If I were a beauty pirate sailing the seven seas in search of pricey golden makeup booty, I’d say, “Aye, matey!” to Tom Ford’s Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Gold Dust ($45). If I were an ancient Egyptian princess with the ability to time travel, I’d visit a Neimans in 2012 and return to the past with a tube to store in my sacred pyramid. It would go in a special burial chamber reserved for shimmery, sheer, high-end golden glosses, which would be next door to the chamber reserved for Tabs, because I know he’d insist on being buried as close as possible to the really, really expensive stuff. After all, he is a cat with a taste for the “finer things” (his words).
But if I were almost anyone else … I’d have serious reservations about this warm and shimmery golden lippie, the sole lip product in the new 13-piece limited edition Tom Ford Beauty collection for spring 2012.
Truth be told, the words “Lip Lacquer” on the tube initially confused me. I expected the product itself to be more intense, with bigger shine! — and the wherewithal to last from at least breakfast till lunch (something akin to a MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass).
Instead, Gold Dust is a breathy, barely-there whisper of shimmer and color that gives up after about 90 minutes on my lips.
Super sheer color and a limited wear time for almost $50?
Hmm…
Tom Ford Beauty Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Gold Dust
- Texture: A middleweight with a smooth, non-sticky texture.
- Packaging: The long tube, with its angled plastic applicator, is practical, I guess, but I would have liked something fancier, considering the price.
- Flavor and scent: My nose picks up a faint brown sugar flavor and scent (yum!)
- Wear time: Not great. I get between 60-90 minutes.
- Finish: Very soft, like a powder puff lens.
Clockwise from the golden pot on the left: Cream Color for Eyes in Guilt ($35), Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Gold Dust ($45) and Cream Color for Eyes in Illicit ($35)
Swatches from the left: Cream Color for Eyes in Illicit, Cream Color for Eyes in Guilt and Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Gold Dust
I do think it’s lovely in its own quiet way, but it’s also $45. At the least, I’d hoped for a more luxurious, intense version of MAC Oh Baby Lipglass.
For $14.50, or maybe even $20, I’d probably feel a lot better about Gold Dust, but with the price, sheer pigment and limited wear time, I expect many makeup lovers will keep it at arm’s length.
If, on the other hand, you’re comfortable with the price and wear smokey eyes often, Gold Dust could be great everyday shade to bring some balance to bold eye looks.
PRICE: $45
AVAILABILITY: Available now online and at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B- (pretty, but also pricey, and not particularly unique)
What was for lunch?
Probably TMI, but I’m PMSing like WHOA right now, and I’ve been hell bent on eating everything that crosses my path. My tummy’s actually rumbling as I type out this sentence…
I’d cut a b*tch for a basket of fries right now, but I’m trying to eat healthy, so I’ll probably opt for soup and salad instead.
What did you have for lunch today? Feel free to describe it in incredible detail. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The cream color Illicit looks so yummmm! My lunch was a banana and low-fat chocolate milk….and then I ate up a whole big brownie 😐
Hi Rads,
Funny you should mention chocolate milk. I was chatting with a friend of mine yesterday and she mentioned it being a really good post-workout food! 🙂
I like how you topped off your lunch with a brownie. Nom!
I had homemade italian gnocci (dumplings) with homemade tomato sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan for lunch…mmmmm
Girlfriend, share the love! I want your gnocci recipe!
I am so happy you didn’t fall head over heels over this lipgloss like many other bloggers have. I trust your judgement.
BTW, I went ahead and broke my weekly goal. I purchased MAC’s skinfinish in Superb AND Glorify. Argh! Glorify is more of a bronzer for me and Superb was more of a highlighter. I need help.
Lunch: Bob Evans cup of chili soup and 1/2 pot roast sandwich combo with a glass of OJ and cup of coffee with cream. Their pot roast sandwich has melted cheese and slivers of carrots. It is served on a thick slick of toasted bread. Delicious!!!
Hi Wendy,
Thanks. 🙂 That means a lot to me.
That’s okay that you gave into your MAC urges; it happens to me all the time. Have you been wearing your Skinfinishes? What do you think?
Now I’m craving chili…yum! I’ll have a cup, please, with some rice on the side.
GIIIRRRR I totally know what you mean. Last week all I wanted were tater tots. I was super good today with roasted beets and potatoes, apple, orange, granola bar for lunch today. Woop!
And about that gold gloss?
Boooo Tom Ford. I could buy 2 amazing products for that price. The lippie I’ve bought even close to that price was Cle d’ Peau’s extra silky lipstick in 126. It is the end all perfect pink lip for me. Believe me when I say it is the perfect marriage between a lipstick, gloss and as moisturizing if not more so than my trusty Burt’s Bees pomegranate chapstick. I got it ON SALE for $50, but it was the best money I’ve ever spent on a lip product, and boy do I have many. Call me crazy, but I’m sold on this one. You’ve GOT to check it out if you haven’t already! They are an amazing line. Part of Shiseido, made in Japan.
xoxoxo Karen! Hope you are feeling better. Go easy on yourself and remember to just breathe 🙂
Hi Fannie,
Your lunch sounds delicious! Did you roast the beets yourself? Nom, nom!
Thanks for the info on the Cle d’ Peau lipstick. I always see that brand but am almost afraid to get hooked on it because it’s so pricey, you know?
How was your day, btw? Good I hope!
Yes! Just with simple salt and pepper. I swear the more simple the seasoning, the better.
My day was great, thank you for asking! Long, productive, but good. Glad I got done what I did. Nursing school is NO. JOKE! One day at a time…
I haven’t tried other products in their line. When I walked into the Cosbar I was hellbent on loving the YSL lippie stain/gloss, but the Cle d’ Peau stole my heart. Literally. Because until that moment would never spend that much money on one lip product, but it really is earth shatteringly good. Try it out if you get a chance! Be warned though, it is steep. BUT! You can get refills for these guys.
Totally agree. I’ve been using less salt in my food and have noticed that now I can really taste the flavors of veggies and whatnot! A HUGE fan of keeping things simple.
I think that’s awesome you’re in school for nursing. What made you decide to be a nurse? Was it something you always wanted to do, or did it take a while to figure it out? Once upon a time I thought I wanted to go to med school, but then I did an internship in the ER and found out that I can’t stand the sight of blood.
Okay, you’ve convinced me to give that lippie a swatch next time I visit the mall (which will hopefully be by the end of the week). 🙂
It’s funny – When I was little and people asked what I wanted to be, I’d either say a doctor or an animator! I was a graphic designer after I graduated for a few years, always sticking to the right side of my brain. I didn’t pursue nursing school forever b/c I thought I wasn’t good enough at science. However, I gave it a good try and realized I’m REALLY good at science! I chose nursing because I prefer the hours, lifestyle, patient interaction and impact. Don’t get me wrong, there are days where I wish I had pursued the medical model route, but in the end I hope to be a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
I’m so glad you found your passion as a incredibly talented writer, photographer and beauty blogger, inspiring all of us every day. I feel like I’m checking in on an old friend every day when I read your blog!
Keep up the awesome work, Karen 🙂 And holla atcha girl when you try that Cle d’ Peau lippie! xoxo
Like many people, I will probably skip one not only the gloss, but the cream shadows as well–for the price, I just don’t find any of them particularly inspiring. :/ Looks like I’m just gonna have to make one of his blushes my first TF purchase (now THOSE, I hear, are great!)
I’ve been trying to eat better since I got the grim diagnosis of osteoporosis of my teeth (seriously, how the he** does one that eats cheese, grilled cheese, cereal with a bucket of milk and one that drinks milk daily get osteoporosis in their teeth? My bones and everything are perfectly fine, but my teeth? Nu uh. Can’t explain. I need about SEVEN root canals and crowns. GAH.), but I’m sort of failing. I’ve been on a Cinnamon Toast Crunch binge. Oh, and Granny Smith Apple Slices binge.
Maybe it’s to make up for the fact I can’t have anything sticky like Starburst, caramel, Laffy Taffy (taffy…..), jelly beans or anything hard like Lemonheads (rats), hard caramel, candy canes (GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I love my candy canes!) and stuff like that. This new diet is killing me. All I want is Starburst and I can’t have any!
For lunch, I had two bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Yep, I had such an interesting lunch.
By the way, I think Zena was a cat in a past life. Her refrigerated dog food (freshpet vital!) of the week is chicken, beef, egg and SALMON. It positively reeks, but she loves it. My mom and I want to heave whenever we take it out because it smells so bad! I have to wonder if Tabs’ food smells as bad.
I love Guilt eye shadow. Interesting that I’ve been craving some fries and burgers yesterday myself bu than opted for a healthier option, shrimp soup and fried salmon.
I’m going to have to be good and skip the cream shadows, but I want the lighter one. No interest in that gloss, I have goldy glosses that cost half that (stila glazes) or way way less.
I’m sad though that the maybeline 24 hour cream shadow selection is as tiny as it is, I am really feeling the cream shadows this year and want a light matte neutral (lighter than the taupe), and maybe a lavender shimmery shade.
Yesterday’s lunch was Chicken Pad Thai, bought from a tiny but authentic Thai place just round the corner from my work. It was so so so yummy!
Im glad you told us that the lipgloss isnt all that. For its price tag, I expected more. Those cream shadows, though, seem promising!
The price on this makes me scoff. No darn way. That baby better grant wishes or something.
Wow! You can wear almost any color!
Its disappointing about the gloss. The shadows look luxurious, whipped appearance and all. I haven’t purchase anything TF yet but I now know it wont be that gloss.
My lunch was just a turkey sandwich made of lettuce and turkey on a French roll along with some potatoe soup. I was in a hurry. Big dinner? I think so.
Because I’m on a staycation this week and thus all diet rules are in abeyance, I fixed ribeye and a salad for lunch. Oh yeah. The ribeye was grilled on my barbecue with just salt, grains of paradise, and a bit of olive oil. Nom.
Illicit… just wow-wow-wow-wow-wow… I need a shade of cream shadow in my collection ASAP! The lipgloss would be nice if it was more pigmented…
This is coming really late (since this product was LE and it’s probably not available anymore) but I actually really like this gloss. I can’t speak for it by itself, but I bought this for a specific purpose: to go with red lipstick. It lasts for a looooong time when paired with Cherry Lush (more due to Cherry Lush lasting a long time by itself than any merit of this gloss). I put a dab of it at the centre of my lips and blend it out and it’s gorgeous. Maybe you’ll take it out for another spin! I do think that the colour and formulation is very unique though, because it’s actually sparkly like gold dust and not metallic like a lot of other gold glosses are. But yes, I can see it not lasting very long by itself. And admittedly, some of Tom Ford’s products are really not all that and they’re really overpriced as well. Unless you’re really picky about finishes (like me), it’s probably not worth the price. Just to clarify, this is just my 2 cents. It’s not meant to be hostile or offensive and I’m not trying to attack your review of it. (I always worry about how things come across in cyberspace.) I also want to say thanks so much for your wonderful reviews and pictures and swatches. I always love seeing Tabs and your photoshopped bits of funny. <3