If you want to know the ultimate secret to achieving a radiant complexion in a flash, it’s Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation – but for £45, it’s one of the most expensive foundations out there.

To help a girl out, I’ve found some of the best cheaper alternatives that start from just £5.70.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of hits and misses when it comes to foundations for me. As a result, I’ve become quite picky when finding the right one. After all, why settle for anything less than amazing when it comes to make up?

Sure, Armani’s foundation is an incredible product – but I also understand that spending nearly £50 on a foundation just isn’t realistic for some of us.

I promise it’s not a case of either or. You can get great make up without having to spend an absolute bomb.

One of my favourite beauty brands has to be The Ordinary. I can’t believe how affordable their products are, especially as they’re such high quality. They have a serum foundation for just £5.70 that offers a similar texture to Armani’s.

Keep reading for more great dupes. And if you like these, check out our budget-friendly alternatives to popular products such as Dior’s famous lip oil and YSL’s Touche Eclat.

Wear next may earn commission if you click a link from one of our articles on to a retail website. Read more about how we choose our products.

The Original: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 30ml, £45, Sephora – buy now

The Dupes

Wet n Wild’s Photo Focus Foundation

Photo Focus Foundation, £8.69, Wet n Wild – buy now

Want the Armani glow without the hefty price tag? Wet n Wild’s Photo Focus Foundation is a drugstore favorite known for its similar lightweight, buildable formula and radiant finish.

The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation with SPF 15

Serum Foundation with SPF 15, £6.50, The Ordinary – buy now

Looking for a luminous foundation with a skincare twist? The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation offers a lightweight, buildable coverage that feels like a serum and leaves a radiant, natural finish, much like Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation.

NYX Born to Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation 

Born to Glow Naturally Radiant foundation, £10, NYX – buy now

NYX Born to Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation lives up to its name with a dewy, radiant finish that mimics Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, and at a fraction of the price!

L’Oreal Paris Infallible 32H Freshwear Foundation

Infallible 32H Freshwear Foundation, £11.99, L’Oreal Paris – buy now

L’Oreal Paris Infallible 32H Freshwear Foundation boasts a similar lightweight, buildable formula to Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, offering a natural, radiant finish that lasts all day.

Rimmel London’s SPF 20 Match Perfection Foundation

SPF 20 Match Perfection Foundation 30ml (Various Shades), £9.99, Rimmel London – buy now

Rimmel London’s SPF 20 Match Perfection Foundation might be your perfect match (pun intended) for a dupe. It offers a similar lightweight, buildable coverage with a satin finish, leaving your skin looking naturally radiant, just like the Armani foundation.

Maybelline Conceal Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation

Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation, £9.99,  Maybelline – buy now

Maybelline Conceal Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation is another drugstore gem. This foundation boasts a lightweight, buildable formula with a dewy, radiant finish, mimicking the luxurious feel and luminous effect of Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation.

Milani’s + Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation 

Conceal + Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation, £15.50, Milani – buy now

Milani’s + Perfect 2-In-1 Foundation is a multi-tasking marvel. This foundation combines the coverage of a concealer with the lightness of a foundation, offering a buildable, radiant finish that rivals the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, all at a more budget-friendly price.

Physician Formula’s The Healthy Foundation SPF 20

The Healthy Foundation SPF 20, £15.29, Physician Formula – buy now

Physician Formula’s The Healthy Foundation SPF 20 is a healthy choice for your skin and your wallet. This foundation offers a lightweight, buildable formula with a radiant finish, infused with skincare benefits similar to the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, at a fraction of the cost.