Giorgio Armani has introduced Lip Maestro, a revolutionary lip lacquer that dries to a matte finish. With a gel-based formula and highly-concentrated pigments, the product’s colour is incredibly rich. While many products appear far deeper in the packaging compared to when they are applied, Lip Maestro‘s colour applies as saturated as in the tube.
In typical Giorgio Armani fashion, Lip Maestro is luxuriously packaged, with a centred Armani logo and a red-capped doe-foot applicator. The shade featured here is #504 Ecstasy, a furiously rich magenta colour. Lip Maestro is available in 12 shades, and I’m itching to next get my paws on the classic red, #400 The Red, as well as the vampy #201 Dark Velvet.
Upon application, Lip Maestro dries quickly to a matte, velvet texture. A little goes a long way, so swipe on a small amount to start, and use a lip brush for more precise application. The product’s strength lies in the fact that it is applied in liquid form. Because it goes on wet, it stains the lip for lasting wear, and the matte finish locks in colour. For me, Lip Maestro held up through 6 hours, a coffee and dinner before re-application, and even that was largely due to paranoia than necessity. I did find that the Lip Maestro bled slightly, so it’s best to line the lips first.
Lip Maestro is impressive in hydration, with no flaking; however, being matte, it inevitably is slightly drying, especially since you have to ignore that irresistible urge to lick your lips. Fortunately, the wear is so strong that you can top your lips up with balm if needed. My ultimate balm to pair with lipsticks is Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream ($15), which absorbs straight into the lips without leaving behind any sticky surface residue.
I absolutely adore the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro. Being somewhat addicted to lip products, I would say that this product is safely one of my favourite matte lipsticks, and no doubt the most comfortable that I have ever worn. Pop into your closest Giorgio Armani beauty counter and give it a test run – you definitely will not be disappointed.
WEAR IT WITH….
The Lip Maestro creates such a striking lip that the rest of the face should be kept simple. For an eye-catching daytime look, define the eyes by tightlining with a black liner (Laura Mercier Tightline in Black Ebony [$35]). Fill in the brows so that they are natural, but defined; this is important to balance the strong lip. Lightly contour the face (Illamasqua Bronzing Duo [$39]) over a lightweight BB cream. Couturing loves L’Oreal Revitalift BB Cream, reviewed HERE.
For an evening look, pat a pearly shadow over the eyelid (MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study [$35]) and in the inner corners of the eye. Over this base, smudge a brown eyeshadow (Estée Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Sepia Sand Satin [$42]) close to the top and bottom lash lines for a light, smouldering effect. Ensure that the skin is dewy and fresh with a lightweight foundation (Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup) and brighten and conceal flaws with a highlighter pen (L’Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighter).
The Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro retails for $49 and is available from selected Myer and David Jones department stores.
Images: Amanda Wong
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