Product reformulations are always tricky, especially when it comes to something as beloved as the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. So when the luxury makeup brand announced a revamped version of its hero product in January, beauty obsessives were curious to see how it would compare with the original—and if the changes were for the better or worse.
In the 25 years since it first launched, Armani Luminous Silk Foundation has risen to legendary status for its silky-smooth texture and buildable coverage. Most notable is the skinlike finish, which leaves your complexion looking perfected but still natural, making it a go-to for makeup artists working in film and television (it was most recently used on the sets of Bridgerton and Tell Me Lies.) It's a celeb favorite and a Glamour Readers’ Choice award winner for a reason—in other words, why mess with a classic?
Let us ease any of your reformulation concerns: The revamped Luminous Silk formula has kept all the things you know and love about the OG (smooth application, buildable coverage, and a natural finish) but with added glycerin and niacinamide to boost hydration and wear.
What’s new about the reformulated Armani Luminous Silk foundation?
Both additions are skin-loving ingredients: Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture, while the antioxidant niacinamide soothes irritation to reduce redness and inflammation. These not only provide skin care benefits, but they also help extend your foundation, with the brand promising 24 hours of wear.
Armani Beauty has also introduced 18 new shades featuring ultramarine and green pigments, which are better suited for deep and tan skin tones, bringing its range to 44 diverse offerings. According to the brand, “Ultramarine pigments are designed to complement deeper skin tones, eliminating any ashiness, while green pigments are blended into medium, neutral, and warm shades to brighten olive skin tones, delivering a radiant, never-dull finish."
So, has this new and improved reformulation actually improved? We asked three makeup-obsessed editors to put the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation to the test. Ahead, read our honest reviews.
Ariana Yaptangco, senior beauty editor
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As a big fan of the original Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, I’ve been wearing this new and improved version through New York’s extra-cold winter and I’m seriously impressed by the long-term wear. By end of day, my skin still looks like skin, with no flakes and minimal buildup. The added skin care ingredients makes it even smoother and easier to apply. I’ve noticed that the consistency is a lot less watery—with glycerin and niacinamide, it’s almost serum-like in texture. Most of the time I just use my fingers and diffuse out with a brush.
I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the coverage looks more opaque than the original, which I’m not mad at. I have dark spots and occasional blemishes, and for a lightweight foundation, one pump does an impressive job of covering them up. If you’re looking for that sheer look from the OG, you might want to stick to half a pump. My shade (6.5 medium neutral golden) is a pretty dead-on match for my tan skin with olive undertones, a color most brands struggle with nailing. I’m happy to report Armani Luminous Silk has retained its permanent place in my cosmetic bag. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour senior beauty editor
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, commerce writer
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I’ll be the first to admit that full-coverage foundations have always scared me a little. This is mostly due to my very combination skin type—some full-coverage formulas make me look like a ball of grease by the end of the day, while others cake up on my dry patches. The new Armani Luminous Silk formula might just be the one to change my mind, because it’s nothing like any full-coverage foundation I’ve tried before. It certainly provides full coverage, but the formula feels more like a tinted moisturizer, something a lot more lightweight and breathable compared with your typical foundation. The texture is creamy and silky, and sinks into skin basically upon contact. I applied this with my fingers and watched it seamlessly melt into the skin, without a pill or patchiness in sight. The 5.2 shade played well with my concealer and blush, and gave me an instantly dewy finish without excess shine. It stayed put all day, too, through a marathon of NYFW events, and didn’t crack or crease. I’ll say it: Armani Beauty might just make me a full-coverage foundation convert. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Jenifer Calle, senior commerce editor
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I usually stick to my trusted formulas when it comes to foundation, but I’m so glad I tried the new Armani Luminous Silk. It’s very buildable, so I was able to get just the right amount of coverage. With just one pump I have a skin-tint-like finish, and with two pumps I get a lightweight medium coverage. I have combination skin that leans oily, so I normally stick to very little foundation, which is fine but sometimes doesn’t give me the coverage I’m looking for when I need to conceal discoloration or redness. I’ve been breaking out recently, and just one swipe of product on my foundation brush hid my pimple. The “luminous” finish really lives up to the name here. My skin was visibly glowing, and it lasted an entire work day. Overall I was very impressed with the buildable coverage (I used shade 5.15), long-lasting wear, luxe feel, and glowy finish. I’ll be adding this to my rotation of everyday foundations. —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at Glamour.
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