Giorgio Armani Beauty Lasting Silk Matte Foundations

Giorgio Armani Beauty offers two foundations that are perfect for a matte look - or women with normal-to-oily or oily skin. Lasting Silk Compact Foundation SPF 35 ($59) is brand new. Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 ($59) was introduced about a year ago. One of my readers in France asked me to describe the Lasting Silk UV Foundation with SPF 20, so it seemed like the perfect time to introduce you to the new silky compact foundation as well.

I'll start with the new one. Lasting Silk Compact Foundation has an SPF of 35, which is exceptionally nice for summer. It's described as a long-wearing, weightless foundation with colors that lighten the skin with a natural, transparent satin-matte finish. Armani Beauty says the coverage is buildable to medium. I think that might be a stretch, but how you define "medium" coverage could be subjective. I'd call the coverage light to medium.

The new compact foundation is technically called a powder foundation, but it seems otherworldly for a powder. Its texture is divine. It glides on like pure feather-weight silk. Armani says the compact foundation was designed for normal to oily skin. It can be applied dry or with a damp brush or sponge.

It's available in seven shades. I believe that the shade shown in the photo at top left is #3, which has a slight pink tint. I would use the more yellow-toned #3.5. Loyd Cassler (my Armani guru at Saks in Chevy Chase) and I played with it today, and the #3.5 blended right into my jaw without leaving a trace.

I don't wear "powder" foundations (my skin is too dry), but if I did, this would be it! Even though it's not the right foundation for me, I can see myself using it for touch-ups. It blends into my skin perfectly.

Lasting Silk UV SPF 20 is spotlight-proof, high-definition makeup. Inspired by extreme backstage conditions, this revolutionary water-based foundation provides 14-hour luminous matte coverage without the "feel" of coverage. It is most definitely matte. Loyd said it's best for women who want a matte look or have oily skin. He also mentioned that it's perfect for special occasions when you don't want your face to shine. If you plan to be photographed or make an appearance on television, you would love it. Many of the area's television broadcasters buy it at Saks to wear on the air.

Lasting Silk UV Foundation was named "Best Light Coverage Foundation" in Allure magazine's "Best of Beauty" awards in October 2009, so it has its fans. It's available in seven shades at Saks and the Armani Beauty Web site. Unless your skin is very dark, there's probably a shade for you. It offers slightly more coverage than the award-winning Luminous Silk Foundation. I did purchase one of these when they were introduced, but I find myself turning to the more luminous Hydra Glow (discontinued, but I hoarded it) and Luminous Silk foundations most often. I'm just not a matte-loving gal.

If you are - and you're looking for a second-skin, featherweight foundation to even out your skin tone, you would love the new Lasting Silk Compact Foundation. It's my favorite of the two.

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom