Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow in #20, 21, 22, 23 Review, Photos, Swatches
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) has just launched four new and limited edition shades for summer. I bought these shortly after they became available, and I’ve been testing them out over the past week. I’m a big fan of this formula, so I’m always eager to see how new shades perform and compare to existing shades. I will admit that I haven’t been overly wowed by some of the newer shades, though they’re not by any means awful! Just… less impressive, but on the whole, still good.
#20 Obsidian Black is a blackened navy blue with teal-green and navy blue shimmer. It’s not nearly as black or as intense as Giorgio Armani #13. Giorgio Armani #1 is also lighter, grayer, and generally doesn’t look much like this. I do think you could mix the two and come fairly close, though. #20 works best wet; when it’s used dry, the color payoff wasn’t there (and it usually is with this formula). More of the shimmer comes through, as the base color looks mostly like a faded black, when it is applied dry–and it does apply with a little more oomph to the lid with a brush. Some of the complexity gets lost when it’s applied to the lid–it’s very subtle and more noticeable in-person than it is in a still photo (which isn’t completely unexpected given the nature of shimmer and how it plays with the light). Oddly enough, it actually reminded me of Revlon Neptune Star in color and shimmer. It also reminded me of Urban Decay Loaded, which is a little bluer. (9, 8.5, 9.5, 10, 4.5, 4; A-)
#21 Obsidian Grey is a medium-dark gray with a silver shimmer and sheen. It has decent color payoff dry but still works best applied damp. This shade read more dupeable to me; it doesn’t have as much dimension to it compared to some of the other shades in the range. That’s not something that affects the overall rating, but it’s a point worth considering if you can’t (or don’t want to) grab all four. MAC Warm Thunder is similar, perhaps a little less gray. Tarina Tarantino Lovely is slightly darker. Tarina Tarantino Diamond Dusk has a purple tint to it. This shade applied the smoothest out of the four on the lid. (9.5, 9.5, 10, 10, 5, 4; A)
#22 Ecailles is a pale bluish silver with a metallic finish. It applied about the same both dry and wet, which is decent but not great. I did find it applied better to the lid when I used a brush to do so–more like good pigmentation there. Bare Escentuals Mingle is bluer and a bit darker. MAC Water & Ice is cooler-toned. Lancome Style Section is similar. Wet ‘n’ Wild Enter a New Realm is a bit darker. It is a bit similar to Giorgio Armani #12, which is brighter, lighter. (9, 8, 9, 10, 4.5, 4; B+)
#23 Madre Perla is a pale, iridescent warm white with a frosted metallic finish. It has flashes of blue, green, pink, and purple. It applies better wet than dry with more color payoff and a smoother texture. This one was a little chunky in texture; it wasn’t as smooth as the other shades. It felt like this was more designed to layer over other shades. Illamasqua Beguile is very similar. MAC If It Sparkles… is almost the same as well. This is the most wearable shade on its own (Ecailles would the the runner-up). (9, 9, 9, 10, 4.5, 4; A-)
I’ve only tested one shade within the range for a full twenty-four hours, but I have tested several others for twelve to sixteen hours. I did a look using all four of the limited edition shades and wore it for sixteen hours. These wear and wear and wear. No creasing, fading, or fallout during wear, not even after sixteen hours. Because these have an interesting texture and consistency–they are much like a loose powder product that has been compacted by the accompanying plastic insert–it can be easy to use more than you really need and end up with some minor fall out. The fall out I’m concerned and dock points for is major fall out or fall out that occurs while you wear it (aka during the day); and there isn’t any of that with these.
I think Eyes to Kill Intense is an excellent formula, but it’s not necessary to own every single one of them either. There are some unique and transformative shades, but there are a few that are more basic or end up looking similar to another shade. These four create a beautiful gradient effect when used together, though Madre Perla is the most versatile of the bunch. I think it can work as a wash, inner corner highlighter, or as a layering shade that will change-up whatever is underneath it. The one that is most visually stunning at first is Obsidian Black, but like a lot of ultra dark shades, some of that loveliness gets swallowed up once applied.
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow in #20, 21, 22, 23 Review, Photos, Swatches
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Diffused Flash)
Giorgio Armani #20 Obsidian Black Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Studio Lighting)
Giorgio Armani #21 Obsidian Grey Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #21 Obsidian Grey Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #21 Obsidian Grey Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #21 Obsidian Grey Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #21 Obsidian Grey Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Diffused Flash)
Giorgio Armani #21 Obsidian Grey Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Studio Lighting)
Giorgio Armani #22 Ecailles Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #22 Ecailles Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #22 Ecailles Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #22 Ecailles Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #22 Ecailles Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Diffused Flash)
Giorgio Armani #22 Ecailles Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Studio Lighting)
Giorgio Armani #23 Madre Perla Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #23 Madre Perla Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #23 Madre Perla Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #23 Madre Perla Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani #23 Madre Perla Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Diffused Flash)
Giorgio Armani #23 Madre Perla Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (Studio Lighting)
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow
#23 on inner tearduct, #22 on inner third of lid, #23 on outer third of lid, #20 in the crease
#23 on inner tearduct, #22 on inner third of lid, #23 on outer third of lid, #20 in the crease
#23 on inner tearduct, #22 on inner third of lid, #23 on outer third of lid, #20 in the crease (16 hours later)
#23 on inner tearduct, #22 on inner third of lid, #23 on outer third of lid, #20 in the crease
I had ordered all four on Neiman Marcus but they are not in stock yet. I was on the fence about Obsidian Black an Grey and think I may cancel them now after reading your review. Thank you! I had long thought I didn’t need another black base green or blue as I have several beautiful ones including some from Fyrinnae that don’t get enough use as it is. Obsidian Grey is likely dupable for a lot less money! Thanks!
I love #22. I went to Nordstrom website and the number #22 appears to be black…so I am really confused. I am afraid that if I buy it online I will receive it in black instead of blue…
@Agata it’s definitely not just black. It’s the blackened navy color. I ordered from nordstrom last week and received it a few days ago.. they just don’t have a proper swatch on the website.
@christin But on Christine’s review #22 is this bright blue/grey color, definitely not black or navy, that’s why I am confused. Just to clarify I am talking about the shade Ecailles.
You did a great job applying these- your look is beautiful.
I will pass on ordering these, though as I am disappointed with the pigmentation. And also would have preferred them to do some more meutral shades, like a taupe.
Love these colors and you look beautiful as always!
Can someone with more chemist knowledge than me please say if the polyethylene terephthalate in this would have the same negative effects as the now removed DBP in nail polish?
I don’t feel like reresearching these things but from what i remember, they both act as estrogen mimics. Which like there name suggest mimic estrogen and trick bodies and cause reactions like the person had more estrogen which is a much bigger problem in men then women. In men it can kill fertility and make their sex drive lower. Truthfully you are exposed to estrogen mimics all the time in a lot of modern circumstances. I don’t believe that using an eyeshadow with polyethylene terephthalate will cause any real damage to you. Just don’t have a boy in your life cover himself in, inhale, and eat it daily. Feel free to google these terms and read some articles on it though, stay informed and never stop questioning things! Also if you don’t feel comfortable with using something that may (or may not) cause some sort of damage there is plenty of makeup out there.
Which lippie are you wearing here?
@GUSnail MAC Angel
I’m glad that Obsidian Black is close to UD loaded. Now I don’t feel so bad for skipping it since I’m planning on getting Loaded. I think it’s prettier.
Absolutely gorgeous colors! The first one is my favorite.
Just letting you know that you have #20 Obsidian Black as #24 in the part of your review where you’re explaining your look.
I was on the fence about these and still am. While they are gorgeous colors, I’m not sure they are worth the money. Luckily I’m not a fan of greys, but #20 and #23 are so tempting…
Too much work to apply. L’oreal has some that look similar in consistency and is cheaper. Much that I like Armani for its quality, I will pass on this one.
L’Oreal’s fade and crease on me after 4-6 hours 🙁 I can never get them to apply as smoothly. What’s your secret?
@Christine (Temptalia) I used L’Oreal’s and I was amazed by it. it stays on the entire day. I usually have a 12 hour day (work+commute) and it looks the same at the end of the day. I just pat it on over UDPP. Nothing special.
Ooh, you’re using a primer underneath 🙂 Gotcha!
What do you suggest using when you apply these? I’ve tried a brush and seem to get little to no product on the brush. My finger works better, but a lot of it ends up on my finger and stays there. Do you have to break it up to get it on the brush?
@AngieLid I use MAC’s 239 for these – just press it against it like any eyeshadow!
I love the first shade!
The texture of these is so similar to the Loral Infallible eyeshadows! I love both 🙂
What foundation (and fdn shade), blush and lipstick are you wear in this last photo? It looks flawless.
@cchloe I don’t remember the foundation. The blush was Benefit Sugarbomb, lipstick was MAC Angel.
You and your eye look is incredibley gorgeous Christine! I went to my nordies and bought #20 a couple days ago, and I can’t stop looking at it inside the jar! I wish the pigmentation was just a tad bit stronger, but I’m going to keep working with it. It’s just too pretty! 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful in-depth review 😉 I might have to go pick up #23 now!
I love those eyeshadows as soon as they came out in switzerland and bought all of them.
Your eyes look beautiful! GORGEOUS! I was eagerly awaiting this review as the Obsidian Black and Obsidian grey really tempted me based on how they looked in the pot. Now, I think I’m going to pass. I have a LOT of blacks and greys, as it’s one of my favorite colour groups for eye makeup, and these don’t seem to have enough pigmentation to make them really different. Not for $32 a pot. My favorite grey of all time is MUFE’s Aqua Cream #1, and with a Kat von D sparkly gunmetal/black duo that I have, I think I could replicate this look closely enough.
I love your eye look! I think I want madre perla but I don’t the flashes of other colours that everyone raves about in the swatches! The tester at my local store was left open and completely dried out – how pointless! on the fence at the moment!
@baby in a corner They’re really more of a dry product, so I’m not sure if it would really dry out? It might not have been “compacted”?
@Christine (Temptalia) I have one of these shadows at home and it is sort of dampish – the ones in the store were like dust – i couldn’t get the shadow to adhere to my hand at all – it just crumbled off!! Are the flashes of green/ pink obvious enough or would you have to be very close to notice them? BTW – i love all the products you reviewed today!! 🙂
@baby in a corner I wonder if the oil from people’s figures contributed to that, too!
They’re subtle – not in your face or anything. It’s not like a disco ball on your eye, haha! It’ll be more obvious layered over other products, especially darker shades.
What lipstick and face products are you using here? SO PRETTY!
MAC Angel Lipstick, Benefit Sugarbomb.
the fashion sets just launched on the uk mac website but i cant buy all of them 🙁 do you know why?
Beth Mars It was never confirmed that MAC would be releasing all of the sets on other websites – I could only get confirmation that it was like that for the North America website.
ahh ok thanks anyways 🙂 i bought what i could! i love your website its brill!
Thanks Beth Mars! Sorry to hear that the UK website didn’t get them all 🙁
No we only got the ones for our region i was a little dissappointed but i can get the lipsticks at least 🙂
I bought Madre Perla lat friday and it`s just awesome. Normally i don`t like light eyeshadows but this one is unique
Funny, I keep trying to convince myself that Obsidian Black and Madre Perla will be close enough to Moonlight Night and Pink Opal pigment that I don’t need the Armani ones, but I’m so in love with the formula that I’m tempted to get them anyway… You look absolutely ravishing in those photos, by the way!
@Kate MacDonald I’d say Pink Opal is a bit different – like if you had If It Sparkles, then they’re close, but Pink Opal has less shift (at least in terms of how) I’d say!
I just got the Madre-Perla in the mail and it is really gorgeous. It is the only one of this brand that I was willing to try since I read somewhere that someone has used it as a highlighter as well. I hate getting the expensive brands but sometimes you just gotta give it a whirl.
The look you created is beautiful! I really want Madre Perla!
I was thinking about buying Ecailles but now, seeing your swatches I don’t think any of this shades are worth the money. I’m Italian so I usually get a lot excited about any italian brand coming out with new items, but what I think of these? Pretty uniques in the packaging, but a lot duplicable once applied. I’m gonna see them in person maybe I will change idea.
Christine, these look amazing on your eyes! The colors make the brown so gorgeous, I am jealous I don’t have brown eyes ^.^ I was wondering what that smokey blue look was in all the MAC fashion sets posts in which you wore these… I’d never think a blue smokey look could work with any lip, but this does! I even liked the Chestnut lip colors with it – totally matched your eyes.
Amazing eye look.