Beauty Diaries: Can Armani beauty’s New Luminous Silk Foundation Survive a Day in My Life?

In this month’s Beauty Diaries, Beauty Editor Red puts Armani beauty’s reformulated Luminous Silk Foundation through the wringer to see whether it truly is new and improved.

Every beauty brand is defined by its icons, and Armani beauty is no exception. First launched in 2000, the Luminous Silk Foundation is a certified cult favourite amongst makeup lovers and artists alike, beloved for its signature glow and skin-like, silky texture. Now, in 2026, the icon is reborn with an updated formulation that promises new heights of radiance.

The new Luminous Silk Foundation still champions the brand’s proprietary light-scattering Liquid Silk Technology, delivering its signature blurring and smoothing finish that made the original formulation so revered. However, the updated formula is now also enhanced with an infusion of skincare ingredients that work to improve the skin as it perfects, including pore-refining niacinamide, hydrating glycerin, and radiance-boosting and plumping extracts of Mediterranean lily and white lupine.

That isn’t the only change, either. Most notably, the updated Luminous Silk Foundation roster has been expanded to 20 shades, including four brand new ones, marking the most inclusive range from the brand yet. Each shade has been enhanced with new pigment precision technology, infused with ultramarine and green pigments for a more true-toned colour match. Think deeper shades that aren’t ashy, and lighter shades that are tailored to olive and tan skin tones.

All of this sounds absolutely fabulous on paper, but how does the update fare in real life? To really see what the new formulation was made of, I put the new Luminous Silk Foundation through a day in my life. I’m not pulling any punches, either—from outdoor events to full-on workouts, this formulation is about to experience a stress test like no other. Ahead, find the full review:

10AM: First impressions 

I had exactly 15 minutes to get ready for my first event of the day, and the Luminous Silk Foundation came in clutch! I started my makeup routine with my usual sunscreen, and then I went in with the new Luminous Silk Illuminating Primer to prep my skin. I love how lightweight and smoothing this primer is—the skincare-infused formulation uses skin-refining LHAs (beta-lipohydroxy acid) and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours, creating the perfect dewy base. 

From there, I worked one full pump of the Luminous Silk Foundation into my skin, blending it out using just my fingers. It spread so beautifully and effortlessly, leaving a medium-coverage, second-skin finish that looked really natural and radiant. It was just enough to even out my complexion and blur blemishes, which is exactly what I look for in an everyday foundation. As someone with combination skin, I was also surprised at how weightless it was, and that it didn’t feel too oily or too dry. In fact, I liked the finish so much that I just left it as is—no powder and no setting spray.

Above all, I was honestly just shocked at how quickly I was done with my base; not five minutes had passed, and I was already ready to go!

11AM: Outdoor event 

As it turned out, event number one was an outdoor affair! This meant that my base was subject to the blazing sun and our tropical humidity in its full force. All this could have spelt a recipe for disaster, but I’m pleased to report that the foundation actually fared wonderfully despite the adverse conditions. 

When I checked in on my base at the end of the event (a full four hours later), I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was pretty much unchanged. No cracking, no separation, and no greasiness! 

3PM: Indoor event

Event number two subjected the foundation to a girl’s worst enemy: fluorescent lights. Mall lighting is no one’s friend, but somehow, my skin looked absolutely amazing. 

In fact, now that the foundation had settled into my skin, it actually looked even better than when I first put it on. It’s not just my mind playing tricks on me, either; I got compliments on my skin from multiple people!

9PM: A workout and a half

What better way to stress-test a foundation than a big night out? Unfortunately, I had no rave plans for my Wednesday evening, so instead I opted to hit the courts for a spot of badminton. 

I ended up playing for a full three hours, and my base still looked gorgeous by the end of the game. Sure, I was a little shiny in the T-zone, but considering that I had been sweating and that I hadn’t set the base in any way, shape, or form, I’d say that this wear test was a total success! 

The takeaway

So, is the updated Luminous Silk Foundation worth the investment? Absolutely! Since this wear test, I have continued to reach for it almost daily, to the point that I consider it a true everyday staple. 

In short, it’s just a really comfortable, no-brainer product. Personally, I think it was perfect for my oily-combination skin, but I also think it would definitely work for a huge range of other skin types.

Armani beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation 30ml is priced at RM300 and is available to shop online and at Armani beauty counters and boutiques nationwide.

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