Allow me to meander awhile and begin this post with a reminiscence of sorts. My MUA at Giorgio Armani Hong Kong go a year back, she knows me as the (crazy) Singaporean girl who dropped by the store for two consecutive days, sweeping as many Eyes to Kill shadows (ETKs) as her bag can carry. I feel sheepish typing this, as my Chanel SA can testify, I can get a little carried away with enthusiasm and you don’t receive a warm reception when shopping in Hong Kong.
Anyways, fast forward a year, Aggie is now Counter Manager and as I only belatedly found out, does not personally handle customer sales anymore. This revelation hit only when I was firmly ensconced in the Armani swivel chair, with her bringing out goodies from the Bronze 2012 Color Collection for me to play with. Cue an extremely embarrassed Singaporean who was trying very hard not to wring her hands in both delight and ‘can I just bury myself into a hole now?!‘ sentiments.
So without further ado, I present to you the crowning jewels of Armani’s Summer collection, the Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows. In four new, limited edition shades.
Here’s what Armani has to say about ’em:
For the first time, Eyes To Kill Intense unveils a pearl blend that radiates four spellbinding colours. Each of the Eyes to Kill Intense – ‘Obsidian Black’, ‘Obsidian Grey’, ‘Écailles’ and ‘Madre Perla’– is based on a revolutionary technology that acts like a kaleidoscope, producing multidimensional colours.
This season’s must-have, ‘Madre Perla’ is a blend of precious white pearls that instantly radiates ever-changing pink, purple, blue and green light for hours. It can be swept over eyes and temples, like a radiance veil as seen in the Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2012 show ‘Nacré’.
Neither a cream nor a powder, this incredible hybrid formula acts like a colour suspension that delivers a dreamy, ethereal beauty to eyes with a 24 hour hold.
I gotta ‘fess up, I LOVE the Giorgio Armani ETKs. In fact, when I was hard-pressed for time, all I would do is an overall wash of #6 Khaki Pulse, black liquid liner and mascara. Done in 10 minutes flat, and I never fail to receive compliments each time I wear the look.
Safe to say, the amazing complexity of each ETK holds special place in my makeup collection. Instead of recommending palettes (like the Urban Decay Naked, which remain a staple for some) to friends who are venturing into makeup, I would introduce them the Armani ETKs instead.
Swatches:
Left to Right: 22 ecailles / 21 obsidian grey / 23 madre perla / 20 obsidian black
I must apologize, I swatched these instore and with my crappy iPhone. All that beautiful shimmer, especially in 23 madre perla, is almost invisible. I’ll get better swatches once I’m feeling better!
These have a dreamy texture to them, some of my ETKs actually crumble and I think it’s normal considering that you have to press them back after use. The new ETKs in this collection feel like cream silk on your lids, if one has to find words to describe the sensation. It’s smooth like butter. Gorgeous. I’m glad I held out on the Chanel potties, ahem.
Aggie was also kind enough to give me a complimentary eyebrow trim, you can see that Giorgio Armani emphasizes on thinner brows that come with a visible arch. She used only three ETKs on me (the ones I purchased), and advised against 22 ecailles as I have puffy lids. They form a beautiful graduation on the eyes, you must try it for yourself.
Uh, this was taken a few hours after I landed in Hong Kong (yes I skipped straight to the counter after unloading my luggage, opps) – my hair’s a mess. But see the graduation?
It looks a little blue here due to the store light.
Aggie used 23 madre perla as a base color, taking it all the way up to under my brow bone as highlight. After, she used 21 obsidian grey as a lid color, before smoking up the look with 20 obsidian black. Blend as you will. Aggie next used the Smooth Silk Eye Pencil to line my eyes, taking care to smudge it a little, before setting it with the Maestro Liquid Eye Liner. And my lashes, oh I die for them.
Another instore photo.
Upon hearing that I would be out later that night with friends at Lan Kwai Fong, Aggie promptly touched up on my powder (I only had on BB cream, yikes!), and used the new face palette (‘Seashell Pink‘ and ‘White Foam‘) for blush and highlighting.
The completed look, please ignore the messy hair! It was a chore having to shower and wash my hair without smudging my makeup, but I emerged victorious!
I don’t know which I’m more in love with, the sparkles, the grey or the lashes.
My job here is done, please go check out the collection for yourself. Fellow ETKs collectors, you know what you should do! *winks*
I’ll be showing my own purchases in another entry, I’m not sure when the collection will launch in Singapore, but these are limited edition so they won’t be around for long! If you are a fan of a smokey eye, the new Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows will be your favourite toy to play with, they are incredibly smooth and put that extra ‘oomph!’ into your look.
Iariae 