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If you’re on the hunt for a foundation that feels like skincare and wears really well, the Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation may be just what you are looking for. Created by Carisa Janes, the visionary founder who originally launched Hourglass Cosmetics, Outside-In brings the same luxury-meets-innovation approach to a brand focused on innovative, skin-friendly formulations.
The Silk Serum Foundation promises a “serum-meets-makeup” experience: a weightless, silky texture that blurs imperfections while letting your natural skin shine through. With Carisa’s experience in creating cult-favourite foundations and beauty products, expectations are high, and this foundation delivers a skin-first, luxurious base that feels almost invisible on the skin.
In this post, I’ll break down the texture, finish, ingredients, and wear of the Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation, and also compare it to Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops, so you can see how it stacks up against other high-profile, luxury foundations.
If you are shopping for last minute gifts and want to make big value savings, read: This Last-Minute Christmas Gift Guide.
What is Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation?
The Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation is a hybrid between skincare and makeup. It’s formulated as a lightweight serum base with complexion-evening pigments suspended in a soft, silky texture. The brand uses “Self-Setting Light Technology,” where light-diffusing powders are suspended in the liquid serum base, giving a soft-focus, skin-like finish rather than a heavy, mask-like look.
Key points:
- Vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free
- Formulated to be suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin
- Combines lightweight coverage with skin-friendly actives
In short, this isn’t a heavy coverage foundation. It’s designed for skin-like, breathable, and glowy coverage ideal for everyday wear or natural makeup looks.
Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation Shades & Swatches
There are 25 shades in the collection and I have two of them to show you.
Silk Serum Foundation — Shade List & Undertone Descriptions
- 020 – Fair Warm / Golden — Very light with warm golden undertones
- 040 – Fair Cool / Rosy — Very light with cool, rosy undertones
- 060 – Fair Neutral / Peach — Very light with balanced neutral-peach undertones
- 080 – Fair Warm / Golden — Similar to 020 with warm golden tones
- 110 – Light Cool / Cool — Light shade with cool undertones
- 120 – Light Neutral / Neutral — Light shade with neutral undertones
- 140 – Light Warm / Golden Olive — Light with warm golden-olive undertones
- 160 – Light Warm / Golden — Light with warm golden undertones
- 180 – Light Neutral / Peach — Light with peach neutral undertones
- 220 – Light Medium Neutral / Soft Peach — Light medium with soft peach undertones
- 240 – Light Medium Warm / Golden — Light medium with warm golden undertones
- 260 – Light Medium Warm / Rosy Peach — Light medium with rosy peach undertones
- 280 – Light Medium Cool / Medium Cool — Light medium with cool undertones
- 320 – Medium Neutral / Neutral — Medium with neutral undertones
- 340 – Medium Warm / Olive — Medium with warm olive undertones
- 360 – Medium Neutral / Peach — Medium with peachy neutral undertones
- 380 – Medium Warm / Golden — Medium with warm golden undertones
- 420 – Medium Deep Warm / Golden — Medium-deep with warm golden undertones
- 440 – Medium Deep Neutral / Olive — Medium-deep with neutral olive undertones
- 460 – Medium Deep Warm / Warm — Medium-deep with warm undertones
- 480 – Medium Deep Neutral / Neutral — Medium-deep with neutral undertones
- 520 – Deep Warm / Warm — Deep shade with warm undertones
- 540 – Deep Neutral / Neutral — Deep with neutral undertones
- 560 – Deep Warm / Warm — Deep with warm undertones
- 580 – Deep Cool / Cool — Deep with cool undertones
My Swatches
I have shades 110 Light Cool and 120 Light Neutral:
My Review of Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation
Light, Silky & Weightless
The Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation has a lovely light silky texture and feels practically weightless on the skin. When I touch my skin immediately after applying, it genuinely feels like there is nothing on my skin.
It blends effortlessly (using fingers or a brush – I use my REESON No.1), leaving a smooth, soft “my skin but better” finish. Imperfections are subtly blurred, but your natural skin still peeks through.
Finish & Coverage: Natural, Buildable, Glowy
Coverage sits between light and medium. It is enough to even out tone and blur redness without masking skin entirely. The finish is luminous without looking shiny, giving a healthy, radiant glow. Layering or using concealer on trouble spots works well without losing the natural finish.
Skin-Friendly & Everyday Wearable
With ingredients like niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate, the foundation hydrates and supports the skin barrier while remaining lightweight. It’s breathable and comfortable, making it ideal for daily wear, even for sensitive or dry skin.
Ingredients & What They Do
A few standout ingredients make this foundation more than just makeup:
- Niacinamide – helps even skin tone and improves texture
- Sodium Hyaluronate – hydrating, plumping, and moisture-retaining
- Light-diffusing powders & emollients – create a soft-focus, radiant finish
- Skin-friendly oils & emollients – provide a smooth, comfortable application
This combination means the Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation acts as a skincare-meets-makeup hybrid, delivering hydration, comfort, and a radiant finish.
Why I Love It And Who It’s Best For
The Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation delivers a minimalist beauty dream: light, breathable, skin-like coverage that enhances your natural glow.
It’s perfect for:
- Everyday wear when you want your skin to look like skin
- People who dislike heavy, cakey foundations
- Dry or sensitive skin types
- Layering with concealer for targeted coverage
- “No-makeup makeup” looks or natural glam days
If you want full coverage for heavy blemishes, this may not be the one, but for softness, glow, and comfort, it’s outstanding. Having said that, using more product, you can definitely build this up to a fuller coverage finish.
Before and After Photos
I have tried both shades and I think the one I love most is 120 Light Neutral:
Unfortunately, I forgot to take the after photo before I added my Bronzing Balm, Blush and Highlighter Duo from REESON* (my brand), but if you want to see it without extra makeup, watch the application video below.
Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation Application Video
My Other Shade Matches
For my shade twins out there, my other matches are:
Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation vs. Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops
Given the buzz on social media, many readers are searching for comparisons. Here’s how the Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation stacks up against Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops.
Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops Overview
- Developed with Augustinus Bader’s TFC8® complex for skin renewal
- Botanical extracts (echinacea, spilanthes, olive leaf) to support the skin barrier
- Lightweight, buildable coverage with a luminous, second-skin finish
Comparison Table
| Feature | Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation | Victoria Beckham The Foundation Drops |
|---|---|---|
| Texture & Feel | Light, silky, serum-like; almost weightless — “feels like nothing on skin.” | Lightweight; melts into skin, second-skin feel. |
| Coverage & Finish | Light-to-medium, natural, skin-like, glowy but not shiny. | Light-to-medium, buildable, luminous, natural glow – I think this gives a bit more coverage with less product than Outside-In |
| Skin-Care Ingredients | Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid – hydrating and skin-friendly. | TFC8 complex, botanical extracts – long-term skincare benefits. |
| Best For | Everyday natural makeup, sensitive or dry skin, minimal makeup lovers. Good for all skin types. | Natural but polished base, subtle glow, makeup + skincare experience. Oily skins have reported it can be too moisturising. |
| Vibe | Minimalist, breathable, subtle, “skin but better.” | Luxury hybrid of skincare + makeup, natural and dewy. |
My Take
While the Victoria Beckham drops are premium with skin-boosting claims and luxury branding, the Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation delivers light coverage, comfort, and natural glow at a more accessible price. For daily wear, it’s just as wearable and feels effortless. I’d say that the VB is slightly more balmy, so for anyone that finds it a bit too moisturising, say, oily skins, the Outside-In may be more suitable.
Verdict: Is Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation Worth It?
Absolutely. If you want a weightless, skin-like foundation that evens tone, adds glow, and feels invisible on the skin, the Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation is a standout.
It’s perfect for “less is more” makeup days, natural glow, and anyone who values skin-first foundation. It’s also very versatile, as you can build up the coverage by using more.
Where to buy it
Outside-In Silk Serum Foundation is £61for 30ml via the link below:
