Tom Ford Black Orchid & Velvet Orchid Lip Colors

Tom Ford Black Orchid Lip Color

Tom Ford Black Orchid Lip Color ($60.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium-dark red-burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and fine ruby red pearl. It had semi-opaque coverage that went on fairly evenly, but the darker color pulled into lip lines and looked almost blackened in the lines as a result. The consistency had more slip than most of Tom Ford’s lip colors, which gave it a soft sheen, but it also made it move around more, so it might be more prone to feathering for some (it didn’t for me, but that’s not something that happens to me often!). The color lasted for five hours and left a slight stain behind, while the formula was very lightly moisturizing. MAC Media (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (95% similar). Urban Decay Shame (P, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Estee Lauder Brazen (P, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Black Dahlia (P, $18.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). MAC Lingering Kiss (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Power Driven (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Maybelline Smoking Red (P, $7.49) is less shimmery, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Runner (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Liquorice (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Midnight Merlot (P, $7.49) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Ingrid (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Shame (DC, $22.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar). Colour Pop Prim (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Frenemy (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Bite Beauty Black Cherry (LE, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Blow (210) (P, $30.00) is lighter (80% similar). MAC Living Legend (LE, $17.00) is darker, less glossy (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Lip Color ($60.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium, muted rosy plum with warm undertones and iridescent shimmer–a mix of teal, pink, and violet. It had good pigmentation, though not fully opaque, that applied easily with a lightly creamy consistency. The color wore well for five hours on me and was hydrating while worn. Tom Ford Beauty Otranto (LE, $55.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Heavy Petting (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Daniel (P, $35.00) is warmer (85% similar). NYX Power (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC Sweet Succulence (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Drake (P, $35.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). MAC Craving (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar). Laura Mercier Tutti Frutti (P) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC Viva Glam VI (P, $17.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Both shades are limited edition as far as I can tell (the press release refers to everything in the Orchid collection as limited), but they should be available at all retailers sooner rather than later. Black Orchid was released previously but was discontinued (I don’t think I have it from the initial launch to compare).

P.S. — As mine are press samples, they didn’t have retail boxes and, unfortunately, while traveling 3,000 miles, the caps came off, so the lipsticks were dinged up a bit! (That is not how Tom Ford ships when a customer orders!)