40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews
Cavewoman: The Master Tailor is a tanned, handsome man with white-gray hair and an easy smile. Fashionistas will know him by his nickname in the industry, "The King Of Greige." Perfumistas will recognize and praise the beautiful fragrances of the Prive Collection, in sleek squared-off bottles with smooth stones as caps. Cosmetic addicts know the minimalist black packaging, the superb-quality foundations and lipsticks, and the much-coveted palette compacts in his line of cosmetic products. He is Giorgio Armani.
My new Movie Lights Sheer Shimmer compact arrived yesterday from Alesha at our Saks store. I had only seen photos of this compact online, but Alesha assured me that I'd be delighted with this purchase. She knows me and she knows my taste, and she was right, again, about this compact.
The compact, with its matte black finish and slightly concave lid, displays the signature of Armani in silver raised glitter. Open the lid, and inside the powder glows with the promise of that most-desired luminous complexion. Pinkish, goldish, beige-ish, but with a bit more color than most highlighting powders I have ever tried, I was eager to see if this powder would be any different on the skin than my many other highlighting powders. And indeed, this Sheer Shimmer not only adds a glow to the skin, but a nice bit of color to my Ohio Winter Pallor. I tried it over blush only, as an overall finishing powder, as a cheekbone highlighter, and even as an eyeshadow for under the brow bone, and I was happy with the look in each application. It's hard to describe the effect, but it's a healthy glow, not an artificial 'she's wearing product' glow. Now I want to know if there will be refills!
Now for the Hollywood factor: Inside the compact lid, surrounding the mirror, are eight tiny LED lights. Touch a little button at one side and the lights are on! The effect is that of a movie star sitting in front of the makeup mirror rimmed with light bulbs, getting ready for her next scene. It's absolutely whimsical and delightful and fun, and now you know why I hope there will be refills available for this adorable compact. Everything about it is luxury, and yet everything about it is practical and useable and versatile, too.
I'm eager to find out what The King will do next to attract me to the Armani counter. I like being dazzled!
Annieytown: I have a co-worker who has the most amazing chemistry when it comes to fragrance. You can detect every note from the top to the very end of the drydown on her skin.
Disclosure: All the products in this post were purchased by the reviewers.
My new Movie Lights Sheer Shimmer compact arrived yesterday from Alesha at our Saks store. I had only seen photos of this compact online, but Alesha assured me that I'd be delighted with this purchase. She knows me and she knows my taste, and she was right, again, about this compact.
The compact, with its matte black finish and slightly concave lid, displays the signature of Armani in silver raised glitter. Open the lid, and inside the powder glows with the promise of that most-desired luminous complexion. Pinkish, goldish, beige-ish, but with a bit more color than most highlighting powders I have ever tried, I was eager to see if this powder would be any different on the skin than my many other highlighting powders. And indeed, this Sheer Shimmer not only adds a glow to the skin, but a nice bit of color to my Ohio Winter Pallor. I tried it over blush only, as an overall finishing powder, as a cheekbone highlighter, and even as an eyeshadow for under the brow bone, and I was happy with the look in each application. It's hard to describe the effect, but it's a healthy glow, not an artificial 'she's wearing product' glow. Now I want to know if there will be refills!
Now for the Hollywood factor: Inside the compact lid, surrounding the mirror, are eight tiny LED lights. Touch a little button at one side and the lights are on! The effect is that of a movie star sitting in front of the makeup mirror rimmed with light bulbs, getting ready for her next scene. It's absolutely whimsical and delightful and fun, and now you know why I hope there will be refills available for this adorable compact. Everything about it is luxury, and yet everything about it is practical and useable and versatile, too.
I'm eager to find out what The King will do next to attract me to the Armani counter. I like being dazzled!
Tussah: I have liked and worn Armani department store fragrances for quite some time, my favorites being Armani code for women & Armani mania. But I was totally blown away by the Armani Prive fragrances. The first time I heard of or saw a presentation of them was a fun time out with the Cleveland perfume gang. Cavewoman was presenting our friend Shawn with a boxed set of samples of 4. It was by far the most beautiful presentation of perfume samples I have ever seen. The boxes are as elegant as the contents. Inside were 4 egg-shaped “stones” of different natural colors. They were magnetized vessels holding the lovely glass samples of the 4 special fragrances. The presentation was modern, yet organic, glowing, cool to the touch and yet warm. Totally lovely.
I was graciously allowed to sample these fragrances & fell in love with Bois d’encens. It truly is the best of the best. An intense, but cashmere-like incense fragrance, it is enveloping, soft and yet vital. The drydown is amazingly lovely as the perfume seems to become part of you, not just something on you. It is a perfect fragrance when you need something very special, something mood altering, something that throughout the day reminds you that you did something good for your soul.
I was graciously allowed to sample these fragrances & fell in love with Bois d’encens. It truly is the best of the best. An intense, but cashmere-like incense fragrance, it is enveloping, soft and yet vital. The drydown is amazingly lovely as the perfume seems to become part of you, not just something on you. It is a perfect fragrance when you need something very special, something mood altering, something that throughout the day reminds you that you did something good for your soul.
Annieytown: I have a co-worker who has the most amazing chemistry when it comes to fragrance. You can detect every note from the top to the very end of the drydown on her skin.She has been blessed with the perfect skin chemistry. She can wear anything well except for Angel. Angel turns terrifying on her wrist. I actually recoiled and winced.
So...the first time I fell for Armani Code was due to her. The day it came out she was wearing it loud and proud. She had a swing in her step and a tune in her ear. I was my usual crabby self so her happiness instantly made me pause. Then I caught her Code sillage and knew instantly why she was so damn happy.
She smelled fabulous and knew it.
Soon I was demanding her to wear it every day.
It became almost like an aromatherapy spray in our department. Work was not so bad if my co-worker brought her Code bottle. It was becoming a crutch and I was not even wearing it.
I am a current Code owner along with most of the bath products.
The drydown is what I love when it comes to Code. It has a wonderful warm mixture of orange blossom, woods and vanilla.
It is comforting like a cashmere blanket, a cup of coffee with vanilla nut creamer and a new episode of Greys Anatomy.
It became almost like an aromatherapy spray in our department. Work was not so bad if my co-worker brought her Code bottle. It was becoming a crutch and I was not even wearing it.
I am a current Code owner along with most of the bath products.
The drydown is what I love when it comes to Code. It has a wonderful warm mixture of orange blossom, woods and vanilla.
It is comforting like a cashmere blanket, a cup of coffee with vanilla nut creamer and a new episode of Greys Anatomy.
Its that good.
Seriously.
The notes are Blood Orange, Ginger, Pear Sorbet, Sambac Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Seringa Flower, Lavender Honey, Precious Woods Complex and Vanilla.
Armani Code is available at Sephora.com.
Armani cosmetics are available at select SAKS.
The notes are Blood Orange, Ginger, Pear Sorbet, Sambac Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Seringa Flower, Lavender Honey, Precious Woods Complex and Vanilla.
Armani Code is available at Sephora.com.
Armani cosmetics are available at select SAKS.
What is your favorite Armani product? Let us know in the comments.
Photos are from Cavewoman and Blogdorf Goodman
Side note: I am so smitten with cavewoman's new Armani compact. I love the lights.
Labels: 40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brands, Armani, Cavewoman Reviews, Ceil Reviews, Product Purchase, Tussah Reviews
posted by Annieytown @ 11:54 AM
12 Inspired Comments
12 Inspired Comments:
You ladies made me smile widely this morning with your Armani reviews. We really must shop together some day!
So glad you did an Armani review!! I was thinking the other day, "Gosh, I wish they would have done Armani for the 'A's." Glad you fit it in under 'G.' Tell me what you think of their foundations. Any good for combo/oily sensitive skin?
I still haven't tried any Armani beauty products, but I did have a sighting of Signor Giorgio himself about a year ago! I was attending Christmas Day mass at a church in Manhattan, and there he was, looking so bronzed and well-tailored, with an entourage of several dark-eyed, impeccably-groomed young Italian men. It was quite a distraction!
You might like the Luminous Silk Foundation, anon. It gets raves everywhere and is almost always on the InStyle Best Of list.
Thank you, Twinny, and yes, we must shop together! It could be dangerous fun!!
Stanzi, you're so lucky! Remind me to tell you my Armani suit story when I see you (soon!) ;o)
Gah, the compacts are so beautiful! My favorite product is the lip shimmer. I've never had so much control with an applicator, and it comes out with just the right amount of gloss. The gloss itself is light, long-lasting, and pretty. I only wish it were a little less expensive :) The lipstick is great too. I want to try the fluid sheers someday.
Armani luminous silk foundation and foundation brush is the best combo for foundations. The foundation is in between of a TM and foundation, with just the right amount of coverage and it goes on so smooth and even with their foundation brush. it's worth the splurge. Their eye liner is extremely smooth as well. I encourage everyone to go try out at their counter. It's like the La Mer for make up!
Armani Taupe eye shadow is a staple. It's sheer with a bit of shimmer. It's the first taupe I've found that isn't dull.
My favorite Armani product is their Shaping Cream foundation, with spf20. I love how sheer it goes on and yet it manages to cover my ruddy cheeks. LOVE it.
Hi Cavewoman, I noticed that in your photos, you included the fluid sheer blush. I am really curious about the coral shade of this product. How do you like it? Anyone else have any opinions on this product?
Yes, Anonymous, those are the two Sheer Pigments Fluid Blushes in the photo. They came just a few days ago in my Saks Beauty Week order, so I have not had a chance to use them yet. What I can tell you is that the color you see in the bottles, which are opaque painted bottles, are the identical colors of the products. I tested on the back of my hand. They are dewy and watery and the tiniest amount gives a very pretty flushed look. The coral is beautiful and very tropical looking and not too warm-toned and not orangey. I can't wait to try them both. On my face!
Thanks a bunch, I think i might get the coral for a fresh springy look :)
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