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Giorgio Armani #501 Uptown & #601 Plum Vinyl Ecstasy Lacquers Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani #501 Uptown Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a creamy, lightly glossy finish. It darkens quite a bit on lips and appears pinker as well. It had semi-opaque coverage which went on evenly, and it was somewhat buildable (it’s supposed to be buildable). The color wore for six hours and left behind a strong stain. MAC Never Say Never (LE, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Salamanca (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever 205P Pearly Rose (P, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). NARS Paris Follies (LE, $26.00) is warmer (85% similar). Dior Tropiques (379) (P, $35.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Revlon Papaya (DC, $7.49) is warmer (85% similar). Guerlain Nahema Smack (P, $30.00) is warmer (85% similar). Dior Wonderland (575) (P, $35.00) is lighter (85% similar). Dior Rose Tricheuse (669) (LE, $35.00) is warmer (85% similar). Chanel Vibration (LE, $34.00) is cooler, glossier (85% similar). Hourglass Nectar (P, $28.00) is warmer (85% similar). MAC Drawn in Chic (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Guerlain Candy Stripe (P, $30.00) is warmer (85% similar). Revlon Kiss Me Coral (DC, $7.99) is warmer (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Paint It (202) (DC, $28.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). Gucci Beauty Crushed Coral (DC, $32.00) is warmer (80% similar). Illamasqua Mistress (P, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Giorgio Armani #601 Plum Vinyl Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, cooler undertones and a lightly shiny finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in one layer and could be built up to mostly opaque coverage (but always with some translucency) with two to three layers. The consistency spread across the lips well and left even color that didn’t gather into lip lines (not an easy feat for deeper shades like this). The color wore for almost eight hours with the shine fading after five hours. MAC It's Never Ending (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Lust for Life (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Exotica (P, $54.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Maybelline Caviar Couture (050) (P, $8.99) is cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Exposed (P, $54.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Revlon Embellished (DC, $7.49) is warmer (90% similar). Chanel Distinction (21) (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Preserving Passion (P, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Vice (DC, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Sephora Plum Fiction (19) (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Jouer Bond (P, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Cherry Up (P, $8.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC 10s Across Da Board (LE, $21.00) is darker, more muted, less pigmented (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Red Corset (P, $54.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Peer Pressure (LE, $20.00) is darker (80% similar). Chanel Crushed Cherry (DC, $30.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA SUMMARY | The Ecstasy Lacquer formula is supposed to have the shine of a gloss, color and hydration of a lipstick, and the long-wear of a stain, though they say “applied in a single layer for a subtle touch of color … or in a layered application for a bold, statement lip.” It has a floral scent, which is noticeable in the tube and for an hour or so of wear (particularly strong when it is drying down). There is a slight taste to me, as well. Initially, the formula is thin and more water-like, but after you’ve applied it, the consistency thickens, levels out, and “adheres” to your lips in a very comfortable wear. The consistency is mostly non-sticky and gradually gets a lightly tacky about half-way through wear.

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Uptown (501) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer

Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer
Giorgio Armani Plum Vinyl (601) Ecstasy Lacquer

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes
On eyes:
  • Giorgio Armani Luxe is More Eyeshadow Palette

25 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

Oooh, Uptown is now my fave out of this bunch! It seems to darkens into a nice, natural color and leaves a stain behind, which is perfect since I’m sipping tea and water all day long

Fran Avatar

These are both really pretty, but I’m worried that the scent might bother me (that’s the one thing about MUFE’s lipsticks that I don’t like). I like that Plum Vinyl is lighter and cooler than Tom Ford’s Exposed, but one thing that really appeals to me about the Tom Ford products is that the stain endures all day, even if you eat something… almost all lip products require re-application on me, it would be nice to have something I could be sure would stay on all day. Hard to make a decision here! Maybe I’ll try Plum Vinyl and one of the other Tom Ford shades. Uptown is really pretty too, even though a shade I wouldn’t wear that often… I was thinking, ‘oh, I already have Never Say Never’ — but the Never Say Never that I have is by NARS and is totally different — I was confusing it with NARS New Lover, which is a bit similar but is sheerer with gold shimmer in it — a shade I like, but don’t wear that often… I guess I really do have a lot of lip colors, how many more can I really need, lol?

Christine Avatar

Tom Ford’s version seems particularly long lasting. I get really good wear with YSL/Giorgio Armani, too, but the Tom Ford one stains like the dickens. Also glossier (on average). If you’ve never tried this type of formula, it’s certainly worth trying!

Joy Avatar

Yes! I mentioned on the one of your patent polish review posts I gave in and bought Exposed.Using a lip brush in what comes out thins the application.1 will last forever! I’m looking into a second one! 🙂 This caught my eye too! ?

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

I like both. Plum seems like more of a berry to me. I’m happy I read the review and saw the colors. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t even look at what I would perceive as a deep purple as it would be much to dark for me.

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