Giorgio Armani Beauty | Black Ecstasy Mascara, Obsidian Black

Following the success of their Rouge Ecstasy lipsticks released last year (see my previous reviews here and here), Giorgio Armani Beauty introduces Black Ecstasy Mascara (CAN $36.00, launching this September 2014) – a product aimed at providing your lashes with intense sultry colour, but none of the heaviness associated with said smouldering look. With its über-chic case and red stylized logo, you wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to do the unthinkable: apply your mascara in public … but don’t. Mr. Armani wouldn’t approve, believe me.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Black Ecstasy Mascara

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Fall/Winter 2014 Beauty Look Book featuring Black Ecstasy Mascara

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Black Ecstasy Mascara, Obsidian Black

Black Ecstasy Mascara, Obsidian Black (CAN $36.00) | Created with “black boosting polymer” – an agent that supposedly has the ability to intensify pigments while ensuring a better and more even application, this is an ultra-rich black mascara hue. Following the Armani design aesthetic, Black Ecstasy Mascara is housed in a black minimalistically chic outer case. The wand has been given a unique new red lacquer finish (which, with subsequent use, does become dirtied up with product although the red colour still remains relatively visible) while the large cylindrically shaped brush head is densely packed with bristles that provide enough flexibility to move with your lashes, yet remain rigid enough to properly coat and separate them as well. The four shades it comes in are:

Obsidian Black
Armani Navy
Wood
Tadzio

According to the company, this new multi-effect mascara is said to offer:

“A light-as-air, profoundly intense texture … gracefully thicker, denser and longer lashes … high definition lashes. An innovative formula with a precision glide that structures and opens up the eyes in a single stroke”

My experience with Armani Beauty mascaras has been both positive and negative; when the Eyes To Kill version was launched, I was totally impressed with the formula and become devoted to that one mascara. Then came Eyes to Kill Excess and that became my new #1 favourite. Things soured for me when Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening was released and for the first time ever, I had an adverse reaction to a mascara – which turned me off from the brand. Thankfully, any issues with that mascara were completely addressed and resolved, a good sign indeed and one that proves that Giorgio Armani Beauty cares.

The new Black Ecstasy Mascara is an ultra rich black shade and with the wand perfectly balanced (falling neither too short or awkwardly long) and the right amount of length and density to the bristles for a super easy application. After curling my lashes first (which I always do) and right from the very first applied coat, I saw a significant difference in how my lashes looked – well coated, denser and quite lush. I actually could have just stopped there, but I wanted to see what 2 coats looked like (my usual amount), and as the photos below show, a second layer adds an impressive amount of everything: thickness, intense black colour, and length (any clumping you see would have been ordinarily combed out, but I wanted to test it for wear as is). The formula is neither too wet or dry in application, and is extremely light and doesn’t feel like it weighs my lashes down at all. After about the 4th use, I would say that the formula tends to be more quicker-drying than others which stay dewy upon the lashes, but you still have enough time to work/wiggle the wand through before the product sets.

My criteria for mascara are that the product be easy to use, smudge-proof, clump-free, long lasting and one that won’t leave little specks under the eyes, and I’m happy to report that Black Ecstasy Mascara certainly delivers on all counts. Staying power is amazing, still looking freshly applied up until the moment of removal, which can probably easily surpass the 13 you mark, if you let it.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Black Ecstasy Mascara, Obsidian Black

Giorgio Armani Beauty | before application of Black Ecstasy Mascara

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Black Ecstasy Mascara, Obsidian Black (1 coat)

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Black Ecstasy Mascara, Obsidian Black (2 coats)

I am currently obsessed with Black Ecstasy Mascara. I love how lush my lashes look, yet the formula is truly so lightweight that you almost forget you’re wearing anything at all. The fact that I never even need to look into a mirror to check for any stray bits, is a huge plus and a major selling point for me. {That being said, I do have one issue I’d like to point out: make sure you do not cry while wearing this mascara, because you may experience an uncomfortable burning sensation – as I recently did (and if this is unique to me, please feel free to let me know in the comments). At this price point, I expect perfection and this is a bit of a sore spot that I want to bring to light, in order that it be properly addressed and taken care of, because apart from that one unexpected sticking point (Mr. Armani, I sincerely hope you’re listening), this is truly mascara perfection.}

EDIT: Since I originally wrote this post, I have continued to wear – and test – this mascara, and I’m so happy to report that even any burning I felt that one time, must have been due to something else, because a second crying session yielded no weird sensations. So thrilled, as this mascara is AMAZING.

Available as of September 2014 throughout Canada at Holt Renfrew, Sephora and select Hudson’s Bay stores. Find more information via the website