Tom Ford Orchid Collection – Velvet Bloom Powder & Velvet Orchid Lip Color

Tom Ford Black Orchid is a legacy for the brand, and holds a special place in my heart… because it was Tom Ford’s first debut fragrance, and my very first purchase from the brand [read here].  Today, Tom Ford celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the iconic Black Orchid, and introduces a limited edition capsule collection of fragrances and makeup titled Tom Ford Orchid Collection.

The Tom Ford Orchid Collection centers around the Black Orchid Eau de Parfum and its softer sister Velvet Orchid.  Everything is packaged in the iconic dark fluted casing with golden trims – black for the Black Orchid inspired pieces, and purple for the Velvet Orchid inspired ones.  Apart from repromoting the existing fragrances, Tom Ford has created 2 unique Nightbloom Powders and Lip Colors, and today I’d like to show you Velvet Bloom Powder and Velvet Orchid Lip Color.

Tom Ford Velvet Bloom Powder is a luminous cool-toned light pink blush with plenty of silver micro-shimmers.  Unlike the typical Tom Ford Cheek Color blushes [reviewed here], Velvet Bloom is not as pigmented nor does it have the sumptuous almost-creamy texture.  Instead, it feels more like the Bronzing Powder [Terra reviewed here], which is stiff in the pan and lighter in pigmentation.  Regardless, it is buildable; and even with the shimmers, blends out to a natural luminous glow.  I prefer wearing it as a highlighter, topping off another blush underneath.  To wear it on its own, I suggest using a dense goat-haired brush like the Tom Ford Cheek brush and dab on.

Along with Velvet Bloom, Tom Ford has also designed the Velvet Orchid Lip Color.  This is a beautiful medium mauve-plum with iridescent lilac, silver and pink shimmers to cast a frosty sheen.  It has one of the best smooth-creamy texture that I’ve encountered in a Tom Ford Lip Color, and is easily opaque in a single swipe.  My lips tend to get easily irritated with shimmers, but these are so fine they do not bother me at all.  It also has considerable longevity for a lip color that has as much slip as it does, surviving through my morning coffee without any fading off!  This is a warm-toned color, but the shimmers cast a cooling tint to it, making this an easy-to-wear day-suitable shade for many skin tones.

Here are the swatches of Velvet Bloom & Velvet Orchid:

And to put things into context, here is a complete makeup look featuring Velvet Bloom on my cheeks and Velvet Orchid on my lips.

I usually have problems getting blushes to show up in my motd shots, and so it is unsurprising to me that Velvet Bloom is all but invisible here.  But if you take a closer look, you will be able to see a pale pink flush at the sides of my cheek bones where I applied it.  On darker skin tones, Velvet Bloom should show up better.  For me, I like it as a blushilighter to top off another more pigmented blush on the apples of the cheeks for that glow.  Velvet Orchid Lip Color is an elegant, everyday-wearable shade that still managed to remain interesting, and I highly recommend everyone to get it!

The Tom Ford Nightbloom Powders (Velvet Bloom & Black Bloom) retail for SGD114 each, and the Lip Colors (Velvet Orchid & Black Orchid) retail for SGD84 each.  There is also a very special Perfume Lalique Edition made of pure black crystal designed by Lalique.  Other items in the collection in crude a Black Orchid Hydrating Emulsion, Perfume Atomiser, and Solid Perfume.  Check them out at TANGS Orchard and Robinsons Raffles City now!

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}