Saturday, April 6, 2013

Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Quad Shimmer in No. 9 (Medusa): Review & Swatches

Purchased by me
Giorgio Armani introduces four new Eyes to Kill Quad Shimmers featuring iridescent, eye-catching colors with electric shine and shimmer. Irresistible with its extremely soft, sensorial appeal, the eyeshadow arms the eyes with a flawless weapon all day long.
Words fail me when trying to conjure the appropriate way to describe the extent to which this quad is gorgeous. I have cool toned skin and hazel eyes, and the moment that I saw it I knew that Medusa was going to work for me.
Upon first reflection it was not entirely obvious to me why this sublime quad should have been named Medusa. However, it quickly occurred to me that the fine people at Armani Beauty must have been thinking of something like Cellini's bronze statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa, and perhaps sought inspiration from the stunning patina that has enveloped this work over the centuries. It is hard to think of pictorial representations of Medusa without thinking of Caravaggio's more shocking Medusa, and the beautiful palette of browns and greens chosen by the artist may have inspired the color choices for this outstanding quad. Then again, as an occupational hazard- I tend to see intertextual relationships rooted in High Art everywhere that I look!
Left to Right: The first shade is a brown with a bit of reddened plum- it's not quite a brown and not quite a plum, but instead resides somewhere in between. It really is quite lovely, and surprisingly wearable. The lighter green has a gorgeous sheen and complexity, and it is kissed by a touch of golden pearl. It is stunning! The third shadow is a deeper and richer green that is also quite complex. The final shade is a rich charcoal on the verge of black, but it lacks all harshness. Instead it is nearly sooty in effect, and it makes for a stupendous liner.
The texture of all 4 shades is remarkably buttery soft, and the pigmentation is excellent. While one might find it difficult to imagine these four colors being harmonious together- they really make for one stunning combination.
I have nothing but love for this delightful eyeshadow palette.
Giorgio Armani never fails to amaze with their inventive and creative color combinations coupled with their consistently outstanding quality. This finely milled quad is no exception, and it is sure to delight.
Eyes to Kill Shimmers are available in 4 new shades: No. 09 (Medusa) , No. 10 (Mirage), No. 11 (Mystery), and No. 12 (Fatal).
Benvenuto Cellini. Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Image source).
Caravaggio. Medusa (image source).

Overall assessment: Simply gorgeous and such a delight to use!

$59.00 I purchased mine at Nordstrom.
Stock photo from Nordstrom. (Not an affiliate link- it is merely there for your convenience).

24 comments:

  1. I was eyeing this one last weekend. It does remind me of Guerlain's Coup de Foudre, although the shades aren't the same. It is a really gorgeous collection of shades...

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    1. It is such a stunning quad, Kate! I swatched it first because you had mentioned that you wanted to see it in the haul picture. I am delighted by the quality, textures, and the interesting juxtaposition of colors. I thought that it might be somewhat difficult to wear them together, but they are immensely wearable together. I think that the light green is closest to that of the light green in Guerlain's Coup de Foudre palette-- such a stunning choice of colors there as well! GA really did an amazing job on this quad. I bought two more from the collection and will post them soon!<3

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  2. ooh that is really pretty, I wouldn't think to get that one but your pictures are a lot prettier than the offical stock image, I seem to be building up quite a big Armani wish list :) xx

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    1. The stock image really fails to indicate the beauty of this quad. Best Things in Beauty made me want the quad, but seeing it and swatching it in person sealed the deal!! It is most definitely worth checking out in person! My Armani wish list is now longer than my arm!!! :)

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  3. Oh my god! A soon as saw the picture I thought of Medusa! Medusa as an image in ancient artifacts and mosaics is so promiment and these are exactly the colours used on her. I can totally understand your tendancy to see art references all the time. I do that, too, and truth be told there are references to high art everywhere!

    I found a mosaic where you can see colours so similar to the ones in the quad, you'd be surprized! Have a look at the bottom image cause the top one is digitally processed I am guessing. http://ca.mosaic.cc/FK105.html

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    1. I agree, Elysse! I do see High Art references and quotations everywhere- it is sort of second nature to me because of my profession, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying it immensely!

      That mosaic is so beautiful!! I see your point! <3

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    2. I'm new to this blog and I love your entry on this quad.
      The High Art references add the perfect dimension to this stunning addition to my Armani wish list.

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    3. Hi Sylvia60!

      Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere! I'm delighted that you decided to leave a comment! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this blog post! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my High Art references-- thinking about art is an occupational hazard-- and it quite often spills over onto the blog :-) I'm so glad that you appreciate it! This quad is sublime, and of the 4 that they recently released this is my favorite! It is truly a thing of beauty!

      Have a lovely day! Helen

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  4. Greetings! I have a request! Top products series perhaps? Top five blushes, lipsticks, etc. I'd love to find out :)

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    1. Hi AZ-- that is a fantastic idea. Makeup only, or are you interested in skincare as well? I will have to start thinking about that!!!!!! :)

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    2. I was thinking of skincare as well but I feel like that's more personal but of course I'd love to hear about top everything!

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    3. Sounds like a plan. I will start mulling it over!! Stay tuned! Thanks for the brilliant request. It really looks as though the "By Request Series" has taken on a life of its own-- and I love that it is a collaboration!

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  5. Lovely swatches- I have been eyeing this palette! Does this last on you?

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    1. Hi Makeup Remastered!

      It really is such a stunning quad! If you can go swatch it in person- I urge you to do so!! It lasts on me quite well with and without primer, but I do not have oily eyelids. I imagine that with a primer that it will stay put for most people. <3

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  6. So pretty... So damn pretty... I have been drooling over this ever since I saw Charleston Girl's swatches some time ago. And now you! You're not helping my self-control at lot, LOL. I'm afraid I will splurge on this gem the minute it hits the counters here. Don't you just love a good Armani palette? I swear, the color combinations are so effortless, sophisticated and at the same time wearable.

    Cultural references aside, Medusa IS associated with green; she had snakes for hair, for God's sake!!! :-P

    xxx

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    1. Initially I wasn't too interested in this quad- despite the fact that I love gorgeous greens. However, like you- as soon as I saw Charleston Girl's swatches I started to want this quad-- enough so to get me to run to my local GA counter to swatch. I ended up buying 3 out of the 4 quads!

      Beware, Mel. I suspect that this collection will have more temptations for you than just this quad!! I completely agree with you- a good Armani Palette is such a beautiful thing to behold (and use)!! Your description is just spot-on!

      So true about Medusa!! An interesting choice for Armani! Nonetheless one doesn't generally associate a Gorgon with beauty! I wonder if we will turn people to stone when they look at us wearing this quad- LOL!!!!
      XOXO!

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  7. Well, they will be a-stone-ished for sure!

    Please, please, bring on the temptations!!! I can't wait to see the other two quads you bought. Ugh, I sense a big spree coming my way...

    (And a bit of useless trivia: Medusa was very beautiful before being cursed by the Gods -Whaaat? That never happens in greek mythology :-P)

    Patiently waiting
    <3

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    1. LOL!!! I will work on the other two soon! I didn't get the purple quad.

      Yes, the Mythological story of Medusa is a fascinating one. Then of course there is the Freudian reading...

      Enjoy your weekend! I will start cropping those pictures soon!
      <3

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  8. HOLY COW! It's you making my no buy so painful this month! *throws exasperated hands in the air*
    That is one seriously beautiful palette. You know, I've never been interested in GA palettes, but I am loving how these look in your pictures. Lovely photos, my dear friend!

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    1. It definitely is amazing!! Of the four quads (of which I bought three) this is the most spectacular IMHO. It is just extraordinary! To be honest, I never paid any attention to the GA quads- however this one palette has forever placed their quads on my radar (this could be a costly revelation, indeed). They are definitely worth looking at- so your kids don't eat for a while (LOL). :-) I'm glad that you liked the photos <3

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    2. Feeding growing children is SO overrated. Plying mama with makeup is priceless. ;-)

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    3. Right, I mean they should understand your priorities!! :D

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  9. I love the swatches but this is one that I NEED to see on the eye to visualize, you know? Are there any blogs where the individual did this? Or could you... maybe... just maybe... take a photo of JUST your eye with it on? Please? Pretty please? : )

    I love greens with my brown eyes but some go yellow... But Armani is just.. brilliant!

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    1. When I get home later this week I will see if I can capture a decent look. I left that quad at home while away for work. I could always ask my husband to do a "look" and email it to me-- LOL!!

      I wish that I could offer a good overview on how this looks on brown eyes, but mine are hazel and this quad pulls out the green and gold in my eyes. It is also interesting because I have cool toned fair to medium olive skin, and the plummy brown and the charcoal grey/black temper the warmth in the greens-- so it actually ends up working quite well. I think that the brown is the only real wild-card shade in the quad because for some there might be too much red that can make the eyes look tired. I feared that was going to be the case for me, but was pleasantly surprised that it worked quite well. I actually am quite fond of smudging it into the lower lash line. I rather doubt that these greens will go yellow on you. If at all possible, I would try to see and swatch it in person. I had some misgivings about how this was going to look on me, but it has turned out to be my favorite of the 3 that I bought. I agree, Armani is absolutely brilliant! :D

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I love reading all of your comments and interacting with you- so please do not hesitate to share your thoughts, and to ask questions. Remember that what you have to say is of interest to all of us! Always feel free to email me directly as well. SPAM and advertising links will not be published.

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