Giorgio Armani Summer 2013 Eye & Face Palette

Giorgio Armani Summer 2013 Eye & Face Palette ($88.00 for 0.37 oz.) contains a bronzer on the top level, and then three eyeshadows on the lower level, which are all housed inside a black compact with a full-sized mirror underneath the lid.

Summer 2013 Bronzer a medium-tan with warm, golden orange undertones and a faint golden shimmer bronzer on the top level. It is soft, finely-milled, and incredibly blendable. It sits beautifully on the skin while adding a glowing sheen but not emphasizing pores. Much of the shimmer/metallic finish seen is an overspray, while the underlying bronzer is much subtler.  It lasted for eight and a half hours on me, and after nine and half, there was very slight fading. MAC Double Definition is darker, browner, more frosted. Guerlain Terra Nerolia is slightly darker. Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless is more matte. Burberry Summer Glow is browner.

Summer 2013 Eyeshadow #1 is a warm, golden white with a frosted sheen. It had so-so color payoff but was very soft and smooth, and when I applied it to the lid, it was more buildable to opaque color (two layers). There is no shortage of similar shades, as it is a more basic color (versatile, lovely in many ways, but dupable), including: Tarte Bellini, which is slightly yellower; bareMinerals Carte Blanche, which is white; Guerlain Calligraphy #1 is more frosted; and Giorgio Armani #1 Easy Chic #2 is very comparable (from last fall).

Summer 2013 Eyeshadow #2 is a peachy orange with a pearly finish. It had rich color payoff, and the texture was incredibly soft and finely-milled (but a touch powdery). It blended out well on the lid and sat well on the skin. bareMinerals Peace is lighter, pinker. Urban Decay Moonflower is warmer, browner. bareMinerals Nirvana is lighter, more orange.

Summer 2013 Eyeshadow #3 is a medium-dark, golden brown with warm undertones and a pearly finish. It had fantastic pigmentation and was true-to-pan in color. The texture was soft and smooth, and it applied and blended easily on the lid. Giorgio Armani #10 #4 is very similar. Flower Beauty Foxy Browns #2 is darker. Wet ‘n’ Wild Sparkle ‘Til Morning is a smidgen lighter. Dior Godlen Savannah #2 is a touch darker.

This summer’s palette delivers on texture in a supremely divine fashion–every shade is blendable, melts against skin, and works together.  The downside is really that this palette is dupable, so you may have something similar.  It makes for a great basic, warm, bronzy palette if you have need for one.  If you’re not interested in the bronzer, but you like the warmer look of the eyeshadows, you might consider Giorgio Armani’s #10 Eyes to Kill Palette which will deliver a similar look but only contains eyeshadow (so it costs $59, rather than $88).   The eyeshadows lasted for nine hours without creasing or fading, without a primer, which was a happy surprise.