Giorgio Armani Cool Plum (61) Neo Nude Melting Color Balm Review & Swatches
Cool Plum (61)
Giorgio Armani Cool Plum (61) Neo Nude Melting Color Balm ($38.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep plum with subtle warmth and a matte finish. It had semi-sheer, buildable pigmentation applied with fingertips as well as a brush, though I struggled to product to adhere as evenly and as well to a brush compared to other shades within the range.
The texture was smooth, velvety, and clay-like with some give but no real wetness to the touch. It performed like a powder product once it came into contact with my skin, and it was fast to dry down. This shade did not blend out as evenly as other shades, unfortunately. It applied similarly over bare skin as well as on top of foundation. There were signs of wear after eight hours as a cheek product and six hours as an eye product.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Phytosurgence Exothermic (P, $17.07) is warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Desire (P, $10.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia Blackberry (LE, ) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Cool Mauve (50) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Cover FX Sweet Mulberry (Left) (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- elf Frequent Flyer (P, $7.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Urban Decay TMI (DC, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- ColourPop Vogue (LE, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Viseart Enamored (Blush) (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.12 oz. - $316.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "buildable" coverage that is "lightweight, natural" and "blends seamlessly into skin." It is primarily listed as a cream blush, but it can also be used on "eyes for a wash of color."
The pigmentation ranged from medium to semi-opaque, buildable coverage, but they were more pigmented than they were sheerer or "wash-like," so you'll want to use a lighter-hand or more feathery brushes to get more of a wash of color. As one might expect, they are more intense when applied with a fingertip than with a brush.
The consistency was like a drier cream-powder--it had a bit of springiness, and once I really swirled my finger in the pan, I could feel more of a velvety glide that had some slip and creaminess to it, but it was quick to turn powder-like on my skin. It set to a transfer-resistant finish that was flexible, slightly blendable along the edges, but it had enough of a set and did so fast enough that I'd recommend working one area at a time.
I was able to apply the product over bare skin as well as on top of foundation without the formula being prone to lifting up base products, though it definitely played better with less emollient complexion products. On cheeks/face, the products tended to last eight hours or so, while on my eyes, they lasted six hours or so.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Melting Color Balm swatches.
Ingredients
MICA • DIMETHICONE • DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE • CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE • DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER • PHENYL TRIMETHICONE • HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE • CI 77492 / IRON OXIDES • CI 77491 / IRON OXIDES • CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES • SILICA • LAUROYL LYSINE • 1,2-HEXANEDIOL • GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE • ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE • TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE • ISOCETETH-10 • METHICONE • 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.
Another disappointing result from a high end brand with a fancy price tag – gosh, between Dior’s average eyeshadow quint, Chanel’s Low Key lipstick and this blush – the HE brands are having a poor day.
It’s a beautiful color. I’m sorry to read it performed poorly.