Archive for the Giorgio Armani Category
Well, I promised you a Giorgio Armani foundation review, and that’s exactly what you’re getting! MAC Face and Body lovers, you’ll definitely want to read this!
Some if not most of you beauty junkies would have already heard about the infamous Luminous Silk Foundation by Giorgio Armani, their original foundation, and as much as I wanted that to be my first dip in the Giogio Armani foundation greatness pool I had to accept that it was just not for my skin type AT ALL. Despite its name of luminosity, and all the claims that it made your skin dewy and so on, it bizarrely only does that for oily skin – and most people with oily skin tend to want their skin to be matte, so kinda don’t get how they managed to pull this off and get so many people besotted with it. But anyway, for dryer skin it just wasn’t right at all, it wouldn’t make you skin dewy and fresh, it would make it matte, hmm, yes, no thank you.
After a fleeting flirtation with their Designer Shaping Cream, I decided it wasn’t for me for various reasons despite their sales assistant claiming it was the only one suitable for my needs.
So I then did what I should have done in the first place, I looked online and diagnosed myself with what I thought would be the correct foundation for my needs from their line – and thus discovered Hydra Glow. There were some worrying reports of it being discontinued but I tried my luck and asked at the counter and fortunately they still had it.
Here’s what their website says:
“A lightweight, moisturizing foundation with SPF 15, Hydra glow leaves skin supple, even and protected with a refined glow. Moisturizes, preserves and protects the softness of skin. Rich in Micro-fil™ luminous pearls that add crystalline radiance to the complexion. Flexible coverage. Normal to dry skin.
Lightweight, moisturizing fluid with SPF 15
Radiant finish
Moderate to full coverage“
Application
The sales assistant and the website suggest using the Giorgio Armani foundation brush with this foundation (that you buy seperately), but once I opened the box and read the instruction leaflet it said to simply pump some product onto your fingers, rub them together to warm the product up, and then smooth over skin. No brush needed. And that’s exactly how I apply it.
I usually use two small pumps, apply one pump, smooth over skin, and then another one over the same areas to build coverage. It really is a great foundation, it just glides over your skin effortlessly, requiring little if any blending. It’s not that dissimiliar to Mac Face and Body in how it provides a dewy finish that lasts all day and how the foundation pretty much stays in place and keeps fairly fresh looking after hours and hours in an air conditioned moisture zapping office. The only major difference is that it is so much easier to build a decent coverage with this then it is with Mac Face and Body. If I wanted full on, almost mask coverage I’m pretty sure one more smallish pump would do the job perfectly, especially if you topped it off with a good powder, and it wouldn’t be a horrible, cakey, dry, full on coverage either.
Verdict
Well, I’m definitely a convert and am soooo happy I got this foundation, yes it is a little bit pricier at £30, but this bottle is gonna last me quite a long time as you don’t need that much, plus it comes with SPF (only 15 but hey, better than nothing) and leaves my skin feeling great.
There are a few negatives about it, which don’t really bother me but for others it possibly can – firstly, there is a lot of silicone type ingredients in this foundation which on one hand keeps the make-up slightly plasticy looking (which I kinda like) and fresh, whilst also repelling water and thus sweat, but on the other hand can block your pores and and cause spots if you’re not dilligent about removing it before bedtime. A face wash is just not gonna cut it, you’ll need a proper cleanser (I’d advise an oil based one), and THEN a facewash to remove the oil cleanser and whatever remains after that. So yes, you really need to cleanse this stuff off at night.
Secondly, this foundation is incredibly moisturing and dewy, possibly a bit too much for some. I personally apply a light powder on my forehead, nose and chin to pat down some of the excess shine, and I consider myself to have quite dry skin. Luckily, applying the powder on top doesn’t completely dull down its glowing dewy effect so really it’s not that much of a negative. Also, sometimes with adding powder it is common that your skin dries out quicker whilst wearing any foundation – however, I’ve never found that with this particular one.
Despite those two, fairly minor negatives, I am so in love with this foundation. Suddenly my skin looks healthy again, and after a year where I’ve literally tried about 12 (if not more) different types of foundations, and thrown a hella lot money down the drain along the way in the quest for the perfect one, I’ve finally found one I’m completely happy with. It’s not for everyone, if you’re skin isn’t dry and has the tiniest amount of oily in it, KEEP AWAY, but for those that crave supermodel, glowy, dewy, comfortable, fresh looking skin and make-up that doesn’t fade away this is it. Also, you can keep re-applying this foundation, regardless of how old your make-up is. Fair enough, I haven’t tried partying all night and then just throwing on some more slap on top of that, but I have topped up after work and it just perfectly freshens my make-up and gives a little extra coverage, without the dreaded ‘cakey’ old make-up look. Hooray.
Sooooo happy with this. Please don’t discontinue, Giorgio Armani.
Here are some pics, this is with powder added on top, less dewy (will add full dewy soon).
