Review+Swatches: Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20

NAME: Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20

PRICE:  $59 USD

DESCRIPTION: As per GA's website..."Starlight proof, spotlight proof,… in a new liquid silk texture.
A high resistance make-up that is extremely watery and fresh, giving a luminous semi-mat finish that lasts and lasts. The new coverage effect without coverage feel.

Lasting Silk UV is conceived for a woman with a contemporary approach to all day lasting weightless color and semi-mat perfection without color weight and feel. Its fluid, innovative texture has been achieved through the deconstruction of a classic foundation and the reinvention of a unique composition of highly selective ingredients that improve makeup hold yet procure an intense fresh, watery silk sensation and luminous matt finish – the new lasting Armani touch.

The secret of Lasting Silk lies in a special high tech Microfil TM fine milling process that combines water essence, micronised optical effect particles high tech fitting silk and micro blend luminous pigments. These components morph into a barely perceivable seamless silk veil of infallible semi mat color that dresses the skin’s contours to perfection."
Phew! Wow. So many claims and explanations...guess it has to do with the high tag.

SHADE I BOUGHT: 6.5 Tawny

COVERAGE:  Light to Medium (by layering)

FINISH: Satin, dewy

MY EXPERIENCE WITH IT: Since this is the priciest foundation I've bought --ever--, I decided to wait for a few months to make this review. I bought it from the Giorgio Armani website back in December, 2010 (okay, it was more than a few months...lol).  So:

• The shade 6.5 is great for NC 37 skin, could be used for NC 40 with a bit of bronzer. That's one of the downsides of this product: not many shades available (8 only?).
• Very light texture and feeling, which is great.
• It's texture is very watery indeed. It is water based after all. I pour it on my stainless steel palette and prefer to apply it with my MAC 187. Using a sponge with this would cause to waste too much product, no matter if it is damped.
• Since it provides light to medium (at most) coverage --at least on me-- I need to use concealer to cover most of the dark/brown spots on my face. But I guess on ladies with better skin than mine, it would look really nice.
• It settles into my pores and lines! Ugh! It doesn't matter if I wear primer or not (I have used many types of primer--what works best for me is applying a light layer of MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder first, then the foundation. 
• On my combinaton skin (oily T-zone, normal skin on cheeks) it looks great the first couple of hours but it does not lasts. I had to use blotting paper like crazy and still it starts moving all around my face--hate that. 
• As mentioned, my skin gets super oily a few hrs after applying it. I don't get it, it does has alcohol in its first 5 ingredients. Maybe it's because of all of the '##-cones?
• So of course, I don't get the 14 hrs (I get 6 hrs at most) and it does transfer. 6hrs at most.
• Not good for flash photography. It does has a combination of chemical and mineral sunscreens.

I guess I'm one of the few that doesn't like this foundation and of course, I won't repurchase. It just does not live up to its claims, I have to use many other products to make it last longer. This product is average at most and for the $59 tag, hell, I go to the drugstore and buy something cheaper that offers better results.

RATING: 2.5/5 (I would've given it a 3 but being that it is so pricey...)

++Note: all pics were taken a few months ago++

Under 'Daylight' fluorescent lighting, no flash

No foundation/With foundation

  

Flash photography

No foundation/With foundation

Flash Photography; after applying setting powder (Maybelline) and bronzer (NARS);

NO Concealer was applied

A look I did months ago for work

 (No flash/Flash)

Products used

FACE

MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Foundation in 6.5-Tawny
EL Double Wear Concealer in Medium
MAYBELLINE Dream Matte Powder in Beige Medium (applied with a cosmetic puff)
NARS Laguna Bronzer
MAC Powder Blush in Margin

EYES

TFSI
REVLON PhotoReady Translucent Finishing Powder --from lash line to brows
ELIZABETH ARDEN Color Intrigue E/S in Sparkle
MAYBELLINE Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Waterproof Mascara in Very Black
MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud



LIPS
Sally Hansen Healing Butter for Lips

¡Vivan, amen y rían!