2026 is already the year of reformulated foundation formulas, and we’re only two months in. Some of our favorite brands, like Estée Lauder and Armani, have decided to update their cult-favorite formulas. But why fix what’s not broken?
Sometimes reformulations can go really bad really quickly. However, I’m happy to report that Armani’s classic Luminous Silk Foundation, which first launched in 2000 with the help of Pat McGrath, was reformulated earlier this year to be even more lightweight than the original and still delivers the same radiant, glowy finish.
I first put the new formula, infused with skin-care ingredients like glycerin for intense hydration, to the test last summer during a humid, rainy weekend on Shelter Island. My skin looked sun-kissed and luminous, and despite the humidity, it never felt like it was melting off my face. Au contraire: It felt like a second skin!
I knew the Cut team would love the new formula and the additional shade range, so we had to put it to the test on seven different skin tones. Spoiler alert: I was right, and we’d all add it to the cart immediately.
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Asia Milia Ware, beauty editor
Shade you tried: 11.4, one of the newer shades
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? Yes, I liked it, but I didn’t wear it often because I don’t love liquid formulas. If I wear them, I like them to feel like a second skin. The last formula was lightweight, but it wasn’t the first foundation I would pick up.
What do you think of the new formula? I love it. From the first test, it felt more lightweight than the OG, and I love the inclusion of skin-care ingredients. The shade match is also impeccable, which is not always an easy feat with my deeper complexion and neutral undertones. The shade I’ve been wearing is one of the newly introduced ones, and as someone who often has to mix shades for a perfect match, I immediately knew the formulators were in the lab and serious about expanding offerings for different undertones. Suddenly, I’m reaching for a liquid foundation, something I haven’t done in over a year because I’ve been sticking to the ease of a stick formula, but the luminosity and comfortable, hydrating feeling of this has me hooked.
Would you buy it? Absolutely.
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Carol Lee, beauty writer
Shade you tried: 3
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? No, I never tried it.
What do you think of the new formula? In the past three years, I’ve worn foundation here and there. But nothing has made me wear it for more than a few days at a time except this Armani reformulation. Admittedly, I haven’t tried its predecessor, so I can’t compare the two. But as a certified “concealer only” girl, I was surprised to find myself reaching for this foundation over my beloved concealers. It covers my redness (stubborn areas are erased with a second or third thin layer) and evens out my complexion without making me look like I have a ton of makeup on. In fact, people have been complimenting my skin, not my foundation, when they see me in person. The formula avoids showing any dry patches in my skin but isn’t so dewy that a quick swipe of powder can’t temper its shine. I adore you, Luminous Silk.
Would you buy it? 100 percent yes.
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Sofía Mareque, photo editor
Shade you tried: 11.75
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? I remember trying the previous formula in high school as one of my first foundations and liking it enough, but not enough to buy a second bottle.
What do you think of the new formula? This formula feels better and more hydrating, especially in these dry winter months. My skin looks dewy and uniform without feeling too heavy. I apply foundation with my hands, and it spreads evenly and lasts throughout the day. It did oxidize a little darker, but overall, this formula feels like a big improvement.
Would you buy it? Yes!
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Hanna Flanagan, shopping editor
Shade you tried: 4.5
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? Yes and yes. It’s a classic for a reason. The hydrating, silky formula has a natural, healthy-looking finish without compromising on coverage.
What do you think of the new formula? My first impression is that it’s exactly what I want from a reformulation: all the qualities I love about the original plus a few minor improvements. The new Luminous Silk feels thinner and more watery than the original, so the application is seamless. Both formulas look dewy on the skin, but the new one has a “your skin but better” finish that the old one does not. It looks and feels weightless on the skin all day, whereas the original tends to look greasy if I don’t set it. Both are hydrating and healthy-looking, both have buildable coverage, and both help blur pores and texture.
Would you buy it? Yes, and I think fans of the original formula will love this new one. I would also highly recommend it to people with dry skin.
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Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
Shade you tried: 8.6, 8.1
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? Yes, the original formula was one of my favorite foundations.
What do you think of the new formula? I had really high expectations since the original formula was one of my go-tos. I did a lot of skin prep with a hydrating primer, but I didn’t even need it since the formula was so dewy. I dotted it on and blended it out with a brush, and I loved how buildable it was. I prefer my foundation to look like skin, so I’ll usually apply a very sheer layer and follow up with concealer. To test this, put on a few sheer layers of 8.6, a neutral that matches my skin tone but not undertone, and then built up 8.1 in areas where I’d usually highlight. After applying light setting powder and setting spray, it has a perfect natural finish for my combination skin.
Would you buy it? Yes, I think the buildable coverage would be good for events, and then I could use a sheer layer to wear it every day.
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Emma Oleck, fashion market editor
Shade you tried: 4.5
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? I never owned it, but I did try it. I remember thinking it was a bit dry for my skin.
What do you think of the new formula? I love this formula! I have exclusively worn CC+ cream for years because I find traditional foundation too heavy. But now, I find myself reaching for this bottle over my CC+ cream because it covers my blemishes and evens out my skin tone while maintaining my skin’s natural tones and textures. I feel like it’s my skin but better. My favorite part is that it’s hydrating and my skin looks well moisturized without veering too much into the dewy look.
Would you buy it? Yes, I definitely would!
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Danya Issawi, fashion writer
Shade you tried: 5.9/5.25
Did you try the previous formula? If yes, did you like it? I hadn’t tried it before.
What do you think of the new formula? I was a bit skeptical at first since I have some breakouts I’m getting over right now, and when I saw how thin the formula was, I didn’t think it would cover them properly. That said, I ended up really liking the foundation. I wouldn’t call it full coverage, but it is buildable and does a decent enough job of hiding discoloration. What I really loved was the finish. It felt like nothing was on my face, and it melted into my skin the longer I wore it. Plus, it didn’t cling to any dry patches. I tried two shades, since I have olive undertones and am typically in between colors, and found a true match in the 5.9. The 5.25 went on just a smidge too warm for my skin, but it will prove perfect during the summer when I have a little tan.
Would you buy it? Yes! This feels like it’ll be my new go-to foundation.
