Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that’s taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.
If I had to rank the all-time best compliments, those about how good my skin looks with or without makeup would always take the top spot. Vanity aside, I’m grateful when people can see all the money, time, and effort I put into having a flawless base. It takes a little bit of genetics, a curated skincare routine, and one hell of a good complexion product to garner praise like “OMG, your skin!” There are a slew of foundations beauty enthusiasts will always keep in their makeup bags, but the OG Armani Luminous Silk Foundation by far has the largest cult following I’ve ever seen. Brides opt for it on their wedding days, makeup artists consider it a mainstay in their kits, and beauty lovers regularly make a beeline to the Armani section at Sephora. It’s been around for 25 years since this foundation launched, and even though it hasn’t lost any steam, the brand recently upgraded the formula to the Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation with 24 Hour Wear ($69)—and our editors gladly test-drove the new formula.
Armani
Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation With 24 Hour Wear
I’m not going to lie, reformulations can be scary; shifts in ingredients and finishes can completely transform the way a product works for your skin. However, I’m pleased to report that as a user of the OG formula, this one is even better than the original. It’s still the buildable, long-wearing foundation we know and love, but now features a new “liquid silk” technology to create an even longer-lasting smoothing effect. Plus, there are 18 new shades, bringing the total shade range to 44, which is pretty impressive if you ask me. The ingredients are still noncomedogenic, with some added skincare heroes like glycerin and niacinamide for ultimate hydration and glow. I could go on and on about why you’ll remain loyal to this foundation, but I’ll let my fellow editors chime in with before-and-after pictures and their reviews below.
“As a stan of Armani’s original formula, I was very excited to put this version to the test. I was hesitant about choosing the same shade that I currently have at home, just because Armani stated that some shades had changed slightly. But choosing a shade on the internet vs IRL is hard! I analyzed the pictures on the site for about an hour, but decided to go all in with my original shade. Before I even pumped the product out of the bottle, I knew it was a match. As I mentioned before, I am a big fan of the original formula, but alas, I love this new formula even more. It’s lightweight and looks like my skin, but smoother. Just like the original, it doesn’t feel cakey and doesn’t make me want to wipe it off immediately. It lasted all day long without making my face oily or greasy. And I have yet to experience a breakout!” — Anneliese Henderson, senior fashion editor
L’Oréal
Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Washable Mascara
“I’m going to say something blasphemous, so please don’t crucify me: I was never that big of a fan of the original Armani Luminous Silk foundation. Sure, it had pore-blurring magic, buildable coverage that could mask my rosacea, and a soft radiance that made my skin look softly filtered, but I always felt that my skin looked a tinge dry when analyzed up close. I have skin like the Sahara, so I often opt for ultra-hydrating skin tints— avoiding foundation altogether—when doing a look, whether I’m going for natural glam or a full beat. But I’m happy to report that after trying this new formulation, I not only felt it preserved the same red carpet–level magic, but that there was a slightly more hydrating element to this iteration. I felt like my skin could still look glowier, but I have to give it to Armani for packing so much complexion-perfecting technology into such a weightless foundation. The extra hydration I needed was there, and the rest of the foundation’s texture-evening, glow-giving, blemish-masking powers were restored—all while keeping the formula breathable and light. Safe to say, I don’t have any qualms about switching out my old bottle for this one.” — Alyssa Brascia, associate beauty editor
Sephora
Airbrush Flawless Crease-Proof Long-Wear Blur Concealer
Dior
Forever Natural Matte Velvet Compact Foundation
“Ask any beauty editor, and there’s a good chance they name-drop Armani Luminous Silk Foundation as one of their go-tos. As a devotee myself, I was initially a little shocked to learn the brand was revamping its 25-year-old formula. But I was immediately relieved to learn they were expanding their shade range and adding more skin-loving ingredients, while keeping the same luminous finish. Previously, this was the foundation I reached for when I was having a good skin day, as the coverage is on the sheerer side, but I was honestly shocked at how well this new formula covered my sun spots and freckles. The shade match was pretty spot on (I picked my old shade, but did notice more of a pink undertone), and the coverage was lightweight but hydrating enough that it didn’t crease into my fine lines. And if you’re known to snap a selfie or two, this foundation photographs with the most glowy, skin-like finish. I guess good things can get even better.” — Stephanie Johnson, beauty, homes, and non-endemic director, branded content
Sephora
True Skin Serum Concealer With Vitamin C
L’Oréal
Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Washable Mascara
“It’s no secret that the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation has been a favorite among beauty lovers for years. Although I never tried the original formula (I know, I’m late to the party), I can tell you that this new formula does not disappoint. It’s lightweight, blends so smoothly, and matches my skin tone perfectly (seriously—this is the best color match I’ve found in years). But my favorite part is how buildable yet natural it is. I love a foundation that can cover my blemishes without feeling cakey, and this one far exceeded those expectations, making my skin look smooth and flawless even after a full day of wear. The compliments I’ve gotten on my glow recently are just the cherry on top. I’m not lying when I say this is my new favorite foundation.” — Sahara Clement, copy editor, branded content
Sephora
Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray
L’Oréal
Telescopic Original Washable Mascara
“As a longtime devotee of the original Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, news of a reformulation had me feeling cautiously optimistic. Would it still look like real skin? Would that iconic lit-from-within glow survive? The short answer is yes. This version glides on and melts into the skin, delivering seamless, buildable coverage with the kind of natural radiance that looks effortless, not shiny. The texture is almost undetectable, and definitely doesn’t feel like your typical foundation. It stayed fresh all day, and that’s really all I can ask for.” — Caitie Bellamy, group executive director, branded content and beauty
Nars
Laguna Talc-Free Bronzer Powder
Sephora
Main Match Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer
“Let me start by saying that I love foundation that looks and feels like a second skin—the kind of foundation that is far from cakey but offers you flawless coverage. That is exactly how this foundation works. I only used a couple of pumps and instantly had a radiant glow that covered my dark spots but didn’t feel heavy. I tried the OG formula years ago and liked it, but I can confirm that I absolutely love this one and have been wearing it daily since I first tested it. Dare I say this is proof that not all product reformulations are bad?” — Aniyah Morinia, senior editor, branded content
Sephora
Hourglass Unlocked Defining and Lengthening Tubing Mascara
Tower 28
GetSet® Blur + Set Matte Powder Blush
“Don’t ask me how I’ve been obsessed with makeup my whole life and never managed to try the OG Luminous Silk Foundation. Well, the stars finally aligned, and I got my hands on this chic little bottle! TBH, I rarely use foundation, but I was impressed at how this evened out my skin tone and made my complexion look airbrushed and velvety. That being said, I’m a dry-skin girlie, and since we’re in the middle of winter, I did notice that it clung to the little dry patches around my nose. This formula definitely made my skin look good, but I still favor the glowy, skin-like finish that a tinted moisturizer or SPF provides.” — Emma Walsh, beauty editor
Rhode
Pocket Blush Buildable Hydrating Cream Blush
Anfisa Skin
Ân-Gloss Ceramide Lip Tint
“As someone who loved the original Armani Luminous Silk Foundation formula, I was equal parts excited and anxious when I heard about the reformulation. Would it make my skin look as natural as the OG? Would it cover my rosacea and hyperpigmentation? Yes, yes, and yes. This foundation melts on the skin, delivering flawless-looking, buildable coverage and radiance without excess shine (it’s not just me who thinks so! The first day I wore it, three different people complimented my skin). I love how lightweight and (ahem) silky it feels, and it didn’t oxidize or look cakey after wearing it all day. My only disappointment is that I chose the wrong shade; it’s too light for my skin. Once I get the right match, I know this will become one of my go-to daily formulas.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, beauty editor
Sephora
Face Trace Cream Contour Stick in Biscuit
Sephora
Brow Pop Dual-Action Filling and Shaping Easy Eyebrow Pencil – Taupe
