Giorgio Armani Beauty Maestro Mediterranea Fusion Blush

Inspired by the intensity of Italian sun, Giorgio Armani Beauty unveils its interpretation of healthy glow makeup. Armani has dedicated all of its expertise in fabrics and face makeup to create a 100% natural sun-kissed look.

For Linda Cantello, Giorgio Armani International Makeup Artist, you need both bronzers and blush to create a beautiful and natural tanned look. Looking sun-kissed doesn't just mean having a warm complexion; it also focuses on highlighting the color of the cheekbones. With Maestro Mediterranea (I have no idea where the "n" went), you can mix, blend, or layer for a custom result.

Maestro Mediterranea builds on the revolution led by Maestro Fusion Makeup Complexion Perfector, which launched in 2012. Maestro Color-Fil technology has reinterpreted the alchemy of Maestro Complexion Perfector and adapted it to blush and bronzer. Maestro Fusion Blush ($52) and Maestro Liquid Summer Bronzer benefit from the unique, lightweight texture that fuses naturally with the skin. Naturally, I had to have them both! Today, I'm featuring the blush, and tomorrow I will move on to the bronzer.

The secret of this iconic Maestro formula is that no water or white powder is used. Instead, it contains five non-comedogenic oils, including white lotus oil (lotus flowers contain linoleic acid, protein, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins B and C), which gradually evaporate upon application and leave you with a “no makeup feel,” somewhat like a stain, but without a drying effect. Its name is perfect because it literally fuses with my skin. The suspension of ultra-fine oil pigments enhances the skin and is enriched with finely milled micro-pearls for Liquid Summer Bronzer and essential concentrated pigments for Fusion Blush.

The Fusion Blush comes in three shades: #300, #400 (left above), and #500 (right above). I selected my two colors on the phone - even without pictures. I finally got over to Saks Fifth Avenue at Chevy Chase to pick them up early this weekend. The one that didn't come home with me was #300. If I were not feeling a poverty pinch right now, I would have purchased it too. I told Giannina I could only have two, and she ruled out the apricot-toned #300 as being "the least ideal" for me. Now, though, I have something akin to "non-buyer's remorse." I think #300 would be beautiful on me if it were mixed with any of the other blush shades or the bronzer - especially the bronzer. That's the delicious thing about liquids.

I took swatch photos in full, mid-day sun. I applied the Fusion Blushes with a sponge-tipped applicator so I could get even swatches. You would never do that in "real life." Additionally, my swatches are very dark because I did not blend them at all.

I would normally apply Fusion Blush by putting a dot (a little of this highly pigmented formula goes a very long way) from the applicator in my palm, pick it up with a foundation brush, and, working quickly, apply the fluid. It dries very quickly, so you have to work fast. If you are intimidated by that, mix the blush with some moisturizer. That's a good way to soften the color too.

I swatched #400 at the top of my arm, with #500 below. I'll admit they don't look radically different in my photos, but you can see a shade difference in person, particularly when you blend them for a light application. Both are beautiful rose shades; one is described as pink and the other as ruby. I'll assume that #400 is pink and #500 is ruby.

I tried to get photos in different exposures so that you could see the difference on the blog - by the time the photos made their way through several photo "translators."

I wouldn't have missed these new Armani blushes for the world. They are a nice addition to Armani's new Cheek Fabric Sheer Blushes. It's a cheeky season.

These new Fusion Blushes are available at some Giorgio Armani Beauty counters, such as the one at Saks where I purchased mine, as well as the Armani Beauty Web site. Scheduled to launch this month, they should be available at all Armani counters this month.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

By Terry Rose De Rose Sheer Liquid Blush

Finally, we have a By Terry counter in the DC area! Bloomingdale's at Tysons Corner Center opened a mini SPACE.NK.apothecary area when they unveiled their expanded beauty department not long ago. While I can't seem to find the latest and greatest there, I have been able to purchase a few intriguing things to try.

Rose De Rose ($54) caught my eye the last time I went in. Part skin care, part color liquid blush, Rose De Rose is rich in natural pigments drawn from rose petals to blend easily into the cheeks and facial contours, leaving the skin feeling smooth and looking radiant.

There are three shades, and I had a dilemma. One is rose pink (Fresh Rose, #1); a second is peach (#2); and a third is a mauvy "amber" (Amber Rose, #3). I wanted the Fresh Rose for bright, cheerful days,and I wanted the Amber Rose for several reasons. Applied lightly, it's a very natural blush on my skin. Applied more heavily, it's a bronzer or contouring shade. So, I bought both - my usual solution for indecision.

I like the pump-top containers. They are convenient for dispensing no more product than you need for a full application. I've been pumping the blush into my palm and applying it with a brush.

To take a few swatch photos, I pumped out a "dab" on my arm, and then I pumped out a second dab, blending (spreading) it with my fingers to show you the color. I didn't blend it in as carefully or thoroughly as I would have on my face. I wanted to get enough color to show you the shades in full sun.

I think these two shades are drop-dead gorgeous, and I'm regretting not buying the third. Look at the gleam from these blushes! Now, imagine the color blended properly on your cheeks, and you'll get a visual picture of glorious, natural, luminous color.

I snapped photos at slightly different angles to the sun so that you could see the effects of light on the shades. When blended, both shades impart a sheer, flattering blush color.

Now, I fear, I'm going to become a By Terry addict. I really want the limited-edition Terribly Or Rose, which I didn't see at Bloomingdale's! There's so much more I want to try. One nice thing about SPACE.NK is the N.dulge (loyalty) program. When you earn 100 points (by spending $100), you get a $5 credit that can be used in store or online. How could I let that free $5 go to waste?

You can purchase By Terry products from SPACE.NK.apothecary online, at By Terry online, or at SPACE.NK counters in the United States. I think it's easier to find in France.

Photo at top courtesy of By Terry; other photos by Best Things in Beauty