Giorgio Armani • Matte Silk Foundation [DISCONTINUED] • Liquid

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*TOP REVIEWER* lilacterp on 12/27/2003 2:33:00 PM more reviews by lilacterp

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

After many years of searching for a foundation that perfected my skin, not turned it orange or looked like foundation, I have found my favorite one, hands down. I just bought this at the Giorgio Armani store on Madison Avenue in New York City, and I find it superior to pretty much most foundations out there. It glides on my skin, like yes, silk, and it matches my skin color perfectly in Number 5. It really feels wonderful and perfects my skin's surface unbelievably. Of course, I haven't tried every foundation out there, but this is the best one I have found. I just wish it was more widely available. I think this is rather superior to the Luminous Silk Foundation if you want more coverage. I will actually use this in the cooler months and the LSF in the warmer moths for a sheen on tanned skin. I like this one better though. It leaves my face feeling fresh and perfect. It mattifies and looks awesome. I use it by prepping clean skin with moisturizer and primer before I apply MSF. My face just glows and makeup looks flawless on top of this. I will be buying this until I find something that surpasses it. I love Giorgio Armani cosmetics overall. A great find.

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*TOP REVIEWER* kaestu on 12/27/2003 2:29:00 PM more reviews by kaestu

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best foundation I have tried to date! :) A super sweet swapper sent me a sample of #4 and it is a perfect match (Stila 20 watts is what I usually wear)!!! I like that it isn't overly matte because my skin is not oily so I don't really need a matte foundation. But I like the look it leaves. And the texture is to die for! A little goes a long way and this glides on so easily and smoothly. Oh, if only I could find it in my area!

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catstyle on 11/24/2003 8:28:00 PM more reviews by catstyle

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

The texture is very smooth and silky. I think it leaves a nice finish, but the matte effect doesn't last. I still need to touch up with pressed powder within 2 hours and through the rest of the day. It does give my skin a nice glow and it is one of the best foundations I've had (which includes lancome, prescriptives, clinique, clarins)

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*TOP REVIEWER* joy2uandme on 11/22/2003 11:43:00 AM more reviews by joy2uandme

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Can I just say WOW? This foundation gives sheer to light coverage--my favorite--and does it in such a way that my skin looks even and slightly glowing but matte too if that makes any sense. A definite "my skin but better foundation." I'm not sure my search is over--only been wearing this a week but color is good in 4(for reference I wear LM warm ivory, Chantecaille vanilla) and it has not aggravated my v. sensitive rosacea N/D skin. I do have some oil on my forehead and nose at the end of the day so the matteness is not the long lasting type. This foundation reminds me of Chanel's Vitalumiere but w/o the chemical sunscreen, which is a bother for my skin, and with better colors and less sparkle. This is a must try product. I might even be able to say holy grail here and if so this would be my first such makeup product to get that designation.

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*TOP REVIEWER* sasha on 10/22/2003 12:03:00 PM more reviews by sasha

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I cant believe it, the search is over. I finally found a liquid foundation that looks like a second skin and this is it. This is a very silky foundation - not really matte as the name would imply. Oily and combo skinned girls would still need to set with a little powder, but this just leaves my skin looking poreless, even, luminous (not greasy in any way). I have a very oily t-zone and this requires blotting papers just 1-2 times daily, which is good for me. I havent even been setting it with powder or touching up with powder. I imagine it would be even better once I did that. I have been using a sample for about a week so I cannot tell you the price ($42?). Highly recommended. For color reference, I am a STila B, BB sand, Chantecaille Vanilla and I wear #4. I urge anyone interested to call for samples first, but I will definately be buying this one! UPDATE: 3/14/04 - Still loving this. No irritation, great texture, excellent for those with oily/combination skin. Still highly recommended.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bastet on 9/26/2003 5:50:00 PM more reviews by bastet

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I've had this foundation for a few months- received it just when the weather had become warmer and found that it's not the ideal thing for me in summer. I have combo skin and tend to get quite oily in the t-zone in hot weather. Now that it's cooling down again I really learn to appreciate this foundation! It's fool-proof in application since it blends so well and it provides good medium coverage, yet it doesn't "hide" your skin. The finish is matte and quite natural, it must blend in really well since it is invisible to all I asked. I think no other brand combines spreadability/ pleasant consistency and coverage as well as Armani. It stays on and keeps me matte the whole day long now that my skin is not *too* oily in areas. What also surprised me is that it seems to work better on dry patches than the LSF. The LSF was generally too emollient and also accentuated any dry areas- no problems so far with the MSF. I have sensitive skin and experienced no breakouts with this foundation. It comes in a handy and elegant pump dispenser.





The only downside so far- limited shade selection, the MSF provides less shades than the LSF! In the LSF I used #2 because #1 was too light and shimmery, I find that the #2 in the MSF is even a bit darker thus leaving no option for the really pale among us.
I am a MAC NC15/20, Stila "a", Porcelain/ lightest in most other brands and I am afraid that shade #2 might be too dark for me in the dead of winter.




All in all a good product though and I'd definitely repurchase!





UPDATE: I've become less oily in the past 1-2 years and find I can wear this foundation all year round. Unfortunately it's going to be discontinued along with another favourite of mine- Stephane Marais Cream foundation. I'm really getting paranoid, I used to love Px Unmakeup and had a hard time finding something I love as much and now that!! The best alternative I know is Chantecaille Future Skin (I wear alabaster) and I hope it's here to stay!

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*TOP REVIEWER* woodstock on 9/8/2003 5:37:00 AM more reviews by woodstock

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I like that it is in pump dispenser. I like the finish it gave which is so natural and matte plus it didn't broke me out. I stay on pretty long as well even if I don't use a primer on my combo skin. I just wish there is more coverage from this product (that's why I took 1 lipstick off), going to try LSF which I heard has more coverage.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, ProlyGlyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/I Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate Isododecane, 2-Oleamido-1, 3-Octadecanediol, Acetylated Glycol Stearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Alcohol Denat, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Alumium Hydroxide, Parfum.Fragrance, [+/- may contain CI77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI77492, CI77491, CI77499 / Iron Oxides]

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DeedeeL on 9/3/2003 1:20:00 PM more reviews by DeedeeL

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I know I'm in the minority here, but this foundation is not all that (I've upgraded this review from my prior "total crap"). This is neither matte in finish or silk-like. Slime is more like it. A very sheer liquid that is difficult to build coverage. Despite its "Matte" moniker, manages to get shinier faster than the LSF ever did on me. WTF? I am SO glad I got samples of this first. Based on the reviews of this, I thought it would be my HG. Oh, and I forgot to add, I had tiny little pimples in weird places within four hours of putting this caca on my face. YMMV. If this review hasn't deterred you, I'm currently a MAC NC35 (end of summer) and wore MSF in 5.5. Edited to add: since I got this as a gift in full size (mis-communication by DH with Armani counter) and couldn't swap this for anything good, I decided to treat this as a TM to mix in with my Illuminare when I want a lighter coverage day, and voila, it works great! The Illuminare gives the coverage some oomph and cuts down the greasy feel big time. If you treat this as a TM it's really not half bad. Still, $44 or whatever is a bit steep for a TM. And I maintain, that it does not work as a foundation on its own.

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*TOP REVIEWER* seba on 9/3/2003 4:11:00 AM more reviews by seba

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I got MSF #2 from a super fab swapper (wave). After a so-so experience with the LSF (wrong shades), I don't know what to expect with this. First I was afraid that the shade #2 will be too light for me (I matched LSF #4). Second, the word matte freaks me a bit. So when I first used it, I kinda surprised that I really like the texture and the finished!! Easier to blend than LSF and not matte either. The shade matched nicefully also (I topped with GA Micro-fil #1). So this is a keeper!!!!
Update: I'm so disappointed to say that I don't like this product anymore, first I realised that it's too pink for me, second it's too dry for my cheeks yet causing an oily T-zone. Maybe I should mix this with FS#2 to make it yellower, I'll update later.

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*TOP REVIEWER* appleqn on 8/31/2003 7:05:00 AM more reviews by appleqn

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I received a sample of this and I'm so impressed with this, I'm planning to buy a bottle as soon as my sample runs out. It gives a great coverage and evens out my skintone, I've tried adding a few drops to my sunscreen and it works beautifully, giving a very even coverage but without any obvious tell-tale signs. It's a bit pricey but as I mix it with sunscreen, it's going to last me quite a while.

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tkonjura on 8/26/2003 9:00:00 PM more reviews by tkonjura

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

If they ever discontinue this foundation, I will become a nun and shun makeup altogether.

"She's crazy!" you're thinking. "No makeup is THAT good!" you may be saying.

This makeup is that good.

I bought my 5.5 about a month ago and have had the chance to wear it on both coasts (CA and PA). My combination/oily skin didn't shine after over six hours of wear (even when dancing at a wedding reception on the very humid East Coast!) A girl in the ladies room actually told me how lucky I was to have naturally good skin after seeing me in there multiple times but not seeing me have to touch up my face. (I just smiled and said "Thanks.") ;-)

Run, don't walk, to buy this product! A guaranteed holy grail!!

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nightlily on 8/18/2003 3:22:00 AM more reviews by nightlily

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I quite like this foundation, although I wasn't as impressed as I hoped I would be. It does feel nice and silky, and it does remain quite matte for me (I have combo skin), but I don't find the finish is very natural. It tends to look a bit chalky on my skin by the afternoon. I use this as a sheer tint now, by mixing it with my UltraCeuticals SPF 30 for good skin days.

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mkatrina2 on 8/8/2003 2:15:00 AM more reviews by mkatrina2

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this. It's not as greasy as the LSF, and it covers pretty well. I wear a 5.5 on the LSF and when I tried the 5.5 on the MSF it looked kinda peachy. I would prefer this over the LSF if it didn't have the pink undertone to it!

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astral_kitty on 8/7/2003 12:18:00 PM more reviews by astral_kitty

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

The coverage is good, it doesn't look shiny nor too matte BUT why are all the shades so PINK. It is a total contrast to the shades offered with LSF which is more natural. Def. not for Orientals. and esp. when wearing anything other than a turtle-neck sweater.

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KateN on 8/6/2003 9:50:00 PM more reviews by KateN

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Honestly, this doesn't really seem much more "matte" than the Luminous Silk Foundation from the same line. It actually looks dewy (and downright greasy after a few hours). It doesn't have that same unique feel that LSF has - it is more like a traditional foundation when it comes to application. One pump of LSF is too much for me; one pump of MSF is just right...it doesn't spread thin. Not worth the $40 in my opinion. On the plus side, it doesn't break me out!

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amyelliott on 8/6/2003 9:28:00 PM more reviews by amyelliott

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

this is truly the holy grail of foundations. it looks totally natural, yet hides pores and blemishes (and i've never had a foundation totally cover a pimple). the color options are amazing. i just can't say enough about this product. i will never switch to anything else.

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StephanieT on 7/22/2003 10:03:00 AM more reviews by StephanieT

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

This is the best foundation ever, even better than LSF, at least for my slightly oily skin. Sheer-to-medium coverage, but it makes my skin look amazing, and doesn't make me breakout or develop giant oil slicks. Wears well for hours, even in NYC. I've already got my second bottle in reserve, just in case!

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*TOP REVIEWER* YolandaMC on 6/29/2003 6:24:00 PM more reviews by YolandaMC

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

If you want sheer, lightweight coverage, definitely look into MSF. What's unique about this is the powdery, silky finish and it doesn't make me oily at all. When I smooth it on, the coverage is quite minimal, but it does even out my skintone. I prefer this over LSF.

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ht129 on 6/21/2003 4:38:00 PM more reviews by ht129

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I've found my Holy Grail foundation!!! I love this stuff. It keeps my very oily skin under control for about 3 hours (before I have to whip out the blotting papers), and I haven't experienced any breakouts whatsoever. And trust me, 3 shine-free hours are amazing for me! That has never happened to me before with any other foundation. I use Shade 6.5, and it's a perfect match during the summer. Shade 6 is good for the cooler months when I see less sun. Goes on really smoothly and I get medium coverage with it. I think it's better coverage than a tinted moisturizer. One bottle cost me $44 (plus $3.80 tax), but it will last awhile, since one pump of it will cover my whole face. I highly recommend!

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*TOP REVIEWER* devilzwind on 6/1/2003 2:51:00 AM more reviews by devilzwind

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This product is more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation, but that's a good thing for me. It provides light coverage and gives a nice, matte finish with no flaky bits. The packaging made squeaky noises though (eek) and I think it was a tad pricey.

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