What is ‘cloud skin’ and how can I get it?

For skin that looks good both in selfies and IRL.

If you’re into skincare, or follow any skinfluencers or makeup artists on social media, you’ve probably heard the term ‘cloud skin’ floating around. Coined by M.A.C. Cosmetics’ Global Senior Artist, Dominic Skinner, cloud skin is like a toned-down version of glass skin – another recent skin trend.

But where glass skin was all about achieving a high-gloss, wet-look complexion, cloud skin is aimed at creating a hazy, soft-focus appearance. It’s like an Instagram filter brought to life, giving your skin a dreamy, blemish-free, blurred effect. So, how do you achieve it? 

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Contrary to glass skin, which is the result of a solid skincare routine and ultra-hydrated skin, cloud skin can be achieved with the right makeup techniques. (Of course, adopting a good skincare routine so you’ve got a good canvas to work from won’t hurt). 

According to Dominic, you want to layer a few key products to build the appearance of cloud skin. Basically, the aim is to balance matte and luminous-finish products to create a diffused glow. 

It’s actually pretty easy and really only requires three main steps. The crucial elements are to prep your skin, apply a good base, and highlight.

To prep your skin, you want to hydrate using products with a pearlescent finish, like a moisturiser or serum followed by a primer, which leaves your skin looking slightly dewy but not too shiny. You could try layering a product like M.AC.’s cult-favourite Strobe Cream over top of your moisturiser too, but remember, subtlety is key when it comes to cloud skin. 

Let your first products sink in before moving to the next step of applying the base. That way, your foundation will go on nice and smoothly to help achieve that diffused look you’re going for. 

When applying your foundation, be sparing and strategic. Dominic recommends opting for a velvet soft, matte foundation, and to dot it across your face and gently blend. Your setting powder application requires the same level of precision. You don’t want to completely cover up the luminous glow sitting beneath your makeup – instead, you’re trying to create a blurred finish. 

Stick to the inner corners of your eyes, the middle of your forehead, the hairline, the jawline, and across the nose when applying your powder. This helps to create a subtle contrast between the matte and luminous parts of your face.

A good, fluffy translucent setting powder will bounce light to keep you from looking shiny or greasy. Simply sweep it across the aforementioned parts of your face to avoid making these areas look cakey or like you somehow forgot to powder half of your face.

The final step is a highlighter. And again, you want to keep it toned down, so a shimmer-free highlighter is the best choice. RMS Beauty’s Champagne Rose Lumnizer is a great option – it provides a super natural looking pearly glow. Apply to the tops of your cheekbones and cupid’s bow and blend. You can go a step further and add a little blush on the cheeks for some colour, if you please.

Unlike some skincare and makeup trends which are designed to look good in certain settings – contour, I’m looking at you – cloud skin looks great in person, day or night, and on camera because there aren’t too many products involved and each one is applied frugally and tactfully. 

So there you have it, a surprisingly easy way to achieve cloud skin. Now go forth and enjoy your angelic, soft-glow complexion. 

This article was originally published on February 22, 2022.

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