Giorgio Armani Boudoir & Night Glow Ecstasy Lacquers Reviews & Swatches
Boudoir (502)
Giorgio Armani Boudoir (502) Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a bright, strawberry red with subtle, warm undertones and flecks of gold and copper shimmer and sparkle throughout. The texture was thin, almost watery as it initially applied but developed to a more, light-medium thick consistency that was moderately tacky but smooth and more gel-like.
It was comfortable to wear, as it wasn’t heavy, but it had longer wear than most glosses (seven hours) and felt hydrating over time. The coverage was semi-opaque and even, though it was intended to be opaque.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- L'Oreal Be Cheerful (P, $11.99) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC It's Just Candy (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- MAC Ride My Sleigh (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented, warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Replay (P, $15.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (85% similar).
- MAC Drank the Love Potion (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Dream Castle (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, cooler (80% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Pink-out (504) (P, $38.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (80% similar).
- MAC Gumdrop (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Too Faced Ruby Ripe (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
The Ecstasy Lacquer formula is supposed to have the shine of a gloss, color and hydration of a lipstick, and the long-wear of a stain, though they say “applied in a single layer for a subtle touch of color … or in a layered application for a bold, statement lip.”
It has a floral scent, which is noticeable in the tube and for an hour or so of wear (particularly strong when it is drying down). There is a slight taste to me, as well. Initially, the formula is thin and more water-like, but after you’ve applied it, the consistency thickens, levels out, and “adheres” to your lips in a very comfortable wear. The consistency is mostly non-sticky and gradually gets a lightly tacky about half-way through wear.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Lacquer swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Aqua/Water, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Sucrose Cocoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cetyl Alcohol, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance; May Contain Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides, Ci 15850/Red 7, Ci 15985/Yellow 6, Ci 17200/Red 33, Ci 75470/Carmine, Ci 19140/Yellow 5, Ci 77120/Barium Sulfate, Ci 42090/Blue 1, Ci 45410/Red 28, Mica, Caramel.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Boudoir (502)
PPermanent. $38.00.
Night Glow (208)
Giorgio Armani Night Glow (208) Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a medium coral with moderate, warm undertones and lighter pink and peach shimmer throughout. I struggled to apply this shade evenly, as the texture turned almost gummy after it was initially applied. This formula has a more watery feel when it goes on but typically develops to a more gel-like feel that has definite tackiness, but this one lifted and pulled away when I pressed my lips together.
I had to use my fingertip to smooth the product back into place, but it consistently lifted up product again if I pressed my lips together again. It had semi-opaque color coverage that lasted for five hours but looked pretty terrifying the whole time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Too Cool for Pool (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Rebel Rebel (308) (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Hourglass Solar (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Becca Tiger Lily (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Tree Hugger (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Short & Snappy (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, brighter (85% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Stardust Radio (P, $15.00) is less shimmery, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC Lychee Luxe (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Snow in Love (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
The Ecstasy Lacquer formula is supposed to have the shine of a gloss, color and hydration of a lipstick, and the long-wear of a stain, though they say “applied in a single layer for a subtle touch of color … or in a layered application for a bold, statement lip.”
It has a floral scent, which is noticeable in the tube and for an hour or so of wear (particularly strong when it is drying down). There is a slight taste to me, as well. Initially, the formula is thin and more water-like, but after you’ve applied it, the consistency thickens, levels out, and “adheres” to your lips in a very comfortable wear. The consistency is mostly non-sticky and gradually gets a lightly tacky about half-way through wear.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Lacquer swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Aqua/Water, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Sucrose Cocoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cetyl Alcohol, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance; May Contain Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides, Ci 15850/Red 7, Ci 15985/Yellow 6, Ci 17200/Red 33, Ci 75470/Carmine, Ci 19140/Yellow 5, Ci 77120/Barium Sulfate, Ci 42090/Blue 1, Ci 45410/Red 28, Mica, Caramel.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
LOL wow this is a pretty scathing review. I would have loved to see what you meant by “terrible,” because these photos look really nice.
I find it so weird when a product grades an A and then an F on the same product line. It makes you wonder how they get it so wrong or perhaps quality control only applies to a small subset of available shades.
Reader Andrew shared some insight into why – https://www.temptalia.com/giorgio-armani-ecstasy-lacquer-swatches-x11/#comment-2802276
I was wondering if it was a result of separation of the formula over time (even though I recently purchased it), like old stock or something, since it was quite different than my past experiences. And I’ve worn a couple of the shades I had previously off and on over at least a two-year period and didn’t have that i ssue…
That is a whole ‘nuther level of explanation ?????
Very well informed discussion. Thank you for the link.
I absolutely love Boudoir and was SHOCKED to see that my MAC It’s Just Candy is a dupe. As in, truly taken aback! I really need to put that one back into rotation.
With the other one, I got a reminder of how badly I wanted Hourglass Solar last year. Gotta nab that one finally, eh?
Bummer about Night Glow but Boudoir would have been my choice anyway. I like the sound of this a lot and wish there was someplace besides Seattle that I could swatch it. Travelling to Seattle is likely not going to happen for awhile. My daughter had wanted to go there for her birthday on August 1st but the pandemic is not going to be controlled until we have a significant treatment or a vaccine so travelling is out of the question. We had an explosion of 14 new cases from Saturday to Sunday but still our numbers are in the lowest in the nation with just over 500 cases and 18 deaths. I am not taking any chances though so I have been staying home and folding my origami ornaments for my Christmas tree this year. That and my mixed media art and I am content to wait it out.
Am I the only one who comes to read the F reviews? I’m like “ooooooohhhhh what happened girl???” haha
Both looked luscious but 208 is such a poor performer. I believe I have near dupes for both. Very disappointed.