Giorgio Armani Beauty Effetto Nudo Collection for Spring 2014

I'll tell you about my last few days before I show you Giorgio Armani Beauty's gorgeous new spring collection. On Friday,  Dominion Virginia Power went to my mother's house because her power went off late morning. They found a line that had to be replaced and did so. Unfortunately, in fixing it, they sent a power surge through every electrical device in her house: 240 volts through the 120 line!

We couldn't figure out what was wrong - she had lights, but little else - so I got the power company back late Friday night, and they continued to claim that it was something in Mom's house, denying it could have been s surge. Needless to say, the electrician I found online Friday night showed up at 9:00 am Saturday, and the surge was definitively diagnosed. The surge fried her furnace (yes she slept with no heat overnight in very cold temperatures - she wouldn't leave), FIOS, microwave oven, washing machine, clock radio, all telephones, and a few other things like her clock radio. It has been a time-consuming and costly few days getting in repairmen or buying new appliances. A blown transformer or circuit board basically melts you nice electronics. I had a surge protector put on her house, but I understand they can't really prevent these kinds of powerful surges.

I got the Armani photos and press release right before all that happened, and I have not had a second to put them up. My apologies. I wanted you to see them right away. I think the carefully edited collection is superb. My pieces are ordered and on the way.

The Giorgio Armani Privé Fall Winter 2013/2014 Paris show marked the return of a central theme in the Maestro's work: Nude. More than just a shade, the make-up look interpreted by Linda Cantello for "Nudo" is an evanescent color philosophy that goes back to 30's elegance with a touch of Hollywood glamour. After introducing it in fashion and cosmetics, Giorgio Armani has not innovated with a "peau d’ange" nude - translucent, luminous, feminine, and glamorous, reinvented in modern romanticism.

Effetto Nudo unveils this neo-nude by Armani, shimmering with elusive shades. A subtle balance of undefinable tones between shade and light, cold and warm.

The Belladonna Highlighter Palette in Champagne ($88) caught my eye immediately. The emblematic palette is an unprecedented, universal illuminating powder. Its shade and texture deliver pure, nude, virtually bare light, for an evanescent "peau d’ange" effect of infinite finesse. The powder features micropearl technology, printed in an ultra-fine flower pattern. The new gel-based formula is prepared using a cold-cast technique and melds immediately with its case, for a feel between powder and cream. It offers a texture that is both dense and incredibly light. The pattern designed in the powder is inspired by a flower with light, subtle petals, with a romantic, feminine, enigmatic tulle fabric. The powder is meant to be applied to the face and décolleté or used as an eyeshadow. Linda Cantello used it in the "Nudo" show to halo the eyes with soft, velvety light. Most of my favorite highlighters are Armani, so I can't wait to use this one.

I love Fluid Sheer, so the new Fluid Sheer Enhancing Fluid (#13, $62), a Giorgio Armani Beauty innovation, excited me. Fluid Sheer Radiant Pigment, enriched with kaleidoscopic pearls, is used to enhance the complexion on the cheekbones or to blend with foundation for a warmed and radiant complexion or as an eyeshadow primer. The color effect travels from pink to gold depending on the angle of the light, for a sculpting, luminous effect. The new shade is translucent and universal, bringing to the complexion a soft, delicately pink radiance and a healthy glow.

Like the black feather necklace seen at the Armani Privé show, Smooth Silk Eye Pencils ($34) contrast to magnify the Effetto Nudo look. The navy blue (#1), chestnut (#10) and brown (#11) accentuate the nudo effect by playing with contrasts. Their lines structure this evanescent makeup look.

For your lips, Flash Lacquer (#314, #514, #614, $30) and Rouge d'Armani Sheers (same numbers as above - go figure, $34) turn nude into light - reinvented for a sheer, glossy mouth. The lips are illuminated into pink, coral, and plum shades in a crystal nude sensation with Flash Lacquer or a slightly pearly effect with Rouge d’Armani Sheers.

"The purest looks are actually the most difficult to achieve because they are very subtle, built with the right colors and the right textures, very simply," said Linda Cantello International Makeup Artist with Giorgio Armani. Given my first look, I'd have to agree. I placed my order and hope it arrives quickly so I can show you this beautiful collection.

You can see this beautiful collection at the Giorgio Armani Beauty Web site.  That's where I ordered my pieces - probably the first of two orders!

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty