I believed I understood the appearance of "lit from within" skin—then I tested this new silky foundation.

      Currently, a significant portion of the beauty industry—ranging from hydrating serums and moisturizers to dewy foundations and highlighters—claims to make you look "lit from within." This trendy phrase has become somewhat of a cliché, often resulting in eye rolls from beauty editors, myself included. However, those are genuinely the only words that come to mind when I describe my skin after trying a new foundation from Carisa Janes, the founder and CEO of Hourglass, which happens to feature one of my all-time favorite skin tints. Introducing Outside In, Janes's new brand inspired by the warm, buttery glow of natural light. Imagine sunlight filtering through a canopy of leaves or the soft golden light filling your morning room from a window. If you're after skin that glows like that, keep reading; the Silk Serum Foundation is nearly like liquid gold.

      **Outside In**

      **Silk Serum Foundation**

      *The Formula*

      True to its name, the Silk Serum Foundation from Outside In boasts a thin, serum-like texture with a dewy—but not overly shiny!—finish. Unlike other serum foundations that tend to be watery, this one has a plush, pillowy feel that never comes across as "messy." Infused with hero hydrators like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it avoids leaving that oily residue many skincare-infused makeup products do. Moreover, these ingredients are included in effective concentrations, ensuring they genuinely contribute to skin health—hydration and smoothness.

      While the serum aspect is noteworthy, it’s the ultrafine pigments that truly make this foundation stand out—literally. They blend seamlessly upon application, instantly achieving a blurring effect with the perfect glow, then set themselves for all-day wear. Typically, self-setting formulas lean toward matte finishes, so I was surprised to find a dewy option with such lasting power. (Usually, glowy foundations fade by midday!) I’d say the finish is just right—not too shiny, not too matte—but for those seeking extra radiance, Outside In also offers a lightweight face oil called Floral Reserve that works wonderfully as a luminous primer. Packed with sweet almond, sunflower seed, meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed, and macadamia seed oils, it provides a radiant sheen that shines through your foundation without any greasy feel.

      *The Application*

      As with all foundations, I prefer to pour some product on my hand, mix it with a dense complexion brush until the bristles are well-coated (a technique makeup artists often refer to as "priming the brush"), and then apply in light layers until I achieve my desired coverage. This serum foundation is perfect for this method. Thanks to the superfine pigments that spread effortlessly on my skin, I find I use much less product than I anticipated. Just two to three drops are sufficient for my entire face! It certainly helps that I use the brand's Serum Foundation Brush, which features soft, dense synthetic bristles that easily capture and distribute the pigment.

      *My Results*

      With a less-is-more approach, the Silk Serum Foundation effectively conceals the areas I want to hide (dark spots and redness) without making it obvious that I’m wearing makeup—which is the balance I always look for in complexion products. I prefer compliments on my skin rather than my makeup, and I can confidently say that this has happened multiple times since I started wearing this serum in public. It somehow gives my skin a liquid silk appearance—smooth and soft everywhere, yet luminous in the areas I want to highlight. (The name Silk Serum is undeniably fitting!)

      I snapped this photo just before heading to a work dinner around 5 p.m., with natural light fading in my apartment. (Sadly, no golden hour for me!) Nonetheless, you can still see the noticeable highlight on my cheekbone, despite only wearing a light blush (Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, for those interested). I didn't even need to apply concealer; call it the magic of Carisa Janes, but my entire complexion stayed buttery smooth, plush, and—dare I say—lit from within.

      **Shop Outside In**

      - **Outside In Silk Serum Foundation**

      - **Outside In Serum Foundation Brush**

      - **Outside In Floral Reserve Face Oil**

      **More Silky Foundations I Adore**

      - **Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation**

      Not technically a foundation, but I can’t help but mention this must-have.

      - **Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation**

      A classic for a reason! Luminous Silk checks all the boxes.

      - **Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Weightless Foundation**

      I'm a huge fan of this foundation from Dame Pat McGrath, which seamlessly melds with the skin upon application.

      - **Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation**

      - **Kosas Reve