One Coral to Rule Them All? Tom Ford True Coral Lip Color

For a coral fiend, Tom Ford True Coral Lip Color seems like the ultimate lipstick to own. Coral is pink and orange, so when it comes to lipsticks it’s almost always going to be more orange, more pink, and sometimes even more red. Can Tom Ford True Coral (it goes for 45 euros here in Belgium) really balance all the components out and be the one coral to rule them all?

True Coral is my second Tom Ford Lip Color (the first one, Diabolique, remains my power red). The packaging is hefty and luxurious with an androgynous appeal. TF is engraved on both the bullet and the top of the casing.

Tom Ford Lip Colors contain 3 grams (0.1 oz) of product, which is slightly less than most luxury lipsticks (they tend to contain 3.4 grams/0.12 oz).

From my experience, corals tend to look more orange on me than someone whose skin tone about the same in terms of foundation, and I was expecting True Coral to be the same.

Left: one pass. Right: built up.

Well, I guess when Tom Ford calls this true coral, it IS a true coral! Whether it’s on my arm or lips, I see a great balance of orange and pink. It is really really hard for me to say whether it has more orange or pink in it. I went through my stash of corals, and the only one that is similar enough to even show you a comparison of is Chanel La Favorite Rouge Allure Velvet:

Left: Chanel La Favorite Rouge Allure Velvet. Right: Tom Ford True Coral Lip Color

Except for the obviously different finish, they are fairly close in terms of color. I see a touch more pink in La Favorite but they are close.

True Coral is creamier with more slip if I compare it with Diabolique. Because of that, I find it easier to apply. I need to apply Diabolique with a lip brush (that thing is pure pigment in a stick, so if you aren’t 100% precise things go south very fast), but with True Coral I can do it straight from the tube. It glides on easily and evenly, and it also wears off evenly. It can survive several drinks, but is mostly gone after a meal. It does leave a stain that hangs around pretty much until I remove it. I’d say it wears for around 5 hours.

My only complaint about True Coral is it’s not as moisturizing as I thought it would be. With the creamy consistency and creamy sheen, I expected it to be moderately hydrating. However, my lips pretty much stay the same after wearing it the whole day. It is definitely not drying (the day I tested it out my lips didn’t wake up to be as soft and supple as they could be, so if this is drying I would definitely feel it), but for a lipstick with creamy finish I have definitely tried formulas that are much more moisturizing.

Here is a couple more pictures with True Coral on my lips:

Bottom line: Color-wise, Tom Ford True Coral Lip Color is probably enough to get the coral fiends going. It still depends on your skin tone how it will look on you, but on myself I don’t really see it as being more of an orange or pink coral. It is easy to apply, wears well, and leaves an even stain. I do wish it were more moisturizing since it is quite creamy, but it keeps my lips in the same state (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).

Have you tried Tom Ford True Coral or any Tom Ford Lip Color? If so, what is in your stash? I was this close to splurging on Narcotic Rouge (one of the limited edition shades from last winter), but I waited too long and now I’m bitten by the coral bug again!

Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx