I believed I understood what "lit from within" skin appeared to be—until I tested this new silky foundation.

      At this stage, the beauty market—ranging from hydrating serums and moisturizers to glowy foundations and highlighters—often claims to give you a “lit from within” appearance. This phrase has become quite cliché and often elicits an eye roll from beauty editors, myself included. However, those are precisely the words I would use to describe my skin after trying a newly launched foundation from Carisa Janes, the founder and CEO of Hourglass, known for one of my all-time favorite skin tints. Introducing Outside In, Janes's newest brand venture is inspired by the warm, buttery glow of natural light. Picture the sun’s rays filtering through leaves or the soft golden light flooding into your morning space from a window. If you aspire to achieve skin like that, continue reading; the Silk Serum Foundation is nearly the embodiment of liquid gold.

      Outside In

      Silk Serum Foundation

      The Formula True to its name, Outside In's Silk Serum Foundation features a thin, serum-like consistency with a dewy—yet not overly shiny—finish. Unlike other serum foundations, which I find can be nearly watery, this one offers a soft, plush texture that never feels too "messy." Infused with key hydrators such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it avoids the oily residue commonly found in other makeup products with skincare benefits. Additionally, these ingredients are present in effective doses, meaning the brand doesn’t merely add them for marketing purposes—which is a personal pet peeve of mine and happens more frequently than one might assume. No, these components are concentrated enough to genuinely enhance skin health, providing hydration and smoothness.

      While the "serum" aspect is commendable, it’s the superfine pigments that truly elevate this foundation—quite literally. They blend seamlessly upon application, instantly softening the skin with an ideal amount of radiance, and they set naturally for all-day wear. Self-setting formulas usually trend towards a matte finish, so I was surprised to find a dewy formula with such impressive longevity. Typically, dewy foundations tend to wear off by midday! I would describe the finish as just right—not too shiny, not too matte. For those wanting an added glow, Outside In also offers a lightweight face oil called Floral Reserve that can be used as a dewy primer. Packed with sweet almond, sunflower seed, meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed, and macadamia seed oils, this formula imparts a radiant sheen that shines through your foundation without leaving any greasy feel.

      The Application

      For applying foundation, I generally dispense some onto my hand, mix it with a dense complexion brush until the bristles are fully coated—a method makeup artists often refer to as "priming the brush"—and then apply in light layers to achieve my desired coverage level. This serum foundation is perfectly suited for this technique. The superfine pigments easily spread across my skin, allowing me to use far less product than I initially anticipated. Just two to three drops suffice for my whole face! It also helps that I use the brand's Serum Foundation Brush, which features soft, dense synthetic bristles that effortlessly catch and release the pigment.

      My Results

      With this minimal application method, the Silk Serum Foundation effectively conceals the areas I wish to hide (like dark spots and redness) without giving the impression that I am wearing makeup at all, which is a quality I always look for in complexion products. I prefer compliments on my skin rather than my makeup—something that has indeed happened multiple times since I started wearing this serum in public. It somehow makes my skin appear like liquid silk—smooth and soft all over, yet dewy where I want to shine. The name Silk Serum is undeniably fitting!

      I snapped this photo just before heading to a work dinner around 5 p.m., as natural light was rapidly fading from my apartment window (no golden-hour lighting for me, unfortunately!). Nonetheless, you can still see a noticeable highlight on my cheekbone, despite just wearing a hint of blush (specifically, Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, if you’re curious). I didn’t even feel the need for concealer; whether it's due to Carisa Janes's magic or not, my complexion remained silky-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 Love

      Hourglass

      Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation

      While it's not exactly a foundation, I can't resist mentioning this essential in my collection.

      Armani Beauty

      Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation

      There's a reason this classic is a favorite! Luminous Silk checks all the boxes.

      Pat McGrath Labs

      Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Weightless Foundation

      I'm also a big fan of this complexion essential by the renowned Pat McGrath