Giorgio Armani No. 02 Fluid Sheer ($62.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is a sparkling, light golden beige with larger, more glittery particles than fine shimmer. It had sheer coverage that illuminated skin when applied as a highlighter on the cheek bones and just barely emphasized pores, but the sheerness made it less apparent (if applied more heavily, I think the effect would be more noticeable). It lasted for seven and a half hours on me before fading. This one also works nicely for decolletage, as the larger shimmer makes it more noticeable to the eye. Laura Geller Gilded Honey (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented. Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment (Original) (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented. Becca Moonstone (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, more pigmented. Tarte Champagne (LE, ) is less shimmery. Estee Lauder Courreges (LE, $32.00) is less shimmery. Becca Opal (P, $38.00) is darker, more pigmented. Becca Moonstone (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented. theBalm Mary Lou-manizer (P, $24.00) is darker, more pigmented. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA SUMMARY | Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer ($62.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is available in fifteen shades that range from sheer beige to sheer yellow to sheer copper. The formula is supposed to “dress skin in an illuminating veil of radiance.” It’s designed to be sheer, though some shades are more buildable than others, and in general, the darker hued shades are going to appear more pigmented and can be used as highlighting blushes or even as blushes (depending on your skin tone) — the brand actually calls out it can be used as “an eyeshadow base, blush, or bronzer” as well as your typical highlighter. It can be used alone, mixed with base products (like foundation, primer, or moisturizing). Some shades are glittery, others are shimmery, and others have very fine shimmer. Alone, I tend to get seven to eight hours of wear with lighter, shimmery shades and closer to ten hours or longer with some of the bolder shades, and it doesn’t seem to impact the wear of my base products (either shortening or lengthening the wear). I like fingertips or a duo-fiber/stippling brush for application using a patting and dabbing motion rather than a lot of sweeping, then a light buffing to diffuse and blend out the edges.

Giorgio Armani #2 Fluid Sheer

Giorgio Armani #2 Fluid Sheer

Giorgio Armani #2 Fluid Sheer

Giorgio Armani #2 Fluid Sheer

Giorgio Armani #2 Fluid Sheer