Tom Ford Moodlight Skin Illuminating Powder Duo
When I first saw the upcoming Fall 2015 collection from Tom Ford, I was a little underwhelmed. Even though I would never expect a 20-piece collection from Tom Ford, 4 cheek and eye shadows and a bunch of repromotes just aren’t very inspiring. That was until I realized that instead of 1 main launch, Tom Ford will be releasing something special every month from now until the holidays! For this month, the focus will be on the complexion, and there are 2 brand new products that I’m loving. Today, I will be reviewing the new Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moodlight.
Tom Ford Moodlight Skin Illuminating Powder Duo comprises of 2 luminous powder highlighters. The top is a soft champagne with a luminous satin finish, and the bottom is a cool-toned bronze-peach with a foiled finish. Pigmentation of both is good, although the bronze-peach is much more pigmented and the champagne is slightly sheer.
It is important to understand the difference in finishes between the 2 shades because you wouldn’t necessarily want a highlighter that is too pigmented, on the other hand the stronger sheen of the darker shade renders that wonderful strobing effect that is so popular at the moment. Regardless of how you apply it though, Moodlight will reflect light where it is applied without giving off a garish flash or leave shimmers all over your face. The darker shade is best applied along the cheek bones for a healthy post-summer naturally-tanned look, and even though it is fairly pigmented, it blends in easily with your blusher without changing the color. At a recent press event, Patrick Eichler – Education Director of Tom Ford Beauty Asia Pacific, also showed us how we can apply the darker shade all over our eye lids (from lash line up to brow bone) as a base to create dimensions to the face, and it worked beautifully with the upcoming Eye & Cheek Shadow Ombres. The lighter shade should be applied wherever you’d normally place highlighters – nose ridge, forehead, above the cheek bones, etc.
It is perhaps worth noting that the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo is made using a slurry technology in which the powders are poured into the pans rather than pressed, which leaves the powders softer, smoother and much more blendable. They may also be used “wet” for stronger pigmentation if desired, not necessary for the face, but something to keep in mind for the body! Yes, these powders are lovely for the shoulders, décolletage, and even down the legs for that added glow. Simply take a big fluffy brush like the Tom Ford Bronzing brush, and sweep generously over both shades, and then dust away!
You’ve already seen me wear Moodlight last week here, but here’s another one that captures the effect on my cheeks excellently. I’m wearing Chanel Joues Contraste Caresse blush on my cheeks (reviewed here), and the color is emphasised by the bronze-peach shade in Moodlight.
And here’s another look from the front. The effect is very subtle, suitable for everyday wear. But you can see how my face looks more sculpted, the high points are brought into better focus even though I’m not using any contouring products here at all. Pardon the dark under eye circles… even the best concealers aren’t enough these days as I’m seriously hooked on Game of Thrones at the moment (very very late to the party I know!!!).
Now in case you still can’t decide, no worries because Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moodlight is permanent and not limited edition! It is currently soldout in Singapore (the 2nd shipment came and was snapped up), but put your name on the waitlist, and it’ll be back.
This post featured a product that was provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
Great post！How do you compare this one with hourglass ambient highlight? Which one is more recommended?
Thanks.
Hi Yang Xiao, I think they are completely different products. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders are not specifically designed to be either highlighter or contour powders… the effects are very subtle and suitable for wearing all over the face. TF Moodlight on the other hand is much more dramatic in effect.
You look sooo glowing here!!!! Love this on you, so fresh. How is this one compared to the charlotte tilbury filmstar bronze and highlight? I remember you didn’t quite fancy the original tom ford shade and illuminate because it’s too orange for you, so this one renders better with your skin tone then?? Thanks for reviewing 🙂
Thank you so much, Cicilia! I actually don’t own CT’s Filmstar so I can’t comment. And yes, I never quite take to the TF Shade & Illuminate because it was too dark on me, and the cream texture didn’t stay put on me (but I had oily skin back then). Having said that, Moodlight is very different from S&I since it’s all about highlighting and not contouring.
I thought it was permanent, but a few people have received confirmation from Tom Ford that it is indeed limited edition. Maybe it’s just limited edition for the U.S.
I was holding off on getting it because I never reach for dark highlighters. I have Dentelle Precieuse from Chanel, which I heard is similar to TF’s darker shade, and I barely use that because of how warm it is. I’m pretty fair, and really only want the highlighter shade. I have no idea what I’m going to do. Sigh!!
That’s really odd because I just asked again and received confirmation from the brand manager that this is permanent… unless that’s only going to be the case in Asia? Regardless, I wouldn’t consider the darker shade a highlighter. It is not as sheer as Dentelle Precieuse, but is really quite pigmented, more like a bronzer. And I think Moodlight is actually cooler than DP. Anyway, if you end up missing out, feel free to holler. I’d be happy to help you procure one!
Much thanks Linda! I love your reviews because your swatches tend to be more accurate (for my skin tone at least!!) and you describe the products as they are and aren’t swayed by the brand! Thank you for explaining the differences between DP and Moodlight. I’m still divided, though, because I don’t even own a bronzer. 🙂 Terrible, I know, but I just haven’t found the perfect one; maybe it’s because I haven’t tanned/burned in eons, so I don’t even know what color I should look for! I’ve been a casper my whole life. LOL! I have some serious thinking to do over the weekend. 🙂
Hi Linda, looks beautiful on you. I will definitely pick this one up.
Thanks for clearing it up that it is permanent too because I have read people writing “you need a back up of this” or some blogs raving about how many back ups they purchased. *shakes head*
Hi Sara, I still see people insisting it is LE. Perhaps only in the US… although I don’t understand why. Another Asian exclusive?? In any case, I don’t see myself using this one up anytime soon…. and i’ve been using it daily!
It looks great on you Linda, but yay! I’m not tempted. Hahahaha!
Yay!!!! Save $$$$
your makeup looks great, and the powder looks amazing on you!
Thank you, Joyce!
This looks stunning on you!
thebeautybloss.com
I imagine it does the same magic on anyone!!
Oh Gosh, how lovely is this?! I need to remind myself that I really, REALLY don’t need another highlighter but I’m afraid the more times I see it, I’ll just lose my willpower at the end and take my credit card out LOL
You NEED this, Sunny. You who loves all things glowy and bringing out your gorgeous tan!! Go ahead and be enabled! ;P
I just received mine yesterday and am inordinately happy with it. Yes, it is subtle, but it is not invisible as your gorgeous photos so clearly illustrate. You look radiant and your face does, indeed, look sculpted but in a natural way as opposed to the heavy handed contouring we’ve been seeing lately. With this TF product, it is the light that gives your face its contours and not dark and light strips painted on. You look beautiful, Linda.
I’d love to see it on you Eileen!! This has become a daily staple for me now. And all my other highlighting and contouring products have gone into the graveyard. Love it paired with the new primer too! Have you tried that one?