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Few foundation announcements and launches caused the level of eager anticipation that Armani's Maestro Fusion Makeup Compact did in Armani devotees. Blogs and makeup boards were in a frenzy as they sought more information and a glimpse at any swatches or sneak peeks available. Despite the fact that I was slow to warm up to the original Maestro foundation, which I now love tremendously, I was immediately charmed by the prospects of what this cream version promised to offer.
An ultra-fine foundation that perfects and evens skin as it glows in comfort and care compact. Easy -to-apply, provides buildable coverage and sun protection SPF 29. Inspired by Mr. Armani's discovery of super organza, the world's finest fabric - a fabric originally used to create exquisite Japanes kimonos. The patented fusion technology moves like organza fabric on the skin. Argan oil and vitamin E provides comfort and care. The signature brush-on applicator allows for easy, flawless application. Buildable Coverage - 10 Hours of supreme comfort and care - SPF 29.
Maestro Fusion by Giorgio Armani, a lightweight foundation with impeccable coverage, is now available in a convenient compact. The multipurpose formula is designed to conceal like a foundation while offering you a quick, easy way to touch-up your complexion while you’re on the go. It gives you a pure, natural finish for any skin type. Plus it even helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
The compartment below houses a brush.
Have you tried it? If so, what was your experience? Are you a true believer, or were you underwhelmed?
Ingredients (click to enlarge)
Active Ingredient: Octinoxate 5%
Inactive ingredients: Dimethicone, dicaprylyl carbonate, octyldodecyl neopentanoate, phenyl trimethicone, boron nitride, hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated polyisobutene, silica dimethyl silylate, polyethylene, disodium stearoyl glutamate, aluminum hydroxide, tocopheryl acetate, argania spinosa kernel oil; may contain: titanium dioxide, bismuth oxychloride, iron oxides.
Overall assessment: A lovely foundation that is an absolute holy grail item for so many people, but sadly did not work for my skin.
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I love the honesty you display in a review like this. I've had foundations that look good on first application but later in the day my skin looks like a monster movie. Sometimes it's a fight with the oils in our skin and sometimes it's battling our skincare. They can't all be winners unfortunately. You've saved this woman some aggravation!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcia. I wanted to love this so badly, I really did. I am sad to report that it was a miss for me, but I had to be completely honest about my experience. I almost always request samples of foundations because I always want to see whether they oxidize or if the formula will work, and for that reason I have very few foundation misses. However, I didn't do that in this case--lesson learned. They definitely can't all be winners-- you are quite right about that. Interestingly I spoke with a SA and told her about my experience, and she said that I was far from the only one who had similar complaints-- so who knows precisely what caused it, but at the point where a foundation should be settling in and offering a more natural "my skin but better" look this one went to the opposite extreme! The only way that you should consider trying this is by getting a clean sample from a new tester and trying it out for a few days to see what it does-- you might absolutely love it!
DeleteGreat review! I will check on this if it will work on my skin. It seems to blend well with the skin. I will see if it will blend with my skin.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, It does blend nicely with the skin. If this works for you, I suspect that you will love it. I'm so bummed out that it dried out my face because I had such high hopes for it! Let me know what you think if you try it! :-)
DeleteI have never had the chance to try any of the Giorgio Armani makeup (sad face)! Since I have large pores I will not be trying this foundation, but if you could recommend any makeup item for a first timer to the line, What would it be???
ReplyDeleteBeth and Beauty
Hi Beth, Armani makes so many amazing things. Their blushes are extraordinary-- they have a silky smooth texture and look stunning on the skin, their lipsticks are absolutely fantastic, they make great mascara, lipliners, lip glosses, eyeshadows and foundations etc.. If I were you, and I wanted to try a single thing to get your feet wet-- then I would start with one of their blushes or lipsticks. If you have a counter near you-- then I would get color matched to their foundations and request samples of a few of the different formulas to see what you think. I love their original Maestro foundation and think that it gives such a gorgeous finish.Once you fall down the Armani rabbit hole there's no going back! LOL!! They also just launched some new blushes that are just stunning!!! Keep me posted-- I would love to hear what you think if you get anything from the line! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteHmmmm . . Drying. I actually have that experience with the fluid version of Maestro Fusion Flundation. I can only wear it a few days in a row or during more humid weather otherwise I'll start to get some dryness. I always assumed it had something to do with the volatile ingredients that would dry and leave pigment behind. I did use it (over a pretty heavy duty moisturizer) and enjoyed it but I really considered it a formula better suited to oilier complexions. I was hoping this cream compact version would be more emollient but I guess that's not the case :-( When I want something creamy and portable, I'll stick to my Tom Ford. Thanks for the honest, less than glowing, review.
ReplyDeleteLike the Sahara on me, and I definitely have combination skin with an active t-zone! I wonder if I am having a reaction to an ingredient or series of ingredients more than anything else? So many people love this formula, and have had such luck with it-- I find it totally perplexing! I can see how the Maestro Fusion Foundation could be drying if worn too many days in a row, but that one does work for my combination skin. However, I don't wear it everyday either. I think that you are right that the volatile ingredients likely account for the drying effects that you experience, and it is quite burdensome to have to load up on heavy duty moisturizers in order to be able to wear something. It shouldn't have to take that much work, or require supplemental products in order to be wearable. It also contains lots of silicones at the top of the ingredients list, and I have found that can become problematic in higher doses, and with repeated use. I definitely agree with you, I'll definitely be sticking to my Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick instead-- it gives such a gorgeous finish without any of the dryness. I also love his Traceless Foundation. Well, let's be honest-- I love pretty everything that he makes! I may also be having a reaction to the Octinoxate 5%-- I don't know if I have a problem with that sunscreen, or if perhaps it's the concentration used, but whatever it is it simply a big miss for me. You may have far better luck than I did, and I know that Charleston Girl loves it, so maybe you will have the same experience that she did. That said, since you find the fluid version drying I would request a clean sample to try before you spend the money! Have a lovely weekend! :-)
DeleteYou may be having a reaction to either the boron nitride or the bismuth oxychloride. Particularly since they are not included in the original Maestro formula. I have heard of others being sensitive to these two ingredients. I tried the original Maestro and decided my skin is just not in good enough condition for this product. Thanks for the thoughtful review.
ReplyDeleteHi Tatiana, Thank you for your insightful response. I wonder it those two ingredients were the culprits. I did not have an itchy rash or typical allergic reaction, mostly a drying out of the skin, but it was quite unpleasant nonetheless! I will keep an eye out for products that contain those ingredients and see whether I react to them! I really like the original Maestro, but one definitely needs to be having a good skin day to use it. Thanks again for your wonderful comment! Have a lovely week!
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