Worth the Splurge

To start my Memorial Day weekend in style, I attended the official launch for the opening of the Tom Ford cosmetics counter at Nordstrom Scottsdale, located in the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall in Arizona. I was invited to have my makeup done and meet Allan Aponte, Tom Ford's National Artistry Executive, and of course the lovely staff whom I have come to know over the years due to my love of Tom Ford perfumes, specifically Black Orchid. I've long since been a fan of Tom Ford cosmetics,  his lipsticks are one of the few that don't dry my lips, and the nail color lasts without chipping for days beyond other brands.

Before!

Given that I had to walk into my "day care facility" aka Nordstrom wearing no makeup, I was grateful for my recently applied lash extensions by Hush Lash Studio in Scottsdale.  I also wore this beautiful Joie silk shirt which is an old favorite, cute heels and very comfortable white cropped jeans with frayed hem, all in an effort to distract the attention further!

Jessica, Caleb and all the other Tom Ford associates who I've previously had the pleasure of meeting were all in attendance and gave me a lovely welcome.  Jessica had me seated promptly, and immediately begun peering into my face to make her assessment of what she might or might not be able to realistically achieve given the canvass before her!  She did notice my new fabulous eyelash extensions since our previous meeting, so obviously those are a huge plus when wearing no makeup!

As you can imagine, there was quite the hubbub surrounding the Tom Ford space within the cosmetics department on this Friday afternoon.

What made the event special was being able to ask all the questions you want, not just about the products, but also about whether a certain look could be achieved given the ravages of age and too much sun exposure.  I was looking for something special, photo ready, a miracle even!

Having Allan's expertise to hand we had miracles in our wake!  Since he works right along side Tom Ford himself, assists with product development, creative artistry, training and marketing there isn't anything he doesn't know about the products and creating a beautiful you!  Let's get this party started!

During!

Highly focused!

I was particularly interested in foundation. Specifically getting coverage without the feeling or look of having makeup caked on. Given the extreme heat in Arizona, summer makeup can easily go astray, leaving your face looking as though you bathed in olive oil.  

Allan concocted a mixture of the Waterproof Foundation/Concealer in Tawny and the Bronzing Gel. This way I had the coverage without turning into an oil slick part way through the day, but softened sufficiently so I still had a natural dewy look. I loved the result, it didn't make me look fake and felt light and breathable.

Jessica did my eye makeup and we went for a little drama, some shimmer on the immediate lid, and a little darker natural brown shade in the crease to lift my heavy eyelids just a tad.  All in all I was very pleased with the outcome.  

Hubby and I went for dinner afterwards, I had a couple of glasses of wine, and a few hours later my face was still looking photo ready. 

Good quality makeup is worth the splurge, especially for things like foundation, eye shadow and lipstick.  These items have a direct impact on your skin. How they wear throughout the day and how the colors stay true is often reflected in how much you pay.  I've been gradually collecting Tom Ford cosmetics for several years, it's one of the few brands that I allow myself the occasional splurge on and I've never been disappointed.  Long wearing, colors that hold and quality that you can feel as well as see.  

After!

So the results are in! I really did love the outcome.  The foundation softens my somewhat ruddy complexion - the result of too much sun exposure which you can see the evidence of around my neck area (left undone deliberately!) I do have frown lines which are not visible in this photo and it hasn't been touched up.  Perhaps this is due to the way the picture has captured the light, the illuminating primer used, and/or my husband's amazing photographic skills ha ha! 

Here are the colors used on me: Lipstick - Pussycat // Eye Liner - Onyx // Shimmer Cream Eye Shadow as primer - Opale // Eye Color - Golden Mink and Cocoa Mirage // Waterproof Foundation - Tawny // Illuminating Primer // Blush Cheek color - Ravish

Feeling pretty! Thank you Allan and Jessica!

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. 
Karen xox