Some would argue if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but Armani Beauty would beg to differ. For the first time in 25 years, the brand has reimagined its award-winning foundation. Let us introduce you to the new Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Foundation, available exclusively to Vogue readers today.
“Even for an icon like Luminous Silk, consumer expectations evolve,” Armani Beauty’s research and development specialist Rena Hayashi explains. “The driving inspiration was to meet today’s demand for foundations that offer an even more seamless, true-to-skin match and act as an extension of one’s skin-care routine, not just makeup.” Four years in the making, backed by rigorous consumer-based testing, Luminous Silk 2.0 promises a more precise shade range, improved wear time, refined finish, and a skin-loving formula—building upon the predecessor’s qualities you know and love.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Foundation
- Why We Love It: Loved by pro-artists since 2000, the new-and-improved formula now leans further into skincare-makeup hybrid territory, with ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and botanical extracts to boost hydration for an undeniably silky, never-cakey finish that smooths the appearance of textured skin. The latest reformulation also expands its shade range, getting hyper-specific with undertones for a more precise match. And while long-time Luminous Silk loyalists may be wary of change, celebrity makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez assures it’s better than ever.
- Shades: 44
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, niacinamide, white lupine extract, lily extract, tocopherol
- Finish: Naturally glowy, and blurred
- Coverage: Medium, buildable coverage
- Size: 0.6 oz; 1.0 oz
Of course, change can feel affronting when it comes to cult-favorite formulas. Even I, a writer accustomed to inevitable reformulations, felt an initial pang of concern. Celebrity makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez admits she was nervous, too, at the thought that her trusted foundation for star-studded clients (a staple in her kit since the OG’s 2000 debut) was undergoing unexpected modification. After all, with a roster of celebrity clients that are no stranger to HD photography, a product co-sign from Gonzalez, doesn’t come lightly. “The red carpet lighting and cameras do not lie,” she laughs. “Luminous Silk is still my go-to, and I know that it’s not going to let me down—from covering rosacea and acne, to smoothing out texture.”
“You think this formula couldn’t possibly get better; but somehow the reformulation is even more precise and more perfected,” Gonzalez admits as we chat over Zoom. Since testing in July, Luminous Silk 2.0 became her new go-to, rendering the original formula a fond memory.
About The New Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Foundation
The most noticeable difference for Gonzalez is texture, not just how the product feels, but how it performs on textured skin. “With the original formula, I always felt like I would have to finish it off with Glow Setting Powder to make client’s skin texture look smooth and refined. The new formula still blends right into skin without any harsh edges.” That’s due to the brand’s Liquid Silk Technology, where micro-pigments in the formula scatter light as it’s refracted by the skin, quite literally creating an optical illusion a glowing complexion—all while still maintaining a lightweight feel. Plus, the added addition of skin-loving ingredients helps the foundation to smooth over texture, rather than cling to it.
Armani Beauty sought to embrace the skincare-makeup hybrid in a market where consumers expect their cosmetics to support their complexion, not sabotage it. Chief among the new ingredient list is a quartet of glycerin, niacinamide, Mediterranean lily, and white lupine extract. Per Hayashi, this combination of nourishing actives and botanical extracts amplifies hydration while delivering a glowing, plumping effect. And if you’re like me—acne-prone and wary of breakouts after trying anything new—you’re in luck. The new formula is entirely non-comedogenic (yes, I double-checked every ingredient through an acne clinic’s checker). Another perk is that although the ingredients mention fragrance, the heavy perfumed scent of the original is gone.
Luminous Silk is also now more long-lasting than ever, boasting up to 24 hours of wear. The everyday makeup wearer may not need a foundation to last a full day, but with celebrity clients, longevity matters. “I’ve been on sets where we’re shooting for 22 hours long—when I use Luminous Silk, there really isn’t a need to do much to the skin for touch ups, because the foundation keeps its integrity on the skin,” she says. “I just go in with a little concealer on the under eyes, and re-up on powder for oiliness.”
I first tried the formula after a long workday, on bare skin. Down in Vogue’s beauty closet, I flicked on a ring light and did as Gonzalez taught me—applying only to the areas of my face that needed it most. Two pumps on the back of my hand did the trick, stippling it across my red-speckled cheeks and around my nose. The difference was immediate, like erasing rosacea with a magic wand. Throughout the day, the “your skin looks great!” complements kept pouring in, despite the daunting realities of my drier-than-usual, rosacea-prone complexion. The finish of this reformulation is definitely slightly more radiant than its more satin-y predecessor, but I’d argue that only helps to further bolster one’s glow without forsaking that “silk” effect.
To be honest, I was shocked at how this wore over time. After applying the foundation in the early AM, my end-of-day touch-ups before heading out of the office were a limited to blush and blotting (versus more in-depth reapplication). And that’s not fluff—there’s actual science behind it. “It’s thanks to the concentration of volatile oils that evaporate after application, leaving a stable film of polymers and pigments on the skin,” Hayashi explains. “This ensures long-lasting wear and a dry, comfortable feel.”
While the beauty industry at large still struggles with shade inclusivity, it’s an area that Armani Beauty shines in—specifically in the medium and deep complexion range. Of the 44 total shades, 18 of them are new. “A new green pigment has allowed us to expand the shade range for those with olive undertones, providing a more accurate match, while an ultramarine blue pigment was incorporated into our deeper shades,” Hayashi explains, noting that this innovation was crucial for maintaining luminosity and avoiding ashiness on the deepest end of the spectrum.
It’s worth noting that your Luminous Silk shade may not be the same as the original formula. We’d recommend reviewing the brand’s shade comparison chart to double-check; but for those still unsure Gonzalez has a solution that assures the most seamless match. The formerly frosted packaging you’re used to has been replaced with a clear glass bottle. “What you’re seeing in the bottle is exactly what you’re getting in terms of shade selection,” she says. “I carry every color in its original bottle, stored in a big clear case. When quickly shade matching a client, I just flip it over and hold it near their face—just make sure you’re in good lighting (everyone has a selfie light!).”
If anything, Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk reformulation is a lesson in that sometimes, unexpected change can actually be a great thing. With more shades, better skin-tone specificity, complexion-nourishing ingredients, and all-day wear, Luminous Silk 2.0 remains a quick fix for a flawless, glowing complexion.
Meet The Experts
- Carolina Gonzalez is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Gigi Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ashley Park, Camila Mendes, and more.
- Rena Hayashi is Armani Beauty’s research and development specialist.
