Remember the matte makeup mania of 2016? Whether you loved it or loathed it, brace yourself for a new-and-improved iteration known as cloud skin. Do not fear if you threw out all of your matte foundations (and peplum tops) with the dawn of the new decade, because cloud skin sits right in the sweet spot between a matte and dewy makeup look. The result? A smooth, soft focus, semi-matte finish that mimics the fluffy, cotton wool-like clouds on a summer’s day. So, if you want to channel the ethereal ‘glowing from within’ look, this step-by-step guide will leave you on cloud nine!
What is cloud skin?
If a cloud skin TikTok video has found its way to your For You page, you’ll know that this makeup look is all about strategically hydrating, priming, and powdering the skin to give it cloud-like brightness and dimension (minus the dew). It’s a minimal makeup look that can be tailored to all skin types, seasons, and occasions – we’re obsessed!
Step 1. Prep your base
To ensure that your skin appears to glow from underneath your makeup (like sunbeams poking through the clouds) your skin needs to be hydrated and prepped to perfection.
For best results, start with a freshly cleansed face.
Then, to damp skin, massage in a hydrating serum (e.g. hyaluronic acid) using your fingers. This step will help to give your skin a leg-up in the brightness department.
Balance Hyaluronic Deep Moist Serum 30ml
£3.29
Garnier Vitamin C Bright Day Cream 50ml
£4.99
Step 2. Perfect your base
Now you’ve got a gorgeously glowing base to play with, now’s the time to harness that hydration and apply your go-to base products.
To even your complexion, apply a couple of pumps of satin finish BB cream or foundation to your face. Blend the product with a fluffy brush for a seamless, skin-like result. Remember to blend the product into your hairline and neck, too!
Add a small amount of concealer to your under-eye area to brighten and lift the area. Blend your concealer in with a small, fluffy concealer brush or tap it in with your fingers to melt it into your complexion.
Garnier All-In-1 BB Cream SPF 15 Light 50ml
£4.99
SPF 15 Light
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 05 Ivory
£6.98
Ivory
Step 3. Powder your base
For a soft, hazy, filter-like finish, the next step is to set everything into place with a strategic dusting of translucent, finely milled powder.
For ultra-precise powder placement, dip a powder puff into your translucent powder and press it lightly onto the back of your hand to remove any excess product (overloading your powder puff could take you into cakey territory!).
Lightly dap the puff into your t-zone, around your nostrils, and into the hollows of your cheeks to gently blur texture and set your base products into place.
WBM Compact Puffs 3Pk
£1.69
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder Peach Glow 3
£4.48
Peach Glow 3
Step 4. Enhance your base
The beauty of cloud skin makeup lies in its versatility. So, feel free to stop after the third step and admire your cloud-like complexion, or bring in some sunset tones (think bronzes, pinks, reds) to take your look to the next level.
To warm up the complexion, apply a light dusting of bronzer across your temples and cheekbones as well as under your jawline for a natural, sun-kissed effect. We recommend applying your bronzer with a kabuki or fan brush for the best result.
Using the same brush, apply a small amount of blush (cream or powder) to the apples of your cheeks to give the skin a natural flush that’ll bring the look to life.
As you’ll have already nailed the ‘inner glow’ aspect of this look, highlighter isn’t always necessary. If you do want to add a little bit of extra dimension, why not add some clear lip balm to the tops of your cheekbones for a barely-there hint of highlight?
Sunkissed Hello Sunshine Bronzer
£2.69
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly 250ml
£3.49
0.25L
Profusion Mini Artistry Blush Palette
£3.99
Step 5. Add the finishing touches
While this look centres around base makeup, we can’t leave the eyes and lips out of the fun!
To draw attention to the eye, curl your eyelashes for 10-15 seconds before applying a volumizing or lengthening mascara from root to tip. For added drama, go in with a second coat once the first has dried!
Finish off with a swipe of clear lip gloss or oil to plump and perfect your pout without taking away from the simplicity of the overall look.
Cloud skin tutorial
Remember the matte makeup mania of 2016? Whether you loved it or loathed it, brace yourself for a new-and-improved iteration known as cloud skin. Do not fear if you threw out all of your matte foundations (and peplum tops) with the dawn of the new decade, because cloud skin sits right in the sweet spot between a matte and dewy makeup look. The result? A smooth, soft focus, semi-matte finish that mimics the fluffy, cotton wool-like clouds on a summer’s day. So, if you want to channel the ethereal ‘glowing from within’ look, this step-by-step guide will leave you on cloud nine!
What is cloud skin?
If a cloud skin TikTok video has found its way to your For You page, you’ll know that this makeup look is all about strategically hydrating, priming, and powdering the skin to give it cloud-like brightness and dimension (minus the dew). It’s a minimal makeup look that can be tailored to all skin types, seasons, and occasions – we’re obsessed!
Step 1. Prep your base
To ensure that your skin appears to glow from underneath your makeup (like sunbeams poking through the clouds) your skin needs to be hydrated and prepped to perfection.
Step 2. Perfect your base
Now you’ve got a gorgeously glowing base to play with, now’s the time to harness that hydration and apply your go-to base products.
Step 3. Powder your base
For a soft, hazy, filter-like finish, the next step is to set everything into place with a strategic dusting of translucent, finely milled powder.
Step 4. Enhance your base
The beauty of cloud skin makeup lies in its versatility. So, feel free to stop after the third step and admire your cloud-like complexion, or bring in some sunset tones (think bronzes, pinks, reds) to take your look to the next level.
Step 5. Add the finishing touches
While this look centres around base makeup, we can’t leave the eyes and lips out of the fun!
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