I was a diehard Bare Minerals user for years. But one day I realized that A. I was using way too much concealer before application (because Bare Minerals coverage isn't that great), and B. It was wearing off by the end of the day and pretty much making my face a greasy mess. Basically, I had gym face, but without going to the gym. So I did some online review searches and found Armani Luminous Silk Foundation to receive top ratings everywhere it was mentioned. I knew it was going to be pricey (duh. Armani.), but I was willing to pay if it could perform. The lady at Saks was great. She chose my color and even gave me a mirror to go outside and look at myself in a natural light. My recently-developed broken capillaries and age spots were diminished! She applied it with a brush, which blends well, and saves you from using as much as you would with a porous sponge. The lady at the counter said I didn't necessarily need to spend the money on a powder to "seal it" and that any loose, translucent powder would do. So I continue to use my Bare Minerals Mineral Veil over the top. I really do love this product. I've been told how good my skin looks on more than one occasion since I began using it. Plus, the coverage is so good, I feel like I look 28. And not 32. ;)

I finally caved and splurged on the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation... I'm getting tired of my previous go-to foundation (Chanel double perfection/mat lumiere powder foundation) and wanted a more "glowy" look. I figured it was a sign when this one appeared again on In Style's list.

It is pricey at $59 US a bottle... it makes my Chanel look like a bargain :)

That being said, I've been using this for a few weeks and it's lovely. Excellent color range. I'm a NC35/C4 coloring and this foundation in a 6.5 is a great match. A touch more yellow/golden than my natural color but it looks great once blended. No oxidation during the day! Nice texture and moderate coverage. Looks natural on my combination skin. Love the pump to keep things clean.

I'm really pleased and will definitely buy it again... save your pennies for this one!

I appreciate InStyle's Best Beauty Buys. It has rated Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation as the best liquid foundation four years running. No other foundation has claimed the prize in that amount of time and I now understand why this is so. It is an iridescent foundation, so it highlights the planes of the cheek, and all other areas that are meant to be highlighted, beautifully. The coverage is lightweight, but comprehensive; it covers the impurities of the skin's appearance. You know how the girls on America's Next Top Model always look moisturized to perfection? This foundation gives you that quintessential dewy glow. Oh yeah, and it's oil-free.