Giorgio Armani Beauty, ever on the leading edge of innovative cosmetics, has just launched the first ever CC lipstick, which combines the emollient and soothing properties of a balm, married to luminous & lasting colour. With 36 shades to choose from, ranging from the most neutral nudes, dainty pinks, siren-sexy reds, juicy corals to deeply wine-stained berry hues, you are sure to find at least one – or 3 – colours to fall in love with.
Each lipstick shade has been inspired by a particular memory of Mr. Armani, be it stemming from his travels, Italy, the red carpet, or even Hollywood celebrities. The shade I’m showing here today wasn’t even chosen by me, but rather by Reza Zaimeche, International Face Designer for Giorgio Armani Beauty, a man I had the pleasure of meeting with at the launch of the Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick event (review here), which turned out to be absolutely perfect – for my skin tone, tastes, and lifestyle.
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat (full ingredients list)
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat (CAD $38.00 4.2 ml/4 g/0.14 oz) – a [seemingly] vibrant peach-leaning coral shade with some pink undertones, in a medium coverage formula. There is a soft rose scent in the tube, which dissipates quickly once applied (or at least, I couldn’t sense it anymore) and the slight shimmer seen on the bullet itself doesn’t translate as directly onto the lips, but rather serves to impart an almost pearl-like luminosity. Lasting power went easily 3 – 3.5 hours before any fading, which was quite impressive for a product this emollient. The outer casing, while in the same format as regular Armani lipsticks, now comes in his signature fiery red hue, with the same magnetic closure – absolutely stunning to look at, and definitely the type of beauty product you will WANT to pull out in public. Oh yes … definitely display-worthy.
This shade seems to literally glide upon the lips in application, feeling definitely more like a balm than a lipstick, and even though the first swipe may fall a bit sheer, but I found that waiting about 30 seconds between coats seems to give the best adhesion of colour, making it easily buildable for more intensity. Initially, I saw a hint of settling into my lip lines, but within minutes, the colour seemed to have almost “developed” and merged into one smooth look. By pressing my lips together every now and then, it served to revive the colour and gain me a bit more wear time.
Ever the sceptic, however, I wondered about the ‘Care’ part of this lipstick, and so I went ahead and applied #304 Heat on my somewhat dry and slightly flaky lips – no prior exfoliation – to see if there would be any effect. To my everlasting surprise, by the time it had worn off, not only were my lips left feeling soft, hydrated and even a touch plump-looking, but ALL THE FLAKINESS WAS GONE. Consider me a convert.
As part of the launch, I was also given a mini sized version of #400 Four Hundred, a signature red shade to be found in various Giorgio Armani lip products (I have the Lip Maestro version), and I was stunned by how deeply saturated it applied, all while keeping maintaining the same hydrating balm-like feel of #304 Heat. Lasting power was even longer with this shade, going easily over 6 hours, and there even less bleeding into the lines above the lips, than you’d find with a regular red lip colour. Even after it had mostly worn off, there was still a soft stain left behind upon the lips. I am so going back for the full size of this shade. DEFINITELY.
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat (detail)
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat swatches left to right: in sunlight, shade, and indoors
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat with mini sized Rouge Ecstasy #400 Four Hundred
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat with mini sized Rouge Ecstasy #400 Four Hundred
Rouge Ecstasy #304 Heat and #400 Four Hundred
Rouge Ecstasy #400 Four Hundred swatches, left to right: in sunlight, indirect light and indoors
Rouge Ecstasy launch sample gift bag
(source)
Everything about the Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick range just so totally works for me; the luxe feel of the packaging (yes, I’m a total sucker for things like that – and a bit of a beauty snob, I guess), the broad range of colours available (although not all appealed to me personally – but that’s a matter of taste), the effectiveness and feel of the product itself, and the even the name. I mean, just saying the word “ecstasy” calls to mind all kinds of sensuality, am I right? Regardless, I was impressed enough with this shade, as well as blown away by the mini version, to want to pick up several more. There’s a few nudes that are calling my name … and then there’s Four Hundred …
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