Giorgio Armani Beauty’s Fall 2010 Night Viper collection includes a limited edition eyeshadow Maestro eyeshadow quad ($59).  Packaged in the sleek and delightfully sturdy round packaging, these four shadows are placed in a striped pattern with a full, usable mirror:

These eyeshadows carry through the blue theme we’ve seen in so many lines this year–Estee Lauder’s Blue Dahlia Palette, Bobbi Brown’s Denim & Rose collection, and others.  The Armani blue swatches as a deep-toned color with a hint of gray and a touch of purple.

Photographed in warm sunlight with flash

The overall impression that these arm-swatches give is neutral-to-cool.  I found that on my fair, warm (NC15- Chanel 1.0) skin, the entire Armani palette applies as very cool.  This is because the highlighter shade is so extremely cool in its tone.  I cannot emphasize enough that this highlighter becomes shut-the-door, out-of-control dramatic on warm skin–indeed, Armani Beauty describes the white shade as “silver.”  Those with warm skin will want to ensure that their brows are well-manicured to go with this highlight shade.

Photographed in shade with flash

This last shade borders on a very cool-toned taupe, and is appropriately described by Armani beauty as an “icy brown.”  The blue is described as the “star shade” of the palette–indeed, it seems the most multidimensional and interesting, and it seems the other colors are designed to set off this deep blue shade.

When applied to the eye, the dark brown shade is a light-absorbing, shadow-creating cool brown.  It can give you a dramatic socket.  The blue is pretty, it’s deep enough and mixed with other colors to be modern.  I like layering it over the khaki (which is a grey off-gold),  or using the blue just in the center of the eye near the lashline for a little color.

All shades are shimmery but not as shimmery as the Steel Black Eyes to Kill Palette that I recently reviewed.  Also, note that the texture of this Fall 2010 Maestro quad is harder and similar to the formerly-introduced Armani quads in the same configuration.  They are workable with a stiff brush, or by using sufficient pressure with a standard brush.  If you are looking for buttery soft, look elsewhere.  If you are looking for something of an average softness, look at Armani’s Eyes to Kill line.

Because of my warm skintone, this palette is pure drama.  Although I love to wear cool shades for that effect, the Fall 2010 Maestro is particularly cool.  Those who are warm toned and fair will want this for the very formal or evening occasions, rather than for everyday.