Contouring my face has completely changed the way I look, and I’ve used probably all the bestselling bronzers and contours in the market over the years. It’s been well over a decade since I started contouring my face, and I can’t imagine my makeup without it. As much as I appreciate the depth contouring products offer, I want to avoid looking like a gaga – too much contouring and highlight so frequently lead to my face looking like a drag queen and artificial. At first, I experimented with powdered contouring products like Benefit’s Hoola (later preferred the Hoola Lite), Kevyn Aucoin, and Guerlain Terracotta. I recently bought Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate, and this is by far the most buildable and natural contouring + illuminating product I’ve ever used. The texture, color, and build are perfect, and if I need to recommend a contouring product, I’ll choose this in a heartbeat.
Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate is a 2-in-1 cream contouring and highlighting product. It lets you achieve flawless, professional-looking results that many powdered products fell short of. It feels like melted butter and goes on smoothly against skin. It almost feels like the product instantly melts in contact. I was worried about it feeling sticky and getting on clothes due to its creamy texture; however, a light finish powder fixes all that.
The box and case scream Tom Ford, and the mirror-like case is truly a work of art. The Shade and Illuminate include a velvet case to protect the case from scratches or fingerprints. The luxurious gold and brown compact brings me smiles every time I use it.
The Shade and Illuminate comes in 4 colors or intensities, 0.5, 01, 02 and 03. I tested the 0.5 and 01, the two recommended intensities for fair skin. I ended up getting the 0.5 because it gave me a more natural result that looked great for daily use. It is extremely buildable, so if you’re deciding between two shades, go with the lighter one. That way, you can achieve both natural and more glamorous looks. The 0.5 does not have any orange undertone that I hate because it appears really saturated and artificial on my fair skin. The shade has a grey-ish undertone, which is perfect for natural contouring.
I also love the highlight cream and was impressed by the way it accentuated the cupid’s bow, nose and cheek bones. I try to stay away from metallic highlighters with visible sparkles because they look too stark and visible (aka not-so-great for office). The Highlight Shade feels like Vaseline and doesn’t have any visible sparkles. It’s so natural and beautiful!
Yes, it is quite expensive, priced at $85 USD; however, for a contouring junkie like me, its superior quality, pigmentation and color justify the price. I’ll have to see how long it lasts since I literally use it daily, but it’s an excellent product.
Contouring my face has completely changed the way I look, and I’ve used probably all the bestselling bronzers and contours in the market over the years. It’s been well over a decade since I started contouring my face, and I can’t imagine my makeup without it. As much as I appreciate the depth contouring products offer, I want to avoid looking like a gaga – too much contouring and highlight so frequently lead to my face looking like a drag queen and artificial. At first, I experimented with powdered contouring products like Benefit’s Hoola (later preferred the Hoola Lite), Kevyn Aucoin, and Guerlain Terracotta. I recently bought Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate, and this is by far the most buildable and natural contouring + illuminating product I’ve ever used. The texture, color, and build are perfect, and if I need to recommend a contouring product, I’ll choose this in a heartbeat.
Tom Ford’s Shade and Illuminate is a 2-in-1 cream contouring and highlighting product. It lets you achieve flawless, professional-looking results that many powdered products fell short of. It feels like melted butter and goes on smoothly against skin. It almost feels like the product instantly melts in contact. I was worried about it feeling sticky and getting on clothes due to its creamy texture; however, a light finish powder fixes all that.
The box and case scream Tom Ford, and the mirror-like case is truly a work of art. The Shade and Illuminate include a velvet case to protect the case from scratches or fingerprints. The luxurious gold and brown compact brings me smiles every time I use it.
The Shade and Illuminate comes in 4 colors or intensities, 0.5, 01, 02 and 03. I tested the 0.5 and 01, the two recommended intensities for fair skin. I ended up getting the 0.5 because it gave me a more natural result that looked great for daily use. It is extremely buildable, so if you’re deciding between two shades, go with the lighter one. That way, you can achieve both natural and more glamorous looks. The 0.5 does not have any orange undertone that I hate because it appears really saturated and artificial on my fair skin. The shade has a grey-ish undertone, which is perfect for natural contouring.
I also love the highlight cream and was impressed by the way it accentuated the cupid’s bow, nose and cheek bones. I try to stay away from metallic highlighters with visible sparkles because they look too stark and visible (aka not-so-great for office). The Highlight Shade feels like Vaseline and doesn’t have any visible sparkles. It’s so natural and beautiful!
Yes, it is quite expensive, priced at $85 USD; however, for a contouring junkie like me, its superior quality, pigmentation and color justify the price. I’ll have to see how long it lasts since I literally use it daily, but it’s an excellent product.