Review: Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup

This new revolutionary makeup, Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup ($62), 8 years in the making, was released in the US early October 2012.  I've seen few reviews and it was a very mixed review.  But I really wanted to try it.  It sounded like something revolutionary and unique.  And I'm all about the next best thing. Linda Cantello, International Make-up Artist for Giorgio Armani Cosmetics says, "It's not a foundation, it's a complexion perfector."  It is made of 60% oil and 20% pigments, unlike the traditional foundation that consist of 80% oil and 20% water.  This product contains five volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile oils that evaporates at different rates.  Sounds really cool doesn't it?  I knew I had to try this!

WHAT IT CLAIMS:
Benefits:  A formula that is easy to apply with unified distribution, and covers imperfections.  An ultra-fine oil-pigment suspension that perfects the complexion, instantly igniting skin's natural luminosity.  A water and powder-free base.

Technology:  An unforgettable and unique texture created by patented Fusion Technology.  The Fusion makeup technology delivers the thinnest color film that blends perfectly and corrects skin imperfections without buildup.

-A water and powder-free base
-Totally non-comedogenic
-Five time-released oils evaporating gradually
-Smart pigment technology
-Easy, fast, fresh and flawless application
-SPF Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB 15

COLOR:
This complexion perfector, (as the Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Make Up Artist calls it) comes in 12 different shades.  3 shades for fair skin, 6 shades for medium skin, 3 shades for dark skin.
I am MAC NC20-25, and the lady matched me to #5.5.  And it might be a tad on the darker side for me.
Eventhough it comes in all different shades, this product is made to color match your skin.  So I think it's a lot forgiving even if you choose the wrong shade.

PACKAGING:
Maestro Fusion Makeup is in a frosty glass bottle with a dropper.  It contains 1 fluid oz., the standard foundation size.  Quite different from others since it's not a pump.

CONSISTENCY:
The consistency is very liquidy.  You squeeze the dropper once in the bottle, and pour a drop in the back of your hands, and you can see it run.  The most liquidy foundation I have ever seen.  One drop is enough to cover your entire face with a thin layer.

COVERAGE AND FINISH: 
This foundation, or complexion perfector, or fusion makeup is nothing like I have ever tried.  When you first drop this on your hand, you see the color, and you see the pigments.  When you start blending into your face it disappears.  It is very sheer but only enough to correct minor skintone issues.  It does not cover.  As you are blending into your face, you can see that the feel of this liquid is changing.  You can feel the oils evaporating.  It feels absolutely silky smooth.  And you cannot tell that you have makeup on.  From other reviews I have read, it says that it's best when you let this sit/adjust on your skin for 5-10 minutes, because it can look a little powdery at the beginning.  For me that wasn't the case.  It looked just fine immediately and the same 5-10 minutes later.  This did not cover anything, as the coverage is very very sheer.  It was only enough to slightly even out the redness.  I layered it 3 times, using my fingers.  Coverage was the same as it was the first and second layer.  Finish very very natural and slightly glowy.  It remained natural and sheer all day like I wasn't wearing any makeup on my face.  But when I accidentally put a paper on my face (at work), I saw that it transferred onto the paper.  Strange because it didn't even look like I was wearing makeup yet I saw color on the paper.   It didn't make my nose, T-zone any oilier than normal without powder.  It also did not dry out my face.  It seriously felt like I was not wearing anything! 

Before & After without flash- in natural light.  You can see that it covered up minor redness.  Note the pimple on my chin.  You can still spot it.  And for some strange reason, it photographs better than it actually looks in person.

  

And this is no makeup, with eye makeup, and full makeup with flash.  I think it even photographs even better with flash! LOL (is it me or does this look like a mug shot? hahahaha) mental note: smile next time.

APPLICATION:
Before use, you must vigorously shake the product to mix up the pigments.  I have tried my fingers and a foundation brush.  I liked the feeling of my fingers better as it will warm up the product and help the oils evaporate.  But as it claims, you can't go wrong with any method of application.

THIS FOUNDATION IS LIKE:
Actually it's not like anything I have tried before.  And this is exactly what Giorgio Armani Cosmetics was trying to accomplish.  A foundation, complexion perfector, fusion makeup as they call it, is one of a kind, revolutionary type make up.  Which is the main reason I wanted to try it.

GREAT FOR: 
I think this would be great for someone who doesn't like the feeling or the look of wearing makeup.  But someone who already has great skin, and doesn't have much to cover up and wants a little extra help.  Because if you have scars, zits to cover, you'd have to cover it up with concealers and that'd defeat the purpose of wearing undetectable makeup.  I think this would be fine on all types of skin- oily, combination, and dry.  I think it'll be fine on all ages, as it does not accentuate any lines in particular.  Some reviews said it accentuates dry spots, or fine lines, but I'd have to disagree for my skin.  But I also keep my skin hydrated and exfoliated at all times.  Also this contains silicone, and octinoxate if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

MY THOUGHTS:
I have to start by saying, this photographs a lot better than it looks to the naked eye.  As you can see in the pictures above, it looks as tho it blurrs out the imperfections in photos and looks to make my complexion brighter.  But this is not the case in real life (which is unfortunately the world we live in.)  I can see all my freckles and sun spots shining through as if I have nothing on.  And that's even with 3 layers of undetectable coverage. 

I love trying new products especially that's the next up and coming.  And from what I heard and tested, it is a one of a kind makeup and this is something that has not been done before.  But I definitely need more coverage than what this is giving me.  I really really love that this makeup is undetectable, but that'd be great if it actually had better coverage and was undetectable.  If it doesn't cover anything, I hope that you can't see anything. LOL  Only those with one or two spots to cover and wants to slightly even out their skintone should use this.  It was definitely not what I was looking for. 

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a wonderful product (not the greatest), but I don't think we were meant to be. :)  Whatever Giorgio Armani claimed to do, it does just that.  And as Linda Cantello states, this is not a foundation.  So don't expect the typical foundation results.

Because it photographs beautifully, I'm really on the fence, but I like my face to look flawless in person, and not only in photos.  It's a great complexion perfector, but I wouldn't keep it to be used as a replacement for my foundations. I'm glad I tried it though.  And when my sun spots get better, I may reconsider then.

TIP:
Also I'd not recommend using any kind of water based product as moisturizer or primer underneath this makeup.  Because it's an oil based product, it will not mix well together.  It can ball up, or slide all over the place.

WOULD I REPURCHASE:
That would be a no.  I'm actually going to return it.  I can't justify keeping this since I know it's not for my needs.  Especially for $62 and when I know already I won't be reaching for this when I know I want that extra coverage.  Unless miraculously my skin becomes perfect. hahaha  Sorry Maestro Fusion Makeup... we just weren't meant to be....

AVAILABLE AT:
Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Barney's, Bloomingdale's or Giorgio Armani USA (Online)