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| Above: Retailing for $34, Rouge Ecstasy is a new release for Fall 2013. |
At the end of my evening at the Neiman Marcus Fall 2013 Trend Event last week, I gleefully picked up a brand new release for Fall 2013 from Giorgio Armani. Retailing for $34, the Rouge Ecstasy formula features 36 vibrant shades of lipstick that boasts a perfect harmony of color and care. Proudly claiming to be the first “CC” lip color on the market, Rouge Ecstasy offers intense moisture, rich color and lasting comfort that treats the lips in a luxurious manner.
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| Above: #504 Flesh is a true light warm pink. |
Upon quickly surveying the myriad of options, I found myself instantly drawn to shade #504 Flesh. This warm baby pink shade felt like the lipstick version of one of my favorite glosses in existence, Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Two Lips and, once swatched, I knew this gem was going home with
me.
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| Above: The red case is visually breathtaking, no?! |
Rouge Ecstasy visually stands apart from its contemporaries in the line due to its pure red case. As far as I am concerned, it is sleek and unmitigated luxury incarnate! The magnetic closure guarantees a smooth separation when the cap is removed and a satisfying click when the top is returned to its rightful place on the bullet. Furthermore, locating it in my purse amongst a veritable sea of lip color is much easier due to the bold color!
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| Above: #504 Flesh in natural daylight. |
#504 Flesh is utterly enchanting. I’ve come to discover that it is not as peachy pink as Two Lips; in fact, despite being a warm pink (in stark contrast to say, the cool violet pink of Le Metier de Beaute Palm Springs), it doesn’t pull peach or coral, but instead maintains the fidelity of a true warm pink over the course of hours of wear. This quality makes Flesh completely unique in my collection.
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| Above: Two passes of #504 Flesh builds medium coverage opacity. |
As I’ve already alluded to, the lasting power of the Rouge Ecstasy formula is remarkable. I find myself getting four hours of extremely comfortable wear with a single application (which, in my case, is a couple of swipes). The finish is semi-glossy, but the formula is stalwart enough to avoid migration and wear evenly. Also, my lips (which, if not handled with kid gloves, constantly battle with dryness) remain lusciously balanced, comfortable and hydrated…stunning color plus moisture? I’m all in!
VIDEO…watch in HD by clicking the gear icon and selecting 720p HD!
Below: Images of Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy #504 Flesh on the lips in natural sunlight…
Bottom Line: The
Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy formula is phenomenal. The emollient and buildable color is saturated with pigment and, upon application, my lips stay moisturized for hours. I am not usually one for the color red, but the red lipstick tube is gorgeous…the way it stands out in my bag, like a crimson beacon of luxury, is undeniable. As I mentioned in my video, I am pleased that I selected #504 Flesh first, as it is a truly unique pink that instantly brightens up the face without getting fluorescent. I cannot wait to try other shades in this formula and have a sneaking suspicion that the bright red presence in my purse will continue to increase in the months ahead ; )
Comments (10)
hi rachel!! i've been having some computer issues…i typed a paragraph in the comment box about your last post and lost everything! it went straight to my homepage. anyway, i loved that post, absolutely wonderful (as all your reviews and postings are)! love that lipstick! looks gorgeous on you! i will keep you posted if there really will be an armani counter here in cincinnati. now, nobody seems to know anything about it. keeping my fingers crossed. i also love the blouse you are wearing. is it a blouse (looks like it in the photo) you wear the cutest tops! i read 1 of your reader's comments about charlotte tilbury. i want all her stuff too! including those amazing brushes! ordering will be the biggest problem i think. i really should stick to what is available here. i do worry about if i have to do a return. burberry's trench kisses collection looks nice and neutral as viewed on their runway video. i wonder when that will come out as i just noticed the summer collection came out not too long ago. i wanted your thoughts on chantecaille. their persimmon lip color is not going to work. and, does the bobbi brown "chocolate eye pallette" interest you? i have not had great experiences with her eyeshadows. i hope you have a happy labor day weekend! please pardon any typos, spelling errors, typing extra fast before i lose this comment! xxxxxooo to you!! wendy.
Hello Wendy,
I hope your weekend is going well and thanks so much!! So sorry to hear about your computer issues…how frustrating! Glad you were able to finally leave a comment without incident. I hope that they put your Armani counter in soon…you will love it. The blouse (you were right!) I am wearing is from Madewell…super thin and breathable;it's perfect for the inordinately hot weather we've been having. I can't wait to see the Charlotte Tilbury line but won't be ordering anything sight unseen either!. I do love the Chantecaille line but, with the exception of Oleander, find that the lip color in particular is too sheer and not long lasting enough for my taste. To be honest, I haven't bought eyeshadow from Bobbi Brown in ages so I cannot speak to the Chocolate Eye Palette. I tend to stay way from palettes, though…I typically prefer a single wash of color…it's simpler and much faster in the morning ; )
Enjoy the weekend and talk soon…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Dearest B.P,
Thanks for sharing! This lipstick looks divine and I agree with you that the red packaging is both luxurious and eye-catching! I love the feeling one gets when a product surpasses expectations and offers a step above the rest- it is so refreshing. B.P I was wondering whether you've tried any of the other Hourglass brushes apart from the the retractable foundation brush? I have the Tom Ford foundation, blush and bronzer brushes which are absolutely divine and sooo soft, but would like to replace my existing eyeshadow brushes, and I am interested in your thoughts.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend and wonderful week ahead:)
My pleasure, Karen! Thanks for reading ; ) You are right…it is such a splendid delight when a product is better than you anticipate it being. Aside from the Retractable Foundation Brush, no, I haven't tried any other Hourglass brushes. I wish I could give you some concrete information on them but alas, my knowledge in this particular area is limited!
I hope you have a gorgeous weekend as well…it's sweltering here, but still quite lovely!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor,
Another great review. This look like pure class what with the red case and beautiful formula and the colour is divine. I can see this in my bag some day soon and well hidden from my wee girls, who at 4 and nearly 3,are following in mumma's footsteps into a love of make-up.
Have a wonderful week.
Julie xx
Hello Julie,
Thank you…this lipstick is pure class, indeed! I hope your are able to get your hands on one soon ; ) Your daughters sound precious and they are lucky to have such a loving, makeup-adoring mama!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi B.P! What a perfect pink that brightens you up pefectly!! 🙂 Packaging just adds to the beauty. Just as another reader stated, it's great when a product surpasses your expectations. I wanted to update you on the arrival of my Napolean Perdi bbb. I reallly love how opaque it is for a bbb. I love the finish as well. I think it's a tiny bit light but I can work with it as it sort of blends in after a few minutes & I'm left with mostly luminosity. I have only tried applying once, without building it b/c I then apply my Kanebo sensai. I'm curious as to how dark the other shade is & why they don't offer a medium which might serve me better. I was wondering if you are ever near the line again if you might swatch the second shade? I would love to be able to wear it alone but not quite sure I would with the light shade. Thank-you so much. xoxo
Hello Lynn!
Thank you so much. I so appreciate your sweet words! Thanks also for your update of the Napoleon Perdis BBB cream…the finish and opacity are indeed remarkable. I haven't swatched the darker shade yet, but will try to do so as soon as I get a chance!!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank-you so much! Have a great week.
But of course, dear Lynn!
xoxo and you too!!
–The Beauty Professor