Giorgio Armani Crescendo, Red Chrome, Daybreak Ecstasy Lacquers Reviews & Swatches
Crescendo (505)
Giorgio Armani Crescendo (505) Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a vivid, medium pink-red with strong, cool undertones and a high-shine, jelly-like finish. There was some translucency (only semi-opaque in coverage) that gave it more of that jelly finish, so it was plush and gel-like after the initial application and had even, smoothing coverage.
The texture felt more watery as it was initially applied, but it developed a thicker, more gel-like feel that was moderately tacky. The color was still going strong after six hours of wear, left a strong stain behind, and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Cle de Peau Bugatti Red (17) (P, $48.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Stolen Cherry (P, $54.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Dressed to Kill (P, $54.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Red District (LE, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Patrick Woo (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Red Chrome (401) (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty True Coral (P, $54.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Disruptor (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Tease Don't Touch (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Smart Aleck (LE, $20.00) is cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
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.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Lacquer swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Aqua/Water, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Sucrose Cocoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cetyl Alcohol, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance; May Contain Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides, Ci 15850/Red 7, Ci 15985/Yellow 6, Ci 17200/Red 33, Ci 75470/Carmine, Ci 19140/Yellow 5, Ci 77120/Barium Sulfate, Ci 42090/Blue 1, Ci 45410/Red 28, Mica, Caramel.
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.
Crescendo (505)
PPermanent. $38.00.
Red Chrome (401)
Giorgio Armani Red Chrome (401) Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, warmer undertones and a high-shine, cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single stroke, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips while also hiding my lip lines (always a nice touch!).
The consistency felt more watery and thin as I applied it, but it “set” to more of a gel-like, thicker texture that had moderate tackiness. It stayed on nicely for over six hours, left a strong, reddish stain behind, and was hydrating while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Giorgio Armani Crescendo (505) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Cle de Peau Bugatti Red (17) (P, $48.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Ruby Woo (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Patrick Woo (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Rouge Carmin (824) (LE, $30.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Russian Red (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Rouge Vinyle (401) (P, $36.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Dressed to Kill (P, $54.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Bad Apple (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS No. 54 (P, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
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.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Lacquer swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Aqua/Water, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Sucrose Cocoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cetyl Alcohol, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance; May Contain Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides, Ci 15850/Red 7, Ci 15985/Yellow 6, Ci 17200/Red 33, Ci 75470/Carmine, Ci 19140/Yellow 5, Ci 77120/Barium Sulfate, Ci 42090/Blue 1, Ci 45410/Red 28, Mica, Caramel.
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.
Red Chrome (401)
PPermanent. $38.00.
Daybreak (201)
Giorgio Armani Daybreak (201) Ecstasy Lacquer ($38.00 for 0.2 oz.) is a deep brown with moderate, warm undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It might go down as one of the worst-applying glosses I’ve had the displeasure of trying. The swatches above were the best I could achieve after multiple attempts and smoothing out with my fingertips, rather than the applicator.
While the gloss felt true-to-formula initially–watery, thin, and spreadable–as it developed to its thicker, more gel-like consistency, which does become moderately tacky, it turned gummy. As soon as I pressed my lips together, it pulled and lifted away product and created gummy clumps of product and made the color look terribly uneven. I tried waiting longer for it to “set” before pressing my lips together, but it just didn’t seem to matter, and it continued to do this throughout its wear. It had medium coverage in a single layer, and I would not dare to apply a second layer based on the consistency of the formula.
Technically, the color and glossiness lasted a decent length of time–five and a half hours–and was hydrating, but it looked chaotic the entire time. It was one moment where I was infinitely glad that the only one who had to see me wearing this one was my husband. I know I recoiled in horror looking at it on every check-in. I may have also spent half the time going, “I vant to drink your bloooood!”
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Fudge Yeah (LE, $10.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Maybelline Retro (P, $7.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Thunder Kiss (LE, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Christian Louboutin Beaute Casanovella (P, $85.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Area (P, $26.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- YSL Intimate Chocolate (217) (P, $38.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Mocha Raisin (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- ColourPop La Vida Mocha (LE, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Smashbox Brick Trick (P, $24.00) is lighter (80% similar).
- Revlon Partner in Wine (P, $10.99) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.2 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
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.
Browse all of our Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Lacquer swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Aqua/Water, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Ethylcellulose, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Sucrose Cocoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Cetyl Alcohol, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance; May Contain Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides, Ci 15850/Red 7, Ci 15985/Yellow 6, Ci 17200/Red 33, Ci 75470/Carmine, Ci 19140/Yellow 5, Ci 77120/Barium Sulfate, Ci 42090/Blue 1, Ci 45410/Red 28, Mica, Caramel.
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.
I vote for Daybreak being the worst lipstick you have ever tested and I don’t even know the contenders. That is horrible and woe to anyone who wore it out in public to discover how bad it is. The other two are beautiful though. I really wish I could afford all the cool toned reds/pink/berries in the world. I would hoard them all away and just look at them all the time!
Well, they DO have to be back in their coffins before Daybreak…must be the remnants of, uhm, dinner! ?
Red Chrome reminds me of a candied apple. Crisp, juicy, and fun! This is one I wouldn’t mind having.
Oh Gosh, I do not understand how the quality department of the brand could have given their go for shades like Night Glow and Daybreak ! They are miles appart from the core of the range quality-wise !
I have followed your reviews for a VERY long time. I can count on one hand how many lip anything I’ve seen as bad as Daybreak is.
Holy moly. This is horrifying.
Yes, bad performance (don’t mind for myself–totally not my shade!), but, seriously, ‘I may have also spent half the time going, “I vant to drink your bloooood!”’ was one of your funniest lines in all these years. I’m so grateful for anything that makes me laugh out loud these days, and that did, so THANKS!
Wow. Daybreak is just horrifying looking.