Apr 18, 2024
Welcome to Editorialist’s “Hype or Holy Grail”—a biweekly series where our beauty editors test cult-favorite beauty products to determine if they’re all hype or truly a holy grail product worth your hard-earned cash.
Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation is like the Mariah Carey of makeup. It’s got a diva reputation, has serious range, and stands out solidly on its own. And although there have been some up-and-coming talents (think BB creams and tinted moisturizers), the Luminous Silk Foundation remains a classic that withstands the test of time and trends (just like our beloved elusive chanteuse). It even sells in record numbers—the brand’s site states that roughly 1,000 bottles are sold in the United States alone each day. In fact, according to a 2019 end-of-year study conducted by Cherry Pick, Luminous Silk was the number three best-selling foundation in the country. Taking the number one spot was Luminous Foundation by Anastasia Beverly Hills, followed by Pro Filt’r by Fenty Beauty. It's no wonder Luminous Silk won its category in our 2022 Beauty Awards.
Along with a laundry list of accolades, Luminous Silk also has the stamp of approval from royals (like Meghan Markle), A-listers, and beauty editors alike. So what is it about this foundation that makes it a fan favorite? And why don’t loyal users bat an eye when it comes to its hefty $69 price tag? To find out, I put this legendary foundation to the test. Ahead, I break down everything you need to know—including its coverage, longevity, and application—to help you decide if Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation is worth your money or not.
Pros:
- Lightweight, buildable coverage
- Ultra-fine texture
- No setting powder required
- Silky smooth finish
- Does not oxidize
- Does not pile or cake
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other leading foundations
First, a Little About My Skin
I’ll be honest with you—I don’t like wearing foundation. Maybe it’s my fine lines and budding wrinkles, but foundation makes me look like a faded film star desperately trying to recapture her youth (à la Sunset Boulevard). In other words, foundation enhances my dull complexion, hyperpigmentation, ever-expanding pores and makes me look much older than I am. For this reason, I only like to use concealer on a day-to-day basis (Tarte’s Shape Tape being my go-to at the moment). Afterward, I’ll dab on some creamy blush, brush on some setting powder to control my oily t-zone, swipe a nude lip, and I’m good to go. But let’s face it, my forty-something skin needs a good amount of coverage. It needs a foundation that makes me look like a straight-up snack and less like Norma Desmond uttering, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up.” I also need a foundation that gives me a subtle dewiness and combats the dry patches around my nose. With all this in mind, I was eager to delve deeper into Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation.
About Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation
It’s been said that Giorgio Armani has always been obsessed with skin and believed that makeup should enhance one’s natural beauty. Since its launch in March 2000, Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation has set the standard for that coveted “no makeup” makeup look—a far cry from the heavy cakiness that many foundations were known for (especially in the ’80s and ’90s). Luminous Silk was the first silicon and oil hybrid foundation, which means that it’s great at controlling shine and acts as a primer and foundation in one. It offers medium coverage, which you can easily build upon depending on your needs, and it never oxidizes. Therefore, the foundation will never change its color as the day unfolds—how your complexion looks upon application is exactly how it will look upon removal. This makes it a dependable gold standard for celebrity makeup artists when prepping clients for the red carpet and photoshoots.
“Luminous Silk is a staple in so many makeup artists’ kits,” says celebrity makeup artist Cara Lovello. “It’s great because the coverage is buildable and provides a natural look to the skin. Plus, the way it glides on just feels different,” she adds. That’s because Luminous Silk uses an exclusive patented process called Micro-Fil technology (inspired by charmeuse silk, one of Armani’s favorite fabrics) that allows the pigments to lay flat on the skin's surface, resulting in a seamless application and a natural, second-skin effect. Luminous Silk also contains a powder-like finish that dries clear, eliminating the need for a setting powder.
This long-lasting foundation is available in 40 shades and comes in a standard size and a travel size, so that you can take it anywhere. You can also use the line’s concealer and primer (made of the same Micro-Fil technology) on days when you’re not in the mood for a full face of makeup.
How to Apply
Luminous Silk comes in a weighty oval-shaped glass bottle with a pump dispenser. On clean, moisturized skin, pump a small amount onto a foundation brush, makeup sponge, or your fingertips and blend out—beginning from the center of your face and moving outward. For buildable coverage, add more layers of the foundation as needed, but one pump is pretty much all you’ll need for your entire face.
So, Is It All Hype or My New Holy Grail Product?
Not to be dramatic, but this is a foundation I would want with me if I were stranded on a deserted island. Sure, I’d be alone scavenging for food and water, but at least I’d look good.
After cleaning and moisturizing my skin, I applied the foundation (in shade 5.5) using a makeup sponge spritzed with a bit of rose water and blended it outward from the center of my face towards my ears. What I noticed immediately was that it melted effortlessly into my skin, leaving behind a silky-smooth texture with a hint of dewiness. It feels like nothing and blends in with no stickiness. The foundation is also so foolproof that even a makeup novice can apply it on their first try and still look amazing.
One layer (about half a pump) was all it took to make my face look flawless. My skin still looked like my skin, but so much better—like I drink eight glasses of water a day and eat my vegetables (which I always say I’m going to do but never get around to it). But with Luminous Silk, I can mask all of my bad habits. It also did an amazing job at blurring my imperfections (sunspots and broken capillaries) without making it look like I was trying to hide them behind a heavy coat of plaster. I decided to forgo using a setting powder and eight hours later did not regret that decision at all. By the end of the day, my skin was still dewy and not one trace of oil was detected. I had to do a double-take because I couldn’t believe that my face looked the same as it did eight hours earlier.
But the best part? The foundation did not cake around my dry patches. They were on a well-deserved vacation (they work hard at getting attention) and didn’t appear again until after I washed my face that evening. Another thing that I noticed was that it didn’t cling to or enhance the tiny peach fuzz that I have on my face. I can thank the Micro-Fil technology for that. It does what it says—allows the pigments to lay flat on the skin's surface.
Now for the proverbial elephant in the room: its hefty price tag. At $69, this formula is at a higher price point than other leading foundations, but it is worth every penny. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes this foundation feel so luxurious, but I’d have to say its silky texture and dewy finish stand out. I have not tested another foundation that comes close to its amazing yet breathable coverage, long-lasting wear, and foolproof application. If you wear foundation every day, it’s well worth the splurge. If you only wear foundation for special occasions, it’s also a smart choice because you can extend the longevity of the bottle.
Final Verdict: Holy Grail
The Luminous Silk Foundation is ideal for both oily and dry skin (it combats oiliness and provides hydration) and gives excellent coverage without piling, caking, or melting off your skin. My final verdict? Holy grail, through and through.
