My 2012 brush awards
I thought it could be a fun idea to start the year with some pictures of the most exceptional brushes I have come across during 2012. I have tried to narrow down the list to the minimum but there are still so many of them !
I wanted to pick the most exceptional and unique, the ones that have surprised me the most, not exactly the most necessary. I will make sure I share at least one link where you can find them in order to get more details on the brushes. They are not in preference order, just brand by brand. You will see the picture of the brush(es) and below the picture a small comment on each.
The most lovable brush !
Koyudo designed the most creative and tempting brushes I have seen this year, I am nearly scared when they release new brushes because I know there is a big chance than an order will follow. This macaron has been released in 3 colors, there is also an orange and a purple, it’s adorable, incredibly soft, tiny, very densely packed and firm, not the most necessary brush I admit but I have to say that this one is one of the most beautiful brushes to look at.
I use it to apply powder or blush, the surface covers approx 4cm and it’s only 5cm tall.
Tom Ford Bronzing powder in Terra
Since I love Tom Ford blushes, I could not pass on the bronzer… a huge and extravagant compact with a big amount of product and a price that goes with it.
For this summer, Tom Ford released a shimmer bronzing powder “Gold Dust” and a matte ” Terra” that will both be part of the permanent line.
Terra bronzer
Tom Ford eyeshadow quads – I can wear sparkle again…
I have been using Tom Ford eyeshadow quads for a while now and I am glad I waited before I shared my thoughts.
Now that the honeymoon phase is over I can speak with more objectivity 
My profile
A few years ago it did not really matter if I was using a high quality eyeshadow, I could not really see that much difference on my lids, as long as I loved the color and the texture, I was very happy. Today I can clearly notice the difference since my eyelids are getting older.
I prefer to stay away from metallic, glitter and sparkles or too shimmery finishes, they don’t look great on me anymore and sometimes they make me look older and tacky.
First impressions
When I saw the Tom Ford quads, I saw the glitter and I thought I would not love them at all. It took me some time to want to have another look at them and it’s only when they convinced me to try them at the TF counter that I realized the glitter was actually gorgeous !
Wayne, gossmakeupartist in Youtube calls this pressed glitter “grown-up sparkle” and I couldn’t agree more. There’s something different about it… it looks actually very beautiful and wearable.
Is it worth the price tag ?
Now, to see if the final price justifies the acquisition of one or more quads, you have to consider your expectations and your budget.
What I expect from make up is to be able to create an intense, sophisticated modern look, easily and that lasts all day, I don’t want to look tacky but I love to use daring shades or textures in a wearable way and on a daily basis.
My expectations are all met with TF, depending on the quads, with more or less accuracy.
Now let’s talk about the price. We need to put this into perspective, in Switzerland all make up items are awfully expensive, if you tell the price of a Tom Ford quad to someone here that usually buys Dior quints, YSL quads, or Chanel or any other high end brand, a Tom Ford quad is cheaper in comparison and they won’t be shocked.
His quads are expensive but you will have to pay for the luxury branding and the amount of product you get. That said, you pay when and if you are happy with what you get in return. If TF does not meet your expectations, it’s clearly not worth it.
You will get a fair amount of shadow for your money and it will last you a very long time, it’s clearly more worth it for someone who will use them on a regular basis and who will use ALL of the shadows in the quad.
The quad
I am sure you already know what they look like, but here they are :
A dark burgundy masculine heavy compact with 10g of eyeshadows. Two applicators, cute, but … well… not really useful unless you forgot your own brushes…
Tom Ford blushes
The day I was the most impressed with a make up application was the day I had my make up done at a Tom Ford counter in Harrods. I went from the most exhausted looking face to the most glamourous look in about half an hour, my addiction to Tom Ford began that same day.
Tom Ford is a powerful man, I love his range. The first time I heard about his make up launch, I could not wait to fly to London and see it by myself, I did my best to schedule a business trip as soon as possible and I rushed to the TF counter.
First thing I saw from far far away : the blushes. They were hanging in the counter glowing and shouting my name 
My first impression : I thought I could never wear them !
I was afraid to get close to them, I was fearing disappointment. I tried to get a bit closer and wanted to swatch them… but the people working there were so pushy that I just wanted to leave…
I tried again at another TF counter, this time it was even worst. I like to be left alone for a little while and only go talk to them when it’s time this sounds weird but I am not an awful person, just need a little time to think, on my own.
My last try was finally the one, I ended at the Harrods TF counter and they were amazing. I loved their attitude and I even stayed for a full face make up application.
7 Tom Ford brushes, 5 more to go… A short review of the ones I own today
I admit, I love luxury.
Tom Ford says :
“My mission is to bring luxury back, expressed through my voice and my style. It is important to me to instill glamour, integrity, and sophistication in everything I do.”
Everything in these brushes feels luxurious, the packaging, the handles, the quality of the natural or the synthetic hair and the finish, but there’s a catch : the price. Their price starts at 35 Gbp for the cheapest brush up to 80 Gbp for the Bronzer brush.
The Tom Ford brush collection is made of 12 white bristle brushes, natural or synthetic depending on the brush, the handles seem to be made of the same material and color as his eyeshadow quads, blushes or the new lipsticks.
I have 7 Tom Ford brushes and I will be giving you some information on the ones I own today :
| Tom Ford Brush |
Full length | Hair length | Width of the ferrule foot |
|
| 05 Bronzer | 17.2 | 4.2 | 3 | |
| 06 Cheek | 15.8 | 3.3 | 2.3 | |
| 02 Cream Foundation | 15 | 2.5 | 2 | |
| 11 Eye Shadow | 17 | 1.5 | 1 | |
| 12 Eye Shadow contour | 16.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | |
| 13 Eye Shadow blend | 17.3 | 1.8 | 0.6 | |
| 14 Smoky Eye | 16.5 | 1.0 | 0.4 |
Table is in cm (cm x 0.39 = in)
I have always preferred brushes with white bristles, whatever the brand. They look dirty faster than black brushes but I have washed these many times and they always clean perfectly well and revert to the original color, no stains left behind at all.
I have tried to ask at the TF counters what hair they were made of, they always replied “natural hair”. What natural hair ? They could not tell me, at that time they had just launched… I had a very short look at their file since it was open on the counter and I read “goat” and “horse” but I am sorry I cannot tell you exactly which one since they could not confirm…
They are so incredibly soft, I guess that for the bronzer brush, they may have picked goat hair from the neck region since these are the softest, longest and thinner hair but this is only a guess…
- They are well-balanced and feel heavy.
- I did not experience any eyeshadow fall-out during application.
- They did not shed.
- Most of them are very densily packed.
- The hair are perfectly shaped, I just cannot find any flaws on the ones I have.
- They don’t have a funny smell.
- If they fall on a hard surface, I am not sure how they would react, my bronzer brush did and there is a very tiny chip on the handle, you cannot see it unless you look very close but they may be more fragile than any other Mac or Louise Young.
- The gold ferrule is exactly the same gold color as the Hakuhodo S100 series, but I don’t know if they are also made of brass-rolled 24-karat gold with clear coating…
The packaging
They are protected with a small plastic brush guard that covers the bristles and also another full size plastic brush bag, they come in his typical TF boxes.
They are made in Japan, JAPAN is engraved on the back of all the brush handles.
A Tom Ford experience in Harrods
That week, I was in London for work, I was so happy to be there ! A paradise for me ! So many excellent brands to try that I just couldn’t wait to get started !
Work during the day and in the afternoon or evening visit to the beauty counters !
Tom Ford counters were busy that week, I wanted to see his new products by myself and ask a few questions, I finally managed at Harrods. They even asked me if I wanted my make up done… I was a bit embarrassed since I was exhausted, my face looked really dull and tired, I just wanted to have some rest, but the temptation was really too strong and I accepted !
Actually her approach at the TF counter was really soft and friendly and not too pushy or snobbish if you see what I mean… I loved that ! That is also why I accepted.
Sweet Make Up Temptations
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