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Tom Ford Beauty’s Fire Lust Skin Illuminator: Candle Power or Five-Alarm Blaze?

May 10th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Tom Ford Fire Lust Skin Illuminator
Tom Ford Fire Lust Skin Illuminator

Is Tom Ford Beauty’s $65 Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust more like a candle or a five-alarm blaze?

Hmm…

Tom Ford Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust

Well, let’s just say that it’s a little like trimming your bangs…if trimming bangs had anything at all to do with liquid face illuminators. 🙂

Put another way, it’s a subtle effect that won’t hit someone over the head, but if you point it out to ’em, they’ll probably say something like, “Oh, yeah… I can see it now. Kinda.”

Tom Ford Fire Lust Swatch
Unblended on the left and blended on the right


Blending this lightweight, moisturizing, pearlescent pinkish peach liquid formula on bare skin or mixing it with liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer (I heart MAC Face & Body) bestows a glow like late afternoon sunlight.

It’s not high shine. There’s no disco mirror ball action here. Just a barely-there, sun-kissed sheen.

Tom Ford Fire Lust Skin Illuminator
Wearing Tom Ford Fire Lust Skin Illuminator mixed in with MAC Face & Body Foundation

According to Tom, you can also wear Fire Lust as a highlighter under, or on top of, makeup, but when I tried both ways, it broke up the cream products and powders I was wearing, leaving my cheeks patchy.

Just something to think about….

Not everyone wants makeup that shouts, “HAAAY!” so there is a market for subtlety. If you don’t want an illuminator that looks greasy or shiny, or draws attention to your pores, Fire Lust could be a win, but if you’re looking for more pizazz, you might want to save that $65 for something else.

For me, I think it’s just a’ight. Very pricey, and I’m thinking that $30 NARS Orgasm Illuminator delivers a similar effect.

For the top-shelf prices Tom charges, I’m drawn more to Escapade and Pink Haze from the same collection.

PRICE: $65
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, available now at Tom Ford counters (may also be available online at neimanmarcus.com)
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-

Onward to the weekend!

You made it. 😀

I was hoping to go see The Great Gatsby tonight, but it didn’t pan out. I grabbed a quick bite, and now I’m just doing a load of laundry and buffering an episode of Scandal.

Doing anything fun for Mother’s Day this weekend? Have a great night.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tom Ford Beauty Fire Lust Skin Illuminator Pictures, Swatches, Review / Originally published May 10th, 2013

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face, Makeup, Tom Ford Beauty

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Comments

  1. Gowthami says

    May 10th, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    quite a subtle finish… 🙂 yu look gorge 🙂

    Reply
  2. Lindsay says

    May 10th, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    You’re probably tired of hearing this but danngggggg you look good!!! I’ve gotta give mac f&b another chance.

    Reply
  3. Marisa says

    May 10th, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    Ohh wow! Stunning. Love the photo, soo ethereally beautiful.

    Reply
  4. Karen says

    May 11th, 2013 at 12:38 am

    You look great. Very sun kissed. Can you tell me what did you do to your lashes? So voluminous! And if you used a setting powder because girllllll, it looks do natural and no white overcast. 🙂

    Reply
  5. xuvious says

    May 11th, 2013 at 4:55 am

    It’s a lot like orgasm, maybe lighter though.

    Reply
  6. Ellen says

    May 11th, 2013 at 5:52 am

    I was thinking (hoping?) that your candle analogy would go like this: you start putting it on (or cutting your bangs), and at first it looks good and subtle, but then you accidentally put too much on (or cut too much off, especially one side), and WHAM! holy disaster, batman!

    Reply
  7. Danielle says

    May 11th, 2013 at 5:57 am

    Cute. It’s subtle, but still very pretty.

    Reply
  8. sarahc says

    May 11th, 2013 at 6:04 am

    Tom Ford can usually do no wrong in my eyes, but $65 for a highlighter you can’t apply on top of makeup is crazy.

    For Mother’s Day me and my brother are taking my mom to brunch. Happy Mother’s Day everyone. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Jay @ Wayfaring Beauty says

    May 11th, 2013 at 8:38 am

    I love a subtle glow instead of ka-pow in-yo-face shimmers as highlights, so this looks perfect for me! Minus that hefty price tag, yikes.
    I’m planning on seeing Gatsby tomorrow and soooo excited!

    Reply
  10. Iris says

    May 11th, 2013 at 11:53 am

    It looks great on you! 🙂

    For Mother’s Day, I’m treating my mother and father out to dinner. You and your family have an awesome weekend!

    Reply
  11. Oliver says

    May 11th, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    geeeez…. you look crazy gorgeous with it on!!!
    unfortunately the price is a TAD expensive…
    on to trying the nars illuminator instead though!

    Reply
  12. CharlaL says

    May 11th, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    LOVE the photo! Your right though……kind of pricey for an illuminator, but….. it CAN make your foundation go a little further if you mix them together before you apply. (We beauty addicts can justify any amount of money when it comes to Makeup huh??!!) Just a thought….may be worth it. I’m going for it!!! Your photo inspired me!!

    Mothers Day plans: really great this year. At a relatives beach house with the kids for a surf weekend and fine dining afterwards! Going to mother/daughter lunch with my Mom next week! (Thanks for understanding Mom!! I love you! ) Doesn’t get much better than this!! awwww HEAVEN……..PS Miss you Grams!!

    Reply
  13. Eileen says

    May 11th, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Personally, I’ve had no problem at all putting Fire Lust on top of my foundation. I’ve worn it with Laura Mercier, Armani, and Guerlain. No problem with any of them. And, because I’m fair (NC15) with rosey cheeks, it gives me a warm, soft glow and enough color without the need for additional blusher. I do wear moisturizing formulations so perhaps that has something to do with it. Foundation, Fire Lust, light dusting of La Mer powder–beautiful!

    Reply
  14. Shalini says

    May 12th, 2013 at 12:58 am

    It Looks luxurious..

    Reply
  15. Babsi says

    May 13th, 2013 at 11:55 am

    Wow it looks soooo great – like a star!!! 🙂

    Reply

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