Giorgio Armani • Luminous Silk Foundation • Liquid

Where To Buy?

Anna12345 on 5/25/2013 4:05:00 AM more reviews by Anna12345

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this after watching a video by Lisa Eldridge about her favourite foundations. I've always used medium to full coverage foundations to cover my uneven, freckly skin tone, which is prone to blemishes and scars in the chin area. However, as I've become a little older, I've noticed that I need to go a bit lighter with my foundation to create a more natural look, so I thought that this would be a good product to achieve this.

I purchased the shade 4 which is perfect for my NC20, neutral to warm complexion. The finish is semi-matte to dewy. I would use this in winter as I don't think it would withstand humid summer days. Coverage is light and not build-able: it definitely does not cover all of my blemishes and scars, so I need to spot conceal over the top to cover any marks and redness showing through.

I use Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (shade Desert Beige - very close in colour to this foundation) through the centre of my face to cover redness and my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer (shade SC3) to cover up blemishes. As you can see, it takes a few more "steps" and other products to achieve the desired look, so this Armani foundation is a bit more work than I would like an expensive product to be.

I really wanted to like this foundation but I have mixed feelings about it. On days when my skin is in good condition, I think this foundation is fantastic. I love how my freckles show through and how it evens out my skin tone without creating a mask-like effect. I've received complements about how fresh my skin looks. However, on days when my skin is a bit more sensitive or red looking, I'm not confident that this foundation is giving me the coverage I need.

Also, the finish can be a bit hit-and-miss: if I use Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm as a primer, this foundation seems to go on smoothly but if I use my Laura Mercier Oil-free Primer, it sits in my pores and looks powdery and streaky, so it's important to experiment and select products that work with this foundation.

Overall, there are too many "inconsistencies" with this product, so I would not be repurchasing it. At $90 (AUS), I think I can find a cheaper alternative that doesn't require so much effort. In fact, I think Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation in shade 52 is very similar in shade and texture but is cheaper and offers more coverage.

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MilaJH on 5/19/2013 12:25:00 PM more reviews by MilaJH

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Best foundation I've ever used. Found my holy grail.

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Beautyveiled on 5/18/2013 6:27:00 AM more reviews by Beautyveiled

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is my holy grail foundation! It has an amazing flawless finish on my combination skin. It doesn't oxidise and it has amazing lasting power with a decent primer. I cannot fault this except for maybe the price. However,Nars Sheer Glow works out the same price when you include buying the pump. This also photographs beautifully. I wear shade 6.25 which matches my nc30/35 STROMBOLI skin. where have you been all my life?

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katarinapierce on 5/13/2013 3:00:00 AM more reviews by katarinapierce

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is a lovely foundation especially for the evening, it photographs beautifully without flashbacks, a really good choice for important occasions.
I like that it is subtly luminous and does not irritate my skin. Medium-buildable coverage, excellent for good-skin days. You are however expected to use a concealer to cover up eye-bags/acnes.

I use it with the Armani Light Master Primer and lasts me the whole day, though I may need to blot my T-zone a little by the evening. The lasting power is great set it with powder.

The cons of this foundation is definitely the price, but I guess it's good to have this foundation in your collection like I said for important events. I am not surprised if make up artists suggest using this foundation for weddings.

For your reference I am a little bit lighter than NC20 and I am in shade #3 recommended by the lady at the counter (she tested out several shades on my face). I have normal/dry skin with occasional break-outs, slightly oily T-zone.

**if you have oily skin you may find the luminosity offensive.

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sof2521 on 5/7/2013 3:17:00 PM more reviews by sof2521

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

The best foundation I've ever used! Completely smooth finish. I have tried EVERYTHING and nothing makes my skin look as smooth as the Armani Luminous Silk. Highly recommend!

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ahccc on 5/7/2013 2:51:00 PM more reviews by ahccc

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

I am in love with this foundation. Finally found a foundation that I'm totally satisfied with (a little pricey tho). It is super lightweight yet gives a good coverage to create a flawless look! I must admit that I have blemishes here and there and got quite a few dark spots and acne scars on my face but this foundation covers them ALL! It is amazing! I am onto my 3rd bottle now. Each time I finish a bottle I wish I could find something cheaper to replace it but end up keep coming back to it cuz nothing is as nearly amazing as this foundation. Highly recommended!

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*TOP REVIEWER* BrigitteBardot on 4/27/2013 11:40:00 AM more reviews by BrigitteBardot

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This isn't bad, but I don't see anything about it so great to justify the price. Applied lightly, the coverage is not enough for me, and if I build it up, it's quite cakey, even with primer. Maybe if you have totally flawless skin and have the most perfect color match it will look good, but on me it looks kind of artificial. I might give it a try again one day if my skin gets in better shape, but for now I just can't see what all the hype is about. Surely there are cheaper, light coverage foundations for the lucky folks who don't have any blemishes to conceal.

Pros: No SPF so I'm assuming it won't cause flashback (or lessen the effectiveness of your sunscreen), and it goes on easily unlike some thick cream and mineral foundations.

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seven12 on 4/23/2013 11:36:00 AM more reviews by seven12

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I received a sample of this foundation from Nordstrom in shade 5. I am currently nc25 (thanks to Clarins self tanner; normal shade is nc20). I hesitated to use it, because the color looked too dark.


Shade 5 is actually a good match for nc25. This is a peachy foundation. It is not overly pink, beige or yellow. I find it to be very flattering to my complexion. I applied it using my fingers only where needed. Because the foundation is sort of thin and liquidy, it is easy to blend with fingers and sets quickly. It doesn't have much "slip" to it, which is something I personally love, because I am not a fan of silicone-heavy formulas. My skin is dry, and this foundation dries matte on my skin, without looking dull or ashy.


What really sold me on this foundation is how well it photographs. It's "my skin but better" makeup. It's not a heavy foundation (it's actually extremely lightweight), so it doesn't give the appearance of poreless, airbrushed, mannequin skin. It looks like real skin, from far away and up close, but it makes skin look better: brighter, smoother, more even. I'm not sure exactly how to explain it. It definitely doesn't settle into fine lines or pores, but doesn't exactly make them disappear either. I would highly recommend this foundation to brides or anyone who will be photographed. Even at the end of the day, when my redness starts breaking through, this foundation still makes my less-than-perfect skin look amazing in pics. For that reason alone, I will probably buy this foundation, even though the price is ridiculous.

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silvermouse on 4/19/2013 7:21:00 AM more reviews by silvermouse

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I managed to get a sample of this from the Armani counter where I was matched with shade 7 Tan. FYI I am NC42, Chanel B60, Revlon Colourstay Natural Tan, NARS Barcelona. I find the colour match to be decent but shade 7 runs a little pink compared to the other foundations that I have. I top it with a light dusting of a yellow toned powder which corrects the shade and sets the foundation

I put a few drops onto the back of my hand, dot it on my face then work it in with a Sigma F80 flat top kabuki brush. This leaves a nice, smooth finish and as promised, a beautiful luminous glow which other foundations lack. The coverage is medium but buildable.

My only problem with it is the lasting power. With a primer, I notice my pores starting to show at the 4-6 hour mark. Without it, I only get to mid morning before I have to touch up. A shame really considering how beautiful it is when first applied. My skin is reasonably oily but by comparison, the normal/dry formulation of the Revlon Colourstay lasts all day without requiring touch ups
I've tried the Lasting silk which is heavier, a little more cakey and has the same lasting power as the Luminous silk.

It's expensive at AU$90. While I am using the sample, I'm enjoying it but for the price and the average lasting power, I don't think I'll purchase the full size.

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Gracielleanne on 4/15/2013 1:57:00 PM more reviews by Gracielleanne

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I am absolutely in love with this foundation. You can control the amount of coverage you want and it lasts all day with a setting powder. It is luminous, but not shiny (not oily looking). It also looks natural in person and airbrushed in pictures. I used this for my engagement photoshoot and it photographed very well. If you have the money to splurge, I suggest giving this one a try.

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JuliaCaesaris on 4/11/2013 3:02:00 AM more reviews by JuliaCaesaris

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Should have been called "Zero Coverage" foundation. Seriously this hasn't even covered the mildest redness on my face. It was invisible but so was the coverage. If you have any redness or pigmentation I do not recommend it, its the same as using a regular moisturizer.

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jchoi128 on 4/10/2013 11:27:00 AM more reviews by jchoi128

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

You can't tell something is good unless you compare it.

I have all the good things to say about this product.
Honestly, I bought it because it's been hyped up in every magazine and wanted to see what made this foundation so special. But I really couldn't find anything special about it for awhile (few months) until now. It is a good high quality foundation -- no doubt about it.

MY SKIN and what I look for in a foundation:
I have pretty good skin with very few small blemishes here and there on my cheek, forehead, etc. I am always looking for light coverage and spot concealing. So this foundation is being reviewed from a light coverage opinion.


PROS:
1. Very fine yet highly pigmented so you only need very little if you're looking for light coverage. Don't try using a brush. Brush does give you more coverage than using your fingers for application in my opinion. I use 1/2 pump on average (a small dot) and sometimes full pump if I feel like I want to cover a little more. I really haven't found any foundation that I can use so little product and get the same result.

2. Luminous yet not glowing, greasy finish. It sometimes looks slightly matte but it's luminous. Good finish which photographs incredibly well. It makes my skin look like it's been airbrushed in photos -- not in real life obviously.

3. Pump bottle -- thank you! Love this pump bottle and good design of the bottle. It's pretty to look at. The pump is rather easy to control for me. Some reviewers seem to disagree.

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leserpent on 4/9/2013 9:17:00 AM more reviews by leserpent

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

First I'll say I don't own one, but I let a make-up artist do me a make-up with this just yesterday. I am very pale so she used the shade #2 on me. Before foundation she used some serum for the dry areas and Armani BB cream to tone down the redness. She applied the foundation light-handedly, so the outcome was pretty natural looking, but nothing to wow! about. Matte and seemed to go well with my skin tone. When I arrived home a few hours later I noticed my face was yellow, ugh. Maybe it was the initial light or maybe it oxidized. Any way, pale skinned people, beware, and don't be too hasty buying it.

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101starryeyed on 4/8/2013 12:35:00 PM more reviews by 101starryeyed

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this over the weekend as it was recommended by a friend (who's skin always looks flawless), and I was a child at Christmas! The consistency is quite thin, and i have a lot of acne scars so when the assistant put a little on my face, i wasnt convinced as i couldnt see it, nor did it cover my scars enough. but i went on a little faith on my friend and bought it anyway. went home and under better light and with my trusted foundation brush, i dabbed small dots over face, blended, and then built it up with a few more dots over my scars, and voila! best foundation iv ever used!. it looked completely natural (I hate the cakey look- esp when you're building up over scars) but this didnt look blotchy/caked at all, i didnt even need to put concealer on the scars before, my skin was genuinely luminous, natural, and I got loads of compliments. my initial concerns over the price was thrown- now i feel the £35 i payed for it was a bargain for the professional "model-quality" look. its great because my skin can get really oily, but i felt that even though after a few hours the oil buildup did begin, it was nowhere near the oil buildup i got with Bare Minerals loose powder foundation (surprising as I always thought liquid foundation made oil worse). This is now my lifelong foundation

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vmotis on 4/2/2013 9:56:00 PM more reviews by vmotis

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Beautiful foundation! Beautiful packaging! My morning routine is so enjoyable with this as part of my makeup collection.


This is the foundation the girls wore in the television show Downton Abbey. If you're not familiar with it, it's a period drama that takes place in the early 1900s - so needless to say, the makeup used on set focuses around creating creamy, dewy complexions to achieve a no-makeup look. I definitely feel like I achieve that look when I wear this foundation.



The consistency is very thin and light and has a light, fresh scent to it. I was told not to use a makeup sponge with this foundation because it would absorb too quickly into the sponge and product would be wasted. It doesn't always melt into the skin, so you sort of need to press or pat it in where you notice it not blending properly. Coverage is light and can be built up somewhat. If you have red spots or blemishes, I would recommend concealer, as this won't really cover them completely (I am very, very pale, and the only concealer I've found that matches my skin perfectly is the Amazing Cosmetics brand). On that note, the color selection is strange and goes by undertone. I wouldn't recommend buying this without getting your color matched. I'm number 3. Number 2 oxidized on my face and turned mustard within seconds.



The only downside I've personally found is that the coverage doesn't always seem to last throughout the day - so I took off a lippie. I'm used to wearing Revlon Colorstay for oily/combination skin, and with that foundation, my skin stays matte all day (but admittedly, ends up looking a little made up or dull). This luminous silk foundation can look greasy throughout the day - but nothing touch-ups or blotting paper can't help. I just bought Le Blanc de Chanel base to wear underneath, so if that makes a difference, I will update my review. I already notice my skin looks more luminous with the base underneath it. :)


* Edit: I just wore the base and foundation today on a grueling hike in hot weather, and surprisingly, my makeup stayed looking fresh by the end of it! I thought I'd be an oil slick or worst, have melted foundation visibly covering my face -- but my skin continued to look even colored, blemish-free, and luminous. I'm not sure if that says more about the base than the foundation on its own. *


Overall, I really love this foundation and I would recommend it to anyone looking to create a fresh, dewy complexion.

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katrina20 on 4/1/2013 11:12:00 AM more reviews by katrina20

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

I purchased this foundation in the lightest shade for around £33 at Selfridges. The product is runny and light so I was doubtful that it was going to cover my acne scars and redness. However I was surprised, i used a tiny amount to start with and this gave a sheer coverage, I opted to use a little more and eventually this did cover my problem areas. The foundation did not dry out my skin as most foundations do and never looked cakey or false. I felt this foundation was great for everyday use as it looks very natural but personally it didnt give that medium - full coverage I like for a night out or a special occasion. The only issue I have with this product is that after a around 2-3 hours wear my acne scars began to show, I was using a considerable amount of the product so therefore the foundation did not last me long at all and quickly became expensive.
Overall if you are fortunate enough to have lovely skin this product is great but for those who have problem areas like myself you would need to use a significant amount for it to cover issues completely, this did work for my dry skin and did not cause me breakouts but for I am in need of something that stays on my face a little longer.

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tissuebox on 3/28/2013 8:31:00 AM more reviews by tissuebox

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Other    

Been using this foundation for several years now.. for me, it gives just enough coverage. I actually mix two shades (5 and 6) in order to get the perfect match for my skin colour. In the summer, I add a little more or the darker (6) colour and in winter a little more of the lighter colour.. tailor-made foundation! Highly recommended :-)

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laurabelle0202 on 3/13/2013 8:12:00 PM more reviews by laurabelle0202

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I like this product because I'm acne prone and my skin is always the clearest when using this foundation. It has good staying power for my combination skin. It can however, get oily looking or emphasize dry patches depending on the state of my skin. It's definitely a foundation that looks best when your skin underneath looks best. It provides sheer-light medium coverage. It won't cover red pimples but will make them look less noticeable. Color matching has been frustrating for me. 4.75 is a little too pink and 5 is a little yellow for me. 4.5 is too dark and too orange. Right now I'm using the 5. My best match has been studiofix powder in NW20. I hope they come out with more shades in this line.

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*TOP REVIEWER* JaneWhit99 on 3/10/2013 4:04:00 PM more reviews by JaneWhit99

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This foundation is only average to me. Its a very thin foundation but would still get cakey which made me extremely irritated. Overall I didn't find it any more impressive than any other foundation I have used.

I saw a lot of great reviews in magazines and online and it really disappointed me because I was expecting a lot more!. I didn't feel great when I was wearing this product and felt a little insecure that it was clumping. This gets a 3 star from me because I won't but again but it wasn't a horrible product.

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mllemustard on 3/8/2013 9:43:00 PM more reviews by mllemustard

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy   Eyes: Hazel    

I've heard great things about this foundation, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I don't like it. I got a generous sample to try at home from the SA, as I wasn't convinced in store, and after using the sample, I'm still not persuaded. I can see it on my skin. I'm not sure if the color is off (I was given 3.75; Bobbi Brown Porcelain works well on me otherwise), but it emphasizes dry patches I didn't know I had. It works OK when mixed into my regular moisturizer, but it's way too expensive for me to buy a bottle for that use.

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