I’m a Stan who loves tinted sunscreen, but I’ve always been lukewarm when it comes to foundation. For glamorous girlies, it’s nothing special. This is a makeup bag staple, and there’s a reason why. On days when you want a flawless airbrushed finish or long-lasting coverage, foundation works like no other. But despite a wide range of new formulas and 20 years of experience as a beauty editor, I still find it hard to love foundation.
Between challenges like aging skin, shade matching, and the extra artistry required, finding formulas that look good on adults as well as tinted skin care can feel like a lost cause. Ta. Then, an assignment from my editor made me revisit an old favorite: Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation. This is what the Women’s Health team named the best foundation for mature skin.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation
Simply put, this formula delivers. I’m a mom who can’t remember the last time I took a nap, but this leaves my skin looking fresh, rested, and naturally glowing. Like good lighting in a bottle.
A staple for makeup artists
Early in my career, I discovered Armani Luminous Silk the way most beauty editors discover insider products: through a makeup artist on a photoshoot. Gradually, I noticed that almost every set of the most discerning professionals has a chic little bottle. why? According to New York-based celebrity makeup artist Todd Harris, this formula foundation is also photogenic. “It can withstand HD cameras and lighting without show-through,” Harris explains. “It gives your skin a flawless look, but without the need for a lot of product.”
He still regularly uses it on set and in red carpet looks. “This is definitely a staple kit for working makeup artists,” says Harris.
How to use Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
I’m in my 40s and I wouldn’t classify my skin as dry until I use foundation. Somehow within an hour my skin becomes dehydrated and starts to look flaky. Unlike tinted moisturizers, foundations aren’t as forgiving, and in some cases it can backfire and accentuate your pores and fine lines. Armani Luminous Silk didn’t dry out my skin, but it wasn’t as comfortable as my usually multi-tasking tinted skin care. If you have dry skin, this formula, like any foundation, can accentuate your dry skin without proper preparation.
Harris emphasizes the importance of properly preparing your skin, especially for those over 40. “Most women don’t moisturize enough before applying foundation. You want your skin to look and feel radiant before you apply foundation,” he says. I found that applying a moisturizing day cream gives a better result than sunscreen. Harris recommends pairing it with Luminous Silk Primer for extra hydration and a smoother application. “It’s very moisturizing and helps spread the formula,” he says. I find that the primer also enhances the shine of foundation, just like a natural highlight.
The charm of Armani Luminous Silk
When I first tried Armani Luminous Silk in my 20s, I distinctly remember how it looked and felt like “liquid skin.” It created a flattering filter effect, but this was before social media. Now in my 40s, the experience was just as memorable. However, now you can take and record selfies. The ones that stand out are:
Easy to use and blends beautifully
This color blends very smoothly and fades seamlessly onto the skin, leaving no trace of makeup and creating an airbrushed and illuminated look.
Despite being such a pro-status product, Armani Luminous Silk is surprisingly beginner-friendly. While many foundations require tools like a blending brush or damp sponge to apply perfectly, this formula works beautifully with just your fingertips. The dense yet silky texture smooths out a thin veil of natural color. No special techniques are required.
It has excellent coverage from light to medium.
The coverage is light to medium, and I like it lighter so half a pump is enough for my entire face. If you apply a little more around the nostrils where you are concerned about redness, the color will be firmly applied without looking heavy or sticky. The finish is soft and velvety, perfect as a base for blush or bronzer, and more likely to be used when your skin looks more refined.
Wide range of shade
Matching shades has always been confusing to me. Skin tone not only changes with the seasons, but it can also change over the years. Over the past 20 years, my complexion has gone from fair to light (or maybe it’s just a little more uneven now). Harris offers a helpful tip: look at the shade description, not just the numbers. “Knowing your tone is the best way to adapt to the other person,” he says. I tested an older shade (4.5) and two slightly darker shades (5 and 5.1), and they all worked well for me thanks to the sheer and forgiving nature of the formula. However, considering the price, we recommend that you actually match the colors to find the “perfect color.”
Writer Erica Metzger before and after using Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Conclusion: Is Armani Luminous Silk Foundation worth it?
Isn’t it great to discover that some classics truly stand the test of time? It’s just as impressive. The professionally approved formula blends easily to leave your skin looking beautiful. I’m not kidding, it’s pretty awesome.
I still can’t shake off the polished, dimmed glow. Although it’s not a substitute for proper skin care, when prepared properly, this foundation is makeup magic for glowing skin. This is definitely a winner.
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Erica Metzger is an established beauty director, freelance writer, brand consultant, and content creator with 19 years of experience in the print and digital media industries. She is the founder and editor of The Beauty Loop, a weekly industry newsletter reaching over 600 beauty journalists and PR executives. Previously, she was Director of Beauty, Fashion and Travel at Better Homes & Gardens, and Beauty Director for Ladies’ Home Journal and MIN award-winning beauty blog Gloss Daily. She has written for Allure, Women’s Health, NY Magazine’s The Strategist, The Zoe Report, O Daily, Refinery29, Seventeen, Shape, and Martha Stewart Living. Erica has also appeared on GMA, TODAY, and E! News, appeared on ABC News as a beauty expert. She lives in Forest Hills, New York with her husband and two daughters.
