Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Palette in #8, Parma

Giorgio Armani's new Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Palettes ($59) are said to offer the perfect matte with the perfect satin - the perfect match between colors and textures. I wasn't at all sure about that "perfect matte," but when I saw the palettes, I bought five - without hesitating. I plan to buy two more tonight. Today, I show you Parma, #8.

Parma (#08) offers a gradation from dewy lilac to an iconic amethyst powder.  Two variations of lilac rose tinted with blue reflections remind of spring colors - from the sky at dawn to blooming flowers. The gradation goes into a sparkling mineral dust before ending in an intense amethyst violet, echo to the homemade eye shadows crafted by women in ancient Mediterranean civilizations.

I can't keep repeating all the superlatives that describe the new Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Palettes. I feel like a broken record. I have featured them here, here, and here. Please forgive me for posting these one at a time. It has been cloudy every day. Whenever I can grab a little sunshine, I swatch another one.

Parma surprised me a bit. Although I don't usually buy pink/lavender palettes, I was attracted to this one by the top three shades. I wasn't sure about the bottom shade, but I didn't take the time to play with it in the store. I knew I'd love three of the four shades - and I do. That was enough for me.

I swatched the shades heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator, and I took my swatch photos in very late-afternoon sun. I'm wasn't thrilled with my photos, which were dark, but I found one that would "do."

The two pinks at the top of the palette are unique. Armani calls them lilac rose with blue reflections. You be the judge. The icy pink at the top of my arm offers a subtle shimmer and is a gorgeous highlighting or layering shade. Even I can wear it, unusual for a pink shade. The warmer pink below it is drop-dead gorgeous. It also has a shy shimmer finish. The mauve-leaning taupe - called sparkling mineral dust - is absolutely stunning (remember Ab Fab?). Again, it shimmers - not sure how or why these shadows were characterized as offering satin and matte finishes. Consider the top three colors, and Parma is worth every dime of the $59.

Then we get to the "intense amethyst violet." It resembled a blue-toned lilac in the palette. I can wear blue-toned violets. Applied to my skin, though, it took on the appearance of a bruise. It has far too much red in it for me to wear - a total surprise. I can see this shade on someone whose skin is medium to dark. On very dark skins, it will be stunning. On mine? Unflattering would be an understatement. Hey, three out of four isn't bad.

The collection still isn't available at Giorgio Armani Beauty's Web site, but you can buy it at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus for sure. I purchased mine at the Saks in Chevy Chase.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty