Lips to Kill: Armani Fall 2011 Collection, Rouge d'Armani #406, Scarlatto

After being somewhat disappointed with Armani's Palette #2 from the Fall 2011 Collection, I was still eager to try the matching lipstick because, well, it's red. Very red. As in, one of the most beautiful, truest reds I've seen, which is saying something since as you know, I have about a million red lipsticks. And the Rouge d'Armani #406, Scarlatto, definitely hit a home run.



Scarlatto is the lipstick worn in the promotional ads for Armani's Fall Collection this year. In the photos, the color is absolutely stunning against Megan Fox's pale porcelain skin. Since I, too, have porcelain skin, I knew it would be a good shade for me. However, after finding the  Eye Palette #2 she is wearing in the photos to be much different than the shots would lead one to believe, I was a tiny bit concerned that the lipstick would fall flat as well. Luckily, that wasn't the case. Scarlatto is vivid and full of depth, and is an absolutely perfect red for those of us with fair, cool skin.

In the tube, Scarlatto is a brilliant, true red. The lipstick itself appears very matte, almost dry. I almost thought it might be too much of a true red for me, as I tend to do better with cooler reds, but Scarlatto proved to cool down just a bit on my lips and became the loveliest, well, scarlet, I've ever seen. 

On my arm, it appears to have a very blue undertone, with a hint of pink: 

One coat give nearly full opacity, with two coats achieving completely full coverage. Wear time is several hours. The formula itself applies easily and is very lightweight, if not creamy. Immediately after application, the finish is satin, but dries down to more of a matte finish as time goes on. I had a tiny bit of feathering after an hour or so when I used the lipstick alone, but a lip liner cured this issue. The Rouge d'Armani lipstick is not moisturizing, but it also didn't dry my lips at all. I found that Scarlatto left a beautiful stain as it wore off evenly, and I wasn't left with that tell-tale rim around my mouth when it came time to reapply. 

Here's why I love this red so much: 

If that isn't the ultimate red lipstick, I don't know what is! It's so sexy yet so classic, it (to me) seems appropriate for day or night, work or an evening on the town. Worn with understated eyes, a swipe of black eyeliner and lots of mascara, along with flawless pale skin, Scarlatto is the ultimate statement lipstick. I can't think of any other shade I own that is quite as flattering as this one. 

Bottom Line: Scarlatto is everything I've ever wanted in a red. Although I hold a special place in my heart for many of my crimson lipsticks (Chanel's Paris and Rouge Byzantin come immediately to mind), Scarlatto is the truest red I currently own, with no shimmer, gloss, or discernible undertone to contend with. It's the red you need if you only plan to own one red. I'm in love!