I’m a tired 45-year-old Mum. This foundation makes me look well-rested and glowy
I’m a stan fan for tinted sunscreen, but I’ve always had lukewarm feelings about foundation. No shade to the glam girlies—it’s a makeup bag staple for a reason—and on days when I want a flawless, airbrushed finish or longer-lasting coverage, foundation delivers like nothing else. But despite the wide range of new formulas and my 20 years of experience as a beauty editor, I still find foundation hard to love.
Between the challenges of aging skin, shade matching, and the extra artistry required, finding a formula that flatters mature as well as tinted skincare felt like a lost cause. Then an assignment from my editor prompted me to revisit an old favourite: Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation, which the Women's Health team named their best foundation for mature skin.
Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation
To put it simply: This formula delivers. As a mom who can’t remember the last time I took a nap, it makes my skin look fresh, rested, and naturally radiant—like good lighting in a bottle.
A makeup artist staple
Early in my career, I discovered Armani Luminous Silk the way most beauty editors discover insider products: through makeup artists on photoshoots. Gradually, I noticed the chic little bottles on nearly every set with the pickiest of pros. Why? According to NYC-based celebrity makeup artist Todd Harris, this formula foundation photographs beautifully. “It stands up to HD cameras and lighting without bleed-through,” Harris explains. “It perfects the skin but still looks like skin without requiring a lot of product.”
He still uses it regularly on set and for red-carpet looks. “It’s definitely a kit staple for working makeup artists,” Harris says.
How I used the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
I’m in my 40s but I wouldn’t typically categorize my skin as dry…until I use foundation. Somehow, within an hour, my skin starts looking dehydrated and flaky. Unlike tinted moisturizer, foundation isn’t as forgiving—and sometimes it can backfire, accentuating pores and fine lines. While Armani Luminous Silk didn’t dry out my skin, it also didn’t feel as comfortable as my usual multitasking tinted skincare. If you have dry skin, this formula, like any foundation, could accentuate it without proper prep.
Harris emphasises the importance of properly prepping your skin, especially for those over 40. “Most women under-moisturise before foundation application. You want your skin to look and feel glow-y before applying foundation,” he says. I found the finish was better over a hydrating day cream than over sunscreen, and Harris recommends pairing it with the Luminous Silk Primer for extra hydration and smoother application. “It’s very hydrating and helps spread the formula,” he says. I found that the primer pumped up the sheen of the foundation as well, like a natural highlighter.
What's great About Armani Luminous Silk
When I first tried Armani Luminous Silk in my 20s, I distinctly remembering thinking it looked and felt like “liquid skin”. It created a flattering filter effect, and this was pre-social media. Fast forward to my 40s, and the experience is just as impressive—except now I can take a selfie to document it. Here's what stands out:
It's easy to use and blends beautifully
The color blends so smoothly, seamlessly disappearing into skin, leaving no detectable trace of makeup while creating an airbrushed, well-lit appearance.
For such a pro status-product, Armani Luminous Silk is surprisingly beginner-friendly to use. Many foundations require tools like blending brushes or damp sponges for a flawless application, but this formula works beautifully with just fingertips. Its dense yet silky texture smooths out into a thin, natural-looking veil of colour—no special technique necessary.
It has flattering light-to-medium coverage
The coverage is light to medium, and I prefer light, so a half a pump is enough for my entire face. If I dab a little extra around my nose, where I’m prone to redness, the color builds nicely without looking heavy or cakey. The finish is soft and velvety, creating a nice base for blush and bronzer, which I’m more likely to reach for when my skin looks more polished.
There's a wide shade range
Shade matching has always been confusing for me. Not only does skin tone change seasonally, but it can also shift over the years. My complexion has gone from fair to light over the past two decades (or perhaps it’s just a little more uneven now). Harris offers a helpful tip: focus on the shade description, not just the number. “Knowing your undertone is the best way to match,” he says. I tested my old shade (4.5) and two slightly deeper shades (5 and 5.1), and all worked well thanks to the formula’s sheer and forgiving nature. However, given its price point, I recommend getting shade-matched in person to find “the one.”
The bottom line: Is Armani Luminous Silk Foundation worth it?
Isn’t nice to discover that some classics truly stand the test of time? The iconic Armani Luminous Silk Foundation that wowed me in my 20s for its uber-natural, flawless finish is just as impressive in my 40s. The pro-approved formula that blends effortlessly and makes skin look, I kid you not, pretty amazing.
I still can’t get over my polished, low-lit glow. While it’s not a sub for good skincare, with the right prep, this foundation is makeup magic for creating a radiant complexion. This one's a winner, for sure.
Shop more of our favourite skincare and makeup
Best Concealers | Best Blushes | Best Primers | Best Eye Creams | Best Body Lotions
You Might Also Like
