Armani recently reformulated their cult classic Luminous Silk Foundation ($69, Nordstrom and Sephora). As a longtime fan of the original I have to admit I was in a panic over the news and purchased a few backups just in case the new one ended up being completely different. After nearly a month of testing I am happy to report the new version is just as good as the original and my shade match 6.5 is still the same.
Armani added more shades in the lineup and changed the formula to include niacinamide. The two formulas are almost identical on my skin. You can see a demo of the new formula in action here with the Hourglass Vanish Foundation Brush. In my experience there is a slight difference in the coverage with the new one being just the slightest bit thinner and a bit sheerer, but the differences are barely detectable. A few of you noticed from my video though that the new one seems to have a little less pigment.
Coverage is still the same medium naturally glowy finish. I love that it glows but isn’t too emollient/dewy. It evens out the skin nicely in a natural looking way. Coverage is still natural so your skin does show through and I have a few dark spots (healing acne scars) that still show through underneath on my chin area. This can be fixed with concealer (I like Natasha Denona’s Hy-Glam Concealer for the best coverage with a creamy formula). I always set with a powder and lately I’ve been loving the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Loose Powder Shade 30 or Laura Mercier Translucent Loose (love this in multiple shades, the Rose Talc-Free Ultra Blur Version is also good too).
Most of the shades seem to be the same but there are a handful that have changed. They have a helpful shade chart to show which shades are different and the new recommended match (Shades 1.5, 4.25, 4.75, 7.5, 7.75 and 8 are different now).
Overall really love. It is really similar to the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (I wear BD41), but the Armani has a lighter feel in texture and finish. I think it’s also a little less emollient than the Victoria Beckham Beauty Foundation Drops (I have Shades 7 and 8).
You can find this out now at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s and all Armani Beauty counters.