Review: Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch and Original Mascara Versus L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch mascara is one of my all time favorites. I love the brush and the dry formula that holds the curl and lengthens my lashes. When I heard about L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition sharing similar brush with Eyes to Kill Volume mascara, I jumped to test it out. If L'Oreal Full Definition volumizes my lashes, I can skip that the pricey Giorgio Armani mascaras and get some volume for my lashes. Ultimately, they're owned by the same company L'Oreal right?

Let's take a look at the brushes.

From this angle, all three look really similar, even the bristles are spaced the same. 

The formula of all three are rather similar but L'Oreal Full Definition is the wettest and Giorgio Armani Stretch is the driest. 

Giorgio Armani Stretch and L'Oreal Full Definition both lengthen my lashes while Giorgio Armani Orignial adds definition to my lashes but nothing else. The first two stay put throughout the day without flakes or smudging while Giorgio Armani Orignial falls out at mid-day. 

All three mascaras hold curls really well but the most effective must be Giorgio Armani Stretch. 

L'Oreal adds no volume as promise. Also, it feels tired at the end of the day. 

Now, let take a look at the brushes one more time. 

I turned the wands 90 degree to show you the slander shape of Armani Stretch. Armani Stretch is 1/2 full around. Armani Original is 3/4 full around. L'Oreal Full Definition is full all around. 

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascaras are priced at $30 while L'Oreal Voluminous Full Definition mascara is around $7.99. I got mine from Kroger for $5! 

I prefer Giorgio Armani's but L'Oreal is an excellent double. Plus the price is so much friendlier. Have you tried these sisters? Which one is the winner?

Look: Special Occasion FOTD - Silvery Taupe Eyes Nude Pink

Back in January, I was brainstorming a look for an evening special event. After twitting about my ideas, my blogger friends voted for 3 looks a) copper eye and bright pink lips; b) bronze eyes and dark lips; and c) silvery taupe eyes and nude pink lips. 

Guess which look I sported for the event? I picked this one! I though it contrasted my teal dress subtly and still added a bit of drama to the look :D. And to be honest, I simply love everything about this look and decided to go with my instinct.The high shimmery silvery taupe against nude pink lips. I love my glowy cheeks (thank you thank you Edward Bess!) that seamlessly changes from a highlighter to blush. Love Tom Ford blush in Savage for this look! It ties all color and texture together. 

Since the eyes are rather intense, I kept the skin very natural. On that day I used Burberry Sheer Luminous Trench 6 (review of Trench 5 is here). I replaced it with Tom Ford Traceless Stick Foundation Natural for this post while testing the sucker. It's phenomenal for my skin!! Reviews of Tom Ford items used in this post are on their way. I finished the write-up yet don't want to overwhelm you guys with my opinionated rambles ;;)

As usual, please scroll down for full makeup breakdown. 

I look funny but this picture shows the makeup the best

Look breakdown

Face

Tom Ford Traceless Stick Foundation 05 Natural (reviewed on the way)

YSL Touche Eclat 08

Laura Mercier Setting Powder

Laure Mercier Secret Camouflage SC-3

Tom Ford Cheek Color Savage (reviewed on the way)

Edward Bess All Over Seduction Afterglow

Eyes

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill #4 Pulp Fiction

Dior 5-color eyeshadow Beige Massai (deep brown, ivory, peach)

Bobbi Brown Long-wearing Gel Liner Espresso

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Stretch Mascara

Lips

Chanel Rouge Allure Exquisite

Tom Ford Lip Gloss Rose Crush (reviewed soon)

Look: Special Occasion FOTD - Vampy Lips with Tom Ford Beauty

Hello lovelies, here is another look that I put together for my upcoming formal party. I'm wearing a dark teal dress and want something to contrast it. 

After twitting about my ideas, my blogger friends voted for 3 looks a) copper eye and bright pink lips; b) bronze eyes and dark lips; c) silvery taupe eyes and nude pink lips. Today's look features dark vampy lips. I decided to use Tom Ford Black Orchid at its maximum seductive dose :D. As usual, please scroll down for full makeup breakdown. 

So ladies and gentlemen, do you think this is a better idea for my teal dress? 

Trying to look seductive. I need to venture out of my comfort zone with posing. When reviewing all of my pictures, I felt my neck hurt :))

Me, holding a tissue to blot my lips :) Cute eh? ;;) 

Makeup Worn

Face

Burberry Sheer Glow Trench  6 (Trench 5 review is here)

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Intensity 2

Tom Ford Blush Lovelust (to be reviewed)

YSL Touche Eclat 8

Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

Eye

Rimmel Spicy Bronze

Tom Ford Brow Sculptor Espresso

Dior Beige Massai (Ivory and Rusty)

Tom Form Golden Mink (Coral glitter) (to be reviewed)

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner Espresso

Lip

Tom Ford Lipstick Black Orchid (4 layers)

Review: Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation

Source: Nordstrom (not an affiliated link)

Quite a buzz it was when Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation ($62 for 1 oz) came out a few weeks ago. The most frequent rave I've heard are its long-wearing and natural finish. The latter intrigues my curiosity and at the same time concerns me a bit about the coverage.

Let's first talk about the shade range. It ain't large compared to its widely popular sister Luminous Silk but it seems to capture the color depth well. From the company's website, we know

Fair Shades: #2, #3, #4
Medium Shades: #4.5, #5, #5.5, #6.5, #7, #8
Dark Shades: #10, #11.5, #12

Shade 4.5 and 6.5 are yellow based but the first is too pale while the latter is too tan on my skin. My local Giorgio Armani counter didn't have shade #5. In fact, the girl told me there wasn't #5! Disbelieved but too tired to argue, I grabbed the samples of shade 5.5 and 4.5. So far, I've been enjoying the wear but this foundation has some drawbacks that I can't overcome (yet?).

Comparison of shade 4.5 (yellow-based) and 5.5 (pink-based)

A different lighting

Put aside the hefty price tag, here are what I like

1. Doesn't turn orange on my skin throughout the day
2. Dries instantly in natural finish, no need for powder
3. Although sheer, it stays put for 8 hours without a primer or setting powder
4. Feel comfortable, weightless like naked skin
5. Smooth out my skin, which is a nice surprise since it's sheer
6. Easy to apply (fingers are the best)

And what I don't like?

1. Doesn't offer enough coverage for minor blemishes and uneven skin tone, even with 3 layers. Your skin peeks through the foundation. It definitely covers better than Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid but doesn't come as close to Burberry Luminous Sheer. I do prefer Burberry's (for many other reasons too). 
2. I don't find a shade match (yet). Shade 4.5 captures the yellow of my skin while neutralize the redness. It's too pale though. Shade 5.5 has the right depth but too pink on me. 

I've tried several weightless foundations of new generation and they give me better coverage than Maestro in 1 or 2 layers. Because isn't designed as a full coverage foundation, I don't complain about the how it doesn't do it. But my personal preference is more coverage.

Swatches in layers to show you how Maestro builds

The sale associate told me that the company might issue more shades depending on the popularity of the foundation. I'm keeping my finger crossed! If I find the right shade, I will consider to put more effort in concealing minor blemishes with concealers instead of foundations like my current routine.

Bottom line. For now, I'll wait for better shade range. Although it wears longer than Burberry Sheer Luminous foundation, it doesn't cover minor blemishes as well. If you have good skin, definitely check it out. 

*****A side note on my skin and foundations*****

 I have medium yellow undertone (MAC NC 25-30) with some redness on the cheek and dull skin on the chin. My face skin is nearly one shade deeper than the neck. I look for a foundation that match my neck skin to create a seamless transition from face to neck. I don't classify my skin as good but I don't have break out or major skin problems. Loads of foundations turn orangy or muddy on me within one to three hours of wearing. This is the frustration of finding a good foundation for my makeup. 

Four must-have traits of a good foundation for me

1. doesn't turn orange or muddy throughout the day
2. dries in natural finish
3. evens out the color and smoothes the skin (finely milled texture)
4. covers veins, discoloration, redness and minor dark spots

Styling Friday - Ruby Fall

Outside my windows are the shinny sun and cool breezes that remind me so much of Southern California. We don't really have the fall in Houston but the weather has cooled down quite a bit. Today,  the sun even rewards us with some gorgeous soothing sun rays. I don't want the summer to end yet I can feel the fall vibe in the air. Hence the red accent color for this outfit. Have a great weekend! xx

Ruby Fall by convenientbeaut featuring a sheer lipstick

Styling Friday - Changing-leaf Fall

Polyvore has become my latest obsession, well, second after Tom Ford Beauty. It's so fun and helpful to pull together outfits. I absolutely love to mix and match different brands, texture, and "try" them without worrying about errors. Here is another complete look for the fall. I hope you enjoy it.

Changing-leaf Fall by convenientbeaut featuring betsey johnson

Styling Friday - Jewel Fall

Teal seems to be the color of this fall. I recently purchased a teal dress that resembles the silhouette of the one shown below. While I was trying to put together a couple of outfits, I thought why not using polyvore. I have wanted to test my styling skills for ages anyway. Hope you enjoy my very first polyvore attempt!

Jewel Fall by convenientbeaut featuring miss selfridge

Miss selfridge
missselfridge.com

McQ by Alexander McQueen high heels
$470 - stanwells.com

Maiyet leather handbag
barneys.com

Gold jewelry
wolfandbadger.com

Gerard yosca
charmandchain.com

Black shawl
target.com

Giorgio armani
barneys.com

Tom ford perfume
$78 - johnlewis.com

Guest post on MSodapop

While my blog focuses on high-end cosmetics, I have recently discovered many drugstore products that are serious competitors to my favorite high-ends. When I find a great product I have the need to share (thinking of the hubby at the moment :D). So I'm thrilled that Christine of MSodapop is hosting a guest blog series on her blog. She has keen sense of style and writes objective reviews. Her blog has a relaxing, friendly air that I feel at eased immediately.

I'm so excited to present you my guest post for MSodapop. It features L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Bronzed Taupe and Liquid Diamond. If you want to see my post, please click here.