E! Illustration/Getty ImagesTo mark the reformulation of Armani Beauty's iconic Luminous Silk Foundation, E! spoke with celebrity makeup artist and Armani Beauty brand ambassador Carolina Gonzalez to talk about what's new-and how to actually make your foundation look like beautiful, glowing skin. After 25 years, the cult-favorite formula has been updated while keeping everything people love: the same blurring, natural glow, the same silky feel, and the same all-day wear. Gonzalez, who works with Alessandra Ambrosio, Ashley Park, Isabela Merced, Kelsey Asbille, Lily Aldridge, Valentina Sampaio, and Sabrina Carpenter, gave us all the deets. She shared her go-to techniques for applying foundation so it melts seamlessly into the skin, why she often skips makeup brushes in favor of her fingers, and how to build coverage without ever looking heavy or cakey. She also breaks down common foundation mistakes and explains how to prep and set skin so your makeup lasts all day-whether you're heading to work or walking a red carpet.
Courtesy of Carolina GonzalezAfter 25 years, Armani Beauty is reformulating its iconic Luminous Silk Foundation. What was your initial reaction when you heard the formula was changing? "I was nervous. I was like, no, no-why? I didn't think it could get better. Luminous Silk has always been about skin. It mimics skin. It looks like skin. But somehow, they made it better." What stayed the same-and why was that important? "Everything that works stayed. That blurring, natural glow that looks like real skin. The silk-like feeling. The wear. That's why it's been a staple in my kit for years and why it performs on the red carpet. The carpet does not lie-you see where a makeup artist is made when you see their work under those lights."Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation with 24 Hour WearThis silky, liquid foundation is designed to blur and smooth skin, provide 24-hour wear and hydration, and provide medium coverage and a natural glow finish. Choose from 44 signature shades.$69SephoraHow do you like to apply your foundation? "With my fingers. I like to feel the product. I apply it like moisturizer-it melts into the skin. Sometimes I'll use a fluffy brush and then tap it in with a jumbo foam wedge. It depends on the mood, but fingers are always my go-to." She told E! to start with "always a pea-sized amount." "I like to build, like oil painting. I add more where I need extra love-especially on my cheeks where I have redness. The beauty of Luminous Silk is that even when you build, it never looks heavy."What's the biggest foundation mistake people make when trying shades? "Bad lighting and not blending down the neck. Always blend down the neck, especially if you go a little darker for a sun-kissed look. It finishes everything." Should concealer match the foundation exactly? "For me, yes. Same shade, same number. I like everything to look even, like I woke up this way. Sometimes I even use Luminous Silk as concealer if I want something super light."Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye ConcealerOur expert advises choosing a concealer shade that matches your foundation. Choose from a ton of colors here.$42SephorareadReviewers Say These Primers Are So Powerful, Your Makeup Will Last All NightHow do you make it last for special occasions like weddings or photo shoots? "A good primer helps, but the formula [of Luminous Silk] is so good you don't need much. Keep everything creamy and powder last-last, last, last. I love the Glow Setting Powder just in the T-zone so skin still looks like skin."Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting PowderThis lightweight powder locks in makeup, delivering a second-skin, natural look. The translucent formula transforms into a skin-matching veil of sheer coverage that eliminates light flash-back and doesn't cake or settle into fine lines.$69NordstromWhat's your go-to skin prep before applying foundation? "SK-II Pitera Essence. It changed my skin. You tap it in with your hands-it's like water. Clean skin, good prep, then Luminous Silk. Sometimes you don't need every step. Everyone's skin is different. Sometimes you just need a little extra love."SK-II Aging Skin Facial Treatment Essence with Antioxidants 3.3K |This powerful essence addresses multiple visible skin concerns, and provides hydration, radiance, and benefits that target visible signs of aging.$99SephoraSolawave's Newest Red Light Mask Is $100 off-Target Aging, Uneven Tone & RednessHow We ChooseThe E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt