I love base makeup in general, but I enjoy collecting and experimenting with liquid foundations most. Of all the brands I have tried and tested over the years, Armani is my overall favorite. None of the formulas contain shimmer, which I prefer. I generally use my fingers to apply all the foundations, but Armani's Blender Brush (natural) or Bobbi Brown's Foundation Brush (synthetic) work very well with both Luminous Silk and Lasting Silk. Duo fiber stippling brushes can be used for sheer to light coverage, but the foundations are thin so it will require much more time and effort to achieve medium to medium-full coverage. Just keep in mind that an extra half pump will be required if brushes are used for application.
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More importantly, don't forget that priming the skin is an essential step in applying foundation — whether you use Armani products or not. I highly recommend the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer for combination and oily skin types. It was my Holy Grail primer when I had combination skin a couple years ago, and I still reach for it when it is hot and humid. If you have normal to dry skin, I recommend the Chanel Le Blanc Sheer Illuminating Base because it brightens the skin without leaving too heavy a white cast. It also reduces the look of flaky skin and provides such a shimmer-free glow! If you have dry to very dry skin, try Sunday Riley's Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer or Armani's Fluid Master (if you prefer colorless primer).
GIORGIO ARMANI FOUNDATIONS OVERVIEW
LUMINOUS SILK ($62 USD): This is the only Armani foundation without sunscreen. Though Luminous Silk is buildable from sheer to medium-full coverage, it looks its best at light to medium. Two pumps will achieve light coverage. Now that I have normal skin, I absolutely love this hydrating foundation, but I still would not wear it during the hot summer season. I do not recommend Luminous Silk for oily or very oily skin because even when I had combination skin, I found it made my skin too shiny after four hours of wear. I highly recommend it for your wedding day because it photographs perfectly in any lighting situation!
LASTING SILK SPF20 ($60 USD): This is my favorite Armani foundation and has been one of my Holy Grails since 2011 because I love the water-based formula and softly glowing finish. It is slightly more matte than Luminous Silk, but I feel this is the most versatile Armani foundation as all skin types — with appropriate skin care and primer — can wear it. I have find that that Lasting Silk stays flawless on the skin at least one hour longer than Luminous Silk will, with or without powder on top. With two pumps, Lasting Silk provides more coverage than Luminous Silk, nearly medium. Numerous news anchors swear by this foundation because it looks beautiful on camera, though I do not recommend it for flash photography due to the sunscreen.
DESIGNER LIFT SPF20 ($67 USD): This is an underrated medium-full coverage foundation. I love the semi-matte finish, which is what I had expected of Chanel's Mat Lumiere (which is not matte at all). Designer Lift is ideal for mature skin since it has both smoothing and firming properties. I personally love this for my normal skin, but I do make sure to moisturize and prime the skin properly before application. I also find it best to powder the T-Zone when wearing Designer Lift since it does have a tendency to break down around the nostrils and between the eyebrows after six hours. Armani foundations as a whole do not oxidize much, but Designer Lift does not change color whatsoever upon application.
MAESTRO SPF15 ($64 USD): This foundation is ideal for combination and oily skin. Do avoid if you have dry skin and especially so if you have dry patches. I love the slightly powdery dry down and soft focus effect of this foundation. It is supremely natural and even at light-medium coverage, looks very much like real skin. Some may be intimidated by or be apprehensive about the thin formula, but it is so easy to spread and blend into the skin with the fingertips. It does not require setting powder, and I like to use this most during the summer.
FACE FABRIC SPF12 ($51 USD): This is essentially a tinted primer since the shades are translucent. The silicones in the formula smooth out the surface of the skin the way Benefit Porefessional does. It truly is undetectable and is excellent for the 'no makeup' makeup look on complexions that require very little coverage. I love how velvety soft it makes the skin, but the coverage is too sheer for my taste, especially since I have acne scarring. For an ultra natural, polished face, use the Face Fabric with a powder foundation like Koh Gen Do's Triple Lighting and finish the complexion with a setting mist.
LUMINESSENCE CC MOISTURIZING CREAM SPF35 ($50 USD): I like to call this one a tinted sunscreen since it does not feel quite as hydrating as a standard tinted moisturizer. On my normal skin, I still wear serum and moisturizer underneath. I think dry skins may find this CC cream does not provide enough of a glow. I wore it without powder the first trial run and was pleasantly surprised at how semi-matte it appeared for the first two hours of wear. The Luminessence CC, however, does not dry down and 'set' completely, so it is best topped with a loose powder to prevent transferring. I prefer to use my Armani LS UV Powder since it provides more coverage and sun protection.
Now, I will share my ranking of these six since it usually gets requested at one time or another. My first pick is Lasting Silk, followed by Luminous Silk, Maestro, Designer Lift, Luminessence, and Face Fabic. For additional details regarding the foundations, including the specific shades and color combinations that I use, please refer to my video review below!
Makeup Worn:
Giorgio Armani Designer Lift in 4 + Lasting Silk in 6
Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Powder Compact in 4
Giorgio Armani Sun Fabric Bronzer in 200
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204 and Holder
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Silk Eyeshadows in 29 and 15
Giorgio Armani Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Black
By Terry Ligne Blackstar Eyeliner in Black
Dior Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Black
Giorgio Armani Cheek Fabric Blush in 507
Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 389 Kiss Me
Velour Lashes in You Complete Me
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Nails:
Tom Ford Indiscretion
Hair:
GHD Gold Professional 2" Styler
Shirt:
Diane Von Furstenberg Cholula Lace Tee
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