Beauty Review: Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation

If there is one beauty product I love and can’t get enough of it’s great full coverage, long wear foundation.

For years I have heard people rave about Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk foundation, but since it isn’t a full coverage it never really interested me. About 2 weeks ago I got an email from Influenster (a program I am very active in) that I would be receiving two complimentary bottles of the brand’s new Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation. Naturally I was thrilled to be getting something from Armani, but even more so that it was a FULL coverage foundation. Because I love a mask of coverage I have tried every formula and company under the sun, and now I was finally about to see what the fuss with Armani foundation is all about. I was sent two shades (4.5 and 5) and I could tell they were gonna be a better match for my skintone if I mixed them, so that’s exactly what I did. The issue with being between shades with luxury brands is that you really need two shades to make one perfect match. Using my normal primer routine (Benefit Porefessional + Smashbox Primer Water) I used the foundation three different days with three different tools.  An Artis Oval 7 brush, a Beauty Blender, and a dense buffing foundation brush by Sigma (F80 Flat Kabuki.)  The formula itself is on the thicker side, but it blends very well with no streaking. At first I was alarmed at how light it looked, but then I remembered the SPF 25. Sunscreen will always make a foundation look lighter at first, but after it rests of the skin for a minute or two the real color starts to shine through (with no oxidation.) After giving each method a wear test I found the best result for me was an Artis brush followed by a light pouncing with the Beauty Blender.

As for coverage, this formula isn’t as intense as I thought it might be, but I finally figured out why. The finish and wear are so light and natural it doesn’t look or feel like a full coverage-but it is. While I do have to build up the areas on my cheeks to cover a touch of redness, this foundation definitely gives coverage. I have never worn a full formula that made my skin look and feel this good. The finish is described as matte, but I would say on me it is more of a fresh, velvety look. Not at all luminous, but also not hardcore matte either.  I kept this on for 10+ hours running errands in southern heat (if you live in that area you know how humid that is) and this stuff did not budge. I usually get oily and separation around cheeks and nose during a hot day, but by the end of the night my foundation looked almost as fresh as it did on first application.

The packaging of this item is made in true Armani Beauty fashion. A frosted glass bottle, pump nozzle (thank heavens!), and pop on cap with the Armani logo decorates the competent.  Simple and chic just like all things by the brand.

I will admit I didn’t want to love this foundation due to it’s hefty $64 price tag, but I can’t fight it. When a product has people noticing how great your skin looks, and you feel like you’re barely even wearing makeup you know you have hit makeup gold. There is no question in my mind that I will definitely be repurchasing this formula in the future. If you are going to splurge on one item I always feel like it should be a great foundation or fantastic skincare. So if you are in the market for a new full coverage option, I highly recommend adding this to your list.

Coverage:
✔ Full

Skin type:
✔ Sensitive
✔ Normal
✔ Dry
✔ Combination
✔ Oily

Finish:
✔ Matte
✔ Natural

SPF:
– SPF 25

What it is:
A full-coverage, liquid foundation that perfects with a velvet-matte, lightweight, second-skin finish.

What it does:
This foundation melts into the skin, blurring imperfections while offering daily UVA and UVB broad spectrum SPF 25. Through Armani Beauty’s own Micro-fil Technology, powerful ultra-fine pigments are shaped to provide the highest coverage foundation with the thinnest and lightest texture—allowing a little to go a long way. This foundation combines high coverage, an SPF 25 filter, and an ultra-light formula to achieve flawless results up for up to 16 hours. Because every woman is unique, this foundation features an array of 20 shades to suit all skin tones. It’s adapted for each shade to deliver optimal coverage without cracking or dulling.

What else you need to know:
“As a makeup artist, the idea of combining a long lasting foundation with an invisible finish seemed like an oxymoron, so trying power fabric in the studio, where skin needs constant retouching under the hot lights and yet still needs to look perfect and fresh after many hours of shooting, was the perfect testing ground. I was impressed.”—Linda Cantello, Giorgio Armani Beauty International Makeup Artist

“The new power suit is the confidence you have in yourself.”—Giorgio Armani

**Disclaimer: I was received these products free for testing purposes.