The New Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet Just Won The Liquid Lipstick Game

We are living in the age of lipstick. And in the arms race to create the most pigmented, the silkiest, the longest wearing and the prettiest, the new Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet serves as an impressive offering. But first things first, if you weren't aware of the lipstick golden (crimson?) era that's going on around you, may we point you to Tarte's new lip paints, color-changing lipsticks, and our round-up of a new category of lipstick concentrates. Science and innovation have officially entered the world of lipstick, and that's a very, very good thing.

Now back to the Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet. We'll start by saying it doesn't include any magnetic technology, or tiny little flecks of metal that attract pigment to your lips. Instead, according to the company, the Lip Magnet makes use of the very same technology that's in the Lip Maestro, which allows the semi-matte base to stay-put. The idea is that fast-evaporating oils touchdown on the skin, leave behind pigments, and then get along there merry way. We were so impressed with that technology that in 2012, we tapped it as one of the biggest Beauty Breakthroughs of the year. The company has combined that technology with the inimitably pure color that's in , which, if you're interested was the winning liquid lipstick for this year's Best of Beauty. The claim is that the Lip Magnet essentially leaves behind an undetectable film of the most potent color you've ever seen, and yet doesn't feel taut or chalky on your skin. And I'm here to say the claim is real, people.

All of that sounds (and is) very awesome. But once I actually tried the Lip Magnet, it was the calligraphy pen-like applicator that was the true stand-out. Unlike other doe-foot applicators that I've tried, this one is pointier and flatter, so you can really maneuver with incredible control and ease. The triangular apex allows you to line your lips and sculpt out your Cupid's bow before painting on an even coat with the wide paddle. That means, you won't need to break out a lip brush like they do on Instagram to get precise liquid lipstick application. It's basically fool-proof. Even the most liquid lipstick averse will be able to pull-off completely flawless lips with the Lip Magnet applicator.

And once it's set, you can forget it. The Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet is like a lip stain with the intense color payoff of your favorite liquid lipstick. The brand promises up to eight hours of wear, and I can definitely attest to that staying power. I have a pretty impressive memory, but even I forgot I had something on my lips—the formula is that thin. A lot of liquid lipsticks tend to make their presence known by pilling up after just an hour, but the Lip Magnets are as close to weightless as I've ever experienced, demanding very little attention after application. I liken it to the Glossier Generation G lipsticks. This may be blasphemous to say, but the Lip Magnets are very much the liquid lipstick version: They have the same comfort and stain-like finish, differing only in delivery systems and opacity.

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Learn how to do ombré lips:

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The Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet comes in 18 shades of red, pink, coral, and purple. My favorite is 600-Front-Row, a burgundy with deep purple undertones. It's the perfect low-key dark lipstick for fall that doesn't read as too bold or edgy. You buy the easy-to-use lipstick now for $38 on giorgioarmanibeauty.com.

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