Thursday 27 September 2012

Review: Armani Maestro Foundation

I'm so sorry for the lack of love on my blog this week guys! I'm not sure how, but the week seems to have shot past at the speed of light, but today I'm back with a review that I have been trying to write for the past month or so.

It's about a product that many of you will have seen or heard whisperings about recently: Giorgio Armani's new Maestro Foundation. It's hot stuff in the blogging world right now, and I was lucky enough to be sent a sample of it over a month ago.

The reason why it's taken me so long to review this product, is because I simply can't make my mind up about it. It's rather an oddity if I'm honest. Here's a bit of background info on it, and how it's meant to work if you haven't read any reviews already:

Hailed as a "revolutionary complexion perfecter" by Armani's makeup artist Linda Cantello, Maestro has been eight years in the making. According to Cantello this is "not a foundation", it's a "whole new generation of makeup that feels incredible, looks invisible and makes the skin appear luminous every time. Everyone can wear it".

The product is formulated using 5 different types of oil, but no water. Using what are known as volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile oils not only gives the foundation an incredibly unique texture, but it also helps it to stay in place all day. The different oils evaporate from the skin gradually throughout application, leaving a fine film of pigment on the skin. The foundation is also formulated using a lower percentage of pigment compared to most foundations, so the effect is more subtle and natural.

It comes in 12 different shades (as shown above) The shade I have is 5.5 and it's a great match for my skin tone.

It sounds interesting, right?

But how does it actually perform? As promised, the texture of this foundation is something else. It's so thin and silky, it's almost like blending water in to the skin. It's surprisingly non-greasy and super fast to apply. It feels practically undetectable on the skin, and gives a light, natural coverage.

The problem with this foundation is that one day I'll use it, and love it, and on other days, it just doesn't seem to sit right on my skin. It tends to cling to any dry patches, so if you have dry skin I think this is a total no-no. On 'good days', when combined with a good concealer for any problem areas, the effect of this product is really beautiful. Quite flawless, yet still natural, and as the blurb above says... luminous.

No Makeup
With Armani Maestro alone:
Finished Makeup:
I think it really depends on the condition of your skin. If you like natural coverage and have normal-oily skin, I think this foundation would be a great one to consider. The texture alone makes it something that every beauty aficionado simply must see in person. It's a totally new, innovative product, which is quite rare these days, and I love it for that.

Otherwise... I'm on the fence.

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've tried this foundation, as I feel like it may be one of those love-hate products... Have any of you tried it? What do you think?

You can pick this up in Selfridges now for £36, and nationwide at GA counters from Monday.
Share:

45 comments

  1. I really want to try Giorgio Armani's Maestro foundation. But now after reading your review I'm unsure, but I shall go to a GA counter and get colour matched though just to see :)xo

    p.s I'm having a give away on my blog if you are interested :) http://hidden-in-the-snow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/ren-gift-set-giveaway_2532.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. For £36, I wouldn't want to be on the fence. All other blogs I've read have felt the same civil indifference.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for your honest review! I have tried this foundation for about 3 weeks now and today I just switched back to my old one. For me, the coverage is simply not enough, it's too sheer and the worst thing, I have breakouts on my face since using it for a week or so. I really want to like it though ;(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I found that the Armani foundations break me out, nothing else does that to my skin. It's a shame because the finishes of all the foundations are so lovely.

      Delete
  4. I haven't tried it yet and probably won't. My skin is dry to oily so I feel like it wouldn't work very well for me. And although the concept seems great I can't see me purchasing this. I'd be willing to try a sample or something but I won't be purchasing a full bottle just to try it.

    A Bite of Glamour

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hmmm, that's an expensive foundation haha! It looks beautiful on you but I do have dry skin so I fear it wouldn't look so great on me, like you said, it might cling to my dry patches haha

    Thanks for the review!
    xoxo, Adela
    http://afashionistascorner.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I mean honestly for the price I don't think I will be trying this, but it's great that Armani have come out with something so innovative and exciting! Your skin seems to wear it really well :) x
    http://lipsticksunshine.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great review Fleur - really honest and thorough! :) I am quite hesitans on whether I should buy it or not, since I am not sure if it will be good for my skin! Maybe I will pick up a sample just to try it out! :))

    XO,
    http://www.rosychicc.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. This foundation looks great...your skin looks flawless. A great post as always, Fleur x

    www.elles-eyes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. wow this is the future of foundation for sure. I think this is the kinda of foundation I've been looking for, for years. The thing is I have extremely dry skin and take very good care of it, so this product probably wouldn't be right for me. Maybe I give it a try anyway. Like you said and I will agree I have a feeling it's going to be a love hate relationship with this bad boy. Thanks for your honest opinion and your review.

    kassie

    www.kmakesithappen.blospot.com beauty blog

    ReplyDelete
  10. Genuinely interested to hear your thoughts, I was blown away (personally) by this stuff, and probably a little overly effusive with excitement ;-) but a friend of mine tried it and it really didn't work for her At All. It looks good on you though! http://mkup.me/12

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds interesting :)

    http://samitures.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great review! I'd like to give this a try just to satisfy my curiosity, but for the price I would want it to be amazing every day xx

    snowwhiteetrosered.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love that you show the before and after photos! NO.3 looks like a nice match for me I prefer light pink-toned foundations because I have really pale skin I'll definitely be testing this out xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. It looks amazing on the skin:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've tried this foundation and i absolutely love it! it looks so nice on you, your so pretty! :) love your blog! xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. i think it looks lovely on you! gigi. food and beauty blogger @ www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really want this foundation, I've seen it on many blogs and love the sound of it; sounds like it would really work with my oily skin :)
    Daniella x

    http://daniella-r.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  18. great review! this product seems really interesting but i'm not sure it would work with my skin combination!


    Sarah x
    http://takemyscars.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  19. I havent tried this myself but for some reason I'm not drawn to it even though the majority of reviews are positive. I do love the dropper packagaing though.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think the pipette type thing is ingenious.
    Gonna have to see what this is like at the counter :s
    http://annieetcetera.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think this foundation looks great on you!

    http://hiddentreasure21.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  22. While it looks great on your skin, I probably wouldn't try it as I have dry skin and the thought of a foundation clinging on to dry patches (especially when the price tag is what it is) I think it would be a miss for me :) x

    www.picturenoergaard.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have very dry skin, so from what you say and what I've read elsewhere I don't think this would work well for me. It's a shame though, because it sounds so intriguing! xx
    bohoglow.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. It looks so nice on your skin :) I have dry skin though so this definitely wouldn't be for me! xx

    http://belle-amiebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi dear, i'm enjoying lot to read your earlier post,Please help me in one thing my wife have very dry skin and in weather of cold, it gonna be crack.so please help me any how.Thank's

    Liquid Latex

    ReplyDelete
  26. This sounds interesting never tried any Armani products before but i hear there good :)

    abrunettesbeautyblog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think I'll give this one a miss..All those oils in it give me a fight..haha..xx

    Yewizzy @ She Loves The Finer Things

    ReplyDelete
  28. I already love the Luminous Silk, and the Maestro seems amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The fact that there's oils in the foundation makes me hesitate even trying it on.. I have combination skin, and have tried out several foundations containing oils, and everyone of those slides of my face and give me breakouts on my forehead and nose. And that pricetag? Well, thank you for your review, now I know that if I feel the temptation, I will steer away ;)

    http://sugarmochi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Fleur I miss your vlogging everyday!! Bring it back soon pleeease!!!!!! http://katieaprilouise.blogspot.co.uk/ xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  31. you have such good skin Fleur :) great post as usual :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. It looks like a nice product for me, because I'm combination-oily, so probably I would not have any problem with it... But it's a bit pricey. I think I'll wait for now until I finish my bobbi brown.

    ReplyDelete
  33. i've never tried armani products. i've been using make up for ever hd for a while now, but i'm considering a change. thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  34. It looks great on your skin, but I think £36 is pushing for a foundation, I don't think I will purchase it.
    xx-B
    http://thegreyclover.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  35. Fleur you are STUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNING!!!! Love it! XX

    Best,
    V

    http://vikbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  36. ahhh you are forever gorgeous , fleur! <3

    http://rrraych.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. It looks good :) xxx

    http://jeminixlife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have drier skin and it works well for me. It's a very light coverage though. I do love the way it feels on my skin.

    ReplyDelete
  39. You look amazing in all three pictures! And it's surprising to know that it's not greasy. Would you recommend it if a person has oily skin? Thanks :D

    ReplyDelete
  40. Look the difference in the pics. These Armani products are really very good and effective. That is why people around the globe love this brand.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your skin looks good with the foundation on. I picked up a sample of this today so am really excited to try this!

    ReplyDelete

© Fleur De Force | All rights reserved.
Blog Layout Created by pipdig