A cult classic foundation gets a modern update with added skincare benefits and an expanded shade range.

If you love makeup, you already know the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It is not just another base product. It is the foundation. For over two decades, it has won award after award and earned true Hall of Fame status. Generations of makeup lovers, from Gen X to Gen Z, have trusted it for that even-toned, natural complexion with a soft glow that never looks greasy.
What makes Luminous Silk so special has always been its subtlety. The glow is there, but it never screams. It looks like your skin, just healthier and more refined. Since its debut 25 years ago, it has been a backstage favourite at fashion shows and a daily essential for many of us. It delivers medium, buildable coverage that never turns cakey and somehow manages to work across skin types. Mature, oily, dry, combination, it just gets it right.

For me, it has always been that old reliable. The one I reach for when my skin is acting up or when I need to look polished without looking like I am wearing too much makeup. Even as new foundations launch every year, I keep coming back to Luminous Silk because it is dependable and flattering in a way that feels effortless.
So when I heard that Armani Beauty had decided to reformulate it, I will be honest, I felt a little nervous. When you have used something for years, you do not necessarily want it to change. I kept wondering, will it still give me that same finish? Will it still feel like my skin, but better?
After testing the new formula, I can confidently say the essence of Luminous Silk remains intact. In fact, it feels better than ever.

The biggest update is the addition of skincare ingredients. The new Luminous Silk Foundation now includes glycerin for up to 24-hour hydration and niacinamide to help improve the overall look of skin over time. It is also infused with Mediterranean floral extracts. Mediterranean lily boosts radiance, while white lupin extract helps to plump and support firmness.
The first thing I noticed was the texture. It feels lighter and more fluid, and it melts into the skin almost instantly. On my dehydrated combination skin, I could definitely feel the extra hydration. It looks fresher and feels more comfortable throughout the day. Importantly, the added moisture does not shorten the wear time. It still sets beautifully and holds its glow without becoming overly shiny.&nbsp;If you have oily skin, do not worry. This is not suddenly a dewy foundation. It still delivers that signature Luminous Silk finish, just with a little more comfort. It feels weightless and never heavy or suffocating.

The shade expansion is another major improvement. The range now includes 44 shades, with 18 new additions. Armani Beauty has introduced pigment precision technology, using ultramarine pigments to better complement deep skin tones and avoid ashiness. Green pigments have also been blended into certain medium, neutral and warm shades to enhance olive undertones and prevent dullness.
Here in Singapore, 20 shades are available, covering a wide range of undertones. Once I found my match in 4.1, the foundation was virtually undetectable. It simply melted into my skin, covered what I needed it to cover, and gave that soft-focus, filter-like glow. It photographs beautifully, but more importantly, it looks incredibly natural in daylight.
To take that glow a step further, Armani Beauty has also introduced the new Luminous Silk Illuminating Primer. Designed to enhance the foundation&rsquo;s signature flawless finish, it creates a smooth, radiant base. The primer has a fresh, water-based gel texture and is infused with skincare ingredients, including skin-refining LHAs and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to help deliver plumper-looking skin. You can use it on its own before foundation to prep and refine the skin, or mix it directly with the Luminous Silk Foundation for an even more dewy, lit-from-within effect. Personally, I like to tap this versatile formula on the highlight points of the face for more targeted glow.&nbsp;

Overall, this feels like a thoughtful evolution. It still gives me everything I loved about the original, but with better hydration and a more inclusive shade range. I am not usually a fan of change, especially when it comes to products I have used for years. But this update feels like a genuine step forward.
When Luminous Silk first launched, it was ahead of its time. Twenty-five years later, it feels like it has reclaimed that position once again.

The Luminous Silk Foundation and Luminous Silk Illuminating Primer are priced at SGD 105 and SGD 95 respectively. The Luminous Silk Foundation comes in 20 shades locally and both are availble at Armani Beauty boutiques, as well as at TANGS and Isetan Scotts.

A Deep Dive Into Armani Beauty's Revamped Luminous Silk Foundation

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