“This Spring, I love the mix of vivid shades with nudes. Women are traditionally drawn to color, but afraid of it. This way they can play and customize to their own desires. At the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2013 show. I used the soft grey tone to create a muted graphic shape, then a thick liner was drawn with Swimming Pool Turquoise blue, and then blended with the taupe. That gave a soft pop of glamorous, sensual color. Any woman can wear it," said Linda Cantello, International Makeup Artist for Giorgio Armani Cosmetics and creator of the spring collection.
When I saw Coral Bliss at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, I flipped. It's stunning - even better than I had anticipated. I might have cried if it had sold out since I learned they had received it a week ago.
I took swatch photos in full, morning sunshine. I applied all four shades fairly heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator. The first time I swatched/applied the powder, I almost hyperventilated over the center eye shade. It's exquisite.
The Coral Bliss blush/powder is a beautiful peach. It's not coral, and it's stunning on the cheeks. The finish is satin nearing matte (but not flat matte - it's got life).
I decided to take a photo to show you how three of these shades look when applied lightly. I did use a sponge-tipped applicator, which does pick up more pigment than a brush would, but I wanted you to see how pretty the combination of the blue and taupe-grey could be. If applied lightly with a brush, you can achieve a wash of blue color that's what you might call wearable. I also wanted to show you how subtle the Coral Bliss shade can be.
I think Coral Bliss is a definite buy. I was at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria this week, and the spring collection had not arrived. It is in stock at Saks Chevy Chase. I can give you Loyd's phone number if you'd like some help. While he's with Chanel now, he was the Giorgio Armani Beauty manager for a long time, and I always drag him over to play with colors at Armani. You can reach him at (240) 497-5363. The palettes are also available at the Giorgio Armani Beauty Web site.
I might go back this week to pick up Rose Bliss. The lavender pink shade is definitely not me, but the rest of the shades are pretty. I will go see how that shade blends with the others.
Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty
I bought this last Saturday and have been playing with it ever since. The silvery white, cool taupe, and clear light aqua create an effect that makes me think of a dip in the pool on a warm, spring, California day. It has a clean and refreshing quality to it that is very appealing as we look ahead to longer days and warmer weather. I particularly love how the aqua blends into the taupe without looking in the least bit muddy. I was concerned about that at first, but the two colors overlap to create a third tone that is complex and stunning as you can see from Charlestongirl's swatch.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the promo pictures show a bold stroke of aqua, those pictures are very editorial and only show what can be done in the extreme. These are refined, elegant, and slightly translucent Armani colors that will work seamlessly for those of us who want a touch of adventure to go along with our neutrals. This is a palette that can be worn by you younger ladies and by us older ones with equal ease. Don't be intimidated by the aqua. It's gorgeous and very user friendly.
As for the blush, it is soft, effortless, and a perfect compliment to the eyeshadows. I guarantee you won't look like a painted lady wearing this palette! You'll look "Younger Than Sprintime" (Thanks Dovey for reminding me what a smash South Pacific was :-))
I did look at the Rose Bliss palette, but gave it a miss as I already have more than my fair share of similar orchid shades. I selected the Coral Bliss because I am ready for a bit of adventure :-)
Ladies, I think Coral Bliss is going to be the star; so if you're interested in it, don't wait too long to go have a look at it.
I just found your website and I'm so glad I did! I love your writing style, I've been looking for an American (there are a surprisingly large number of British beauty blogs) beauty blog with wonderful writing and I'm so happy to have found it!
ReplyDeleteI was on the Nordstrom's website and saw this as well, but the blue deterred me. Its so much lighter than I imagined though, so perhaps I should just save up and get this! Thanks for the post, I can't wait to see more!
Hi Julia,
ReplyDeleteIf you apply the shades with an eye shadow brush, you will see that the beautiful wash of color will remind you of Armani's ethereal fabrics. The colors are divine!
Thanks for discovering BTiB!
Hey there Eileen! Greetings from the stormy East Coast.
ReplyDeleteThe look for this collection showed the blue applied very heavily, and it was artsy, but unrealistic for most of us. I actually like this blue - unusual for me - when I apply it sheerly. The blush is perfect for a focus on the eyes, which we have both seen for spring.
I would like to try Rose Bliss on my eyes. I'm hoping it looks terrible b/c of the money. :) Unfortunately, in Loyd's hands, it's going to be divine. Maybe I shouldn't go back.
Poor Charlestongirl! Loyd is such a supremely talented enabler---you're doomed :-) Unless you want to spend some money, you'd best stay away from that man! LOL
DeleteI'll be honest, when I first saw the promo picture of the model, I thought Coral Bliss would be very easy to dup just by purchasing an aqua shadow and then using items from my stash, but I was entirely wrong. The way these colors interplay is quite special. That was evident as soon as the MA started applying this palette on my eyes. And, the blush is to die for! It's a delicate, natural, healthy wash of color that balances the eyes without competing. Talk about being doomed! There was no way I was going to leave the store without this palette in my hot little hand.
I wish I could send you some sunshine. It's a bright, sunny 78 today in my neck of the woods although temps are supposed to drop again in a few days. From 63 to 78 in one day. Who says we don't have weather in California? LOL
LOL Eileen talk about an enabler. CharlestonGirl's review got me to the top of the fence but your comments made me jump over! They have the new NARS on nordstom.com today too so I got this palette and the new NARS pencil gloss and nail polish that I have been eyeing.
ReplyDeleteOooooo . . . Jo, you're going to look lovely :-)
DeleteI am doomed, Eileen. but I'll be hard to convince. If I cave, it will be because he worked wonders. I really have to spend less.
ReplyDeleteWe would make a great sales team, huh, Jo?
ReplyDeleteGee, now that you're all talking about the new Spring lines, I think I'm going to have to spend the night online at Nordstrom checking out the makeup! (enablers, all of you!)
ReplyDeleteHi MamaVal,
ReplyDeleteYep you must get with the program, but do watch the finale of 30 Rock.
ank you for good info.
ReplyDeleteQuestion : out of all spring 2013 collection which one is the the must have ?
That should have been THANK you.. lol
DeleteHi Kornelia,
DeleteI don't know about the other women who read BTiB, but taken as a whole, I think Guerlain's spring has been the best so far because they created two distinct color stories with beautifully coordinated products. If I could only buy spring products from one line this year, Guerlain would probably be it. But, it is still early in the game and February will see more spring collections rolling out. It's way too early to proclaim one the "must have" of the season.
Hi Kornelia,
ReplyDeleteI second Eileen's suggestion of Guerlain, but I have to add Chantecaille to the list of favorites.
thank you Charleston Girl and Eileen, I think I am going to wait month or so, and get few thing from Spring 2013 colections. ITS JUST SO HARD TO WAIT!! lol . right now I am on crazzzzy Hakuhodo shopping spree.
ReplyDelete