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After my previous dispute with Tom Ford, we have since reunited and I’m back with a full on rave.

The Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad stands out among the line; not because of the colour combination (which some may consider flat out boring), but due to the fact that it contains mostly matte eyeshadows (3 out of 4, to be exact). I own a stupid number of matte brown eyeshadows so the quad never appealed to me… until I touched them.

Artificial Light

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

Sunlight

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

…and me getting overexcited with my new camera equipment

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

I’ve said time and time again that my favourite matte formula is the Rouge Bunny Rouge Matte Eyeshadow line. It pains me a little to say it but Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage is as good if not better – exceptionally smooth, pigmented and buttery. If you’re trying to resist the 75USD/99AUD price tag, for heavens sake, DO NOT TOUCH IT. These must have been in the binding stage for 12 years (give or take); the pigment is so soft and silky that the lightest of brush strokes picks up a bucket load of product. Application wise, I dare you to try stuff it up, they blend so seamlessly that even a novice armed with a sponge tip applicator and no mirror could achieve a perfect gradient.

Like…what in the actual shet.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

My inner arm reads at N15. I put on my articulate hat for these shade descriptions:
Matte Cream-Bone
Matte Medium Chestnut
Chocolate Shimmer
Matte Deep Bark Brown

You can see here that Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage shadows sit close to the skin, more like a cream and less like a powdery matte.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

All shades lean warm, especially in sunlight. The Chocolate Shimmer shade has a whisper of reddened tones. If you really struggle with warm eyeshadows, I imagine it will be a problematic pairing. Personally, warm shades are harmonious on my skintone so I’m cheering!

I shopped my stash for comparisons, to both contextualise the shades and provide possible alternatives for those of you who like the idea but not the price.

Tom Ford Matte Cream-Bone runs warmer than MAC Blanc Type and is more pigmented than MAC Vanilla. In terms of texture, I think the swatches speak volumes; Blanc Type and Vanilla look awfully powdery in comparison.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

Matte Medium Chestnut… I haz no close alternatives.

I was so sure that I would already own a dead-on dupe for the chocolate shimmer shade but NOPE! Burberry Midnight Brown is cooler and more shimmery. Rouge Bunny Rouge Bejewelled Skylark has reddened-burgungy flecks and is deeper. MAC Antiqued has a lotta golden shimmer. Out of the bunch, Tom Ford has the most understated sheen. Daytime appropriate? Tick.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

I swear these looked similar in pan. D’oh! Tom Ford Matte Deep Bark Brown lacks the peachiness of MAC Swiss Chocolate. Inglot mattes are VERY hit and miss, 326 Matte is a winner; it looks almost aubergine against the subtle khaki tones of Tom Ford.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

My long-time readers (who have become my friends <3) will know that I’ve abstained from wearing eye makeup for 6 or so months after complications from an elective eye surgery. I’m an ‘alien specimen’ according to my eye specialist, who assured me that albeit ugly, my eye issues are not dangerous. So I made an executive decision.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

I’m wearing eye makeup dammit!

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage lends itself to a) daytime-appropriate definition and b) warm grungey hazes. I met the two themes halfway for a quick daytime grunge. Awkward angles to shelter you from my extraterrestrial eye.

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

For the rest of the face, I went with the grain: a monochromatic palette of warm, sandy-beiges because I’m cool and effortless and didn’t actually spend 3 days planning this look… mmk?

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad

Armani Lasting Silk #4.5 // Applied sparingly on the nose, chin and between the brows.
Rouge Bunny Rouge Starina // Biscuity blush to introduce some subtle warmth into the cheeks.
SUQQU Brow Pen – Brown // My go-to for warmer looks.
Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage // You sexy beast, you.
Rouge Bunny Rouge – Feline Gaze Retractable Eyeliner in Black // Absolutely bulletproof, on my upper waterline.
Illamasqua Eye Pencil – Vow // Nude for the lower waterline, to make grunge more wearable.
YSL Baby Doll Mascara // Sample, no concrete opinions yet.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Belle Du Jour // Care to suggest a similar shade that doesn’t make my lips look like old carpet?

Feels good to be back, f’real.

xxkarima

Complete list of products mentioned

Lip Mist
Lip Mist
Fresh Glow Fluid Foundation
Fresh Glow Fluid Foundation
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Baby Doll Mascara
Baby Doll Mascara
Frame Fix Cream Foundation
Frame Fix Cream Foundation
Cream Color for Eyes
Cream Color for Eyes
Aqua Brow
Aqua Brow
Eye Colouring Pencil
Eye Colouring Pencil
Gel Eyeliner
Gel Eyeliner
Highlighting Concealer
Highlighting Concealer
Hypnose Star Mascara
Hypnose Star Mascara
Eyeshadow Quad
Eyeshadow Quad
* Denotes products sent for consideration. I’m always honest with my reviews :)

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    1. Thanks, Rae πŸ™‚ I’ve had the same DSLR for a year (Canon 650D/T4i) but I’m starting to invest in different lenses, which is more important, in my experience! Glad someone noticed my bokeh! Hi5. Xx

  1. OMG!!! The tom ford palettes are both so pretty. I really can’t choose the best one for me. I love the shades for they will def create beautiful looks. I will def check on them.

  2. Tutorial tutorial, I beg of you! I love wearing warm browns and this look is totally sceaming out to me! Thankfully, I don’t have access to Tom Ford so I’ll have to recreate it with my not-as-buttery or smooth MAC shadows but please? πŸ™‚

    1. Hey Martha πŸ™‚ It’s a beautiful palette, if you like the warm hazy effect. Mostly the textures though, wow. Swatch if you can, I think you’ll fall in love πŸ™‚ x

  3. tutorial please! I am obsessed with this look. You look amazing, as usual, but more so (:
    p.s. suggestion: duplicating the same look with cheaper alternatives (MAC) side by side so viewers can see the difference!

  4. “Warm, hazy effect” sounds so nice. I was about to order the RBR Chestnut color since I have a hole for nice eyeshadow. Would you recommend RBR or this as a treat?

    1. Both are lovely, RBR Chesnut Napped Apalis is a bit cooler and lighter than the shades in the Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Quad (which is a bit deeper and more intense). xx

  5. I absolutely adore Tom Ford and went out of my way to get part of the Summer collection of this year shipped to me in May. I had to get it from the UK because Tom Ford is not sold in the Netherlands. I recently moved to Sydney by the way, hopefully permanently! I have been looking for the perfect cool neutral eye palette for ages, or just loose eyeshadows as well. This looks absolutely stunning! I really feel matte eyeshadows are underrated, I think they might be my fave. I’m thinking of doing a big make up haul soon from Sephora plus Nordstrom and get it sent to me. Where do you usually buy your Tom Ford products? I really find them to be overpriced here in Australia.

    1. Welcome to Sydney! hope you love it here πŸ™‚ If you’re looking for a neutral palette that is cool toned, Cocoa Mirage might be off mark because it’s rather warm. Tom Ford is pretty friggin pricy in Aus, I usually have a friend forward my items from the US. There are mail forwarding services available but I cannot recommend any because I haven’t used them.
      Xx

  6. Cocoa Mirage is hands down the BEST quad I have ever used. It is so easy to do something day wearable or dramatic. And the very best part is that I get loads of compliments everytime I wear these shadows. :o) Would love to see your tutorial on this quad to get even more ideas on using this versatile quad!!

    1. Cocoa Mirage is pretty versatile, the textures are what won me over, though πŸ™‚ I will probably use them in a tutorial sometime, since I do love the quad. X

  7. KAPOW! And she’s back!
    I’d be really interested to hear if you’ve had any makeup-y insights through the process of being restricted in your options for such a long time, and then returning to a full palette of options. This looks gorgeous on you – how do you manage to achieve such a nicely black upper lash-line and smoothly nude lower lash-line? I always find mine transfer and/or mush together. Is it just a matter of choosing the right liners, or is there a trick to it?

    1. Funny you should say that, I did have some makeupy realisations post hiatus. I found that I’m using less base makeup now because I got used to how my skin looked bare; a perspective thing I guess. I really appreciate mascara, that was the thing I missed most. I’m also more daring with colour combinations, because I missed having the variety. Finally, I’m not afraid of a bold lip and a nude eye anymore, it was another thing that I had to get used to seeing on myself and I enjoy it now.
      In terms of the eyeliner; I apply the black pencil to my upper waterline and finish my makeup, take a q-tip across the lower lashline (to remove any residue) before applying the nude pencil. Product choice is definitely important, I find that both the RBR Retractable and Illamasqua Vow resist transfer and last all day.
      Hope this helps πŸ™‚ xxkarima

  8. First of all, you are just exquisite! I would like to ask if you’ve tried the new Armani Maestro Compact Foundation, I know your thoughts on the liquid Maestro but this one is supposed to be better suited for dry skin and better longevity and coverage. I would love to hear your thoughts!

    1. Hey there πŸ™‚ I haven’t tried the Maestro Compact! I don’t think it’s even launched in Australia yet. After my poor experiences with the liquid, I’m a bit hesitant to try it lol. I’ll have a play in store though! Xx

  9. I have been reading ur blog for a long time and only recently subbed to it ..better now then never! Ha!…..and let me tell you, your personality and sense of humor just light up my day!…btw love the look and need that palette.

    Take care,
    Naji

  10. Oh god, I think I can feel my wallet emptying itself on my way back from work already. I also have a stupid amount of matte browns, but the texture of these look worth the price tag.

    1. Google image search tells me that you like a warm, slightly grungey haze so I think this is up your alley! I’ve heard that some people think the palette makes them look tired, I personally like the slightly yellowed-mustardy shades on me but it’s something to consider. Touch it in store if you can πŸ™‚ xx

  11. This looks stunning on you! I’m a big fan of grunge makeup too. I never had interest in matte eye shadows until I saw this on you.
    If I were to only buy one TF$ quad, would you recommend Cognac Sable or Coco Mirage? I’m an NC30.

    1. Hey Jen, this is actually a really common question. Both quads would suit an NC30 but if you have little interest in mattes, Cognac Sable might be better suited to your preferences. That being said, if you own few mattes in your collection, Cocoa Mirage may help to diversify your stash. I guess it really comes down to which you think you’d use/enjoy more, grungey always looks better matte in my opinion. xx

  12. LOVE your blog (and youtube)!!! I’m eagerly waiting for this tutorial…you and My Funny Valentine made me buy this beautiful beast!

  13. I got Cocoa Mirage a couple of months ago, and it is my favourite eyeshadow palette of all time. I prefer warm shades on myself, and the textures of CM are incredible.

    I know it’s been a while, but if you still remember, do you mind specifying the placement of each shade in the quad? This look is my favourite from you, and I would love to try and recreate it!

    Thanks a lot!

    1. Agreed- a run through of the placements would be wonderful. You just glow in warmer tones and this is also my favourite of look of yours.

  14. I was able to hold off on the palette until I read this review lol. I do not regret shelling out the insane amount of money at all!!!

  15. Thank you so much for this helpful post. I definetly need to invest in this quad! The look you did with this is striking, and exactly my preferred aesthetic for eye makeup. You are extremely beautiful by the way.