Curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn’t resist diving into the hype around the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. With makeup artists and celebs like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner swearing by it, I figured it was time to see what the fuss is all about. This award-winning foundation comes with a hefty price tag of $85, but does it live up to the glamour and accolades? Keep reading to find out if the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is truly worth the splurge!
How It Wears in the Original Formula:
It wore beautifully! It left your skin looking smooth with a lovely glow. It had medium coverage that layered well if you want to build up the coverage. It felt weightless and had great staying powder. For reference, I had and still have combo skin and wore the shade 5.5. I find that shade 5.5 worked well for my medium skin tone because I had and still have a neutral undertone.
The original foundation contained Cyclopentasiloxane, giving it a thinner texture with a slightly faster-drying feel. It was beloved for its luminous, skin-like finish but relied heavily on traditional silicones, which later became restricted under updated EU regulations.
The New Formula (2026) :
The updated formula was reformulated to meet new EU guidelines and to add more skin-loving ingredients. Cyclopentasiloxane has been replaced with C15–19 alkane, while ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and Mediterranean floral extracts have been added to boost hydration and overall skin benefits.
Another update is the shade system. The foundation is now formulated with six pigments, including ultramarine blue, added to olive and deep shades for a richer, more balanced result. With 44 shades and new pigment technology, I do think they have a great shade range for those with olive undertones.
Packaging has been updated as well: the original frosted bottle has been swapped for a shinier, sleeker design. Sizes and pricing remain unchanged at 30 ml priced at $85.
How It Wears in the New Formula:
The finish remains very true to the original, which makes sense, considering how well-loved the foundation was, but the new version feels even more refined. It delivers the same soft glow, looks more natural on the skin, and wears longer throughout the day. Thanks to the added hydrating ingredients, it’s also more moisturizing than the old formula, but it isn’t the most hydrating foundation out there.
Who Would Like This Product?
I think this foundation works well for all skin types. Those with oily skin might be hesitant because of the luminous finish, but with proper powdering, it wears beautifully. It isn’t overly dewy or shiny.
Is It Worth The Money?
A lot of brands ruin a product when they reformulate it, but thankfully, that didn’t happen here. If anything, I think I like the new formula even more. I think it’s worth the hype.
Do I wish I didn’t love it as much as I do? Absolutely, because $85 is a lot of money. But I can’t ignore the fact that I’ve never had a bad makeup day when wearing this foundation, and that’s what ultimately makes it worth it for me.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $85, sephora.ca
Disclosure: This product was gifted, but I am under no obligation to share a positive review. All opinions are entirely my own and based on my honest experience. This post also contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content I create. Thank you for your support!
This post was originally posted on Feb 26, 2024, before Armani Beauty released the updated version of the foundation. The article has since been updated after testing out the new version.