Spring 2012: Armani 'Luce the Armani Light' Collection.

Inspired by Mr. Armani’s love of light and its effect on color, this spring season, gold takes center stage. This is 'Luce the Armani Light' Collection from Giorgio Armani Beauty.

Soft pastels are instantly updated with a hint of antique gold, in a myriad of ways.  “Luce d’oro” , a precious new pigment is added to eyeshadows. Cheeks are soft glowing pink. Lips are sheer and glossy. Muted shades of pink accented by coco and greige add a chic contrast.

How to get the “Luce” look by Linda Cantello:
“Apply your color of choice swept over the eye lid. Then use one of the pencils to highlight the inner corners of the eye. A new way of applying shadow. Sweep of luminous color up through the temples and over the lip’s cupid’s bow takes us straight through to Spring 2012 as seen on Giorgio Armani runway.” Linda Cantello

Eye Palette - $59.00

The new secret of radiance, the precious “Luce d’oro” pigment gives a special luminosity to the eye.
Two are the must-have products for the season: a palette that combines soft pastels with the luster of antique gold and one that presents a harmony of gold and copper accented with a moonlight silver.

Tourmaline Pink Blush - $55.00

A subtle blush softer than the classic formulas where white, beige and pink replace the classic white powders.
Micronized to the extreme, this blush leaves a translucent glow that illuminates every complexion.

Eye Pencils - $27.00

Pure wave of light in an exquisite texture. Offered in two versions, antique gold and copper, this exceptional pencil brightens eyes with metallic definition. Remarkably soft and creamy upon application, the formula is as precise as a kohl, as intense as an eyeliner.  It creates a long-lasting, water-resistant outline which stays intense for hours.

Gloss d’Armani - $28.00

Thanks to the exclusive Color-Fil Shine technology, Gloss d’Armani has the ability to form a supple mesh that traps pigments and pearlescent particles. A supple, silky weave of shine, Gloss d’Armani stays radiant for over eight hours.
Four unique colors: “Greige d’Armani”, “Caffeine”, “Wild rose” and “Blush”.

The Spring 2012 collection is available now online at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com and at Armani Fifth Avenue and select fine department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Barneys.

SPF Yourself: Protect Your Skin with Armani Foundation.

SPF Yourself is a series of posts featuring products that contain a sunscreen, or SPF, in them. Not only sunscreens, but body lotions, facial moisturizers, eye creams, foundations, tinted moisturizers, bronzers, hair care and more will be featured. Only the best in beauty with SPF!

I love a good foundation and when I was told by a few friends that I needed to try some from Giorgio Armani Beauty, I listened.  I love Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation and have used it on and off for a few years now. It lacked on thing though. Sunscreen. When I heard that a few of their foundations contained the added protection of sunscreen, I knew I had to try them out too.

Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 - $59.00

This foundation was created to uphold in extreme backstage conditions, and if it coveted there, you know it works. This formula is water-based, so it is light in feel, but this foundation provides a 14-hour satin matte coverage without the heavy coverage feel. It blends onto skin nicely. I have tried it with both a foundation brush and the Beauty Blender Sponge. Both offer a nice, even medium coverage, with a more sheer look from using the sponge damped a bit with water.  It really lasts all day and looks perfect. It comes in eight shades, from Ivory to Natural Suede.  I am using 5.5 Natural Beige, which is a very medium tinted shade that is matching my self tan nicely.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Compact Foundation SPF 35 - $59.00

I was really surprised how much I like this powder foundation. I have sort of shied away from them recently as most seem to settle on me and just make my skin look flat. This did not. Applying it with the enclosed sponge, this seems to lighten the skin with a natural, transparent satin-matte finish. It too, last very long and looks just as nice at the end of the day as when I applied it. I used it alone for a light to almost medium finish, but applying it over a liquid foundation adds more coverage, while not being too heavy. If you need more coverage, I highly recommend using it this way. It comes in eight shades as well, and I use 5.0 Natural Beige . It was a little bit lighter than the liquid foundation, so I would probably opt for .5 darker next time.

Both of these founations are available online at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com, but you can also pick them up at fine retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.  I honestly had a very hard time finding an actual Giorgio Armani Beauty counter to find my perfect shade, but the SOHO Bloomingdales In New York City has a counter and the rep are very patient and helpful in finding the perfect color.

Giorgio Armani 2009 Holiday: The Crystal Collection.

This limited-edition collection, which incorporates the exclusive and luxurious crystal embellishments, draws its art-deco inspiration from the use of the exquisite stones featured in Giorgio Armani’s luxurious accessories. Renowned for his extraordinary skills with subtle tone on tone color, Giorgio Armani introduces a quad featuring four festive metallic toned shades. This is Mr. Armani's vision of festive glamour.

Crystal Palette - $98.00
The limited edition jeweled Crystal Palette is the perfect accessory this holiday season. Designed with a central and out circle of crystals, this season’s must-have is presented in solid black lacquered packaging with glittering details in a black velvet pouch. The Crystal Palette is a double-level case that features an iridescent body powder in a versatile neutral shade and the bottom holds four shimmering eye shadow shades of metallic toned shades. The eye shadow palette contains four shimmery shades: shimmery jet black, sparkling bronze metal, shimmery silver, and a sparkling jade.

Crystal ArmaniSilk Lipstick - $38.00
The Crystal ArmaniSilk Lipstick comes in a precious black lacquered case also embellished with crystals. This limited edition glamorous product comes in a rich ruby red shade that is perfect for any holiday fête and a shimmery bronze for a less intense lip.

Crystal Lip Shimmer - $26.00
The Lip Shimmer comes in n°61 with brown MicroFil mica pearl, gloss and light up the lips in an elegant brown shimmer.

The Holiday Crystal Collection is available now and for a limited time online at giorgioarmanibeauty.com and at select fine department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Barneys.