Hi there ladies,
I have been SO excited to review this product! I am actually a little shocked that there are not that many reviews yet. A lot of the larger blogs got press samples and started writing reviews earlier in September but regular ole' blogs like me have yet to write.
I have been wearing this product for a few weeks now and can actually give a full on review. I started off wearing a sample (something the Sale's Associates are, apparently, not supposed to be because of the products consistency) for a few weeks and then decided to actually purchase the product.
This product has been/will rock the beauty world with it's cutting edge technology. There is a lot of more thorough blogs that will give you the actual scientific breakdown of this product and what makes it unique. I won't go over that with you but sum it up by saying that it basically consists of oils and pigment as opposed to the typical water/oils/pigment makeup of most foundations.
Please don't run because I mentioned oils. These oil's are "dry" and do not feel or leave our skin greasy. I, being an extremely oily skinned girl, think this foundation is actually rather on the dry side and may do better for people who have slightly oilier skin or dry skin with a nice layer of moisturizer.
You may have heard buzz terms already about this foundation being a "game changer" or a "new category" of makeup and, for the most part, I feel this is correct. I think the bar has been set extra high by Armani Cosmetics for other competitors to follow suit. There are "light weight", "second skin" foundation claims by other cosmetic companies in the mass market but nothing compare. This foundation truly feels like absolutely nothing. It is like you are putting a thin layer of pigment all over your face. This pigment, on me at least, does not fade, budge, or change colors (i.e. the dread oxidation process) that a lot of foundations can do.
This foundation leaves a very smooth, airbrushed finish on my skin and covers my large pores (see above). The coverage is medium. Some people claim that there is no coverage but as long as your skin does not have any serious pigmentation you are trying to cover (like melasma) then it will cover well. I have serious purple hyperpigmentation on my cheeks (see below) from previous acne and this makeup does not 100% cover them but covers them about 90-95% which, believe it or not, I like. Instead of a thick mask it just blurs them and I look/feel like a better, natural version of myself. Also, the foundation needs to be shaken every time you use it. If you have a sample, such as me, the foundation did not have as much pigment and was oilier to apply without this shaking step. Keep this in mind. Also, the product is buildable, as far as pigment/coverage goes, but does not cake (for a product with TONS of coverage, look here).
I will say that make sure your skin is moisturized well before use. This product can accentuate dry spots on your face ( not that I am standing up for this product, but a lot of foundations do, right?).
At $62 for 1 ounce, this is the most expensive product I have ever used for makeup. With that being said, it is unique enough to where I am willing to pay the price. Also, a little goes a long way. The product is so runny that there is a dropper in the bottle you use to apply a couple of drops to your face and voila, gorgeous airbrushed skin! I think the bottle will last a long time.
On another and very important note, I noticed no breakouts, irritation, or pore clogging in my face (or at least more than usual) from using this product.
I do recommend this product entirely. At least, I recommend checking it out. Let the Sale's Associate apply it to your skin. It is almost fun to play with. If you are feeling brave, go to your Armani Cosmetics counter sans makeup and apply it. See how you like it the rest of the day. If you are interested, jump on it as soon as possible. When I decided to finally buy this product I bought the wrong color at my local Armani counter at Nordstrom, went back to exchange and apparently the entire North West is out of my, and a bunch of other, colors. I have to wait for my color to come back in stock to start wearing the foundation again and I had to go back to wearing my previous beloved Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet in the meantime. It is SO hard going back!
UPDATE 12/30/12
Well folks, thought I would share some more info. on this product now that I have had a couple of months to get familiar with it. I am not actually using it any more.
Haha, before you think I tricked you in the earlier review, I thought want you to know that I still love the foundation and would recommend to all of you to try it. There are two reasons why I am not wearing the foundation anymore.
1st Reason:
The color I am wearing in the photos is 4.5. Unfortunately, this is a wee too light for me even in the winter time. I was in denial for awhile because of the money I paid and how much I liked the product but, unfortunately, the next darker shade down, 5, was way too dark for me. Even with bronzer I ended up looking too gaunt. To give you an idea of what shade I typically wear, I am usually a "sand" color.
2nd Reason:
Because of a certain medication I am on and being in winter right now, the product was too drying for me. I normally have extremely oily skin but because of my particular circumstances I am not even using foundation currently but tinted moisturizer because I need all of the moisture I can get. The Maestro foundation did accentuate my dry areas and the alcohol in it stung a little because my face is on a medication, as previously mentioned, that decreases the amount of oil and layers of dead skin on my face leaving it vulnerable.
It may seem crazy to still like the product after the two reasons above but the second reason I do not fault the product for and the first reason, unfortunately for me, only means that I couldn't find a shade and if you can, then you are lucky.
Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts about this product and I will be happy to share all I can. If you have any information to share, I would be very interested in learning your take as well!
<3
I have been SO excited to review this product! I am actually a little shocked that there are not that many reviews yet. A lot of the larger blogs got press samples and started writing reviews earlier in September but regular ole' blogs like me have yet to write.
 |
| Armani Maestro Foundation Review |
I have been wearing this product for a few weeks now and can actually give a full on review. I started off wearing a sample (something the Sale's Associates are, apparently, not supposed to be because of the products consistency) for a few weeks and then decided to actually purchase the product.
This product has been/will rock the beauty world with it's cutting edge technology. There is a lot of more thorough blogs that will give you the actual scientific breakdown of this product and what makes it unique. I won't go over that with you but sum it up by saying that it basically consists of oils and pigment as opposed to the typical water/oils/pigment makeup of most foundations.
Please don't run because I mentioned oils. These oil's are "dry" and do not feel or leave our skin greasy. I, being an extremely oily skinned girl, think this foundation is actually rather on the dry side and may do better for people who have slightly oilier skin or dry skin with a nice layer of moisturizer.
You may have heard buzz terms already about this foundation being a "game changer" or a "new category" of makeup and, for the most part, I feel this is correct. I think the bar has been set extra high by Armani Cosmetics for other competitors to follow suit. There are "light weight", "second skin" foundation claims by other cosmetic companies in the mass market but nothing compare. This foundation truly feels like absolutely nothing. It is like you are putting a thin layer of pigment all over your face. This pigment, on me at least, does not fade, budge, or change colors (i.e. the dread oxidation process) that a lot of foundations can do.
 |
| Armani Maestro Foundation Review Before |
 |
| Armani Maestro Foundation Review After |
This foundation leaves a very smooth, airbrushed finish on my skin and covers my large pores (see above). The coverage is medium. Some people claim that there is no coverage but as long as your skin does not have any serious pigmentation you are trying to cover (like melasma) then it will cover well. I have serious purple hyperpigmentation on my cheeks (see below) from previous acne and this makeup does not 100% cover them but covers them about 90-95% which, believe it or not, I like. Instead of a thick mask it just blurs them and I look/feel like a better, natural version of myself. Also, the foundation needs to be shaken every time you use it. If you have a sample, such as me, the foundation did not have as much pigment and was oilier to apply without this shaking step. Keep this in mind. Also, the product is buildable, as far as pigment/coverage goes, but does not cake (for a product with TONS of coverage, look here).
 |
| Armani Maestro Foundation Review |
 |
| Armani Maestro Foundation Review |
 |
| Armani Maestro Foundation Review |
I will say that make sure your skin is moisturized well before use. This product can accentuate dry spots on your face ( not that I am standing up for this product, but a lot of foundations do, right?).
At $62 for 1 ounce, this is the most expensive product I have ever used for makeup. With that being said, it is unique enough to where I am willing to pay the price. Also, a little goes a long way. The product is so runny that there is a dropper in the bottle you use to apply a couple of drops to your face and voila, gorgeous airbrushed skin! I think the bottle will last a long time.
On another and very important note, I noticed no breakouts, irritation, or pore clogging in my face (or at least more than usual) from using this product.
I do recommend this product entirely. At least, I recommend checking it out. Let the Sale's Associate apply it to your skin. It is almost fun to play with. If you are feeling brave, go to your Armani Cosmetics counter sans makeup and apply it. See how you like it the rest of the day. If you are interested, jump on it as soon as possible. When I decided to finally buy this product I bought the wrong color at my local Armani counter at Nordstrom, went back to exchange and apparently the entire North West is out of my, and a bunch of other, colors. I have to wait for my color to come back in stock to start wearing the foundation again and I had to go back to wearing my previous beloved Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet in the meantime. It is SO hard going back!
UPDATE 12/30/12
Well folks, thought I would share some more info. on this product now that I have had a couple of months to get familiar with it. I am not actually using it any more.
Haha, before you think I tricked you in the earlier review, I thought want you to know that I still love the foundation and would recommend to all of you to try it. There are two reasons why I am not wearing the foundation anymore.
1st Reason:
The color I am wearing in the photos is 4.5. Unfortunately, this is a wee too light for me even in the winter time. I was in denial for awhile because of the money I paid and how much I liked the product but, unfortunately, the next darker shade down, 5, was way too dark for me. Even with bronzer I ended up looking too gaunt. To give you an idea of what shade I typically wear, I am usually a "sand" color.
2nd Reason:
Because of a certain medication I am on and being in winter right now, the product was too drying for me. I normally have extremely oily skin but because of my particular circumstances I am not even using foundation currently but tinted moisturizer because I need all of the moisture I can get. The Maestro foundation did accentuate my dry areas and the alcohol in it stung a little because my face is on a medication, as previously mentioned, that decreases the amount of oil and layers of dead skin on my face leaving it vulnerable.
It may seem crazy to still like the product after the two reasons above but the second reason I do not fault the product for and the first reason, unfortunately for me, only means that I couldn't find a shade and if you can, then you are lucky.
Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts about this product and I will be happy to share all I can. If you have any information to share, I would be very interested in learning your take as well!
<3
I know this is an older post,but I was wondering what shade you are? I don't live near a store that sells Armani so I can't go in to see the different shades,however you look like your skintone is the same or very close to mine.
ReplyDeleteHi Angela,
DeleteI am wearing the shade 4.5. This shade is a wee too light for me, I feel, but the next shade up, 5, was way too dark. I will actually be updating this post in the next day or so if you want to check back! <3