unless you want to create a 80’s Guy Burdain/Brian Ferry video type of look, which is ok, but not really wearable, unless you are going out at night. The shade is to die for, but as a blush think.
Thank you for the review. I think I will pass only cause I don’t use powder highlighters anymore, so payimg that fortume for a blush seem whacky even to my standards..lol. Hope you are having a nice weekend.
I think the product could have been named better or marketed differently (because they call it both a cheek color and contour, so then it’s really where you apply it that would determine which it is).
Yeah. The shade is lovely, though. Do you know about the availability of the eye palette. I know you are supposed to order it from the Chicago store, but that seem like a pain to me. Do you know if it is going to be available at NM or Nordstrom at some point?
The eyeshadow palette is/was available at all the retailers that normally get Tom Ford. Neiman Marcus had it up for a hot second but it sold out. I haven’t seen Nordstrom launch the collection yet.
🙁 wow…that was fast…
These colors are so pretty. The blush shade looks really intense, though. Kind of spendy, too.
The merest tap of the brush and it’s plenty of product!
Light hand required is right! This one reads a lot warmer and redder than I thought it would. I do like it though, and I think it will be really beautiful for autumn. And the highlighter is gorgeous!
Yes – I wish it was cooler and more berry, just as a better contrast to Stroked!
I guess the only thing that makes the darker shade either a blush or contour would be placement. Nonetheless, it’s super pretty on you! If I had ~$80 I would definitely consider this cute duo. The packaging on luxe items is worth buying on it’s own too, just gorgeously simple.
Thanks, Veronica! 🙂
I’m nervous to contour with something so bright/warm but this is beautiful and I want it anyway!
lol!
I pre-order both duos and I cannot wait for them to get here! I also was explaining to my friend that although these cost $77.00 they are a *steal*…I think she thought I was crazy!
LOL! I know. That’s the sad thing. You’re like, “OH, this is a TON of product!!!!! for $77!!!!” a real deal 😉
ooooh this is gorgeous and I like this redder/plummier shade far better than the orangy Stroked. This is really intense so I definitely would not be using this duo for HAC; rather just as a really rocking layered blush duo. Since you can control the amount of shimmer based on taste, I think this is a fantastic blush product. Just my personal take on it.
They work really well together, especially if you use the right tools/application to adjust the intensity of color/shimmer of the two.
Honestly, I might pass on this. Rare words out of my mouth, but the blush would look so unbelievably clownish on me it won’t be worth the $77.
If you wouldn’t use ’em, not worth $77 or $7!
Way out of my budget but I like how it looks.
It is pretty!
I looove the highlighter, but I would never use the blush..so I’ll pass on this.
Good call! Too pricey to just love one of the shades!
Damn you TF…you and your gorgeous packaging and products. 🙂 Love these!
Haha!
I love this! Both colors look like they’ll work really well for me. I need to check this out
Let me know if you check it out, Fancie!
Not got me but I had to see what the brick red looked like on- pretty!
*for*
It’s more wearable than it looks, I swear 😉
The colors don’t appeal to me (maybe if the highlighter were on its own and <$15…) but the shade name is amusing. The light application looks great on you!
Tom Ford anything for $15. If only!
I think the blush shade in this is a little difficult to carry. It could come across looking a little muddy on lighter skin. I prefer Stroked over this.
It takes a light hand/right tools!
I don’t think this is for me, I love the colours, and you look fantastic, but I have a pore problem and am really avoiding shimmery highlighters. And as we don’t have TF here I can’t try it, and at that cost I like to.
Yeah, this one is a bit overboard, I think, especially if you’re really concerned with skin texture!
Hi Christine! Thanks for the review! Btw, which do you recommend on my NC35 skintone? Stroked or Soft Ochre? I want both but Soft Ochre’s contour freaks the hell out of me. Haha
Stroked is easier to wear! I feel like Softcore ends up looking a lot like Stroked on me once I blend it out a lot anyway, so Stroked 🙂
Such an interesting color choice! But I like it a lot!
Yay!
The compact is pretty, but I have to admit I got totally distracted by your gorgeous smooth, shiny hair! 😀
Aww 🙂
That colour looks awfully red for “contouring” though I like the lighter shade. Most women complain about contour shades being too red or orange and that is a problem with this one! No wonder so many people went wild for Chanel’s Notorious….one of the very few contouring products with no trace of orange or red.
It is amazing that for as many cool-toned people there are… there are not that many cool-toned contouring products. I mean, it wouldn’t kill companies to put out a couple!
This is a tough one for me because that’s almost the exact color my Rosacea goes when it flares 🙁
Aww 🙁
I had no interest in this product until I read this review and saw how natural and glowy it looked when you contoured with a blush. Now I want it.
Aww, thank you Blanche! 😀
I’ve never been so tempted by Tom Ford. These are stunning! I’m drooling. 🙂
They are lovely!