I don’t usually wear glosses but when I do, I tend to go for strong, pigmented colors. I guess I just can’t leave behind the notion that my lips and visage tend to look much better with some good colour on them, instead of just a clear shine 🙂 Earlier this week, I told you about the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense shadows. This wasn’t intentional, but we have another GA offering again today 🙂
This is the Gloss d’Armani – a pigmented lip gloss by Giorgio Armani and the colour you see here is #400 a strong, true red – was there any doubt that this would be the first colour I’d pick? 😉
Can I just say how much I like the packaging? The tube is a clear plastic at the bottom so the colour shows through, and the cap is black with the distinctive GA logo that sits just between the two halves so the logo overlaps the top and bottom of the tube. Little touches matter! Another thing I should mention is that despite this being a gloss and despite it being plastic, there is a nice heft to the product. It feels lovely and luxurious as befits the brand and image. So how does it perform?
Very well, if I don’t say so myself 🙂
The applicator is a doe foot sponge tipped applicator that is slightly longer than normal applicators so there is a little more flex to it. For some reason, it seems to make it easier to apply this product.
Product wise, the gloss glides on very easily, coating lips with colour in just 1 coat. The pigment is good and strong, and there is an almost gel like texture to it on lips. It does not feel sticky or goopy (very important!) and yet, it is thick enough not to run everywhere, and settle into lines. Importantly, I find it does not glue my lips together, nor does it create those awful looking strings when you part your lips – you know what I mean? 😛
Gloss d’Armani #400 Left: One swipe Right: 2 layers
You can, I hope see what I mean by the gel like texture and the thickness of it that allows it to stay on the skin without spreading everywhere. One swipe gives you good colour which you can sheer out for a translucent finish. If you want something stronger and more opaque, layer it on. It does not feel uncomfortable at all.
#400 is a true red with little to no undertones. There is no shimmer at all, and the texture of the gloss is shiny and glossy but not overly so. I like my lips to have a little shine, but I balk at my lips looking like wet vinyl. Its just a look I don’t go for.
#400 applied 1 layer
Coming from a non-gloss wearer, I am quite impressed with the Gloss d’Armani glosses. They fulfill all I look for in a lipgloss and then some! But all is not well in paradise (as it happens).
There is a sweetish scent to the gloss that puts me off a little. Its not something I notice many people complaining about so perhaps its just me being nit picky. But I am sensitive to scents in lip products and I prefer my lip products to have a light scent or better yet, no scent at all. When a product is so near your nose, it can bug you.
The sweetish smell isn’t too strong but it is strong enough to be noticeable and I notice it. So if scents in lipglosses are something that bug you, be warned. Otherwise, this is pretty much a perfect lipgloss for me 🙂
In a nutshell
The Gloss d’Armani lipglosses have a lovely sleek packaging and beautiful gloss texture. The packaging has nice heft and I love how the logo hovers between the two halves of the tube. Its a little detail I appreciate. The gloss itself has a thick gel like texture and is very pigmented in colour. It is not sticky or goopy, nor does it travel. I find that it is sticky enough to last a long time without drying out lips, but not so sticky that I find it uncomfortable. #400 is a true red that looks as good with just 1 layer on or with 3 layers to make it a rich opaque colour. As a gloss, it is about as perfect as a lipgloss can be. However, I noticed a sweetish scent in the product that bugs me a little. If this was non scented, it would be perfect.
Pros: Not sticky, Thick texture adheres to lips for long lasting colour and shine without feeling too heavy, Does not travel out of the line, Lovely pigmented colour, Not too artificially shiny
Cons: Pricey, Sweetish scent in product
Who will like this: Anyone who likes a non sticky and pigmented lipgloss and does not mind the slight scent, Anyone who is looking for a pigmented lipgloss
Here is how #400 looks in the context of an overall look. When wearing a lip colour this bright, go light on the rest of your face and keep your base makeup glowy 🙂
I love the colour. It dresses up any look immediately, and because I can wear it sheer or opaque, it makes it easy to manage throughout the day. If I suddenly am sprung with a dinner invitation for the evening, I can just layer on the colour for opaque red lips, to go with a simple look. If I start out the day or don’t want to go all out, then I just do a sheer layer of colour. I just really have to get over the scent and then I’m good 😛
I have a note about the price. Its US$28 which translates to a little under RM90 at today’s exchange rate. I use Dior and Guerlain glosses for the most part, so I am at this point saying that its actually more affordable than either of the two brands I use most often! Its pricey, I don’t doubt it, but if you also use other similar high end brands, you won’t feel it as much. Therein lies the theory of relativity 😉 If you are like me however, and buy it outside of the USA then it will come to slightly over RM100 and just enough to make your wallet wince in pain.
Have you tried the Gloss d’Armani lipglosses before? Do you have a favourite colour that I might like?
I know I complained about the scent but really, the texture and colour is so good, I am already thinking about getting another one. The only thing is that since it isn’t available here, I am dependant on online swatches and hoping I get it right. A mistake would be terribly costly!
Paris B
Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani lipgloss Price: US$28 Availability: Giorgio Armani counters (not available in Malaysia) or also on StrawberryNET.com (aff)
supertash says
August 29, 2012 at 8:52 amhi pb!
on a unrelated topic, i must saw your collarbones look very very nice! 🙂
I realised you dont have neck lines. is there something special cream/ routine you have for neck and chest area?
i have necklines that seem to come on deeper when i play ipad in bed. i have noticed on subways that many young ladies are also catching these lines though they have flawless face.
i wonder if there is any good product to do away these lines?
st
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:02 amHaha thank you Supertash! 😀 I don’t have any routine for my neck/chest. I usually do extend whatever moisturiser or serum I’m using on my face down my neck but that’s about it. Nothing special. Maybe I’m just lucky although if you aren’t already doing so, applying some serum or moisturiser can help too. The neck actually shows off age more than the face, because we take care of the latter and less of the former 🙂
Lily says
August 29, 2012 at 8:52 amImpressive pigmentation for a gloss and it looks amazing on you! I guess a trip to Singapore is inevitable… I need to do major swatches and testing. Lol!
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:03 amThanks Lily and yes, the pigmentation in the gloss is very impressive. I’m itching to visit Singapore too just to see everything at the counter again!
Liyeun says
August 29, 2012 at 8:54 amNice! Does this leave a stain?
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:04 amHmm… it does wear off quite evenly but not much of a stain per se. I got it to last till lunch time after which I wiped it off 🙂
Hanny Daforcena says
August 29, 2012 at 8:55 amStrangely, I enjoy the look of vinyl red lips. Hmmm, I’ve never tried it before, though.
It looks heavenly on you though… Now… I wonder if it has a fuchsia shade…
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:05 amRed vinyl shiny lips is very eye catching but I think it takes a certain look to wear it well (and I just don’t have that look LOL!) There is a fuchsia shade! #505 if I remember correctly. I’m sort of eyeing it too 😛
Sunny says
August 29, 2012 at 9:06 amAhhh gorgeous, Paris, just gorgeous! I only own one of these at the moment and it’s 401. It’s a raspberry-tinted red that works very well with my skin tone. It brightens up my complexion and there’s not one single thing I don’t like about it! The smell to me is not sweetish. It smells almost like some kind of detergent, but hey at least it smells “clean” LOL
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:06 amThanks Sunny 🙂 #601 looks to be a very pretty and wearable shade too! LOL at the detergent smell. It is a bit chemical isn’t it? Just glad it didn’t put me off too much 😛
Beth Maiorana says
August 29, 2012 at 9:48 amOMG Paris, you look ravishing, sweetheart!! Just lovely!! I adore a red lip and you\’ve done it spectacularly with your \”quietly\” done eyes and you are just GORGEOUS. Thank you for the post, dearest Paris. xoxo Beth in Pgh 😉
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:06 amAww thank you so much Beth! <3
peach_ says
August 29, 2012 at 11:12 amHow do you do it, Paris?! 😀 You make a saturated red look so effortless! I’ve never tried GA glosses. It’s not a sickly sweet scent, is it? That pigmentation is craaazy and now I want to try them, too!
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:07 amThank you Peach! 😀 Its not a sickly sweet scent, not to worry. But its there so do take a healthy sniff! I’m eyeing a more subdued shade now. Heaven knows why since I”m more of a lipstick gal than a lipgloss gal 😛
mrsdjones says
August 29, 2012 at 11:57 amI wanted to wear red but my husband commented that it is too bright for me.
Maybe he is jealous when I get all the attention haha!
The formula looks amazing! Can you review another color please :p
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:08 amI think that must be it! His lovely wife getting all the attention 😉 Try a deeper red instead of a bright chilli red, and he might not be so disapproving 😉 I don’t have other colours yet, but once I do, I’ll review them 😀
Stacey says
August 29, 2012 at 12:17 pmlove the blue cardigan top that you are wearing! 😀
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:09 amThanks Stacey 🙂 Its a knit top I got from Zara on sale a few years ago 😀
gio says
August 29, 2012 at 2:13 pmYou can pull off red lips so well! Love this shade, it’s so pigmented and bright!
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:10 amThank you Gio 😀 The texture is quite something
UB says
August 29, 2012 at 3:25 pmGorgeous!! Love the color and how it looks on your face. I am currently using Pink #507. It is a gorgeous neutral color. It makes my face look brighter and my lips less colorless. I recently purchased a lipstick from GA in #402. It looks red but applies as a coral color (mentioned it on my humble blog).
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:11 amHi UB! I’m eyeing a pink for my next one just to switch things up a bit so I’ll check out your recommendation! 😀 Their lipstick is amazing too and #402 looks like a very lovely colour! Good choice 😀
Sue - MakeupMew says
August 29, 2012 at 4:10 pmLove the buildable intensity of GA’s glosses. #400 looks stunning on you!
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:12 amThank you Sue 🙂 I was very impressed at how opaque and intense the colour was – can hardly believe its a gloss!
Jyoan says
August 29, 2012 at 4:28 pmI have one! I need to unbox it! hahaha, another case of buying too much and too early, haven’t use.
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:12 amLOL!! Unbox it and dig right in Jyoan! Which colour did you go for?
Jyoan says
August 31, 2012 at 11:45 pmI have it in Pink 505.
Becca says
August 29, 2012 at 5:33 pmI love that it’s pigmented yet still a bit sheer. It’s reminds me of stained glass window for some reason…weird I know. But it looks fabulous on you, dear! Love it!
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:12 amHaha stained glass window! What a pretty description 😀 Thanks Becca – do you have one of these or have you not yet succumbed to the GA lure? 😉
Sarah says
August 29, 2012 at 5:54 pmYou’re so gorgeous on this pic ! Love your fresh glow ! What base make-up did you use ? I want to know everything !
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:13 amHi Sarah! Thank you so much 🙂 I believe the base was RMK liquid foundation #201 with Guerlain Meteorites Teint Rose over and Diorskin Nude to conceal. That’s it! 🙂
Jacqueline says
August 29, 2012 at 6:36 pmI love reds but unfortunately must stay away from glossy ones because of my thick lips. This gloss looks great on you. The right reds make a lady look polished.
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:15 amThanks Jacqueline, on the bright side, I’m sure you make all those ladies going for collagen lip implants jealous as heck! 😉 I recall you have a few reds too in lipsticks and you look fab!
Ta says
August 29, 2012 at 6:56 pmthis shade is not right for you. Make your teeth look awful
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:15 amIt does look better in person but I do see your point. Darned lighting 🙂
HapaGirl says
September 5, 2012 at 11:30 pmI completely disagree! It looks fabulous on you, Paris! The color brightens up your face and gives you that “Snow White” effect. 🙂
Paris B says
September 6, 2012 at 7:47 pmThank you, you are very sweet 🙂
kuri says
August 29, 2012 at 10:07 pmwow, what a fantastic color on you! I need to go try this on. Argh, I hate the Japanese prices, but I guess there’s always strawberrynet 🙂
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:16 amHi Kuri! Prices in Japan are crazy! I can’t believe how expensive they are some times (and in Australia too wow!) Thank goodness for online shopping 😉
Larie says
August 30, 2012 at 12:52 amThese are next on my list of glosses to try 😀 I like the lack of shimmer and the high pigmentation level!
Paris B says
August 30, 2012 at 11:17 amOh Larie, I can’t wait to see the colour you pick and how it looks on you! I’m sure it’ll be fab! 😀
Tracy says
September 4, 2012 at 3:19 pmPERFECTION in gloss form! It looks amazing on you! I need to try one of these glosses some day soon!