This review dives deep into the Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation, a luxurious offering priced at $64 and boasting 30 shades. We put shade 3.5, designed for fair skin with neutral undertones, to the test, focusing particularly on its suitability for dry skin. This in-depth analysis explores application techniques, coverage capabilities, longevity, and overall performance, comparing results using both a sponge and brush for application. We examine how the foundation interacts with dry, potentially sensitive skin, paying close attention to its ability to minimize the appearance of dryness and imperfections.This review provides a comprehensive assessment, detailing the foundation's texture, wear time, and ability to deliver on its promises of full coverage and a velvet matte finish. We discuss the shade matching process, highlighting potential discrepancies between shade finders and actual application. Ultimately, we offer a balanced perspective, considering both the strengths and weaknesses of the Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation and provide a final rating based on our experience.
Pros And Cons
- Blends easily with sponge or brush.
- Provides light coverage that can be built up.
- Reduces redness.
- Looks skin-like.
- Doesn't settle into fine lines or pores.
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear.
- Doesn't dry out skin.
- Shade may be too dark for those with fair skin.
- Coverage is not full, even when built up.
- May not fully cover sunspots.
- Doesn't last as long as claimed (long wear claim not met).
- Coverage fades unevenly throughout the day.
- Can bunch up on chin and around mouth.
Read more: Hydrating Foundation for Dry Skin: Top 5 Picks
Foundation Details & Shade Matching
The Giorgio Armani Power Fabric foundation retails for $64 and comes in 30 shades. This review focuses on shade 3.5, described as suitable for fair skin with neutral undertones. It boasts SPF 25 with chemical sunscreen and promises full coverage with a velvet matte finish.
I utilized the Sephora shade finder, inputting my Estee Lauder Double Wear shade (1C1 Cool Bone), which recommended shade 3.5. The shade finder suggested a near-perfect match, though the Armani shade appears slightly darker in my comparison swatches.
Application and Initial Impressions
The brand recommends applying with a brush, but I tested both a sponge (Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge) and a brush (Sigma F80).
The foundation blended effortlessly with the sponge, providing a light, skin-like coverage. Redness reduction was noticeable, with sunspots adequately covered. The brush offered slightly better coverage but seemed to lift some dry skin flakes.
Coverage and Buildability
The foundation builds up nicely. I achieved a high-medium coverage, but the deepest sunspots still showed through. Full coverage was not attained, even with layering.
The foundation handled my dry skin surprisingly well, not accentuating flaky areas despite some peeling from recent acid use. While flakes were still visible, the foundation didn't draw unwanted attention to them.
Wear Test and Longevity
Throughout the day, the foundation remained comfortable and lightweight, feeling almost imperceptible. Minimal settling into lines or pores was observed.
However, the foundation's long-wear claim didn't hold up. By the evening, coverage had significantly diminished, and some bunching occurred around the mouth and chin areas. The overall wear was shorter than expected.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Giorgio Armani Power Fabric foundation receives a solid B. It's exceptionally lightweight and comfortable, performing admirably with dry skin and not settling into fine lines. However, the shade range may need adjustments for lighter skin tones and the longevity could be improved.
I look forward to testing it again without peeling skin to determine if the performance changes. The shade I tested (3.5) was too dark for my skin tone. While not a full-coverage foundation, its light-to-medium coverage and graceful degradation make it a decent option for many skin types.