How to Get Cloud Skin, the Soft-Focus Makeup Trend That’s Replacing a Glassy Finish

Listen, I love a good glazed complexion as much as the next beauty editor. Give me a hydrating serum, a dewy skin tint, and a glowy moisturizer, and I’m a happy girl. I know it’s been all about glass skin over the past few years, but lately, I’ve been craving something a little less shiny and a lot more soft-focus. Enter cloud skin: It’s the romantic complexion trend that looks like someone applied a subtle blurring filter to your face IRL. And I’m not the only one dreaming about cloud skin lately... Pinterest’s latest beauty trend report shows that searches for cloud skin are up more than 150 percent.

Think of it as a very happy medium between glass skin and matte makeup: hydrated, smooth, and softly luminous, but without that ultra-glossy, reflective look. Instead of being super shiny or heavily powdered, cloud skin has a velvety, diffused, and almost fluffy quality (hence the name) that makeup artists and estheticians both love. Because here’s the thing: Getting this look isn’t just about makeup. In fact, the secret to cloud skin starts well before a makeup brush even enters the picture. It requires a balance of thoughtful skin prep, lightweight complexion products, and strategic powder placement to achieve that blurred-but-not-flat cloud-like finish.

So, if you’ve been looking for a way to dial down the dew without going full 2016 matte, consider this your guide. Ahead, an esthetician and a makeup artist break down exactly how to get cloud skin, step by step.

What is cloud skin?

Cloud skin takes a softer approach to your face makeup. It’s a “balance between a soft matte finish and a healthy glow,” says makeup artist Susie Niño. “The skin looks smooth, softly blurred, and fresh, with a little luminosity coming through. I describe it as your skin in beautiful, diffused lighting.” Soooo, just like the hazy look of sunlight when it’s been filtered through the clouds.

Though makeup does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to creating the blurred effect, skincare plays an equally important supporting role. “A combination of mindful exfoliation, deep hydration, a pigment inhibitor, and a moisturizer tailored to your skin type can help achieve the cloud skin look,” says esthetician Michelle Ventresca.

How to get cloud skin

Step 1: Start with hydrating skin prep

Before you even think about reaching for foundation, focus on getting your face hydrated and comfortable. Cloud skin might not have the glossy finish of glass skin, but that doesn’t mean you should be any less moisturized.

“Start with a gentle gel cleanser, like Face Reality’s Ultra Gentle Cleanser, to remove excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture,” says Ventresca. She also recommends exfoliating a few times a week with a gentle exfoliating scrub like SkinBetter Science’s Detoxifying Scrub Mask to “help create that smooth, velvety appearance,” she says.

If needed, you can incorporate a brightening serum into your skincare routine. “A product that helps regulate excess pigment production like Hydrinity’s VIVID Brightening Serum can improve the appearance of discoloration and uneven skin tone, creating a more uniform, soft-focus complexion,” Ventresca says.

Next, you’ll definitely want to reach for a serum that hydrates. “Face Reality’s HydraBalance is a great option for adding hydration without heaviness,” says Ventresca. “Supporting the skin’s natural moisture balance helps create that plump, bouncy appearance without leaving the surface looking overly shiny.”

You can then finish up your skincare routine with a lightweight moisturizer. “Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel Cream is a great example because its lightweight texture helps keep skin soft and moisturized without an overly dewy finish,” says Ventresca. Of course, don’t forget sunscreen during the day.

Step 2: Apply primer and foundation strategically

Now, it’s makeup time. First, “use a small amount of smoothing primer around the nose or areas where you want a little more blur,” says Niño.

Then, the foundation. Rather than reaching for an ultra-matte, full-coverage foundation, look for one that offers a natural or satin finish, like the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation. The goal is to even out your complexion while allowing your skin to remain visible. Keep it light: “Start at the center of the face, where you need coverage, and blend outward,” says Niño. “Add more only where needed.”

You can use a combination of makeup tools to apply your complexion products. “A brush gives me control when applying foundation, especially where I need a little more coverage,” she says. “Then I like to press gently with a barely-damp sponge to soften any brush marks and pick up extra product.”

Step 3: Spot-conceal

Add a little bit of your favorite concealer to cover blemishes, redness, or discoloration without making the overall finish look heavy. Concentrate only on areas where you want extra coverage—Niño recommends using just a small amount.

Step 4: Keep blush and bronzer soft and diffused

The rest of your makeup should have the same soft-focus look, which means avoiding harsh contour lines and overly concentrated patches of blush.

Cream formulas can work well, notes Niño. “I love a soft flush on the cheeks because it brings life back into the complexion,” she says. Think YSL Beauty Make Me Blush Cream Blush or Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Skin Enhancer.

Remember, we’re not going for an ultra-sculpted look. And while highlighter isn’t totally off-limits, you probably don’t need to reach for it. A subtle sheen is more in line with the cloud-skin aesthetic.

Step 5: Blur strategically with powder

Powder is where the cloud skin effect really sets itself apart. A setting powder can help soften the appearance of shine and create that velvety, diffused finish, which is what truly defines the look. Insider tip: “Before applying powder, make sure foundation or concealer hasn’t settled into any lines,” says Niño. “Blend that area first, then lightly set it. Work the powder into your puff and tap off the excess before touching the face.”

Remember that the powder placement is everything. “Lightly press powder around the nose, between the eyebrows, and on the chin,” she says. “Use very little under the eyes, just enough to set.” Remember, less is always more with this style.

While Niño recommends Rare Beauty’s True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder or Make Up For Ever’s HD Skin Perfecting Pressed Powder, she does note that you don’t need to buy a completely new set of products for this look. Instead, she says you can reach for your favorite foundation and powder and just adjust how much you use to achieve that perfect, blurred look.

Step 6: Finish with a soft-focus setting spray

You’ve made it to the last step! Once everything is blended, a light mist of setting spray can help your makeup look more cohesive and prevent powder from appearing too obvious on the skin. “Keep a little luminosity on the upper cheeks,” says Niño. “If the makeup looks too powdery, a light mist of a natural-finish setting spray can help.” The aptly-named Kosas Cloud Set Airy Setting Spray + Smoothing Mist can do the trick. (However, if you have particularly oily skin, you may want a setting spray designed to control excess shine, like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Matte Blur Setting Spray.)

Et voilà—you’re done: skin that looks soft, smooth, and subtly luminous without being a full glazed donut situation.

Can anyone get cloud skin?

Absolutely! The good news is that cloud skin isn’t reserved for people who already have naturally smooth complexions with seemingly invisible pores (remember, the skincare prep steps are key). The pillowy style can easily be adapted to different skin types and textures.

“For oily skin, I would pay close attention to your hydrating serum,” says Ventresca. “Glycerin is one of my favorite ingredients for this because it draws water into the skin without adding oil. You get that bouncy, hydrated appearance without feeling like you have layers of product sitting on your face.” She recommends pairing it with a lightweight gel-cream moisturizer for oily skin.

Meanwhile, for dry skin, “ingredients like ceramides and glycerin can help keep skin feeling soft and comfortable, while a richer moisturizer may be necessary to prevent dryness throughout the day,” Ventresca notes. “You don’t want to sacrifice proper hydration just to avoid looking shiny.”

For congested or acne-prone skin, “texture is going to be a bigger focus,” says Ventresca. “Incorporating glycolic acid or a retinoid into your nighttime routine, depending on your skin’s tolerance, can help with clogged pores and uneven texture.”

Of course, remember that skin has texture naturally, and no amount of makeup will make your pores disappear. The goal is to soften and create a more diffused skin-like finish.

The bottom line

After years of glazed, glassy, and ultra-dewy complexions dominating our feeds, cloud skin feels like a refreshing change of pace. It’s polished without being overly perfected, matte without looking flat, and luminous without being blinding.

And the best part? You don’t need to abandon your favorite hydrating products or completely overhaul your entire makeup bag to get the look. A little thoughtful skin prep, lightweight coverage, and strategically placed powder can go a long way.

Cloud skin inspo pics