Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Review (Before & After)
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, from £32
Where to buy in the UK: House of Fraser || Selfridges || Armani Beauty || John Lewis || Harrods || Harvey Nichols
Where to buy in the US: Nordstrom || Sephora || Saks Fifth Avenue || Armani Beauty || Barneys || Bloomingdales
I DID IT! I finally have in my possession a bottle of one of the most coveted and raved about foundations amongst beauty bloggers. It has been on my wish list for far too long, but I wanted to get properly colour-matched before buying it. So I took a trip to London, forked out £32 and went home with a sad credit card and really high hopes. Did it live up to my expectations? Keep reading :)
Summary
- No SPF (great for flash photography)
- Oil-free
- Natural matte & luminous finish
- Medium coverage (buildable to high)
- Lightweight
- All skin types
- 21 shades (I’m shade 5.5, for reference)
About
This is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, an SPF-free medium coverage foundation with a natural matte & luminous finish. It’s oil-free, available in 21 shades and it’s suitable to all skin types.
Texture
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk is super lightweight with a silky texture; it has a similar consistency to the Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation (review HERE), but in my opinion Luminous Silk is easier to blend and adds a gorgeous glow to the skin. Pretty much the dream foundation, right?
Finish
Even though Luminous Silk has a matte finish, it doesn’t feel like a mask on the skin; the foundation lets the skin breathe and after it’s blended it leaves a beautiful natural glow. It has the most beautiful naturally flawless finish and it made my skin look effortlessly perfected.
Coverage
Luminous Silk is a medium coverage foundation, but due to its weightless texture, you can apply a small amount and achieve a light coverage, or build it up in layers and you’ll get high coverage without losing the natural finish. On the photos, I have 1 layer on, and it was perfect for covering my pigmentation spots, minor imperfections and evening out my skin tone. For a special occasion or an evening look, I would add another layer, just to get a bit more coverage on my freckles.
Shades
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation comes in a whopping 21 shades: 2 (Ivory), 3 (Pale Peach), 3.5, 4 (Light Sand), 4.25, 4.5 (Sand), 5 (Warm Beige), 5.25 (Creamy Natural), 5.5 (Natural Beige), 6 (Golden Beige), 6.25, 6.5 (Tawny), 7 (Tan), 7.5, 8 (Caramel), 8.5, 9 (Natural Suede), 10 (Warm Almond), 11.5 (Cacao), 13, 14. My shade is 5.5 (Natural Beige) and it’s a perfect match to my current skin tone.
Flash Photography
One of the biggest selling points of this foundation is the lack of SPF in its formula, which means you won’t get flashback from it. It’s perfect for special occasions where you will have your photo taken, such as Weddings and Red Carpet events. If you’re wearing it on a daily basis or exposing your face to a lot of sun, remember to apply a separate SPF to protect your skin from UV rays and sun damage.
Final Thoughts
Do I need to spell it out? I L-O-V-E this foundation. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk is the best all-round foundation on the market, in my opinion. I’ve chosen it as my Wedding Day foundation, so that says a lot about a foundation. Apart from the hefty price tag, I really cannot fault it. It’s performed really well on my dry skin, but I’ve also read rave reviews of people who have combination and oily skins. Three words: GO GET IT!
What do you think of the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation? Have you tried it? Are you tempted to try it? :)
- Product: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- Price: from £32
- Where in the UK: House of Fraser || Selfridges || Armani Beauty || John Lewis || Harrods || Harvey Nichols
- Where in the US: Nordstrom || Sephora || Saks Fifth Avenue || Armani Beauty || Barneys || Bloomingdales || Neiman Marcus
NOTE: The photos shown on this post have not been retouched to prove how good this foundation really is!
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51 Comments
Sandra Rytter Jensen
It looks beautiful on you Ysis! Would you say it’s better than the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat? I find it hard to believe though, I really love the YSL one (: x
Le Beauty Girl
Thanks Sandra. I think they’re quite different. the YSL one is great, but it’s a bit stickier and more on the dewy side; the Armani one sinks into the skin quicker and it’s more matte than dewy (but not heavy). I like them both, but I think the Armani one is just a little bit better than the YSL one :)
Andrew James
This looks gorgeous! <3 i really wanted to try the maestro foundation as well
http://www.andrewjamesblog.com
Le Beauty Girl
Thanks Andi! Definitely try it; Armani has really got it right with foundations :)
Rendee ✿
It looks beautiful on your skin! I have this foundation as well, but its not my HG unfortunately. A Have you ever got your makeup airbrushed, I just purchased the Temptu system, and its my wedding day foundation! Silicon based so it sits on top of lines/pores for a flawless finish, and its great for skin because it doesn’t sink into pores :) Love your half/half face its a fantastic example!
beautybyren.blogspot.com
Le Beauty Girl
Thanks Rendee! I’ve never tried airbrush makeup, but I’ve been dying to try. I don’t know where I can buy here in the UK, as I’d like to try it before I buy it; I’ve heard it’s amazing, but quite pricey.
Bnii
Wow. Really awesome.
I just reviewed the loreal lumi one and even that is quite similar with lightcoverage & glowy
Le Beauty Girl
Yeah, it’s the perfect mixture of matte & luminous :)
Jillian Hardin
You look gorgeous! Thanks for not retouching the photos– that’s super helpful! I’d love to try try Armani Maestro foundation next!
Jillicious Cosmetics
Le Beauty Girl
Thanks Jillian. It’s the only way people can really appreciate how the foundation performs. Maestro is great for Summer, so light, almost feels like it disappears into the skin :)
bacardi chaser
wow, I´m really impressed with how flawless this foundation Looks with Flash photography. great post!
bacardichaser.blogspot.com
Le Beauty Girl
Yeah, I was very impressed as well. It’s a great one to have in your makeup collection as it will work for both daytime and evening makeup looks :)
blonde ambition <3
This looks fabulous on you , really beautiful!
http://blondeambition3.blogspot.com
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you! :)
Gillian
This is definitely one of my all time favourite foundations. Makes your skin flawless without being heavy!
Gillian from Glam Up Everyday x
Le Beauty Girl
Exactly, Gillian! Great coverage without the heavy feel :)
Angelica
I seen so many positive reviews on this foundation, I am so temped to splurge on it! I need to at least use up two foundations from my collection and I will definitely buy it ;) You look so beautiful, I love the finish of this foundation! xx
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you, Angelica! When you can, definitely give this a go. It’s such a good investment, you won’t regret it. xx
Minne
wonky nose!
Le Beauty Girl
Indeed :)
Neelia476
Looks beautiful on you! I hope to try this foundation some day!!
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you :) x
Fiocco Bianco
Wow its a great colour match and gives you beautiful skin, I’m usually a huge fan of YSL teint touche eclait but this has definitely tempted me to stray away! If you fancy looking at mine – http://fioccobianco.blogspot.co.uk/
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you! I’m also a huge fan of YSL Touche Eclat, but there’s something special about Luminous Silk… :) x
Yolennie
This is such a beautiful natural foundation! It really let your real skin shines through <3
http://www.lavenderfedora.blogspot.com
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you! I agree, such an amazing foundation :)
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you! I’ve wanted this foundation for the longest time, but I couldn’t find any reviews online with before and after pics, and with and without flash, so I thought that may help out other people looking to buy it :) I’ve always had flashback with doublewear as well. No more! :)
Le Beauty Girl
Thanks, Melissa. I still use Dior Airflash for nights out, and that’s really good, but a higher in coverage. Armani Luminous Silk is great because it’s such a natural finish, yet with great coverage. For SPF I use the Eucerin Even Brighter Day Cream with SPF 30. xx
Danielle
Já fiquei querendo, rs! O bom é que minhas corres de base sempre batem com as suas, então compro meio que sem medo!
Le Beauty Girl
Corre para comprar, Danielle! Ela vale à pena :)
Maite
HI! I was wondering if you prefer this one or the YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation? :)
Tammy
Have you got the old packaging one?
Le Beauty Girl
Yes :)
Leslie
Great review. I didn’t think the 5.5 would look this great on you because you seem to have yellow/olive tones to your skin and GA can seem too beige or too pink. I’m a bit more yellow with less olive but I think 5.5 may be “safe”..I need to get my hands on a sample. I really love how thorough your images are with the split screen “before and after” ..it’s clear and close-up. This definitely helps those who are on the market for a product. Thanks ;)
Siri
Beautifull pictures! I wear shade #140 as well in the loreal eau de teint foundation, but I’m a bit more yellow-olive toned. Do you think 6 is a better match for me, or should it work out? 5,5 look lovely on you, I definitly want to try it!
JeliB
Very nice!
Marcelle
Definitely on the top of my wish list atm!
x Court
http://madeinmarcelle.blogspot.com.au/
Fanny Ósk
Hi :)
I have combinated skin so i am wondering if this is only best for dry skin like yours or can i go for it ? :) I really like this review and i would like to buy it, i live in Iceland though so i have to order in online
Addleysmom
Just discovered your site after googling a review of this foundation. Though we are on opposite spectrums of color shade choice, your excellent review has made my mind to give it a try. I want a light foundation as I don’t need much coverage and like a weightless feel. Thank you for such great info and detailed points about the foundation. Looking forward to reading past and future posts as a new follower!
Le Beauty Girl
Thank you very much :) And welcome to my little corner of the web! I hope you like my previous and future blog posts! xx
Marlene
Hi I just came across your page and wanted to know around what shade are you in mac studio fix fluid? I’ve been having trouble finding the right shade in so many foundations I’m around nc25/nc30 my face is lighter and pink than the rest of my body which is yellow and slightly darker than my face
Le Beauty Girl
Hi Marlene, I’ve never used Mac Studio Fix Fluid, but on other MAC foundations I’m around NC30. If your face has pink undertones, you’re better off with getting NW foundations from MAC. The problem is that NC25 and NW25 aren’t exactly the same shade, so it’s better to swatch the colours first. But definitely have a look at NW20/25/30 and see if you like any of them. I hope that helps! x
eurotrash
Fantastic review and I totally agree. I’m a
male and use this from time to time – I have also the 5.5 shade and in Australia
is about $92 AUD (so it aint cheap) BUT WOW WEE – my skin looks amazing / 10
years younger (gotta love that) and people can’t tell I’m wearing anything – to
all your follower “GET THE STUFF” – enjoy :D
Munazza
I’m the same shade as you. Love your review!!! You are spot on. Tried samples last night. Ordering the full size now.
Cea Cea
How can you get a sample of this I’ve searched everywhere on the internet as I cannot get to a shop , an which is the best shade for a medium yellow olive skin tone ?
Enaabdallah
Hi love! I just came across your web. Such a great review. I really want this foundation but my problem is I have to buy online and it can be quiet tricky to matching foundation shade with my skin. Im mac nc20-25. Any idea idea which shade will suit me? I would really appreciate
lana
Go to Match My Makeup. It is such an amazing site! xx
Taiseen Sarguru
Hi i am Mac NW 30 what would be my shade in giorgia armani luminious foundation please suggest
Shimmer Gal
you youtube comparsion between nars sheer glow and giorgio armani shows you are wearing 3.5 shade in GA, but here you mentioned 5.5. Which one if your real shade? I just want to use yours as reference?
Ysis Lorenna
3.5 is my winter shade and 5.5 is my summer shade, if thst helps. X
HafsaF
Is it that much of a difference? 3.5 and 5.5.
3.5 is light or med to light?
Bec I’m 5.75 and I needed a lighter shade for winter but was confused as to which one to order. My neck is definitely way more fair than my face in all seasons generally.