Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro Review, Photos, Swatches
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
A Beautiful, Deep Red
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro ($32.00 for 0.22 fl. oz.) is a subtly blue-based, deep red. This is darker, less pink, compared to Giorgio Armani #503 Red Fuchsia Lip Maestro, which I reviewed previously. Dior Diorling is a bit bluer-based. MAC Charmed, I’m Sure is bluer-based, a bit brighter. Guerlain Luxure is a bit browner. MAC Runaway Red has a pink-y edge to it. Chanel Dragon is very similar, but it has noticeable shimmer. It is the closest I’ve come to duping Dragon, and at a stretch, #400 is slightly less blue-based and doesn’t have the same shimmer, but it’s hard to tell if you aren’t looking close-up.
The formula is fully opaque in a single pass–a little goes a long way–and it is a very long-wearing shade that’s comfortable to wear from start to finish. The Red lasted seven and a half hours on me with extraordinary color, and it lingered into the ninth and tenth hours with 70% or so color remaining–it had a slightly faded, almost stained-like look. It has a velvety texture and if you’re familiar with silicone-based primers, it also has that feel, too. Very smooth, and the consistency is thin and glides on, yet it adheres well without being clingy or drying. It seems glossy close-up, but from a normal distance, it has a modern matte finish–not flat but not glossy. The best part about this long-wearing formula is that it wears (and feels) like a lipstick; so it doesn’t flake or peel off at all and fades naturally and evenly over time.
The Red (400)
PPermanent. $38.00.
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro Review, Photos, Swatches
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro
Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (left half) / Giorgio Armani #400 (The Red) Lip Maestro (right half)
Yaaaay this is so exciting! I ordered this one sight unseen, and I’m glad to hear it works SO well! Chanel Dragon was before I started wearing red, though I’ve always regretted not having known this legendary one. Glad this one is really close 🙂
I hounded and hounded the Armani SA at my local Nordstrom’s, and was there the morning she got them before she even put them out. I bought four right off the bat. I have about 150 red lipsticks, it’s my signature. These exceeded even my expectations for feel, longevity, color, texture, everything. They don’t dry completely down so they don’t feel taut like other liquid lipsticks. They don’t bleed or get on your teeth. They’re opaque. The colors – every one of them seems wearable even if it’s what you don’t usually choose. I got this one (#400, very similar to their Rouge d’Armani l/s #400), the darker red, #200 (or 201? which is a MLBB brown, I know, I know), and a pink (! I never wear pink but it’s so natural looking). Bravo Armani for coming out with an exceptional product. The price point, considering some others are near $50, is fair too.
I want this…. I really do…. Now to find a place that actually sells Giorgio Armani in store. >_<
It looks amazingly pretty on you, Christine!
Oh, I really want to try this now! I love both Rouge d’Armani 400 and Chanel Dragon, so I’m sure I would love this too 🙂
wow, that is gorgeous! Looks amazing on you, Christine! This might actually go on my wishlist, despite the fact that I balk a little at the price.
I need this! 🙂 Thanks for the review!
I tested these after your first review. It looked good on pics for me to test them. I didnt like the texture or the feel of it on my lips. It is not like Dragon. I thought it would be vinyl shiny but it wasnt for me. Every lip product always look good on you.
The color is similar to Dragon – the formulas are definitely different.
Could this be the red that replaces Chanel Dragon? I still have the polish and use it lovingly.
Wow! Seems like a havetohave! What’s the scent like? Never tried Armani’s lip products!
Yep yep yep yep yep… you will be mine, The Red.
It’s great that there’s finally something close the awesomeness that is Chanel Dragon available!
Vampy!
ERMERGERD this is BEAUTIFUL. must buy it
Wow, love it!
I DO see the difference that you’re talking about in that last photo. Just enough difference in shimmer and hue. How would you say this formula compares to Guerlain’s Rouge L’extrait matte cream lipsticks?
The consistency, color range, and feel are different, so they’re not dupes of each other formula-wise. To me, it’s like whether you prefer a satin or amplified lipstick by MAC – more down to you than one being better than the other, as they both wear superbly!
I literally said “holy crap”, out loud, when I saw the swatch.
Dare I say I love these more than the Guerlain counterpart.. On me, they do not have the same lasting power, but Armani doesn’t have that weird long-lasting lipstick texture or feeling of having a foreign coating on your lips. These are truly weightless. Love them!
How does this compare to the Guerlain Rouge G L’ Extraits formula? And which would you recommend?
Thank you!
The consistency, color range, and feel are different, so they’re not dupes of each other formula-wise. To me, it’s like whether you prefer a satin or amplified lipstick by MAC – more down to you than one being better than the other, as they both wear superbly!
Do you have any idea how this compares to the YSL Glossy Stains in terms of texture and wear?
They’re not alike at all.
I’m also very interested in this comparison
at least in terms of longevity 🙂 So far YSL beats everyone else for me
I’m in love with this colour! I’ve got my eye on it and Chinese Lacquer!
Is this formula superior to Guerlain Rouge G L’Extrait?
The consistency, color range, and feel are different, so they’re not dupes of each other. To me, it’s like whether you prefer a satin or amplified lipstick by MAC – more down to you than one being better than the other, as they both wear superbly!
Thank you!
Whenever people say that a lipstick lasts a gazillion hours, I wonder if they eat/drink at all. Growing up, I was taught to clean my mouth a lot with a napkin … I’m so used to it that I still do it all the time. I can’t go from plate to glass and vice versa without wiping my lips, I feel filthy otherwise. So, do other people not do that so their lipstick stays on longer?
I am sure everyone in these blog have maners and clean their faces while eating. I guess, in your case, you would have to apply your lipstick after each meal and then don’t eat between meals and if you drink water do it with a straw and you will see that your lipstick will last longer.
I didn’t mean that other people don’t have manners. I just meant that I was taught to do it a gazillion times and it stuck. So, I’m just wondering how other people make their lipstick last 8/9 hours and still eat and drink (using a straw helps a little, but the lipstick transfers to the straw instead of the napkin), that’s it.
maybe lip/mouth shape has something to do with how long lip products last…?
I don’t get food on my face when I eat, unless it is a large-leafed salad, so I hardly use the napkin at all. Lipstick comes off on the glass more than anything else.
Some people lick their lipstick off and this is why it does not last.
I was wondering if you could create a tag for when you recommend a product? Thank you 🙂
*dances* Finally! I might be able to stop hoarding my precious tube of Dragon so much. Thank you, Christine! I’ll pick up this shade ASAP. <3
it looks promising!i’m really afraid it will bleed on me though!Many products do so, but on the other hand the color looks awesome!!
Wow. Beautiful red. And that wear time is just unbeleivable.
Gorgeous!! I think I need a bluer red than this, but I’m so glad to hear you’ve found a good Dragon dupe, Christine. (Now, if only we could all convince the folks at Armani to put a bit of shimmer in this one! :P)
I’d definitely like to try this to see how it compares to Dragon. As much as I like Dragon, it bleeds like crazy on me. So maybe I’d have a little more luck with this.
That DOES look a lot like dragon…and 7.5 hours?! Jeeeeeez thats awesome! Plus the packaging reminds me of Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface…In the best way possible.
This one is SO getting purchased!
Amazing find! I missed my chance to get Chanel Dragon. I would have never caught that there were two lipsticks on that last shot unless you told me. Going to hunt this baby down as a Christmas present for myself.
I actually saw this in a magazine a couple of days ago and started lemming it. Really glad it’s a good product! I’ll defs check it out when I go to my mum’s.
its is so opaque … and highly pigmented
hmmm…maybe i should give this formula another try. i was scared off of it when i tried it in sephora, because the texture felt like that of mufe’s aqua rouge, which dissolves into a nasty mess when i tried eating a meal with it on. but if this wears more like a normal lipstick…this may be worth checking out again.
Very beautiful! I curse myself for not buying Dragon…
Would you compare them with an OCC lip tar?
The texture is really different!
This is SO intense and rich and GORGEOUS! I have a feeling I am going to get one of these…and then proceed to never touch it (I don’t really wear opaque lip color but I just love HAVING them :P)
How does this color compare to Lancome Rouge in Love #181 Saint Honore?
I don’t think I have that!
Omg this one is beautiful, I loved this so much, I was so disappointed buy Dragon being discontinued but this one will replace it, even though above mentioned differences it looks so similar! worth to give a try:)
As always, your skin looks amazing Christine! Can I ask what kind of foundation/powder you are wearing?
I believe it’s Giorgio Armani Maestro and Guerlain Wulong.
This is one gorgeous lip colour & it looks amazing on you, Christine!!
I have two of these and I *love* the formula, more than the Guerlain Rouge L’Extraits, honestly. These are so light and comfortable!
I can totally vouch for these — they are the BEST. Comfortable (doesn’t feel like a DRY stain), long-wearing (ALL day, even after drinking [and eating… with a fork]) and the texture is indeed interesting.
I love how these never completely dry down. Yes, there is definitely color transfer but it’s pigmented enough to not be affected by minor transfers.
For me, the color is AWESOME, it lasts all day and there’s not many negative things I can say about it (except due to its pigmentation, I have to apply it carefully … no quick swipe and go for me).
When I saw Temptalia’s review of #503, I just KNEW I had to try it and no regrettsss 🙂
I wish the color range included a BRIGHT pink but still love them 😀
Oh. My. Goodness. My mouth dropped when I saw the colour. So gorgeous.
PRAISE-THE-LORD!!!
Finally, an answer to my prayer. I haven’t found the perfect dupe for my beloved Chanel Dragon and you have no idea how huge the mess I’ve made by mixing my OCC Lip Tars to mimicking the Dragon.
Formula wise, is it better or worse than Chanel Dragon? I have sensitive & dry lips, most lipsticks made my lips chapped like crazy, even with a great lip balm.
Dragon has a more liquid-y texture overall, while Lip Maestro has more glide – you can feel the silicones in it. For me, they were equally comfortable to wear! Hope that helps!
I can’t wait for the reviews on more everyday colours, I think this formula could be perfect for my wedding day!
wow, what a gorgeous red! i’m just surprised it’s a blue-based red, ’cause it looks sooooo warm and bright to me!!!! I definitely thought you’d say it was an orange/yellow-based red :S
Dear Chrisrtine, does it transfer after drying? Also, how did it last through eating/drinking? Thank yoy
It never fully dries down – it lasts through eating/drinking for me.
wow – stunning!!
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I want it!!!!!!!!!!!
ZOMG! I can hardly distinguish between Dragon and The Red on your lips from the picture. I am definitely going to check this out in person. Thank you!
WANT
Ahhhhhh. SO CLOSE TO DRAGON!!! Aside from the shimmer, I can see that Dragon is just a taaad warmer and deeper, but this shade is absolutely killer nevertheless. Never got the chance to pick up Dragon but this will become mine! Once I save up enough money… hah.
Wow!
Nothing could describe that Gorgeous shade …
Hi Christine!
How close is NYX absolute red to Dragon?
Thanks!
I don’t have that!
Thank you Christine! I purchased this yesterday from my local Sephora (FL Mall) & I LOVE it! I love the color, texture, wear time, etc. I haven’t noticed any bleeding & there is a little transfer like on straws or glasses but nothing major. I have to say that a little goes a long way so the price isn’t really too bad. I was lucky- it was the last one they had in stock in this color. I think this is my HG red 🙂 I will definitely be getting the other colors in the future. I hope they add some bright pinks to the line- if they made one similar to MAC’s Candy Yum Yum, I’d be all over that! I really like the texture of these. I have CYY but with it being a matte, it can be somewhat drying. (Btw, I heard that MAC will be adding CYY to their permanent line soon)
You looking stunning Christine!
Holy smokes! This looks beautiful on you!
how does this compare to guerlain garconne?
Garconne is more blue-based and a bit darker.
This is one of the most amazing lipsticks…ever. It really is the Hold Grail of reds. It looks beautiful on and the texture is amazing.
Gorgeous red I’ve seen.
This is surely a must-have lip ever!
I think it swatches deeper than it looks. Love it nevertheless. No, no, no I m not buying another red lipstick
I was wondering, is the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in #400/The Red was sold on the Nordstrom website? The site sells 12 different colors, but no corresponding numbers are listed and I can’t seem to find the names for the ones sold on Nordstrom on the Giorgio Armani website. I think either the colors Coral or Hollywood might be the same product, but I don’t want to end up accidentally ordering the wrong product. Do you have any ideas as to whether #400/The Red is sold online on Nordstrom? Thank you in advance 🙂
The name of this one is “The Red” and the number is 400! 🙂
I contacted Nordstrom and here’s their answer :
“when I look on the merchandise search the 400 corresponds to Hollywood”
So it’s Hollywood 🙂 I was searching for it too 🙂
Hi,
May i know what shade it is called on Nordstrom? because the names over there are totally different that Giorgio Armani’s website :s
It’s called The Red!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/giorgio-armani-lip-maestro-matte-lacquer/3409290?origin=category
There is no shade called “The Red” unfortunately :S
Hey Lilly!
So this is the list of names I have: http://www.temptalia.com/giorgio-armani-lip-maestro-launches
I don’t know where Nordstrom is getting their names from 🙁 You might try doing a livechat with a beauty rep for Nordstrom to see if they have the numbers in their product books! My best guess would be Hollywood.
I tried asking them but they didn’t know either :s thanks a lot for your help Christine.
LOL! That is pretty bad 🙁
I’m so sorry it’s been so difficult for you!!
You may want to contact your local Sephora to see if they stock them- they go by #’s but not all stores stock them & they’re not available online yet.
My guess would by Hollywood too
*oops! my guess would BE Hollywood too
I contacted Nordstrom again and here’s their answer :
“when I look on the merchandise search the 400 corresponds to Hollywood”
So you were right Christine, thanks!
YAY!!
Christine, do you think that layering this with a bit of Nars lipgloss in Albatross would make this appear more like Dragon?
I’d opt for something with almost a clear base and some gold shimmer – I think Albatross would give it a lighter look and a different sheen! Would be pretty, nonetheless 🙂
Any idea how this color compares to Burberry Lip Cover in Hibiscus?
This is darker and glossier.