There are so makeup products that have you at hello. The
Scarabeo Face and Eye Palette from Giorgio Armani's Fall collection was just such an item. I stopped by the Neiman Marcus at Garden State Plaze on my drive back from New York earlier this fall, intending to stretch my legs and poke around for a few minutes. I ended up at the Giorgio Armani counter, trying to avoid the slightly-too-aggressive SA by taking great interest in one of the displays, when this beautiful palette caught my eye.
I was actually, literally, knocked a step back. It was just that beautiful. I felt like I was looking at the makeup equivalent of a mermaid, all golden green and pink shimmers. I knew I had to have it, no questions asked. (I identify strongly with my Pisces sign, and when something gives a Pisces the mermaid vibe, you GET IT.)
In retrospect, I probably should have at least asked for the price, because 88$ is quite a bit, even for something that went straight to my beauty soul like this did.
The top portion is a blush in the shade Light Pink. I don't think the name really captures the colour - it's more of a warm pink with a very subtle undertone of plum. Just enough to make this a little duskier than hues of this nature usually are. There is a fine golden shimmer that doesn't look sparkly one applied. It creates a beautiful glow, but can emphasize pores and texture if you bring it too far forward on your face. Applied to the cheekbones, it does double-duty as a blush and highlighter.
It also has an incredibly fine-milled, smooth texture that has incredible payoff yet blends out like a cream product might. Due to the super time texture, tapping of your brush is necessary, or you'll wind up with way more than you need loaded onto the bristles.
The blush is, simply put, amazing.
I wish I could be as loving towards the eyeshadows, but as gorgeous as they are, they were not quite the perfection I was expecting.
Copper Wood (brown shade on the left): This is a dark bark brown shade, with pale bronze and almost olive shimmer. It super finely-milled silky and a touch dry. It has intense pigmentation but a tendency to get very powdery when applied with a brush, with a fair bit of debris cascading down on the face during application. Because of that fine texture and tendency to powder, it also sheers out easily. When a deep shade like this does that, the effect can look murky and dirty. It does much better when applied with a sponge tip, or when the brush is lightly sprayed with water or fixative. Otherwise you just have to be very carefully when applying and blending.
Iridescent Jade (middle green shade): This looks like a metallic apple green in the pan, but that top layer is deceptive. It's actually jade green shimmer, with a teeny bit of paler iridescence. Again, it is beautifully pigmented, with a super fine, super smooth texture. It doesn't have the same issues with dryness or powderiness that Copper Wood does, but it is equally susceptible to sheering out. Because of the vividness of the shade, it doesn't look murky but it can look faded. If you want to keep that brightness, you do need to apply with a packing brush, and be very careful about blending out any edges.
Sea Green (green-gray shade on the right): This is a pale silvery green, that applies more silver than it looks in the pan. It is fine, smooth and soft, and a sheerer than the other two shades. It's a gorgeous shade to use on the inner corner, or over Iridescent Jade to make it more luminous. Again, it shares that same propensity for sheering out, though in a highlight shade that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The wear time is not fantastic unless used over a primer. I found they faded after about 4-5 hours without one, but stayed looking good for 8 hours with one.
Overall, I have to say that I am still in love with this palette - but it's a crazy, irrational love. The blush is sublime, but the eyeshadows, while beautiful, are problematic. For this price point, it really should be flawless.
Availability: Currently still at Saks, possibly other counters. Price is 88$ USD, 95$ CAD.
Pros: Stunning colour range, blush is a less obvious version of pink and the eyeshadows work well together. Blush has a lovely sheen that works as a highlighter, and blends suberbly. Texture on everything is incredibly smooth and fine.
Cons: Blush can emphasize texture and pores due to the sheen. Eyeshadows are all so fine that they need to be applied carefully (and ideally over a primer), or risk over blending, looking dusty or faded. Copper Wood shade is prone to powderiness and fallout, best used wet or with a sponge applicator.
(I purchased this item. Post is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)
