Giorgio Armani Independent & Friendly Lip Power Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Independent (200)
Giorgio Armani Independent (200) Lip Power Satin Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, medium brown with subtle, warm rosy undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage that adhered evenly to my lips in a single stroke, though it was intended to be more buildable.
The lipstick had a smooth, lightly creamy texture that was comfortable to apply in a fluid motion. The formula “set” slightly to something a little sticky and clingier, though not a full dry-down. It lasted well for four and a half hours and felt lightly moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Dr. Facilier (LE, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Coconut Juice (LE, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Downtown Plum (P, $40.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Verve (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Ballin' Babe (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Nude Fudge (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Calypso (P, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Coffee and Cigs (P, $23.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Wicked Ways (P, $55.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Viva La Vergara (P, $37.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.11 oz. - $345.45 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "satin vivid color with buildable coverage that stays all day long" (they claim "8 hour wear" without having to reapply). I found the coverage varied significantly from lighter to deeper shades, and shades with pearl and more luminosity to their finish tended to be sheerer, somewhat buildable, and were more prone to gathering in my lip lines.
More mid-tone and deeper shades tended to have a true satin finish--not too glossy but not matte--and had more semi-opaque to opaque coverage--so not so much buildable either. The texture was lightweight, creamy, and smooth without being too dense in the tube nor too emollient. I found that the formula felt glossier and more balm-like initially but seemed to set slightly to something that was a touch tacky, not emollient, and felt a little clingy in comparison to the original texture (not clingy in a bad way, for the most part!).
As expected, lighter, sheerer shades didn't wear as long or as well as more mid-tone and darker, satin-finish shades did. Lighter shades lasted between three and four hours, while darker shades lasted between four and six hours with only a few getting close to eight hours. The formula was comfortable to wear and lightly to moderately hydrating over time.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Lip Power Satin Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
TRIMETHYLSILOXYPHENYL DIMETHICONE ● ISOHEXADECANE ● OCTYLDODECYL NEOPENTANOATE ● POLYETHYLENE ● HYDROGENATED STYRENE/METHYLSTYRENE/INDENE COPOLYMER ● SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● VP/HEXADECENE COPOLYMER ● HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE ● ACRYLIC ACID/ISOBUTYL ACRYLATE/ISOBORNYL ACRYLATE COPOLYMER ● PARAFFIN ● MICA ● CERA MICROCRISTALLINA / MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX ● CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE ● VP/EICOSENE COPOLYMER ● SYNTHETIC WAX ● CI 77491 / IRON OXIDES ● PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE ● CI 77492 / IRON OXIDES ● CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES ● ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE ● SILICA ● TOCOPHEROL ● CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES ● ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE ● SILICA ● TOCOPHEROL
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.
Independent (200)
PPermanent. $38.00.
Friendly (301)
Giorgio Armani Friendly (301) Lip Power Satin Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with moderate, warm undertones and a soft sheen and fine pearl. It had medium pigmentation in a single pass, which could be built up to semi-opaque coverage with a second.
The consistency was lightly emollient initially, smooth, and lightweight, and then the formula “set” to something a little clingy (but not in a drying way) and a touch tacky. It wore well for four and a half hours and felt lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Crimson (DC, $24.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Flambé (DC, $24.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- YSL Red is My Savior (110) (LE, $38.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel Rouge Magnifique (827) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Guerlain #214 (P, $36.00) is darker (95% similar).
- NYX Pure Red (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (95% similar).
- YSL Prete a Tout (103) (P, $38.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Coral Vif (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Le Rouge Determination (P, $13.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Be the Boss (12) (P, $13.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.11 oz. - $345.45 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "satin vivid color with buildable coverage that stays all day long" (they claim "8 hour wear" without having to reapply). I found the coverage varied significantly from lighter to deeper shades, and shades with pearl and more luminosity to their finish tended to be sheerer, somewhat buildable, and were more prone to gathering in my lip lines.
More mid-tone and deeper shades tended to have a true satin finish--not too glossy but not matte--and had more semi-opaque to opaque coverage--so not so much buildable either. The texture was lightweight, creamy, and smooth without being too dense in the tube nor too emollient. I found that the formula felt glossier and more balm-like initially but seemed to set slightly to something that was a touch tacky, not emollient, and felt a little clingy in comparison to the original texture (not clingy in a bad way, for the most part!).
As expected, lighter, sheerer shades didn't wear as long or as well as more mid-tone and darker, satin-finish shades did. Lighter shades lasted between three and four hours, while darker shades lasted between four and six hours with only a few getting close to eight hours. The formula was comfortable to wear and lightly to moderately hydrating over time.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Lip Power Satin Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
TRIMETHYLSILOXYPHENYL DIMETHICONE ● ISOHEXADECANE ● OCTYLDODECYL NEOPENTANOATE ● POLYETHYLENE ● HYDROGENATED STYRENE/METHYLSTYRENE/INDENE COPOLYMER ● SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE ● VP/HEXADECENE COPOLYMER ● HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE ● ACRYLIC ACID/ISOBUTYL ACRYLATE/ISOBORNYL ACRYLATE COPOLYMER ● PARAFFIN ● MICA ● CERA MICROCRISTALLINA / MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX ● CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE ● VP/EICOSENE COPOLYMER ● SYNTHETIC WAX ● CI 77491 / IRON OXIDES ● PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE ● CI 77492 / IRON OXIDES ● CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES ● ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE ● SILICA ● TOCOPHEROL ● CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES ● ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE ● SILICA ● TOCOPHEROL
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.
Independent is exactly the type of shade I gravitate towards for a darker tone of “nude”. That this one sets without completely drying down makes it sound very comfortable and easy to wear!
Neither shade appeals to me personally but they are lovely shades. I don’t get along with “brown” based lippies and they are really my daughter’s favorite. I just purchased her several for her Advent calendar so not likely to pick this one up.
I like both the lipstick shades and I thought Independent was fairly close to Maybelline’s Mauve for Me and there it was – on the dupe list. The difference between the two lipsticks is a whole rating level – B- to A- and about $30…..