Home Misc Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill #11 and #12

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill #11 and #12

by Sonia G.

These two palettes have been released a few months ago but they just arrived here in Switzerland. I was really interested in the taupe #11 Mystery and when I saw the purple, #12 Fatal, and swatched it at the counter I really fell in love with these fresh and luminous shades.

This is what Armani says :

Giorgio Armani introduces four new Eyes to Kill Quad Shimmers featuring iridescent, eye-catching colors with electric shine. Real innovation in the formulation of a powder eyeshadow: an intense formula that melds perfectly with a satin, pearly veil producing amplified light effects. Irresistible with its extremely soft, sensorial appeal, the eyeshadow arms the eyes with a flawless weapon all day long.

Hmmmm…

  • Irresistible ? yes. They are gorgeous wearable shades, nice satin or pearly finish depending on the shades, perfect for any occasion (work, evening).
  • Innovation ?? I don’t see innovation here because once I started using them I realized I had very similar shades in my collection, it’s actually intriguing how close these are to the Chanel quads below. Is there any link with their creative director ? Otherwise I just don’t get it but it seems like they have been copied.
  • Lasting “all day long” ?? definitely not on my eyes, even with a primer. I noticed that after 3 hours the application fades and it barely shows anymore. I apply my makeup at around 6h30 in the morning, if I was relying on these palettes to keep me looking fresh and prepped all day long they would miserably fail.  I am not saying that I necessarily have the Russel Howard’s effect at 10:03 but I know that if I want to look like I still have makeup on at 10:03, I definitely need to add some other item to help, for example a more intense lipstick paired with them.

armani2

 

If  you look at the Chanel quads  (Prelude and Vanités) you can see what I mean.  The formula and finish is different but the shades are so incredibly similar !

 

chanelpalettes
Armani Mystery vs Chanel Prelude (US) 

I love both palettes and when you love taupe shades these two will appear absolutely irresistible.

Just keep in mind that there is a Chanel US version with square pans and a Chanel EU with round pans. Here I am talking about the US formula.

  • The lightest shade is more obvious and shimmery on the Armani (but gorgeous), the Chanel it’s just luminous (less shimmery) and can be worn as an all over base. The Armani is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but for more ageing lids like mine the Chanel is more appropriate.
  • The light taupe shade is a bit lighter and has less shimmer on the Prelude, it makes the Prelude more wearable for day time.
  • The medium brown taupe shade is very similar on both palettes, the Chanel is a bit more interesting, has a more luminous finish without being shimmery. The Chanel lasts more than the Armani.
  • The darkest shade is more intense on the Chanel, more blendable, the Armani is not powdery but compared to the Chanel, the Chanel has a more silky finish. Again the Chanel lasts more than the Armani.

You may already know how much I love the Prelude quad, I have a little review here with some pictures, this quad is often in my favorites  coming with me everywhere I go.

I prefer square pans in compacts rather than thin pans where it’s more difficult to use brushes without accidentally touching the side pan.
armanipreludeswatches
Here I have tried to swatch the Armani shades on the left with the equivalent Chanel shades on the right.
preludearmani

Armani Fatal vs Chanel Vanités

The Armani Fatal is a more wearable palette for daytime, more discrete than the Chanel but I prefer the Chanel Vanités (so Chanel wins again…). It’s just so suspicious how these are similar shades !

  • The lightest shade has more lavender pink in the Armani but it just disappears quite quickly, I prefer the color of the Armani which is more unique but the Chanel lasts longer.
  • The next pink lavender shade is more beautiful on the Armani but again, it just disappears and I cannot manage to layer the color properly to give it a decent lasting power.
  • The gold purple shadow doesn’t have a great texture on the Chanel, it’s volatile and not very easy to layer and blend but the color is more unique. The problem is that the Armani, again, easily disappears after 3 hours wear. Once applied (with a bit of work) the Chanel lasts for quite a while and the gold is really sitting beautifully on top of the burgundy purple.
  • The dark purple on the Chanel doesn’t have an extraordinary texture but it’s more interesting than the one on the Armani, the Armani after 1 hour loses absolutely all interest, it’s still there but it just faded way too much to look like it has been placed there deliberately.

armani12swatches
The new Armani compacts have a second compartment where they store the applicators but since I find that useless, I removed the bottom part and stored my setting powder there.

It came out in one piece :


You could put more shadows or a blush, but you will have to stick them with double side tape or something similar but it’s handy if you want to keep a few things in the same place…

The quality is better than the old Armani palettes, it has been improved for sure but there is still room for more upgrade.

 

Shame the lasting power is that terrible on my eyes, otherwise they would be just fantastic. If you have them, did you find a way to make them last a decent amount of time ?  I saw a few reviews but nobody is mentioning the lasting power, I’ll be glad if you could share 🙂

thanks !

 

PS : sorry for the terrible pics… works at home make the process of taking pictures quite tricky at the moment…

You may also like

32 comments

Stacy 19 March, 2013 - 8:46 pm

Thanks Sonia for the review! I hadn’t heard any mention of lasting power and am glad you shared… There are quite a few Armani products that I love but honestly I have not been intrigued or impressed by the eyeshadows….

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 19 March, 2013 - 9:47 pm

I really wonder if it’s just me that have a problem with them 🙁
I do love these shades but it’s a fail for me if the lasting power is so short !

Reply
Crystine 31 May, 2013 - 4:52 pm

hi there, i’m from Singapore. As the weather here is humid and hot and I found a better way to make this eye shadow palette color last longer. You can try to use with your finger to apply with intense layer instead of brush. At least couple hours later the color is still there. 🙂

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 1 June, 2013 - 1:34 am

Thank you Crystine cool! 🙂

Reply
Bea 19 March, 2013 - 9:12 pm

I think this is the first time I can say since I started reading your blog: “I’m gonna pass on these” lol!

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 19 March, 2013 - 9:50 pm

you see… I do have mercy for your wallet after all 😀 😀 😀

Reply
Neo 19 March, 2013 - 9:26 pm

And while I have so no time for this at this point (I promise more this weekend, once the movers have come and gone, I have loads to share, Buggsiebee to thank, and Mimi to answer!!!!), I’m off to Bloomies right now to exchange #11 for Prelude – less shimmer, more lasting power, same colors??? That’s a no brainer for me, LOL

Thank you Sonia (again!) 🙂

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 19 March, 2013 - 9:38 pm

😀 Neo, please try the Prelude before if you can, it would be a shame that you exchange it and then regret it ! maybe I am the only one having problems with the lasting power of the Armanis or maybe it’s the series delivered to Switzerland that aren’t that good, but gosh, the shades of the #11 are really beautiful ! you were so right, incredible that they are so similar to the Prelude, isn’t it??

Reply
Stacy 20 March, 2013 - 8:43 pm

Sonia, you aren’t steering Neo wrong!! Chanel Prelude is a wonderful and good quality palette! I am sure that the pigmentation tops the Armani (in my past experiences it has been the case for sure).

Neo: I have Prelude and really like it 😉 just another opinion as you scramble to do all of your last minute errands and mental check lists!!! As Sonia has said for sure we can send you anything you need… just figure out your mail situation and we will make sure you have a chain of enabling suppliers!!

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 20 March, 2013 - 9:47 pm

😀 😀 we never know maybe Neo doesn’t enjoy the finish 🙂 but it’s absolutely worth checking it out !
it is really better than the Armani, that’s for sure !

Reply
Neo 21 March, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Thank you so much Stacy! I haven’t had time to play with Prelude, but I trust Sonia a 100%, so I’m sure I did the right thing – but it’s still nice to have your reassurance too :). Thank you so much also for the kind offer to get things to me there – I really hope the Post Office situation is descent enough, because I’m pretty sure I will get access to almost nothing locally… But maybe I’ll finally manage to use something up from my current collection??? 😀

And then there is always the occasional trip to Bangkok – I can’t wait to actually see a Suqqu counter, and an RMK counter, and who knows what else?? And maybe I can get you ladies stuff from there? 😉

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 21 March, 2013 - 9:36 pm

Thank you Neo !
please let me know how the lasting power compares on you ! and I hope you love it!! I used my Prelude every day this week, when I have no ideas I just grab it automatically !
I hope mail will get you…
by the way… no news from Piccasso…

Bonnie 22 March, 2013 - 5:55 am

Egads, I’ve been going insane with Suqqu. I went from having 0 Suqqu quads, to 9 (some pending), in the space of two months. Tell me I’m crazy :S

You know, I think it’s time for me to take a small trip to Japan/London with a stopover in Bangkok…what do you think? I don’t think I can go from Australia to New York, with a stopover in Bangkok… not quite the right direction…

Neo 19 March, 2013 - 9:42 pm

No, you are not the only one: I LOVE the #11, the colors are just perfect. But they do tend to disappear on me too. I think that the Lorac primer really helps, but it’s not enough, and it’s definitely the one palette I have that lasts the least on me :(… And I can’t help but think that with where I’m going, the sun and all, less shimmery can only be better! 😉

Reply
Bonnie 20 March, 2013 - 8:18 am

oooh, that’s sad to hear that the lasting power isn’t on par with the quality of the colours! I have the #11 but I haven’t worn it yet.

If you were comparing the #11 to the EU/Asia formula of the Chanel, would you still prefer the Chanel? (Just wondering if I should go out and get Prelude now, but Australia goes with the EU/Asia formula, not the US…)

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 20 March, 2013 - 8:46 am

I still prefer the EU Prelude to the Armani but if you have to pay a high amount for a Chanel palette, better take the US… (even if you have to pay a bit more for the shipping because the shades have more color payoff).
Have you watched Lisa Eldridge’s video ? i think she is using the Prelude EU on her model, let me see if I find it…

Reply
Stacy 20 March, 2013 - 3:46 pm

Sonia, thanks for the Lisa Eldridge link. I had forgotten that tutorial and it’s a great one! She uses awesome brushes (Suqqu of course and Paula Dorf) and fabulous products (the Chanel quad and RMK blush). Plus I love HER look in this one as well!! But then when isn’t her look pure awesomeness?

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 20 March, 2013 - 8:06 pm

you are welcome Stacy 🙂
this video is so impressive ! the lips are outstanding and the whole look one of my favorites ever.

Reply
Bonnie 21 March, 2013 - 12:38 pm

Oooh, thanks for the link! Lisa Eldridge is brilliant, and not only that, she’s so down-to-earth and honest 🙂

Hmm, I guess Prelude is safely out of reach for now until I can get the US version. But I’m good with waiting until it somehow crosses my path. Cannot afford to buy more eyeshadow atm!

Reply
Neo 21 March, 2013 - 3:21 pm

Bonnie, I could still make it happen on Monday (pick it up on Saturday and mail Monday) if they have some left (they had 2 at Bloomies but I’m sure the Chanel boutique would have it) ;)… Not sure it’s worth the shipping though? Let me know 😀

Reply
Bonnie 22 March, 2013 - 6:10 am

No, no, NO! Neo…. sigh, what am I going to do without you?!

And… maybe a yes? You know I can’t resist when you ask me like that… I’ll email you haha

Sweet Make Up Temptations 20 March, 2013 - 9:50 pm

Bonnie,
I have checked and yes I still prefer the EU/Asia one than the Armani, it doesn’t have insane pigmentation but at least it does last and the two darkest shades are specially nice. BUT, you get so much more with the US that you need to try to get that one instead, it would be worth it.

Reply
Nikoleta 20 March, 2013 - 1:06 pm

it’s pity these shadows don’t last very well, both seem so subtle and wearable. armani never fail to impress me (some foundations and lipsticks) but obviously eyeshadows are not their best. I have two of the ETK but find them too glittery for my creepy lids.

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 20 March, 2013 - 7:19 pm

oh yes, they are so gorgeous, just the dark purple that is flat and gives me a black eye effect after a while 😛 so so so sad about the lasting power !
I recently found a better way to use the ETK (but still don’t look as good as the Shiseido on my lids) but if I use the flat surface crease brushes like J5529 to mention one… the creepyness is not that much emphasized.
oh by the way, I remember you asking about the Estee Lauder new cream eyeshadows… I tested 4 and hated them 🙁 too many sparkles, not an even finish… the old ones are so much better.
Same for the Bobbi Brown creamy sticks, wasted money, I bought 3 and 2 are not impressive at all, the Laura Mercier are really better (I have a little review on BB, LM, By Terry and Trish cream sticks coming…)

Reply
Laurie Aiello 20 March, 2013 - 4:00 pm

I think you are BRILLIANT!! The amount of research and work you put into every review is sound and honest. Unlike most blogs I read, yours is at the top of my list! As a professional Makeup Artist, here in the States, I rely on the business end of my profession, as well as the artistry. Since I consider every purchase an investment, your blog keeps me on the “straight and narrow.” Thank you for your hard work!!

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 20 March, 2013 - 8:16 pm

Thank you Laurie, I truly appreciate your kind comment, makes my day !
I will continue with the same spirit, so glad you find it helpful ! I wish I could spend more time sharing posts with you, what I get in return is pure kindness absolutely priceless !

Reply
midnitedesire 21 March, 2013 - 9:21 am

I’m glad I read this! Both colors are gorgeous, but It’s a shame they don’t last long
I had never used armani eyeshadows, but I love their foundation 🙂

Reply
Stacy 25 March, 2013 - 4:13 pm

Hello Ladies!
Just a quick bit of info for non US residents… Apparently SAKS is offering free international shipping to quite a few countries for a limited time. I’m thinking the US version of Chanel eyeshadows and Tom Ford etc might be enticing! Sure wish Selfridges would do the same for us in the US 😉

Reply
Sweet Make Up Temptations 25 March, 2013 - 9:55 pm

thank you Stacy !! will try to add that one as well on the News tomorrow, that’s great !

Reply
cc618 26 March, 2013 - 7:27 am

@Stacy, thanks so much for the info. Unfortunately, SAKS doesn’t ship to my country!! 🙁

Reply
Gladys L. 27 March, 2013 - 4:52 am

Oh, one minute I am thrilled at the Saks shipment discount, and another minute I am disappointed as 90% of beauty products (especially those shades not available or more expensive in my city) can’t be shipped to Hong Kong!!!

Thx Sonia anyway so that I can keep an eye on the discount schedule in different countries ; )

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.