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Glass skin. Vampire skin. Jelly Skin. Over the past few years there has been no shortage of skin-focused makeup trends that typically involve using various skincare products, foundations, concealers, and highlighters to achieve a hyperrealistic version of skin — whether that means an extremely sparkly, extremely glossy, or even extremely matte finish.
But 2023 is providing a break from extremism and its latest makeup/skin trend encourages you to meet your skin somewhere in the middle of matte and glossy — welcome, Cloud Skin Makeup, which is having a viral moment on TikTok. And unlike so many other trends, this one isn’t difficult to do yourself AND it looks completely natural no matter where you roam — dinners out, school, the office — it won’t even scream “make up!” Here, pro makeup artists tell us how TikTok’s Cloud Skin Makeup trend can make you look instantly more refreshed — and the steps and products you need to achieve it.
What is Cloud Skin?
Before we get down to it, what exactly is Cloud Skin (and what isn’t it?). Here’s what it isn’t: heavy-handed makeup that will cover up your skin tone and give you illumination in places you didn’t know you could shine. Think of Cloud Skin as a quieter younger sister of all of the other trends from years past. “Cloud skin is a combination of the matte skin finish trend we saw in 2016 – 2017 mixed with the natural and luminous finish we’ve seen in 2020 – 2022,” says Caitlyn Dominic, professional makeup artist of more than 10 years based in Charlotte, NC. “It’s essentially matte where you want to be matte and dewy in just the right places you want your skin to glow.”
The key word behind Cloud Skin is “supple,” according to Makeup Artist Alexis Chapman. “Cloud Skin is the look of supple, moisturized, glowing skin,” Chapman said. “You want the makeup to look minimal, not dewy, nor too matte. You want to achieve a soft-matte look, giving a very natural, inner glow appearance.”
What should the results of Cloud Skin look like?
It’s easy to see why Cloud Skin is having a moment. This is the kind of makeup trend that’s totally versatile and can be worn nearly everywhere. “The result of doing the cloud skin makeup trend should be a medium coverage, satin-like base that gives you a flawless finish for whenever you're doing a full face of makeup, attending an event, or getting married - it's perfect for bridal looks,” Dominic said. “The blend of matte yet luminous and hydrating yet long-wearing gives your skin — and how it appears both in person and in photos — the best of both worlds.”
How can you achieve Cloud Skin?
If all of this makeup minimalism sound appealing to you, there are a few products worth investing in and a few steps to get you to skin paradise.
“Start with a serum such as Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops by Glow Recipe to plump the skin, followed by a moisturizer like Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer by Summer Fridays,” Dominic recommends. “Follow those two skincare steps with a matte primer focused on the T-zone of your face, such as The Liquid Silk Canvas by Tatcha, then apply two pumps of a luminous matte foundation like SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation by Makeup By Mario blended on the face with a foundation brush or damp beauty sponge. Finish the complexion with a concealer such as Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer, a cream contour stick like Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick, a liquid blush such as Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, a blurring powder such as Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder with a powder puff, and a setting spray — One Size On Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray is perfect.”
Chapman suggests only using a primer if the skin is very oily and applying it after the moisturize. “Cloud Skin has gone viral because everyone wants that healthy glowing skin, even men,” Chapman said. “Also, we have seen many A-List celebrities wearing this makeup look. Who doesn’t want to look well moisturized all of the time? It’s a very natural and healthy look for skin of all types and people of all ages. It also allows for the skin to breathe, which is great for the pores. So people are saying yes to the Fresh Face!”
