Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow for Holiday 2010

Giorgio Armani Beauty's newest eye shadows have arrived! The subject of much speculation, the new Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Collection for Holiday 2010 ($32 each) gives us a taste of a much larger collection that's coming in the spring. Giorgio Armani is previewing its unique, high-tech approach to blended color with these new shadows. The innovative hybrid texture, which is not a powder, nor a cream, acts like a smooth, lasting color film. The formula is composed of an unprecedented association between binder elements and pearls that creates exceptional luminosity, depth, and intensity of color. A high-resistance bi-polymer enables the formula to perfectly fit the contour of the eyelid, with cushiony suppleness, for comfortable, long wear.

A harmony of blended black cut-metal shades sets a smoky eye on fire with gold, copper, or silver-grey shimmer. Apply dry or wet to obtain any finish from satin to lacquer, subtle to dramatic. Offering 24-hour wear, the new Eyes to Kill shadows are waterproof and sweat-proof. They slide on and stay on, but wipe off in an instant. Applied wet or dry with fingers or a brush, Armani's Color-Fil color matrix formula blends and layers without creasing or flaking.

There will be many new shades of Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow available in the spring. Now, though, you can experience a preview with Black (13), Copper/Black Grey (15), and Silver/Black Grey (16). I was able to pick up these three colors on Friday, and I got swatches for you then.

Shown on my arm, top to bottom at right, are Copper/Black Grey, Black, and Silver/Black Grey. I applied each with a sponge-tipped applicator to get a very heavy swipe of color, and my photo at right was taken in sun. This is the color at its most intense, when you treat it like a cream.

When applied like a powder with a brush, the character of the shadows is entirely different. They are much more subtle and very wearable. The black applies as charcoal, the copper shade as an antique gold (my favorite), and the grey as metallic silver.

I haven't had time to play with these as much as I would have liked. I haven't applied them with a wet brush, but I think I'm going to prefer the softer look they provide when applied dry with a brush. I did have time to apply them on my arm with a brush, and they "behaved" like powder shadows. The photo at left, taken in full sun, shows the difference in color intensity between sponge-tipped application and shadow brush application. The colors at left were brushed on fairly heavily, but you can see that they add a sheer shimmer to the lid. The copper shade is a must-have for me. So is the silver. It applies with a light application as a sheer, shimmering silver - so pretty with grey clothing. The black shade will only work for me as a liner.

Loyd Cassler at Saks experimented with them on a model when they arrived. Applying them with Armani's shadow and brushes, he used the black shade as a liner and smudged it on the outer corner of the lid. He used the silver on the rest of the lid, particularly on the center. He said the look was gorgeous. I would like to have seen it, but I will recreate it on myself soon.

You can see these shadows at Saks and any Giorgio Armani Beauty counter or the online site.

Photo at top courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty