I have been trying a lot of new foundations recently. Some drugstore, but most high end, because I wanted to see what is out there to update my professional makeup kit with. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk is a very popular foundation, especially among professional makeup artists. It's lighter coverage, but everyone raves about it, so I had to see how it would work out on my combination skin.
Packaging
I bought a mini version which is 18 ml, but a full size is 30 ml. The packaging is pretty much similar though. It has glass bottle with plastic pump that really lets you pump out a small amount, so there is no waste.
Mini size has 18 ml of product and costs around 28€ (depending on the shade, super weird I know). I've never seen so many different prices of one foundation depending on where you get it and what shade you get. Full size can cost you anywhere from 38€ to 63€. So, if you want to get it, check every available option, because you can get it a lot cheaper or way more expensive. It's a high end brand obviously, but still why not get it cheaper, if you can.
Formula
It has liquid, lightweight texture. I would say it gives you a very natural looking light to lighter medium coverage. You can build it up to a good medium coverage. It evens out skin tone, but will not completely cover redness or any blemishes. It doesn't sit in pores, but also doesn't blur them. I had some texture around my nose and it definitely emphasized it. It can sit in fine lines a bit as well. I always test foundations without any primer just with my regular skincare.
It gives a very natural luminous finish that looks like good skin, but not dewy.
Colors
With high end brand you usually get a really good shade range. I believe there is 40 shades to choose from with different undertones as well.
I got the shade 4 which is describes as light golden. It's light warm shade that matches my winter complexion very well. I love that it's not too yellow, just warm enough.
Their shade 6 is very popular, because it's a proper olive toned foundation and I hear a lot use it to mix in with their lighter shades to make them more olive.
Comparison
Make Up For Ever HD Skin 1N10 - warmer, more yellow toned and darker.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 4 - warm, but not to yellow and lighter.
L'Oreal Infaillible 32H Fresh Wear 100 Linen - darker and warmer, more yellow.
Paese Long Cover Fluid 1.75 Sand Beige - light, more neutral to olive.
Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily 180 - darker, but more neutral toned.
Performance
On the skin it feels like you're wearing nothing. It wears lovely through the day, especially now in colder months. I do get a bit dewy looking on my oilier parts and it didn't really work for me in hot weather, because I have quite combination skin that gets oily in summer. I always set it with powder like I do with any foundation.
Even though it transfers a bit after I apply it, I set it with powder and with that it has great staying power. Except on those oilier parts where it can slide off a bit, which is normal because the sebum breaks it off.
I have to say this foundation photographs lovely and really looks like skin. I can see why so many makeup artists, especially on celebrity clients which tend to have great skin anyway and for bridal where you want to look natural.
I can see this foundation working on someone with normal skin to slightly combination. It will just look like a very high end luminous natural skin. However, if you have lots of dry texture or oily skin, you would need to prep it very well. Plus it's not for those that wants really good coverage. You can build it up for sure, but not to a proper full coverage in my opinion.
I would use this on my good skin days and in the winter, when my skin is generally drier and not so oily. It looks very natural and makes the skin look luminous and healthy for sure.
No comments