Pro MUAs Tell Us How TikTok’s ‘Cloud Skin’ Makeup Trend Can Instantly Make You Look Refreshed
February 21, 2023 by Lisa Cupido
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.”