Monday 23 January 2012

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation






For the past few months I have been wearing Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation every single day. One of my favourite things about that foundation is that it doesn't contain SPF, meaning that your face won't suddenly become two shades lighter under flash photography. Considering I'm already as white as a ghost that wasn't something I particularly liked; it left me looking washed out and rather ill compared to all the healthy looking girls around me. Since trying Skin Base I've become increasingly interested in other foundations that don't contain SPF. As I heard it was a favourite of Kim Kardashian, the one I decided to try out next was Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation.

Armani describe this foundation as 'an oil-free hydrating fluid with exclusive Micro-fil™ technology. Its lightweight and silky texture glides on seamlessly for an all-day, buildable coverage'. At £34 this foundation certainly doesn't come cheap but in my opinion its well worth the hefty price tag. I bought this from Harvey Nicks in Leeds where I was matched to shade 2. I do struggle to find a light enough colour match with most foundations but this is good enough. I can imagine it being a great choice for Summer. The colour range is fairly extensive (I believe there are about 15 shades) but there might not be a dark enough choice for some skintones. As you can see from the swatch on my hand the formula is very sheer which is a stark contrast to the thicker, creamier formula of Skin Base. I also really like that it has a pump applicator as any other mechanism often leaves you with too much product.

I began applying it with just one pump of the foundation. While it didn't cover up my blemishes, it got rid of any redness & discolouration right away whilst still showing my skin underneath. This is a great foundation to use if you're after for a naturally flawless look. I found that I needed 3 pumps worth to get the coverage I desired. I would say that the coverage is comparable to Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua. Because the formula is so sheer & silky, it layers up like a dream with absolutely no streakiness. I am completely in love with how smooth it makes my face look! This is probably also partly due to Philosophy's The Present & my lovely new Real Techniques brushes but my face has never looked so smooth before & my pores are practically invisible. You can still clearly see my freckles on my cheeks and under my eyes because this is not a full coverage foundation but it does cover the majority of skin imperfections when layered up. It also makes my skin properly glow without looking oily which I adore!

Along with the price the only other real downside to this foundation is the staying power. I did use a primer beforehand & a powder to set it but I think thats standard practice with most foundations I've used. Its not oxidised on me at all so thats a bonus. It still looks pretty good on my normal/combination type skin after about 10 hours of wear but it is a little bit patchy around my forehead. I think on someone with oilier skin it might not last as long and could end up looking a bit too shiny but its pretty much fine on me. You would probably need to top it up if you were wearing it on a night out after a whole day of wear. However I do really like it and am very happy to have two SPF-free foundations in my collection, one thick & one thin in formula to adjust to my daily needs.

29 comments:

  1. I know what you mean when you say you have light colored wkin. My dad is ginger and i inherited his skin, freckles and all. So yeah, im super duper white!

    munchmecat.blogspot.com

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  2. your skin looks amazing caroline, flawless! i like how it still shows your freckles underneath too xx

    beth x ramz and the flock

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  3. You're so gorgeous! Love the look of that top/dress too ;) x

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  4. I have stupidly light skin and have always struggled to find a really great foundation, I've tried them most. However I bought a bottle of Dainty Doll after Christmas, which I'd been wary about but after using a tester on my hand though it would be worth a go. ANYWAY it's definately the one that's worked best with my skin so far, so I'm super happy!

    Your skin looks absolutely stunning here, I wish I had enough cash to be able to try this foundation!!

    http://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com

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  5. I love this foundation! I think I'll dig it out to wear tomorrow :) I wear shade 5 and I find it is kind of light.. I'm only an NC20 too! So you are right - darker skinned ladies may have trouble finding a match. x

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  6. I love Luminous Silk! My shade of choice is 5 or 5.5 x

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  7. I bought this foundation over Christmas and think it's fab too. I'm just getting ready to review it too so you've reminded me to get on and do that haha ;) I agree about the flawlessness of this foundation. Its so smooth and easy to work with! xx

    LittleGlitter.org

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  8. This looks and sounds great! I struggle to find foundations to match my ghost like skin too.. we're in the same boat together! Hoooray!
    Would love to try this but the price tag is a little hefty.. but it DOES look amazing!
    Thank you for following my blog by the way. I thought I already followed yours considering I always read your posts.. silly me (:
    Following now!
    Ashleigh xx

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  9. This foundation looks great on you !! xx

    clayandbeauty.blogspot.com

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  10. I really wanted to try out this foundation, I might try to get sample of it, I'm also super pale, it's so difficult for me to find right foundation colour match. xx

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  11. My friend uses this I did try it out one day was really impressed!

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  12. brilliant review, always like to see someone blogging about light shade foundations :).x

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  13. Great review! Ive had my eye on this for a while but still cant decide haha :) x

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  14. Fab review I'm pale too and I find it so hard too find a foundation that doesn't make me look orange! This one sounds LOVELY.

    Jazz xo

    http://jazzreallyloves.blogspot.com/

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  15. This foundation sounds great, it makes your skin looks gorgeous! I love the design of the bottle it comes in too, that probably makes me really shallow but I'm always attracted to beauty products that come in nice packaging!

    Gillian x
    elevatormusik

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  16. If I could put on makeup as flawlessly as you I would wear it all the time! So pretty x

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  17. I didn't even realise that Giorgio Armani did make up! This looks lovely on you, but £34 seems too pricey for something with not so great staying power.

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  18. Oh my god, that foundation makes you look fantastic, seriously! Love your blog, I'm following now :) Feel free to check out mine!

    Laura x
    Petit Chatons

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  19. it really has made your skin look amazing!!! the packaging is very sleek too. i don't mind big pricetags as long as the product is worth it, its so annoying when you splash out for an expensive foundation and it dissappoints, but this looks great x

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  20. Aw Caroline you look stunning! xx

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