The F Factor

Does the much-heralded Tom Ford make-up collection live up to expectations? PHYL CLARKEtries it on for size

AFTER OH, FIVE minutes of twiddling his thumbs between perfume launches, directing an Oscar-nominated movie, and designing eyewear and fashion collections for men and women, Tom Ford has finally got around to adding to last year’s lipstick collection. He must have felt guilty for making us wait a whole year, for in one fell swoop he has brought out a complete range of skincare and one of the most sumptuous colour collections this side of Studio 54.

As you’d expect from the man with the Midas touch, there’s plenty to entice. The sleek lacquered wood counter with its mirrored trays casts a magical reflection on the elegant deco casings. He has personally overseen every detail, right down to the cotton bud sticks that are made of wood (he doesn’t like plastic).

The range is designed to be worn at different colour-strength levels depending on age, mood or occasion – each with the starting point of a perfected complexion. Colours can be worn softly, and then intensified using the same product in different ways.

I thought that I was Ford’s number-one fan in Ireland, but it seems I have competition. The first sale from the collection worldwide was made to Tracy Hyland, who was at the Tom Ford counter in Brown Thomas, Dublin at 9.05am on September 3rd. Its one hour earlier opening time gave Brown Thomas the jump on London’s Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols, which also unveiled the range on the same day. With a background as a beauty consultant, Hyland knows what she likes when it comes to cosmetics. So what did she buy? “I got the lip-gloss, eyebrow pencil, blush and illuminating powder,” she said. “I went in to buy the foundation, but was disappointed it wasn’t in stock yet.”

The sales consultant shaved off a sample of the stick foundation so she could try it at home. The verdict? “I love all the products – the colours layer up perfectly and you don’t feel like you’re wearing make-up. The foundation and powder make my skin look flawless.”

At the counter to catch the buzz, I was perfectly positioned to observe at close hand how the products went down with the Thursday-night shoppers. Despite the high price point, there was plenty of interest. To my right, a 60-something woman was having her make-up done and it was beautifully understated and glowy. Two girls-about-town were in raptures over the eye palettes, and a chap was buying fragrance for his wife – she had one already but he didn’t know which one. “One of those white bottles,” he said, pointing to the Musk collection – the lucky woman was getting another one. So that’ll be his socks ironed for a month then.

Will Malherbe, who is head of artistry for the brand, was on hand to familiarise consultants with the range and application techniques. Of course I jumped at the chance to try it out. Some time later, a much more fabulous version of the usual me emerged and I was ready for my close-up, but unfortunately Tom wasn’t there.

Unlike most cosmetic counters, the Tom Ford Experience (or makeover to you and me) is complimentary, but you’ll need a will of iron to leave without a bit of the magic rubbing off on you and a discreet be-ribboned black bag on your arm. Once you’re transformed, a carefully selected spritz of scent to completes the picture.

When Malherbe hands me my face chart (which he has so beautifully coloured with the actual products I could frame it), I comment on the tactile softness of the paper. Apparently it was the third version; Mr Ford didn’t like the texture of the first two.

Product picks

Illuminating Primer (€60); Traceless Foundation Stick (€70); Illuminating Powder (€65); Brow Sculptor (€40); Eye Quad (€75)

Make-up artist Leonard Daly (on Twitter): “It’s amazing – I was lucky enough to get some of the products to preview a couple of months ago. I’m thinking the brow pencil’s the best ever”

Model and blogger Ruth Crilly (on Twitter): “The Tom Ford make-up vid is my fastest to get 10,000 views!”