The iconic Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Highlighting duos are back - and better than ever. Tom Ford duo face palettes have had MUAs and beauty lovers everywhere in a tight chokehold due to their contouring and illuminating out-of-this-world powers. Not only do they look good in the packaging but they look even better on the face.
Tom Ford has recently expanded their shade range, now offering four different illuminating power duos to create the littiest, glowiest, and most epic versatile hues fit for all complexions.
The powder duos are not only strobed light-like, promising the payoff of a liquid highlighter, but they’re also supposed to capture the two most flattering types of natural light on the skin. The radiant, lighter shade represents the luminous glow of daylight and the softer, darker shade is the romantic illusion of candlelight.
Whether you decide to use them individually or layer them together to create an epic, iridescent and multi-dimensional glow is up to you. As for price, the palette retails for a whopper £64. Five GLAMOUR staffers who scrambled to get their hands on the palettes share their honest thoughts and tell you if they’re actually worth the money.
The product:
The reviews:
Georgia, GLAMOUR’s Commerce Writer
Shade: Nudelight
I am a self-proclaimed Tom Ford mega fan; the brand has never let me down. While the perfumes and lipsticks will always be my favourites, the Shade & Illuminate palette is now a top contender. Buildable yet super blendable, it provided me with that softly lit-from-within glow we all seek these days.
I actually found the two shades mixed together created the perfect highlight for my cheekbones, nose, and forehead, then the lighter shade brightened my cupid's bow and the inner corners of my eyes. Gone are the days of having chalky-looking streaks on our cheeks from wearing those one-colour-fits-all highlighters that were way too light for most of us. At least where Tom Ford's concerned.
Rating: 9/10
Shei, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Writer
Shade: Tanlight
I love highlighter but I usually go for a liquid one as I’m a sucker for that dewy finish. I heard amazing things about these Shade & Illuminate palettes so I gave it a fair go. Let’s start with the packaging, the compact comes with a handy mirror, and the embossing makes the highlighters look easy on the eye and feel dead glamorous.
Tom Ford is one of those luxury brands that really understands pigment and I expected nothing less from this palette. On one swatch you get immense colour payoff and it left me looking like a gorgeous cluster of clean-cut diamonds. Not glittery, just a blinding glowy finish. I dotted it in the inner corner of my eyes, the bridge and the tip of my nose, my upper lip, and the high points of my cheekbones. Instead of the ashy and patchy glitter ball effect I expect from powder highlighters, I just got a gentle glaze. Be sure to break through that initial coating on the highlighter, the pigment will poke through when you do.
I went for the darkest duo Tanlight and that complimented my dark skin and warm undertones impeccably well. Although it’s on the more expensive end, you are paying for good quality, and good quality it is.
Rating: 8/10
Luca, GLAMOUR’s Social Media Manager
Shade: Moodlight
This was my first foray into Tom Ford beauty, and I was expecting big things. As someone who’s a proud member of the liquid highlighter team, a powder highlighter really has to put in the work to impress me. And impress, it did. For an everyday glow, I used a mix of the two shades (a soft pearl and a rich gold) to create a champagne shade that complimented my skin tone perfectly.
The formula is super pigmented, I only needed one swipe to achieve the multidimensional megawatt glow I was after and I love how seamlessly it blends into the skin, giving you an illuminated lit-from-within look rather than a swipe of glitter on your cheekbones. I also applied a mix of the shades with my finger to my nose, inner eye corner, and brow bone for some added luminosity. I’ll definitely be using this again, and can’t wait to try out the gold shade for a night out-out.
Rating: 9/10
Sally, PA to GLAMOUR’s European Director and Office Manager
Shade: Peachlight
Tom Ford’s newest two-dimensional, skin illuminating, powder duo is my newest prized possession. There is nothing more flattering than a soft glow to enhance your most prominent features and this product is perfect for exactly that. It leaves you with an effortless glow that instantly elevates your everyday makeup.
My favourite part of this product is the fact that it's a duo. Both pigments work well independently but when blended together create a combined hue of golden radiance, perfect for party season. The more golden pigment also works well to add a bit of shimmer to the eyes. There is nothing better than being able to use one product for multiple purposes. Gold on blue eyes always gives a good colour pop moment.
My only low is the price point, this is an aspirational or treat-yourself product for sure. Having said that, I have a feeling this product is going to be like gold dust, literally. Consider this is your cue to invest while you still can.
Rating: 8/10
Elle, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Editor
Shade: Tanlight
It's a fact well known: Tom Ford's highlighters are the MVP of gorgeous, glowy skin looks. Every time I do a double-take of dreamy, sheeny skin on social, Tom Ford shows up in the credits. I've been meaning to give it a go myself to see whether it lives up to the hype and now having tried it out, I can confirm it does. It's soft, and sheer and can be layered up from a subtle healthy glow to something more glitz if you need it. The pictures don't do it justice, it's even better in real life. It blends effortlessly and looks beautiful.
Rating: 9/10
For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
