Is the New Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation Better Than the Celeb-Backed Original?

Name: My Review of the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation
Brand: Armani beauty
Price: 48 USD

Hmm…

By Courtney Mason

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Published Apr 3, 2026

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armani-beauty-luminous-silk-natural-glow-foundation-review

Armani Beauty/PureWow

I’ve worked in the beauty industry long enough to know when words like “reformulation” start circling around a classic product with a cult-like following, it’s rarely taken as a good thing. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Sometimes I agree, but other times a new formula can surprise you. All this to say, Armani Beauty recently updated its best-selling Luminous Silk Foundation after 25 years of delivering award-winning celebrity glam, earning a spot on royal vanities and receiving glowing reviews. I’ve used the OG foundation consistently in my makeup routine for the past few years, so I put the new Luminous Silk to the test to see if it lives up to its predecessor. Ahead, find my review of the new—and possibly improved—Luminous Silk Foundation, where I share my honest thoughts and how it compares to the original.

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What is the New Luminous Silk Foundation?

Fast Facts

Key Ingredient: niacinamide
Shades: 44
Coverage: medium but buildable
Finish: natural
Sizes: 0.6 oz, 1 oz
Price: $48 - $69

If there’s one takeaway from recent beauty trends, it’s that luminous skin reigns supreme. Whether it’s soft glams à la the Nina Park effect or no-makeup makeup courtesy of the problematic clean girl aesthetic, natural-looking, glowy skin shows no sign of letting up. So it’s no surprise the brand made one of its glowiest products more radiant.

Now dubbed the Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation (previously Perfect Glow), the buzzy product's main difference comes down to the inclusion of niacinamide (aka vitamin B3). Per the brand, this new skincare-fueled formula is “clinically proven to even skin tone, refine texture, and boost luminosity after 14 days.” It also touts 24 hour wear and hydration, plus a wider shade range with 18 additional shades, designed to better match a range of undertones and complexions. Not to mention, it’s now non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. But loyal Luminous Silk fans, don’t fret. The product still delivers long-wear, a blurring effect and buildable medium coverage.

How I Tested the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation

I’ve been using the foundation for the past few weeks, swapping the original for the new. For application, I followed the brand’s recommended brush method for a more airbrushed finish; however, if you prefer a dewier, glass skin-like finish, the brand recommends using a sponge. While testing, I focused on how it played with other products in my routine, how it wore throughout the day and how much glow it delivered. Here’s my review.

armani-beauty-luminous-silk-before-and-after

Original Photos by Courtney Mason

My Review of the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation

What I Like

very skin-like, feels weightless
adds natural glow to the skin without looking too shiny
non-comedogenic
suitable for all skin types

What I Don't Like

pricey

Armani beauty

I’ve tried many foundations, and the original Luminous Silk ranks among my favorites, but I didn’t expect to like this version as much as I do. First thing I noticed? It blends like a dream, melting onto the skin with ease. True to its claims, the foundation offers medium coverage, evening out my skin tone and covering dark spots with ease. I usually use one or two pumps, but when I added more for extra coverage, it still felt lightweight. I remember thinking this feels almost like a skin-tint. So much so, I nearly forgot I was wearing it.

TBH, I’ve never been a one-and-done beauty girl. Even when I wear a tint or skin-like base, I still reach for layers of creams and powders to make sure everything stays put (combo skin problems). But I found myself using this product on its own, skipping my usual backup, and still felt confident in how it held up.

Now let’s get into the glow. The foundation promises a natural glow finish, and they weren’t kidding. I expected it to be disco-ball-esque, but instead, the glow looked like it came from within, not the product. I was also amazed to see it hold up after hours of wear. I recently wore it to a concert in a packed, stuffy venue and it didn’t budge. During my usual day-to-day, like heading to the office, where I would check my base midday expecting to see a ball of grease. Instead, my skin had a natural sheen. The blurring factor is still there, smoothing rather than highlighting texture.

armani-beauty-luminous-silk-foundation-swatches.

Original Photos by Courtney Mason

The real shock came with my updated shade match. When Armani Beauty expanded its shade range, the brand aimed for shades that feel “truer-to-skin.” I wear shade 13.25, described as a deep, neutral golden, but it previously leaned warm. But that’s no longer the case. The updated shade is a true neutral golden, which was proven to me when I swatched both formulas side-by-side. The OG is visibly more warm and deep, and it’s hard not to notice the difference. Reviews on the new shades are…mixed. But as someone who usually has trouble finding their exact match, I’m more than happy.

Armani Beauty

Bottom Line

I’m fairly new to the Luminous Silk bandwagon, so take my review as you will, but I’m not mad at this reformulation. Luminous Silk-loyalists don’t attack me, but it might actually be better than the original. I appreciate the added skincare ingredients that feel hydrating, and the truer-to-skin shade upgrade. Plus, it now comes in a smaller—and more affordable—bottle size ($48 for 18mL/0.6oz), so I don’t have to splurge $69 every time. I’m all for staying loyal to a product you love, but sometimes, a little update actually works.

From $48 at sephora

From $48 at Armani beauty

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Still Purchase the Old Luminous Silk Formula?

The original formula is no longer available on the Armani Beauty site or at Sephora. However, you can still find it at some retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, while supplies last.

Courtney Mason

Editorial Assistant

Writes across several verticals including fashion, beauty, news and entertainment
Over three years of experience in the fashion industry
Studied Fashion Media with a minor in Visuals for Social Media at LIM College

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