Unless you have been living under a rock, you have likely heard of the ultra-popular Tom Ford, a high-end luxury brand offering fantastic beauty products. Makeup artists across the globe have been discussing the brand’s foundation and effectiveness. When you walk into a Sephora or go to the beauty counter at Nordstrom, Tom Ford foundation may not be your first pick. There are hundreds of different foundation options and well-rated brands to choose from. But, when a foundation from Tom Ford went viral on TikTok, beauty lovers and rookies alike wanted to know, is Tom Ford’s foundation right for them? To answer this question, you first need to look at foundation itself and why many opt to wear it.
The Foundation of Foundation
Makeup has been used for thousands of years. The first use of foundation dates back to 200 BC when the ancient Greeks and Romans began their obsession with all-white skin. Pale skin has been associated with affluence in many cultures, as those who were more tanned often had to work outside in fields or other labor-intensive occupations. Many people were so desperate to achieve the pale skin look that they risked hair loss, permanent skin discoloration, and death from using lethal ingredients like vinegar and white lead.
Luckily, the desire to change one’s appearance through different ingredients led to a modern (non-lethal) foundation similar to what we use today. Max Factor released its first foundation in 1935 called Pan-cake. This foundation was all the rage and known for its cake-like qualities. Foundation continued to transform into products that were much more skin-like. Advancements in the beauty industry have also led to different types of foundations and, most importantly, different shades. Elite brands such as Estee Lauder, Tom Ford, and Marc Jacobs have come a long way to improve their product offerings. Those with deeper skin tones can finally find a foundation that meets their needs.
Why Do Women Wear Foundation?
Even though makeup has been worn for thousands of years, it is sometimes hard to understand why women choose to wear it. Makeup can feel like a big hassle. We spend hundreds of dollars on products and countless amounts of time applying them just to wash them off at the end of the day. Why do women do this?
Most women wear foundation to help camouflage skin imperfections. Skin can appear red or uneven, have blemishes, age spots, or appear dull. Foundation is used to create a flawless, poreless, and uniform complexion. Foundation is also used to appear more youthful and can offer an elevated layer of self-confidence. Foundation has a way of enhancing your natural beauty and defining your features better than any other makeup product. To build a strong and sturdy house, you need a good foundation. To create a flawless makeup look, you also need a good foundation. However, not all foundation is created the same. There are a few different types of foundations to be aware of.
Types of Foundation
Each type of foundation offers sheer, medium-full, or full coverage. This means that some foundations will show natural parts of your skin, such as acne scarring unless you choose a full coverage option. Many foundations offer buildable coverage, meaning you can add more thin layers without it looking too thick on your skin. This is a great option for those who prefer to have a natural look but also like to have the option for a full coverage look.
Liquid Foundation
A liquid foundation is a thick substance that’s very easy to apply. It can be water-based or oil-based and works well for all skin types. Liquid foundation can be applied with a foundation brush, beauty blender, or even your fingers. Liquid foundation also comes in finishes like matte or satin. It can provide sheer to full coverage depending on your preferences. The liquid foundation works well on its own, but many say it is improved when you put a bit of primer on first. Liquid foundation is the most popular type of foundation and is a great option for all skin tones.
Powder Foundation
Powder foundation usually comes in the form of a compact. A compact powder foundation is also called a “pressed form.” It can also come in a loose powder to provide a light dusting of coverage. Powder foundation is a good pick if you like a more natural look. It easily gives light coverage without much effort. Powder foundation is also a good choice if you have oily or combination skin. The powder will help eliminate excess oils on your face. Powder foundation isn’t the best choice for those who have dry skin, as these products don’t do much to hydrate the skin. The powder can easily cling to dry areas and create a mess.
Cream Foundation
Cream foundation is said to offer more coverage than powder foundation. It’s also a bit on the heavy side. A cream foundation will smooth over large pores, dark spots, or scarring. It’s a great option for those with dry skin or mature skin, as the creamy texture will leave you looking flawless. Cream foundation can be harder to apply than liquid foundation. But, with the right brush and some blending, you can achieve any makeup look you want.
Stick Foundation
A stick foundation is the most convenient foundation option. Bobbi Brown, Makeup Artist Aimee Morrison explains, “Foundation sticks are the perfect product for those who want to create a flawless base in minutes.” No need to deal with a mess; you can apply the stick to a brush or directly to your face. Stick foundation is a great product for those who want medium to full coverage. This type of foundation is suitable for those with normal or oily skin types. But, if you have dry skin and want the quickness of a stick foundation, don’t worry. Those with dry skin just need to add a good moisturizer or primer before applying a stick foundation for a flawless application.
Deciding what types of foundations are best for you can help you to make a final selection. While hundreds of brands offer foundation, none do it quite like Tom Ford. Tom Ford foundation has been a viral phenomenon on TikTok and Instagram for good reason. But what makes the brand so great?
Tom Ford: The Brand
Famous designer Tom Ford got his start working for Gucci. He is credited with saving Gucci from bankruptcy in the ’90s. The Texas native moved to Europe from New York City and began creating women’s ready-to-wear clothing for Gucci before moving to menswear. After becoming the design director, Tom Ford revamped Gucci into the brand it is today. Fashion experts credit the transformation of Gucci’s “logo-laden” style into something with more “sophisticated sex appeal” to Ford’s ideas, plans, and overall genius. He also helped save Yves Saint Laurent after the brand became part of the Gucci group. He styled many celebrities for Gucci, including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Charlize Theron.
In 2004 Tom Ford left Gucci and began work on his own label. In 2006, he established his label focusing on eyewear, menswear, and beauty products. He eventually expanded to also offer high-end womenswear. Tom Ford was nominated Chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2019 and continues to work for his brand today. According to Vogue Business, the Tom Ford brand is valued at over 3 billion dollars. His success has exceeded the luxury fashion market and has worked its way into the cosmetic market to the delight of beauty lovers everywhere. The Tom Ford brand has great name recognition and is seen as one of the market’s most popular luxury beauty brands.
Tom Ford Foundation: Top Picks
If you are ready to commit to Tom Ford foundation, you’re in for a treat. Tom Ford beauty products come with a hefty price tag, but they may be well worth it to you. Tom Ford offers high-quality formulas and well-rated foundations. Here are the top Tom Ford foundation options.
Traceless Soft Matte Tom Ford Foundation
The Traceless Soft Matte Tom Ford Foundation is an excellent long-wear foundation option. If you are a girl who puts in long hours at the office or likes to take your look from day to night, this product is a great pick for you. The Traceless foundation has a liquid formula and offers a matte finish. The formula contains hyaluronic acid and light-diffusing microspheres to give you a filtered look. It also contains antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and caffeine. This Tom Ford Foundation is medium coverage and is made without sulfates SLS & SLES, formaldehyde, parabens, mineral oil, and retinyl palmitate. It works well for normal, dry, combination, or oily skin types. The Traceless Tom Ford Foundation will last up to 10 hours and is fade-resistant. Makeup artist Mikayla Nogueira even decided this Tom Ford foundation was so good that she’d use it for her wedding. The formula offers good coverage without giving you dry or cakey-looking skin. It also is effective in helping your skin look smoother over time. It’s made in 40 shades to fit any skin tone. It’s available at Sephora.com for $89. The Traceless Soft Matte Tom Ford Foundation is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. It’s an excellent pick for those who need long-lasting smoothness and high-quality formula.
Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Tom Ford Foundation
Another option for your next foundation is the Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Tom Ford Foundation. This foundation blends three-dimensional radiance with three-dimensional skincare. The formula features advanced elastomers with light-diffusing powder to reflect light softly. This formula gives an appearance of flawless skin but still maintains breathable protection. It contains hyaluronic acid, balsam copaiba, andiroba, acai, and anti-inflammatory Noni fruit extracts. Each of these ingredients blends to give your skin hydration and calm skin concerns such as redness. The Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Tom Ford Foundation also contains SPF 50 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, so it’s great to wear out in the sun to a beach-themed wedding or party. It offers medium to full coverage and comes in 40 different shades. For best results, shake the Tom Ford foundation well, as the ingredients tend to separate between uses. It’s also recommended to start at the center of your face and work outwards to cover the contours of your face effectively. This Tom Ford foundation is offered at tomford.com for $150. It’s a good option for those looking for a bit more from their foundation. This product gives you skincare, SPF, and foundation in one. Although it is a bit more expensive than many other foundations, this Tom Ford Foundation won’t leave you wanting more.
Traceless Tom Ford Foundation Stick
Are you looking for a quick and easy foundation application? If so, the Traceless Tom Ford Foundation Stick is for you. This Tom Ford foundation is made for moms on the go or the girl boss without a ton of time to spend on her makeup. This unique cream foundation gives a smooth and natural finish that’s flawless. The cream foundation offers medium coverage and is best for dry, combination, or normal skin. It’s offered in 24 colors to match almost any skin tone. This foundation stick is made without parabens, phthalates, or silicone and is gluten-free. The Traceless Tom Ford Foundation Stick has buildable coverage and can also be used as a concealer. To apply this foundation, swipe a brush over the foundation stick and apply in broad strokes, moving outward from the center of your face. You can also skip the brush and swipe the stick directly on your face. Blend the product with a beauty blender or your fingers for the perfect flawless finish. If you have oily skin and want to try this product, follow the foundation with a bit of loose powder. This will help to set the foundation and keep it in place. A stick foundation can be a significant time saver and is an excellent option for girls on the go. This Tom Ford foundation is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars and is offered at $89. It’s a quick and easy addition to your fast-paced morning makeup routine.
Tom Ford Soleil Glow Tinted Moisturizer
Ok, technically, the Tom Ford Soleil Glow Tinted Moisturizer is not a foundation. However, many women have jumped on the natural bandwagon and often use tinted moisturizers instead of foundation. This is best for those who don’t need a ton of coverage. Tinted moisturizers provide great hydration, a little coverage, and usually contain SPF protection, so they are great for sunny outdoor events. Tom Ford Soleil Glow is advertised as a “hydrating tinted moisturizer that hydrates skin while delivering a sheer hint of complexion-correcting color.” The formula contains hyaluronic acid, SPF 15, and jojoba oils to even out skin tone and helps with signs of aging, including dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. The Soleil Glow Tinted Moisturizer has sheer coverage and can be worn alone for a non-makeup look or underneath a Tom Ford foundation. It’s offered in 6 shades and is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. This product is available at Nordstrom for $70 and is currently on sale at nordstrom.com for $56. If you are more of a sheer-coverage and natural look type of girl, this pick is for you.
Is Tom Ford Foundation Right for You?
It’s no secret that Tom Ford beauty products are pricey. Luxury-level beauty comes at a cost. But, many women are willing to pay a steeper price for high-quality foundations. Each of the foundations listed offers excellent foundation characteristics. Both the Traceless foundation and the Shade and Illuminate foundation are offered in 40 different shades. This is huge for those with deeper skin tones who often struggle to find the right match. They also have buildable coverage and high-quality formulas free of harmful ingredients that less expensive foundations contain. The Shade and Illuminate and Tinted Moisturizer also both contain SPF. While it is better to apply sunscreen directly to your skin for the best results, many like to use foundations with SPF included.
Tom Ford beauty products have also recently upped their game in the packaging department. Beauty blogger Liz Quach describes the packaging of the Shade and Illuminate foundation: “The foundation is luxuriously packaged in a heavy cognac glass bottle with gold trim and a magnetic cap. It is an ultra-luxe, sleek, and elegant bottle.” Products offering packaging with a little elegance and luxury are more expensive. But, if you like the feeling of luxury, the price may be worth it.
Whether Tom Ford foundation is right for you isn’t really about the product itself. No matter which Tom Ford foundation you choose, you will purchase a highly rated product that is a great fit for all skin types and most skin tones. The choice ultimately comes down to your pocketbook. If you want to splurge a little on a great foundation, then the foundations from Tom Ford are an incredibly fabulous choice.
