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Giorgio Armani #401 Rouge d'Armani Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches, Lip Swatches

Giorgio Armani #401 Rouge d’Armani Lipstick ($30.00) is the newest long-wear lipstick formula from Armani, only recently released last month. The new formula is available in eighteen shades, ranging from beiges to pinks to reds to browns. According to Giorgio Armani, Rouge d’Armani is designed to be a hydrating, long-wearing lipstick that lasts for “up to eight hours without fading or feathering,” as well as give lips “continuous hydration” for up to six hours.

I tested out #401, which is an orange-based red and made famous by songstress Rihanna. The lipstick feels like a dream when you first apply it – it’s lightweight, creamy, and the color is fairly opaque. I did find that it feathered/bled a bit when my lips were more on the drier side (a terrible side-effect of getting over a flu!) and less so when my lips were more naturally hydrated. I’d basically say if you have drier lips, you’ll still need a liner to keep your red looking pristine, but if you have lips less prone to feathering, you may be able to skip that step with this formula.

The color does wear well and begins to fade after about five or six hours, or faster if I’m eating/drinking. It’s a long-wearing lipstick formula for sure, but I didn’t find it made it through a meal intact. I was able to drink a bit with minimal fading, though. Like most reds, when it does fade away, it leaves a slight reddish stain behind, which is always nice, because you don’t have to feel like you have to reapply right that very second.

The packaging is sleek and classy – all black with a magnetic clasp (so you’ll hear a “click” when it closes) and a slightly raised logo where the cap and lipstick meet. The price is a bit steeper than other Armani lipsticks (like ArmaniSilk, which is $25), but it does offer stellar color and wear-time.

Bottom Line: I’m definitely going to stop by my Giorgio Armani counter next time I’m at Nordstrom, so I can see if any of the other colors appeal to me. #401 is a bit too orange for my personal preference, so the first shade I want to see in person is #400!

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  • Product: 28/30
  • Value: 8/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you like creamy, hydrating lipsticks with full-color pigmentation, Rouge d’Armani may be the one for you!

Availability: Nordstrom

The Scarlet Season is a series of posts showcasing and featuring my favorite shades of red lips–from glosses to lipsticks that runs through December 2009. You can sure expect to see a lot of red this holiday season!

See more photos and swatches


Giorgio Armani #401 Rouge d’Armani Lipstick

31 Comments

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victoria Avatar

hi christine, i would love to give this a try. i’ve tried a couple of high end lipsticks and so far ysl is my favorite. what would be your favorite of all the high end ones?

Christine Avatar

Hmm, it’s hard to say. I like YSL Rouge Volupte and Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick! I think those would be my top two. I haven’t tried enough shades from Rouge d’Armani to say if this one makes the top three, but I did really like the way this felt!

Rachel Avatar

I totally agree with you..the formula is wonderful. I just got 401 in the mail today. I’m really curious about the other 400s now. I’m waiting for you to get them first!! 🙂

Rachel Avatar

So, you’re going to love 400, if you haven’t already gotten it. It is definitely a true, blue red. I like to combine it with the 401 to get the right blue to orange ratio. All of the colors are fabulous really.

Emily Avatar

Although I do not have this color, I highly recommend these lipsticks. The colors really are long wearing and they are not drying. my local armani counter has sold out of a lot of the pinks, browns and berry colors!

Macaddict Avatar

Must have for me! Love all reds but have a soft spot for orangy-reds.
I called my Armani counter at Holt and they haven’t received the new collection yet! I must be patient. The lady put #401 on hold for me and will call when it’s in. I’m very excited and can’t wait! Will also check out all the other colors in the line.

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