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| Above: Lush lashes, flushed lips…courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty. |
Lush lashes, flushed lips…two products are all that’s necessary to achieve this golden combination.
Kindly scroll on for a detailed description of a pair favorite Giorgio Armani Beauty products that skillfully create this look with joie de vivre and simple sophistication…
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| Above: The GA Eyes to Kill Excess is the darkest, most voluminous of the ETK formulas. |
The Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Excess Mascara is not a new release, however, I have embraced it intermittently time and again due to the dark, voluminous lashes it creates. Retailing for $30, the rich, extra-black formula effortlessly glides onto lashes, leaving a wash of lush inky goodness, coupled with an extreme fringe effect.
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| Above: A single swatch of the ETK Excess formula. |
The ETK Excess formula does not come in a waterproof version, however, I find that it still does a respectable job of not smudging, flaking or migrating as the day wears on.
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| Above: A side by side comparison of the brushes of Le Volume de Chanel and GA ETK Excess, respectively. |
The ETK Excess brush is quite unique…not as dense as the stellar Le Volume de Chanel wand, the spindly ETK spikes do a remarkable job of getting into every crevice of the lash line, enabling the formula to be drawn through fringe from root to tip. This process creates a significant amount of rich, dark volume in two coats.
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| Above: Two coats of the GA Eyes to Kill Excess formula after eight hours of wear on a very warm day…still maintaining decorum! |
All in all, the ETK Excess formula is on par with a few current mascara favorites including Le Volume de Chanel and Guerlain Cils Denfer Maxilash (reviewed HERE).
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| Above: Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Matte Lacquer #500 Blush, resplendent in the sunshine. |
Being the inextinguishable nude lip color lover that I am, it is difficult for me to venture into brighter, more flushed tones. That being stated, I recently encountered the most brilliant shade of muted bright pinky coral…it is both infinitely flushed in appearance and massively wearable! Retailing for $32, the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Matte Lacquer in #500 Blush has been sold out at my local Armani counter more often than not. In turn, when I finally was able to procure it, I unequivocally snapped it up (along with an additional tube for my mom!).
The Lip Maestro formula is utterly delightful…unscented, highly pigmented, creamy, moisturizing and long lasting, this matte finish liquid lip glides on like butter, leaving a truly unusual (but beautiful!) velvet finish. I get 3-4 hours of wear time without a need for touching up and my lips feel balanced and comfortable over the duration of wear.
Above and below: Swatches of #500 blush in direct sunlight and shade.
The shade itself is a bit of an anomaly…initially it looks like a simple rosy nude in the tube, however, once applied, it takes on a vibrant life that is neither exclusively rosy nor nude in nature. I would describe it as a muted rose-infused pinky coral with nude leanings…that wasn’t succinct but it is accurate ; ) The shade is endlessly unique and I am pleased to report that I do not have duplicates for this in my collection!
Due to its pseudo-brightness, wearing this shade feels like an exciting departure from nude territory, without being so bold as to send me veering out of my basic comfort zone. It is a welcome addition to my ever-growing lip color family and I am confident that it will be the object of great use as the fall progresses!
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| Above: Two coats of Lip Maestro #500 Blush alone on the lips. |
Below: Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Excess Mascara and Lip Maestro #500 in action in various lighting situations…
Bottom Line: Sometimes, all it takes is a couple of carefully curated products to achieve a transformational effect…during this seasonal transition, one cannot go wrong with dark, lush lashes and muted, flushed lips! Consequently, I wholeheartedly recommend the robust powers of Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Excess Mascara and Lip Maestro Matte Lacquer #500 Blush.
I hope your Wednesday is brilliant…what are a couple of favorite products on your radar as of late?
**This post contains affiliate links; my disclosure policy contains additional details on how these work.
Comments (23)
I love the lip color on you! It looks so healthy. ETK has been my favorite mascara and I can't find a dupe.. I just wish that they made it in brown. I'll have to try the Armani lip maestro in 500!
Cathy
Hello Cathy,
Thank you so much…I hope you get a chance to try the Lip Maestro #500…such a special shade! I cannot believe that they do not make the ETK in brown–completely strange! Have you tried the Le Volume de Chanel (I am guessing they make it in brown as well but would have to confirm for sure)? In my experience the effect is similar to the ETK ; )
xoxo and have a lovely rest of the week,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi there lovely,
Holy! You look absolutely stunning and radiant in your photos. The lip colour suits you and I think it compliments the simple look you have going perfectly! Just the right step up in colour without being too bright.
I have just bought this mascara so I cannot wait for it to arrive.
I am still waiting for the By Terry Cover Expert to come back in stock in shade 9 so that I can purchase it. When it does I will be getting the Sunday Riley blush in Blushing as well so I'm very excited to get them.
What dis you have on your face in these photos?
I have recently bought a Laura Mercier primer with SPF 30 in it and it is fantastic. I have never really been a primer user but after this I won't be without it. It truly make my foundation last all day and it still looks great at night when I take my make up off which I find quite fascinating.
I hope that your week has been treating you kindly.
Talk soon
Julie xoxo
Hello Julie,
Thank you so much…your compliments are generous! So excited to hear your thoughts on the mascara when you receive it. By Terry Cover Expert and Blushing will be wonderful additions to your collection as well. In these pictures, I am wearing Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate (for contour) topped with Marc Jacobs blush in Obsessed with a touch of Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Mystique (a pale, glowing pink) on the apples of my cheeks.
Glad you're loving the Laura Mercier primer…her line is gorgeous and so classic in the beauty world.
I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start…xoxo and talk soon!
–The Beauty Professor
Dearest B.P,
Thanks for your review on these fabulous products the mascara looks lovely, lush and like it will hold a curl (my lashes are pucker straight) so I will see if it is available in Australia. I am so glad to see that you've being enjoying using a brighter shade as it is good to get outside our comfort zone sometimes.I have to say that you look absolutely amazing in these pictures, just divine! Your skin looks perfected and radiant, whilst the lip color and mascara contribute to an overall elegant and refined look. I also loved your recent post featuring an OOTD and would enjoy seeing more of these as I get inspired by other people's'style, particularly those that resonate with me and exude a similar philosophy to the way they live their life.
Oh and I will email you my pic with Rae Morris (as soon as hubby gets home and can show me how to do it, as I am not computer or tech savvy). PS: I am still awaiting my Charlotte Tilbury haul and will feedback soon (it should be arriving imminently).
I hope that you're having a great week and I look forward to more wise beauty words:) xoxo
Hello dear Karen!
The review was my true pleasure…glad you enjoyed it! Thank you ever so much for your kind words about my pictures…the lighting outside was definitely forgiving ; ) I appreciate your feedback about my OOTD post and will try to schedule some more in the future!
Can't wait to see the Rae Morris + you pic…I am sure it is adorable, indeed! Please do keep me posted on your thoughts on the Charlotte Tilbury products…so exciting to be waiting for new products~I am afraid I'll never outgrow that thrill ; )
I hope your weekend is blissful…xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
I was blown away at how gorgeous this shade of Maestro (Blush) is on you. The color, and especially the finish, look stunning! Once again, I have a new lemming–courtesy of you! Thanks for the reviews!
Wow…thank you, Anon!! I hope you can get your hands on Maestro #500 soon!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
This is probably my favourite non-nude lip colour on you. Absolutely stunning! It's funny; I've never been a fan of ETK. I find it simply does not hold any curl on my lashes. In fact, it weighs them down. Volume de Chanel, however, is more airy for me and keeps my lashes nice and perky. I must try the lip colour though!
I so value the positive feedback, MG! Thank you!! I completely understand your feelings about the ETK…it is my firm belief that every mascara is not made for every pair of lashes, so once you find a formula (or two or three…) that work for you, go for it! So glad that the extremely lovely Le Volume de Chanel is right for you!!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi! I tried to post via my iPhone but I don't think it was successful; I apologize if you get multiple posts 🙂 I wanted to say that that lipstick is absolutely gorgeous! Somehow nude'ish with color. It looks really beautiful on you, and is on my wishlist as a must have soon!! I was also wondering what your foundation routine is in the photos? Looks great! Huge hug!
Hello Shosnanna!
No worries…sometimes technology betrays us ; ) I totally understand! Thank you for all of your sweet words…you are right. #500 is somehow simultaneously nude and colorful…it's tricky! In these photos, I am wearing the Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Foundation in #22 with a bit of Givenchy Teint Couture Foundation Powder on top (in Shade #4 Elegant Beige).
I hope your lovely family is doing extra well…hugs and kisses to you!
Take soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Oh gosh! I think I just need to get this foundation already!! Do you happen to have a contact you could share for ordering? Doesn't look like I can order online. Also, I was just watching your review again (video and blog), and I am torn. We have similar skin tone though I might be a tad darker at the moment. It seems like the shade after Natural Beige is quite a bit darker. I should probably stick with Natural Beige and just warm up with bronzer. I think I just answered my own question, but would love your thoughts : ) 🙂
My family is great! My baby is already 6 months old! Can hardly believe it! Hope you and your gorgeous family are doing great!! Give Jethro a hug for me!
I mean, Almond Beige seems quite a bit darker than Natural Beige!! 😛
Hello Shoshana,
I do think you'd love this foundation and bet that you would be Natural Beige because Almond Beige is definitely darker. Natural Beige can be warmed up with bronzer but I find that, due to its neutrality, it just does a perfect job of seamlessly blending into the skin. For example, I wore it in the summer when I was quite a bit darker and I can also wear it now that my tan has faded! My Kanebo Sensai specialist is Kimmie at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island and if anyone can help you track this down, it would be her! She can be reached at: (949) 759-1900 Ext. 2121.
So glad to hear that all is well on your end…I can't believe your baby is now 6 months old…how time flies!
Just gave Jethro a hug ; )
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
Happy to help!!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi B.P! Amazing, beautiful lip color. I agree it does'nt look much like the color in the tube. Better!
Hello Lynn,
Thank you! The color is deceptively conventional, indeed, but the effect is unmistakable!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
I am swathing every single week on my hand and thinking this will be a very wearable everydey nude but every time i find it to be too dark for a nude colour.It turns almost coral red on my arm but then i see alla the beautiful swatches on the internet such like yours and i want to go back and buy it.I haven't try it still on my lips cause i never swatch lipstick from make up bench but seeing your beautiful swatches it looks so beautiful and unique on you.I am so pazzled.
Hello Kelly,
Thanks for your comment. Like you, I tend to gravitate towards lighter nudes, but this shade is the lightest amongst the Lip Maestro options. It is a darker neutral option but I recommend it due to its unique shade…hope that helps!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Love that lippie on you! I need to check it out!
Thanks! So good to hear from you, girl!
I think the Maestro #500 would look gorgeous on you…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor