Hi everyone! Here I am with a post that will be shocking for many, including myself! Today I won’t be talking about my usual skincare passion but… (drumrolls please)… about makeup! And I’m starting with a bang because I’ll be reviewing my favorite red lipstick: Armani 400.
I can almost hear you thinking with a skeptical face: “Clelia, aren’t you the one who seldom wears any makeup? And now you’re going for RED LIPS? Is everything alright??? 🧐😅”
I want to reassure you everything is fine. Every now and then, I have my moments of craziness, and after a fairly gloomy period related to my IVF experience (I talk about it on my website but haven’t updated yet), I needed some color in my life.
But not just any color. I needed red, like anger, the passion I put into everything I do, and the desire to discover myself a little differently (when you’ll read the next article about IVF, you’ll understand better what I mean).
But I don’t want to weigh down this post! In this review, I’ll share my experience with this iconic lipstick, my ratings, and anecdotes about its fascinating history and why it has become one of my favorites of my ever growing lipstick collection.
Ready?? By the way, I’ll take better photos of me wearing it later on. While writing this, it’s 3 am on Easter Sunday, not exactly the right time to test my Armani 400 😀
Lipstick Description: The Packaging
Packaging Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6/5 Wonderful!
Let’s start with the packaging of Armani 400 lipstick, which is absolutely stunning and elegant. With its shiny black bottom, red on the cap, and golden logo that connects the two parts, it’s one of a kind. You can recognize it in an instant, and it has become one of Armani’s most iconic beauty products and one of the most beloved, known, and sold red lipsticks worldwide.
Another positive and most useful note about the packaging is the magnetic closure, making it much more secure and avoiding disasters in your purse (considering how much it costs, it is not a small detail).
2023 Packaging Note (For the Italian Armani Website): I purchased this lipstick in 2022 and today, opening the official Giorgio Armani Beauty Italy website, I noticed that they have slightly modified the packaging and can’t find the one I bought. Now the lipstick has a more elongated and slender shape. It vaguely reminds me of the Yves Sant Laurent slim.
Personally, I prefer my version also for application purposes. I’ve seen the old packaging on Armany Beauty US, and Macy’s. But it’s entirely possible that it’s simply out of stock on the Italian website. I’m currently waiting for an answer to the email I sent to the Armani team. I’ll update this thread when I have more info.
Shade and Finish
Consistency Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Shade Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Finish Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Armani 400 is an iconic, universal, intense, and vibrant red with a satin/matte finish but not dull, which suits any skin tone because of its CLASSIC NEUTRAL RED color.
The lipstick formula is creamy and moisturizing, thanks to ingredients such as jojoba oil and vitamin E. These ingredients help keep your lips soft and hydrated all day.
Application, Performance & Duration
Application Test: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
The application of Armani 400 lipstick is very easy, even for someone like me who is not only completely USELESS at applying lipstick but also has an upper lip that is practically non-existent. Imagine trying to apply red lipstick impeccably. Given these premises, It was a disaster waiting to happen!
With Armani 400, I had to change my mind. Thanks to the shape of the applicator (very precise and sharp), I managed to apply it without smudging it and even create a slight volume effect on the upper lip without using a pencil.
You should know that I had NEVER left the house with red lipstick before! I know that many people feel uncomfortable with it, and I understand them. But taboos are made to be broken, and now I go out confidently, without caring. Because if it makes me feel good, that’s all that matters.
Incredible, Thanks, Armani 400!
Duration Test: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
I wore it for three consecutive days at the Cosmoprof beauty & skincare fair in Bologna in March, from 9 am to 7 pm, including lunch. I only had to touch it up slightly in the middle/center of my lips after meals because some of the pigment had come off.
Does it Last for 12 hours without touch-ups? Not quite, but you can be long-lasting with the right tricks:
- Use a Lip Primer before applying the lipstick
- Avoid oily foods if possible.
- Spray or dab the lips lightly with a makeup setting spray, like “All Nighter di Urban Decay” (the one I used).
However, be aware that the duration is truly remarkable, but it is NOT kiss-proof, so it leaves marks on glasses, clothes, and… skin! Especially when it is first applied. After a few hours, the transfer effect is less pronounced.
Comfort Test: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
The intense pigmentation covers the lips perfectly with just one stroke. Moreover, it does not dry out the lips; given its very light texture, you hardly notice that you are wearing it. It remains comfortable all day long. I applied the Mac lip primer (which I highly recommend) for even greater comfort before applying the lipstick.
To test the comfort factor, I tested it without primer at home, wearing only the lipstick, and I felt my lips slightly drier at the end of the day. Nothing that could be seen by the naked eye (and my lips tend to be dry even without lipstick and treating them with proper care). So it passed this test as well.
Price and Where to Buy Armani 400 Lipstick
Price Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
The price of Armani 400 lipstick isn’t cheap and may vary slightly depending on the country and retailer. To be on the safe side, I bought it on the official Giorgio Armani website, as shown in the screenshot above 🙂 I bought it there because there was a promotion going on, so why not!
The average price ranges from 35 to 45 euros or dollars. Currency fluctuations and pricing policies affect the final cost of the product.
You can buy Armani 400 lipstick both in physical stores and online. Below, I have listed some places where the product is available:
Giorgio Armani Beauty Official Website: by buying directly from the official website, you are assured of receiving an authentic product (I noticed that they changed the packaging on the Italian website, from the one I purchased to the new one, which is the “slim” version and, in my opinion, slightly less sophisticated. But it’s a matter of taste).
Luxury cosmetic retailers: specialized stores in medium-high range cosmetics, such as Sephora, Douglas, LookFantastic
Department Stores: many medium-high range department stores, such as La Rinascente and Coin in Italy, and Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Selfridges, Harrods, and Galeries Lafayette abroad, have dedicated corners for Giorgio Armani Beauty products.
Duty-free shops: If you travel a lot, you might find the Armani 400 lipstick at the duty-free shops at some of the major airports. ( I definitely saw it during my layovers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on my way to Asia). My advice? Saving up and using the discount while you’re there!
Always remember to verify authenticity when purchasing from unofficial retailers, as the market is filled with imitations and counterfeits.
Megan Fox and Armani 400 Lipstick
-The iconic advertisement-
SHOWSTOPPER
The advertisement features a stunning Megan Fox wearing Giorgio Armani’s Iconic Lipstick No. 400.
One of the reasons why Armani 400 lipstick has become so popular worldwide is its iconic advertising campaign with Megan Fox. The beautiful actress wore the Armani 400 lipstick in a series of seductive and sophisticated photos, which helped to launch the product (and make millions of women want to buy it right away). Not everyone can pull it off as Megan did, but we all try our best! 😅😎)
The History of Armani 400 Lipstick
The Armani 400 lipstick was launched in 2010 for the tenth anniversary of Giorgio Armani’s makeup line. The number “400” represents the color red in the numbering system used by Armani, symbolizing its status as the “perfect red.”
The inspiration came from the memory of his mother, who always wore a bright red lipstick. An anecdote that I find very sweet and cute.
The iconic lipstick was conceived and strongly desired by Giorgio Armani himself, with the intention of creating a red that was both classic and contemporary, a bright but pure red (neither too warm nor too cool).
Armani imagined a lipstick that embodied femininity, elegance, and passion, qualities that are also his distinctive features, not only in makeup but also in his fashion collections. Always classic and elegant, with pieces that will never go out of style.
Interesting anecdotes about Armani 400 lipstick
One interesting anecdote concerns the formula of Armani 400 lipstick: during the creation process, Giorgio Armani insisted that the formula be ultra-moisturizing and comfortable without compromising the longevity and intensity of the color. This led to endless tests and modifications until our perfect formula was achieved.
Talking about being a perfectionist!
And here I am, sporting it, with my non-existent upper lip. But who cares? Wearing red lipstick is a matter of feeling confident about yourself, no matter the shape of your lips.
But that’s not all. There are several interesting facts about the Giorgio Armani 400 lipstick. For example, the number 400 was chosen by Armani himself because it represents the perfect red color in the Pantone scale. Additionally, the lipstick has been worn by many celebrities, including Cate Blanchett and, of course, Megan Fox, on the red carpet. Finally, the Armani 400 lipstick has been described as a color suitable for all skin types and perfect for every occasion. (source: Vogue Italia)
The Final Verdict
The Giorgio Armani 400 red lipstick is a product I highly recommend and should not be missing from the collection of anyone with a passion for red lipstick. Its moisturizing formula, intense pigmentation, and satin finish make it a must-have for anyone passionate about makeup but also for beginners like me!
In addition to its features, the fascinating history and anecdotes related to its creation add further value to this iconic lipstick.
The advertising with Megan Fox has helped make it a symbol of femininity and elegance worldwide, and Giorgio Armani’s dedication to creating a product that embodies passion and beauty makes it an essential addition to your high-end makeup arsenal 🙂
If you haven’t tried it yet, don’t wait: I’m sure you won’t regret it!
Its combination of intense color, satin finish, and long-lasting wear make it a safe investment for anyone looking for the perfect red lipstick, and I LOVE IT!
Quality/ Price ratio:
Passed with flying colors, it’s worth every penny!
Total Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
What about you? Have you tried the Armani 400 lipstick? Let me know what you think and if you have any other recommendations for me in the comments! I will slowly review my entire collection of red lipsticks (which will take a while!), but this one has definitely earned its place among my top 3 favorites!