How to Get Cloud Skin: The Dreamy Makeup Look Everyone’s Obsessed With

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There’s a new glow in town, and it’s softer, hazier, and dreamier than ever. Move over glass skin and goodbye to matte everything: cloud skin has officially taken over our feeds, vanities, and runways. Imagine the luminous radiance of morning light filtered through sheer curtains—that’s the energy. It’s makeup that whispers rather than shouts, a silky balance between dew and blur that feels effortless, modern, and unapologetically ethereal.

But what exactly is cloud skin, and how do you get it? Let’s just say it’s less about chasing perfection and more about perfecting softness.

The Rise of Cloud Skin

Coined by MAC Cosmetics senior artist Dominic Skinner, cloud skin was first spotted backstage at fashion week, when makeup artists began toning down the hyper-reflective glass look in favor of something gentler. The effect quickly went viral on TikTok, where #cloudskin now has millions of views, because it hit a cultural sweet spot.

After years of ultra-polished, high-shine faces, we’re collectively craving texture again. That’s why cloud skin is so in right now—it gives you that glow-from-within finish without looking greasy or overdone. And the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to achieve.

@dominic_mua #CloudSkin #MakeupTrend ☁️#MACCreator #MACCosmetics #MAC @maccosmetics Flowers - Miley Cyrus

Step 1: Prep Like a Minimalist

The foundation of cloud skin begins before you even open your makeup bag. Start with skincare that prioritizes balance over intensity. You want hydration, not slickness.

Cleanse with something gentle and non-stripping, like a milky or gel-based formula, to preserve your natural moisture barrier. Then, apply a lightweight, water-based moisturizer; gel creams and emulsions work best here. Think of it as creating a dewy canvas without drenching it.

If your skin runs dry, tap in a drop or two of facial oil on high points like your cheekbones and temples. This adds a soft luminosity that peeks through foundation later. Finish with a pore-blurring primer or soft-focus base. Silicone-free formulas with light-diffusing powders are ideal as they smooth texture while keeping that cloudlike finish intact.

Step 2: Blur, Don’t Bake

Traditional contouring and baking techniques have no place in this look. Instead, you’re going for diffusion, a light veil of coverage that still lets freckles and texture breathe.

Choose a satin or demi-matte foundation and buff it in using a damp sponge. If you prefer a lighter feel, try a skin tint or BB cream and build only where you need extra coverage. The key is blending until everything feels weightless.

Concealer should be reserved for shadows under the eyes or minor redness, not for carving out cheekbones. Cloud skin celebrates softness, so avoid sharp lines or harsh edges. Use a small brush to blur product outward until it practically disappears.

Then comes the secret weapon: soft-focus powder. Instead of setting your entire face, use a small brush to gently sweep translucent powder only where you get shiny—typically the T-zone. The result is a pillowy, cloudlike finish that looks naturally filtered.

Step 3: Creams Are Your Best Friends

Powders can easily flatten this look, so lean into creams, balms, and liquid textures. A cream blush in a dusty rose or muted peach melts beautifully into skin, mimicking the kind of flush you get after stepping out into cool air.

For highlighter, skip anything metallic. Instead, reach for a glow balm or a liquid luminizer with micro-fine shimmer. Dab it onto the tops of your cheeks, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow with your fingertips for a “lit from within” gleam.

Want dimension without harsh contour lines? Opt for a cream bronzer one or two shades warmer than your natural tone. Buff it gently into your hairline and under your cheekbones using circular motions. The goal isn’t sculpting; it’s warmth, as if your face is catching light through a cloud.

Step 4: The Finishing Touches

Lips and eyes follow the same rule of diffusion. Swap matte liquid lipsticks for tinted balms or blurred stains. Think hazy berry or mauve tones that fade seamlessly into your natural lip color.

For eyes, creamy shadows and barely-there liner reign supreme. A wash of taupe, champagne, or soft blush across the lids gives just enough definition. If you crave something extra, press a touch of shimmer in the center of your lid for that ethereal gleam. Curl your lashes, add a single coat of lengthening mascara, and you’re done.

Set the entire look with a hydrating mist or setting spray to lock in the glow. A few spritzes not only blend all the layers together but also amplify that soft, breathable finish.

Shop the Look: Cloud Skin Essentials

1. Skin Prep

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream – A lightweight, bouncy moisturizer that hydrates without heaviness. Perfect for that soft, pillowy glow.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer – The name says it all—this gel cream delivers dewy hydration while keeping shine in check.

Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer

2. Base & Blur

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation – The gold standard for that real-skin, softly luminous finish.

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light Catcher – A cult classic updated with light-reflecting particles for a blurred, cloudlike finish.