Review: Giorgio Armani Face and Eyes Palette in Neo Brown

While on holiday in Europe this past summer, I purchased my first lot of Giorgio Armani cosmetic products - a whopping 2 items!  This limited edition face and eyes palette from Giorgio Armani was one of the two.  The other is the the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.  My review on that can be read HERE.  

This Face and Eye Palette from their Fall 2012 (yes, I'm a bit behind), called Neo Brown, has a Color-Fil technology for uniform color pay off.  This means darker colors apply darker and lighter colors apply brighter.  The top tier of this palette includes a sheer rose blush and the bottom tier is a trio of eye shadows: (left to right) Greige, Brown, and Earth Brown.  

The blush really does apply sheer.  It's described as a Sheer Rose but it appears peachy pink with a slight shimmer.  I'm not crazy about shimmer in my blush but I found that the shimmer didn't really transfer to my face.  You have to keep building this blush up in order for it to really show up on your face, thus, fulfilling its promise to be a sheer blush.  

The eye-shadows, however, are a different story.  From left to right, Greige is a shimmery cool beige color; Brown is a matte medium taupe brown; and Earth Brown is a dark matte espresso brown.  The pigmentation on these shadows are divine: they transfer in color almost exactly as they appear in the compact with a smooth buttery application.  The shadows also blended out easily and beautifully.  I was worried about the darkest brown shadow having fall down during application but that wasn't even an issue!  The shadows aren't chalky at all and adhered to my eyes better than most other cosmetic brands.

For those who prefer warm browns, this palette definitely falls in the cooler brown category.  However, even with my preference for warm browns, I was surprised to find myself loving how the colors looked with my coloring.

The packaging itself is a beautiful sleek black compact that makes it ideal for travel.  The closure is magnetic, adorned with the Giorgio Armani logo.  It is every bit as classy as Chanel packaging.

I was very fortunate to have purchased this palette 40% off courtesy of sale at Harrod's.  At $88, the higher cost seems justified by the quality of the shadows and blush, as they do not become chalky and remain smooth even after I've rubbed my brushes in them to transfer product onto the brushes.  I'd purchase more Giorgio Armani products when in the mood to spoil myself

Review: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

I had been curious about this foundation for the longest time.  For years I've heard great things about Giorgio Armani products.  Aside from my inability to locate a Giorgio Armani counter in my neck of the woods, the only other thing that stopped me from purchasing a bottle of their award winning foundation was the sticker price.  At $60 a bottle, this isn't like buying chewing gum.

During my recent holiday to London, I popped by Harrod's really quick.  When I saw that Harrod's was having a huge sale (40% off!), I immediately bee lined to the Giorgio Armani counter.  As I watched the indeed luminous and silky foundation disappear onto my skin upon application by the Giorgio Armani sales associate, I knew I couldn't leave the store without a bottle in my possession.  It really proved its name true.

What I love about this foundation:
1. It's light weight.  You don't feel like you have a ton of product on your face.

2. It has buildable coverage without making you look caked up.  Your skin still looks like skin.  The first time I used this foundation after purchase, I layered 3 - 4 coats to test its "buildability" (I swear that word only makes sense in the makeup world).  I was pleasantly surprised to find that even after 3 - 4 coats, my skin still looked natural.  It didn't feel heavy on my skin at all (see #1: light weight!).  It also covered small minor blemishes and evened out my skin tone.  You still will need a concealer to conceal any larger blemishes such as a pimple.  You shouldn't be using solely foundation to cover pimples anyway.

3. No SPF.  This makes this foundation great for flash photography, red carpet events, and evening outings.  Brides-to-be, this is good news for you.  SPF tends to give flashback in photography - you know when your face takes on a white cast?  That's courtesy of SPF.  With no SPF, your skin will look true to its color.  If you plan on wearing this out during the daytime, I highly recommend applying SPF prior to applying this foundation to protect your skin from UV rays and sun damage.

4. Beautiful natural finish.  Natural and luminous finish accurately describes it.

5. It's oil free!!

6. Advertised as great for all skin types.

I was asked to compare this foundation to Chanel's Vitalumiere Foundation.  Now unfortunately, I haven't tried Vitalumiere.  I have, however, used the Mat Lumiere.  You can read about my review for that foundation HERE.  I like both foundations but the Mat Lumiere gives me more sun protection during the daytime since it has SPF in it.

From what I know about the Chanel Vitalumiere, it is made specifically to hydrate dry skin.  Those with dry skin will benefit from the Vitalumiere's hydrating properties.  The Chanel Vitalumiere also contains SPF 15, giving you some level of protection against UV rays and sun damage.  From my own personal experience, SPF 15 is still ok for flash photography.  Anything higher gives me cause for concern when flash photography is involved.  Brides to be, make sure you discuss this with your makeup artist and photographer to ensure beautiful wedding photos.

Based on the Mat Lumiere, I still believe both foundations are great.  You just need to be mindful of the SPF.

Verdict: If you can afford it, get the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation!  Tres bon!

European Beauty Haul and First Impressions

Hello lovelies!  Apologies for being MIA.  If you follow me on Facebook (Vinmaquillage), you'll know I recently went on holiday in Europe.  I was extremely excited to shop for makeup and skincare abroad, especially in Paris because let's face it, the French mesdames are famous for their skin care.

The first leg of our holiday was London.  Unfortunately, our itinerary was so jam packed in London that I was only able to stop by Harrod's to shop.  I was disappointed that I wasn't able to go to Boots drugstore to shop UK brand makeup lines: Sleek, Collection 2000, and Barry M to name a few.  And while what I ended up buying is accessible to me in the States, I scored them for a better deal since Harrod's was having a 40% off sale on beauty products.

Giorgio Armani's Neo Classic Face & Eyes Palette in Neo Brown

Blush: Sheer Rose

Eye shadows left to right: Greige, Brown, and Earth Brown

Retails at $95 but I got it for 40% off.  This is a limited edition.  I no longer see it on the Giorgio Armani cosmetics website but lady luck may be on your side if you search a few counters.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Color Number 6

Elle Magazine's Hall of Fame Foundation

2013 In Style Best Beauty Buy - Best Liquid Foundation

2012 Nordstrom Beauty Awards

2012 Nieman Marcus Beauty Award Finalist

Retails at $60

Believe me - this lightweight foundation is worth the hype!

And in Paris...

I knew I had to have this little pouch the second I laid my eyes on it.  I bought this at the gift shop at the Le Meridien Etoile hotel in the 17th Arrondissement in Paris.  This cute pouch now functions as my makeup bag for my purse.

Based on a review from my favorite UK makeup artists, Pixiwoo, I purchased the La Roche-Posay Hydreane in Ligera and Riche (Hydreane Light, Hydreane Rich).  This line boasts great use for those with sensitive and dehydrated skin.  I don't have sensitive skin but my skin is dehydrated.  La Roche Posay products are paraben and mineral oil free and rich with the thermal spring water found in the small village, La Roche Posay, in central France.  The thermal spring water from La Roche Posay has an almost neutral pH, is protected from all pollution, and is not treated until safely packaged.

Sounds good, doesn't it?  Enough for me to make a 3rd trip back to a French pharmacy to make sure I purchased these two moisturizers

To the right of these moisturizers is the Nuxe Baume Levres (Nuxe Lip Balm).  

Back story: I have been absolutely OBSESSED with finding a nourishing and moisturizing lip balm these past few months.  Every year my lips suffer a period of extreme chapped lips.  I'm not just talking dry lips that you can fix with one application of chap stick - my lips take on an extra layer of skin that hardens.  It's extremely uncomfortable (but fortunately has never progressed to the level of pain) and it usually lasts a few torture-some weeks. You'd think this condition would occur during the dry winter months.  Nope.  I am currently in recovery from this extreme chapped lips condition.  This time around, it actually led to an outbreak of a rash surrounding my mouth area.  A trip to the doctor was required.  Hydrocortisone cream immediately got rid of the skin rash but my lips are still giving me problems every few days.  While I avoid vaseline at all costs (petroleum is not good for your skin), it was the only thing that helped with locking in whatever moisture I had in my lips.  I was dismayed to discover my Josie Maran Argan Oil didn't help.

With my lips improving from the use of vaseline, I wanted to find a lip balm made with healthy ingredients to moisturize my lips.  This lip balm is a cult favorite in the French pharmacies and makeup gurus.  Contains honey, plant oils, shea butter, and grapefruit essence.  So far, it's been doing a fine job of moisturizing my lips without the slippery feel of vaseline.  

Bioderma Crealine H20 Ultra-mild Non-rinse Face and Eye Cleanser (the 4 clear bottles with pink cap)

This is a cult favorite in the makeup artist and beauty guru world.  Every makeup artist who stops in Paris will make an immediate stop to a local pharmacy to grab a bottle of this.  It's a gentle formula that effectively removes all traces of makeup.  Every beauty guru who talks about this product always comments how soothing it is.  It's a non rinse formula so you do not need to rinse but it is important that you gently dry your face afterwards.  Use with a cotton round.

It is offensively priced on Amazon at a whopping $28.45 for 500 mL.  That's for one bottle.  I purchased the set of 2 for 16 Euros ($19.53 in USD).  As far as I'm aware, you have to purchase this online if you're in the States.

Roger and Gallet soap in scent: Rose (the pink rectangular box)

I had to grab a box of this while at the French pharmacy.  Established in 1862 but inspired by the original Eau de Cologne by Jean-Marie Farina, official supplier to Emperor Napoleon I since 1806.  These soaps are so fragranced that users have reported not having to use perfume afterwards.

$23 for a box of 3

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre (white box with the blue cursive E)

A rich moisturizing lotion that makeup artists use for 3 purposes: makeup remover, primer, and moisturizer.  Paraben free and not tested on animals!  I love how this moisturizer works great for day time makeup as it isn't greasy but still manages to moisturizer your skin.  I initially bought one bottle to try but immediately returned back to the pharmacy to buy more (a few as a gift for my mom) after I tested it out as a day/night moisturizer.  

Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute - moisturizing masque (beige box all the way to the right)

Since I'm always on the look out for moisturizing products to maintain my dehydrated skin, I immediately grabbed this masque when I was able to decipher the French on the box.  Formulated with plant milk, aloe vera sap, white almond, and orange flowers (notice a trend in what I look for in ingredients?).  The product promises to also sooth any skin irritations for 24 hours.  I applied this masque last night and loved how soft and supple my skin felt afterwards.  

Hope you all enjoyed my European Haul.  Once I've been using these products for a while I'll do a more in-depth review of each product.  Until then...ta-ta!