Just as summer arrived and the popular “glass skin” look — the glossy finish that took over thanks to South Korean beauty trends — became especially easy to achieve, a new makeup trend emerged. It is called Cloud Skin, and it delivers a soft, semi-matte, velvety and luminous finish, much like sunlight filtering through clouds.
At the same time, in perfect step with the trend, hybrid makeup products have begun to proliferate, made up of roughly 80% skin care and 20% pigment. These include tinted serums, foundations with high levels of skin care ingredients, hydrating primers and treatment-focused concealers packed with nourishing formulas. The new trend brings with it a refreshing approach that, in our view, is more flattering and far more practical.
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Velvety skin with subtle highlights; Jennifer Lopez wears the Cloud Skin look
(Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images IL)
Why are we drawn to it?
While “glass skin” called for an almost wet-looking finish, Cloud Skin takes its inspiration from soft sunlight. The result is neither opaque and flat like the matte looks of the 1990s nor overly shiny and sticky.
Dominic Skinner, a senior member of MAC’s global makeup team who is widely credited with coining the term, described it in Allure as a soft, dreamy, slightly hazy finish created by carefully balancing skin care and makeup, giving the skin a filtered yet realistic appearance.
British Vogue has also highlighted the trend, noting a clear shift away from hyper-glossy finishes. Cloud Skin, it said, offers a more subdued and believable glow — the look of healthy, breathable skin rather than skin buried under layers of highlighter and oil.
Daisy Edgar-Jones embraces the natural Cloud Skin look
(Photo: Aurore Marechal/Getty Images IL)
The hybrid revolution: Makeup that is really skin care
In the past, there was a clear divide between skin care routines — serums and creams — and makeup routines involving foundation and concealer. Today, those boundaries have blurred.
Consumers no longer want to apply “just” color. They increasingly expect products that care for the skin while they wear makeup. Foundations and other base products are undergoing a transformation into hybrids that are effectively 80% skin care serum and 20% color pigment.
A Harper’s Bazaar report on the future of the beauty industry noted that makeup is moving decisively toward hybrid formulas that combine the clinical benefits of skin care with color coverage.
Less highlighter, more natural-looking skin; Zendaya
(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images IL)
These hybrid products make it possible to create the coveted Cloud Skin effect. The skin looks good not because it is covered with a thick layer of powder and opaque foundation, but because the makeup itself nourishes, treats and hydrates it.
Among the standout products in the hybrid category are:
Hydrating primers: Unlike older silicone-based primers designed to “fill” pores, the new generation is water-based, provides a boost of moisture and creates a smooth, flexible base that allows makeup to sit naturally on the skin.
Tinted serums: These replace heavy foundation. They are lightweight, packed with vitamins and antioxidants and provide light to medium coverage that evens out skin tone without hiding its natural texture.
Treatment concealers: The latest concealers do more than cover dark circles — they are designed to address them as well. Formulas rich in hyaluronic acid, which helps smooth fine lines and hydrate the skin, and caffeine, which can help reduce puffiness around the eyes, have become staples in many makeup bags.
Skin-care blushes and lip products: These combine light pigmentation with high moisture levels and are designed to care for the skin while adding color.
Skin prep is the foundation of the look; Pamela Anderson’s Cloud Skin makeup
(Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images IL)
How to get the Cloud Skin look
To embrace the trend and achieve the desired finish, the key is to work in layers and pay close attention to texture. Here are the steps:
1. Prepare the skin — the foundation for everything:
The secret to a matte-glow finish starts with hydration. Cleanse the face and apply a rich hydrating serum or moisturizing primer. The goal is to saturate the skin with moisture so it remains supple, while allowing a few minutes for the product to absorb fully and avoid an oily appearance.
2. Apply a lightweight hybrid base:
Apply a hybrid foundation or tinted serum. Even a tinted sunscreen may be enough. Use your fingers or a damp sponge to blend the product into the skin. Coverage should remain sheer and breathable.
3. Make targeted corrections with treatment products:
Where extra coverage is needed — under the eyes, around the nose or over individual blemishes — use a treatment concealer containing skin-care ingredients. Apply only a small amount and pat it in gently. Caffeine, for example, can help reduce puffiness, while hyaluronic acid helps keep the area hydrated throughout the day.
4. Create the “cloud” effect with strategic powdering:
This is the crucial step that separates Cloud Skin from glass skin. Rather than leaving the entire face shiny, use a very fine translucent powder, preferably loose rather than pressed. With a small, soft brush, apply powder only to the T-zone — the forehead, bridge of the nose and chin — and to areas that tend to become oily. Leave the apples of the cheeks, cheekbones and temples powder-free. The result is a cloud-like texture: a soft, matte center to the face framed by a gentle glow that catches the light.
Cloud Skin appears to be more than a passing trend. It reflects a broader shift in the way we think about makeup. We are looking for a more realistic, relaxed and soft appearance, using products that are kinder to the skin. And during the hottest months of the year, that kind of makeup feels especially appealing — and requires far less effort to keep from looking overheated.