Tom Ford Lips & Boys: Xavier, Patrick and Olivier

“I like the idea of lipsticks named after boys. Why commit to one when you can have several?” Tom Ford is so on my wavelength.
I read about the limited edition Lips & Boys collection and fell in love with the concept. It all sounded so appealing – the choice of 50 shades, the idea that they were smaller (and therefore more affordable) than their full-size counterparts and the fact that the brand had eschewed the typical feminine names and gone for a more masculine edge.
So I ordered three without really doing any research. Of course I did.
I would like to say that this was Tom Ford’s fault. You see that limited edition strictly applies in the case of this collection. Black Friday – 1 December provided US buyers with an opportunity for purchase and then Selfridges had a “one day only” flash sale on the 1 December.
I could have waited until the end of December for a less frantic release but I felt that LE pressure. I hit Selfridges, searched for swatches online – there were none – so ordered blind.
Say hello to Xavier, Patrick and Olivier.

Aren’t they pretty? Yes they are. Aren’t they tiny? YES THEY ARE.
I couldn’t even focus on the shades or the formula - the only thing I could do was scoff at the size: these are lipsticks crafted for the hands of a child. They are so, so tiny.
See how it compares to a full-size lipstick....

I knew they were going to be small but when you finally get it in your hands and see £26 presented to you in the form of a micro-lipstick, you suddenly feel a little affronted. Okay, so it’s probably a better entry-level cost for someone new to Tom Ford and I have read that in terms of weight these are better value but no, I still can’t get over it.
But onto the shades….
Xavier is Violet Fatale re-promoted and given a different name.

I have always wanted to try the latter. It’s a mid-purple tone, not too vampy with a shot of pink to keep it bright and fun. Out of the shades I ordered I probably like this the most!
Patrick is difficult to describe.

It’s coral but it’s also laced with pink. I can imagine this being a hugely popular shade because it’s such a pretty way to wear a bright. The formula is exactly what you get with Xavier – that rich, creamy and pigmented finish that feels very comfortable and almost weightless.
Olivier is a frosty pink-lavender and was the wild card.

I thought this could go either way when I ordered it and sadly it went the wrong way. The frosty finish lacks the smoothness felt in the other two and it both feels and looks a bit cheap. I have absolutely no idea who this would look good on – it’s certainly not me!
As mentioned earlier these come back onto the market from 26 December, although I don't know when they will hit Dubai…probably in 2017 knowing the release times in this market.
Would I buy more? Agh…I want to say no but I also have to admit to feeling pangs for two colours: Ian and Alasdhair: the nude and the deep currant. I remain hideously sizeist on this one though so the likelihood of splurging £26 on a micro-lipstick seems unlikely.
What do you think of this collection?