Keys Soulcare Launched Two New Illuminating Serum Shades

From the brand ethos to the intentional product launches, Keys Soulcare sets the standard for being a holistic beauty brand. Much like its founder (and our cover star), Alicia Keys, the brand advocates for people to embrace their natural beauty from the inside out. With launches spanning across skincare, makeup, and body care, there are countless star products in the Keys Soulcare family. (Do the Deeply Replenishing Squalane Face Oil or the It’s Like Skin 2-in-1 Concealer + Tint ring a bell?)

If there is one thing we all love, it’s a skincare-makeup hybrid—which is why the Let Me Glow Illuminating Priming Serum has been a consistent bestseller. So naturally, Keys Soulcare listened to its fanbase (as any great brand does) and launched even more shades of the beloved hero. Ahead of the launch, we took a deep dive into the formula and put the two new shades (Moonstone and Bronze) to the test. Find our honest thoughts below.

The Formula

While you may think that these gorgeous shades should be stored in your makeup bag, don’t let the highlighter-esk tints fool you. These bottles are packed with skin-loving ingredients such as niacinamide, rose water, and squalane. Designed to be worn alone or as a base for makeup, the lightweight liquid plumps and hydrates skin with each use.

On the other hand, if you follow in founder Alicia Keys’s footsteps and ditch makeup altogether, this formula can also be worn as an alternative to base makeup. The slight tint in each shade delivers a subtle color payoff that is sheer yet buildable, and the pump packaging makes it easy to disperse the serum into your hand and apply it directly to your skin. It’s the perfect product for packing on the glow without heavy textures or pore-clogging ingredients.

The Shades

The Let Me Glow Illuminating Priming Serum was originally launched with just one universal shade: Golden Aura. While the product became a best-seller for the brand in the singular hue, there was an opportunity to expand the color offerings to allow consumers to customize their look even more. Thus, two new shades are born: Moonstone Aura and Bronze Aura.

With the new expansion, you can perfectly tailor what kind of look you want to create. Reach for one shade that stands out to you or mix different hues for a unique finish. In true Keys Soulcare fashion, each color was inspired by a different stone and paired with a matching energy. See the full breakdown below.

Golden Aura

• Inspired By: Golden Hero Quartz
• Energy: “Give yourself permission to glow at your highest self.”
• About the Color: This is the original illuminating serum shade that we know and love. The versatile color will brighten dull skin and is the perfect way to create a simple glowing finish to your natural complexion.

Bronze Aura

• Inspired By: Bronzite
• Energy: “Give yourself permission to glow courageously.”
• About the Color: The deep copper shade resembles a liquid bronzer. This formula will deliver a buildable warm glow on all skin tones. Use it as the star of your skincare routine or add a few drops to the tops of your cheeks after foundation for a dewy finishing touch.

Moonstone Aura

• Inspired By: Moonstone
• Energy: “Give yourself permission to glow with a new beginning.”
• About the Color: If you are someone who prefers reaching for cool-toned highlighters, this one is for you. Out of the bottle, the serum has an icy iridescent pink hue. Blend out the hue for a sheer glowy veil before makeup or sunscreen.

How to Use It

Start by completing your usual skincare routine—this formula is meant to be applied to skin that is already moisturized. Remember to shake the bottle before each use to ensure the pigment is properly mixed. Then, dispense one or two pumps (depending on how powerful you’d like the finish to be) into your hands or a makeup brush. Apply as you normally would a primer to add a glowy boost under your complexion products, or use as the final step in your makeup-free routine in place of a foundation or skin tint.

The Reviews

Olivia Hancock, editor

“I’ve been a fan of the Let Me Glow Illuminating Priming Serum since it launched. Golden Aura, the primer’s original shade, adds a gorgeous golden shine to my skin. So, I was eager to experiment with new shade offerings. Both Moonstone Aura and Bronze Aura enhance the radiance of my skin. The former adds a cool, frosty finish, while the latter gives me a bronzy, sunkissed look. Beyond its glow-boosting effects, I love the hydration this serum delivers. Thanks to ingredients like squalane and rose water, my dry skin feels so plump and refreshed after slathering on this serum.”

Adelaide Giesey, editor

“My skin motto has always been the more glowy, the better. To achieve the dewiest complexion, I always reach for illuminating primers and serums that set my skin up for success. That being said, I loved adding the Let Me Glow serum in the shade Moonstone Aura, to my routine. It was the perfect base before my favorite tinted moisturizer that felt hydrating and weightless. The product does have a slight scent but it didn’t irritate my sensitive skin.”

Jasmine Phillips, social editor

“I’m always on the hunt for complexion products that are lightweight and make my skin glow- especially on no makeup, makeup days. Let Me Glow Illuminating serum is the perfect addition to my routine as it adds a healthy glow and radiance to my skin. As a skin tint girlie, I don’t even feel the need to add any other product on top of this serum, although it can be used as a primer. I’m normally not a huge fan of scented products but I don’t mind the light and powdery scent this one has. I will definitely reach for this product anytime I want an extra skin boost.”

Ali Webb, associate editor

“At first I wasn’t sure what to think of the fact that this illuminating serum comes in three tints, but it turns out they’re super wearable and do exactly what you’d want a skincare product to do in this category: The bronze is ideal for a subtle color boost, while the moonstone and golden options provide an effortless glow. The formula layered well with my skincare and makeup routine, creating dewy, glowing skin with its powerhouse ingredients plus a bit of amethyst to heighten intuition, spirituality, and creativity—a true bonus for crystal girlies everywhere. While this product works beautifully all over in its intended serum step, I think it also could be fun to play with in strategic spots for a subtle, skin-friendly alternative to liquid highlighter or bronzer.”

Abby Dupes, associate editor

“When it comes to highlighter, I look for formulas that give me a natural glow sans chunky glitter. If that’s also your preferred aesthetic, you’ll really enjoy the Illuminating Serum from Keys Soulcare, too. I went out of my comfort zone, choosing the baby pink shade and was very pleased with the way it subtly enhanced my blush and the bridge of my nose. A little product goes a lot way—I found a half pump to be the perfect amount for a more daytime, casual luminescence. But, if you want a more blinged-out appearance, you’ll be able to achieve that as well because the formula is super buildable.”