Yes, Giorgio!
No, I’m not flashing back to the reputedly execrable 1982 movie starring Luciano Pavarotti.
The Giorgio I’m feeling very affirmative about is this guy,
who makes not only some heart-stopping jackets,
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but also this makeup
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which has restored my faith in foundation! Karen has been recommending this stuff to me for a while (and her skin looks flawless), and last weekend I finally decided to heed her advice.
I wanted to play with it a few days before evaluating. For those who always skip to the last chapter of a mystery novel, here’s the whodunnit: it’s good. Really, really good.
For the rest of you, here’s the long version.
Packaging
It comes in a nice little jar with a plastic scoop.
Pros: No waste! Every last molecule of creamy tinted goodness is available to the user.
Cons: Not exactly travel-friendly. I can see I’ll need to make my own travel size for les voyages.
Application
As mentioned above, it’s creamy, and of a very even consistency. The Sales Associate told me I *must* (buy, of course, and) use the special brush to apply.
Pros: It goes on very smoothly, no streaking, and a little goes a long way.
Cons: Because it’s thicker, it takes a bit longer than some foundations to apply and blend in.
Look
Pros: A.Mazing. Once on and blended, this foundation really doesn’t look like makeup, it just looks like Very Good Skin™. It’s not matte, but doesn’t shine like an oil slick either. The color matches my skin exactly, and it tones down the red bits. The overall texture of my skin appears much smoother.
Cons: It’s still sheer enough that my brown age spots are visible. If I look closely, I can see where it settles into my pores just a little bit, though far less than any other liquid foundation I’ve tried in the last few years.
Longevity
Pros: It really stays on, even on my nose, much better than any other liquid or compact foundation I’ve tried. I’m talking from 6 in the morning until I remove it at bedtime.
Cons: None, really.
Overall
This also is the first non-oil-free makeup I’ve tried since I can’t remember when that doesn’t make my face break out, not even a little bit. I’m giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.
I’ve been experimenting this week with amounts, technique, etc. and can report that, a) primer or not, doesn’t seem to make a difference, b) although every makeup artist advises “setting” the foundation with a dusting of translucent powder, after trying both with and without I think this product really looks better without. I give my nose a little dusting in the afternoon if it starts to shine a bit, and that’s all it needs.
Once again, thank you Karen for sharing your secrets and pushing me to give it a try.
I’m hereby joining the ranks of True Believers in Giorgio Armani Shaping Foundation. If you try it, let me know what you think!
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I’m really going to have to break down & try this stuff. I picked up my first mineral foundation last week & am wondering what the fuss is about this stuff, so I suppose this is next. But my wallet cringes at the thought…
Ah, the joy of finding the right makeup! I had a similar experience this past weekend. Having had your problems with foundation, have you considered using concealer as foundation? I just use it under my eyes and on discolorations, and finish off with powder for a nice natural look. Foundation wasn’t doing it for me, but was settling into my pores, too. And using a foundation brush changed my life! It’s wonderful.
I love putting on makeup in the morning… I love your blog, too 🙂
I once got to see Giorgio’s tanned, waxed chest up close and personal, due to his extremely unbuttoned shirt. I was scared.
It’s great you’ve found something that is working for you – all is not lost!
I’ve been using this all winter and it’s great. I agree, no powder over. I think, on me, it looks a bit better over primer. However, I have to use a very high sunscreen during the day so I only use it over primer at night.
I did get the brush; not sure it was worth it.
I do find the #2 (the lightest shade) to be a wee bit dark in the winter but it’s the best match I’ve ever found.
Glad it’s working for you too!
Christine
StyleSpy – I was using a mineral foundation too that was OK, but this is much better, worth the effort!
Anonymous – thank you! I have tried the concealer + powder method, but wasn’t completely satisfied, as the powders tend to make the skin on my cheeks and forehead look dull, and even concealers don’t completely cover my brown spots. This foundation doesn’t either, but it evens out my skin tone so well, I can live with the few remaining discolorations.
WendyB – Giorgio certainly does look like he’d be a bit scary up close.
Imogen – it just goes to show, don’t give up and keep trying new things. You never know what’s going to work!
Karen – thanks again for the recommendation!
Christine – wow, #2 is dark on you? You must have very fair skin! I’m a 4.5.
Woohoo!!! I’m clapping for you! I agree, no powder over!!!
I love this stuff!
cybill – I had tried the Armani “silk” foundation a while back and found it very disappointing. Way too shiny and it had slid off by noon except for the “pore dots,” which was why I hesitated so long to try this one. But the Shaping really is different.
I’ve had a bit of disappointment with an Armani foundation, but of course I’m going to try this one now. Still looking for that miracle!
I’m glad you found one you like! I admire his clothes (from afar); his persona (at least as presented by the media) creeps me out… sort of a Dorian Gray vibe.
Ohhh, this sounds nice…I need to try this one out. I have some brown spots and a bit of ruddiness…so I use Laura Mercier silk creme foundation…feels light but is full coverage (no SPF so I use a moisturizer with SPF)…and I must say…sweatproof (which is wonderful when I am at golf tournaments during the summer). I use the Laura Mercier primer to “plug up the pores”.
Deja,
I am indeed Procol Harem’s “Whiter Shade of Pale”. You have a lovely peaches and cream complexion, whereas I am a ghastly, anemic ghost.
I must say, though, the GA salesclerk told me she once sold the Nude Foundation in WHITE as a foundation. We tried a bit on my face and I still can’t imagine how pale that other woman must have been.
Christine
GA does not make a colour that works for my skin. I was very disappointed. I so wanted to try it.