Tom Ford Throb & Synthetica Lip Sparks Reviews & Swatches
Throb
Tom Ford Beauty Throb Lip Spark ($55.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a bright, light-medium orange with moderate, warm undertones and flecks of gold and pink sparkle throughout. It had a more glittery finish with a high-shine to it, but it wasn’t as glitter-packed as other shades in the formula.
The texture was lightweight, creamy, and had moderate slip, but there were a few areas where I felt like the sparkle/shimmer added and created slight unevenness in a few places, though not particularly noticeable in person (just in the close-up photo). It had semi-opaque coverage in a single layer that stayed on well for four and a half hours and felt hydrating while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Hiro (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Wild Ginger (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- YSL Fearless Carnelian (08) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC TNTeaser (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Vivid Coral (307) (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- YSL Orange Electro (74) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Firestar (LE, $56.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar).
- Ciate Topaz (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$56.00/0.1 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "look" like "loose glitter on lips" with "uniform payoff" and "multidimensional color" paired with an "emollient" feel. The pigmentation varied from medium to semi-opaque that adhered evenly and fairly smoothly to my lips. The consistency varied from emollient without any grit/texture from the glittery bits to slightly noticeable during application but didn't feel gritty or rough to me while worn (for any of the shades).
The texture had slip but was lightweight and on the thinner side, so it did not feel slippery. Only one shade was problematic--Surge--which clumped up and was sheerer compared to the other shades. They lasted between four and six hours and were lightly hydrating over time. They had a hint of vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Lip Spark swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Polyethylene, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Octyldodecanol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Fragrance, Vanillin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, Alcohol, Water, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate. May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Copper Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Throb
PPermanent. $56.00.
Synthetica
Tom Ford Beauty Synthetica Lip Spark ($55.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red with warm undertones and fine gold and pink pearl that gave it a shiny, metallic finish. Because it’s a little more muted, I’d also say it was like a very, very red-copper (but really isn’t as orange-toned as most copper-hues would be). The texture was smooth, emollient without being too slippery, and lightweight, which made it comfortable to apply and to wear.
It had nearly opaque coverage in a single layer, which applied evenly and had an even distribution of shimmer. There was a smidgen of product in my deepest lip line that I could just barely see in the close-up photo but wasn’t able to discern in person. It wore well for five hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Mugshot (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Ciate Flash (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Kween (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Clash (LE, $56.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Show Off (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Cruel (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
- NARS Pierce (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Sephora Metallic Cherry (64) (P, $14.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Sephora Sun Stone (106) (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
- UOMA Beauty On Fire (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$56.00/0.1 oz. - $560.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "look" like "loose glitter on lips" with "uniform payoff" and "multidimensional color" paired with an "emollient" feel. The pigmentation varied from medium to semi-opaque that adhered evenly and fairly smoothly to my lips. The consistency varied from emollient without any grit/texture from the glittery bits to slightly noticeable during application but didn't feel gritty or rough to me while worn (for any of the shades).
The texture had slip but was lightweight and on the thinner side, so it did not feel slippery. Only one shade was problematic--Surge--which clumped up and was sheerer compared to the other shades. They lasted between four and six hours and were lightly hydrating over time. They had a hint of vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Tom Ford Beauty Lip Spark swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Polyethylene, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Octyldodecanol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Fragrance, Vanillin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Alumina, Alcohol, Water, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate. May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Copper Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Synthetica is such a stunning shade! A perfect rosy, coppery, soft red shade that I believe will flatter most skintones and coloring. I’ve got to try this beauty on! ?
I really like Synthetica but I doubt I could pull it off. Between the undertone and the shimmer on my older lips, it likely would be very unflattering!! It looks beautiful on you, Christine.
Both are lovely shades, but I like Synthetica the best.
Even though my wallet is saying no my eyes are saying yes. I can’t wear glitter on my eyes so my lips are it and these look so pretty. Maybe Sephora’s Rouge 20% Spring Sale?
Love both of these– and not easily duped.
Surprisingly, I’m really adoring Throb. What a lovely way to do orange. Synthetica is absolutely beautiful, but I’d get the Ciate dupe.