Glass skin, dolphin skin and laminated skin are all proof that glowing skin is here to stay. Every few weeks we spot a new beauty trend on the block that’s all about the radiant glow. Lately, there’s been some chatter about a trend that puts the glow on the sidelines and focuses on giving the makeup look a soft and hazy effect. Enter, cloud skin.
While all the beauty trends that lay emphasis on the glow include products that are designed to illuminate the skin, the cloud skin trend is all about blending a variety of textures to arrive at the ultimate lit-from-within glow. Think matte textures with a dash of dewy ones along with a sprinkle of subdued glow. Cloud skin delivers a natural look while making the skin look even and flawless.
What Is Cloud Skin?
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Dominic Skinner, Global Senior Artist at M.A.C Cosmetics UK coined the term ‘cloud skin’ and it’s been a rage ever since. Just as the name suggests, this trend aims to duplicate the effect that’s created by sunlight escaping from the clouds—hazy, dreamy and blurred. The key to perfecting the cloud skin trend is to find an equilibrium between all of the textures that are being used. The idea is to stay away from glass skin and shift towards a naturally airbrushed look.
How Do You Achieve Cloud Skin?
Cloud skin requires one to blend skincare with makeup flawlessly. Even though we’re talking about staying away from the glow, this beauty trend involves delivering a hazy glow unlike the usual blinding one while ensuring that the skin has a matte effect at the same time.
Skin Prep
Begin by cleansing the face and choose a hydrating cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Hydrating cleansers are designed to protect the barrier of your skin and aid in moisture retention. The Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Gel infuses your skin with deep hydration whilst cleansing away all of the impurities.
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Second, go in with a nourishing moisturiser that offers a soft glow. Moisturiser is the secret to prepping the skin for any kind of makeup. The M.A.C. Cosmetics Strobe Cream is a cult-favourite product that’s meant for this job! Not only is this cream extremely hydrating, but it also bestows a natural glow on your skin due to the tiny shimmer particles in it.
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Third, seal in all of the moisture with a facial oil which doesn’t leave your face looking extra shiny. Face oils have the power to brighten the skin and seal in all the nourishment from the moisturiser. The Noni Glow Face Oil from Kora Organics is an exceptionally lightweight oil that comes with a powerful blend of antioxidants that does the job well.
Makeup
Now that the skin is prepped with all the right products, the next step is to introduce mattifying textures into the mix. This will create a diffused glow that doesn’t seem too overwhelming for the eyes.
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Begin with primer, the main step in making sure your makeup stays in place and can last you through a zombie apocalypse too! The e.l.f. Cosmetics Mattifying Primer comes with a velvety finish that smooths out any imperfections and just as the name suggests, offers a matte base.
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Next, go in with a dewy foundation and balance out all the textures. The KIRO Daily Dewy Serum Foundation is a hybrid between skincare and makeup. Enriched with the goodness of ingredients like niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid along with a barrage of others, this foundation gives you even coverage without being cakey!
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With blush being massive in this past year, it’s no secret this beauty trend also incorporates it. Cream and liquid blushes are all you need when you’re trying to master the dewy makeup look. However, since cloud skin is all about balancing multiple textures, opt for a powder blush with some soft shimmer in it. The PAT McGrath LABS Skin Fetish Blush Duo has a unique demi-matte, satin finish which promises you a vibrant wash of two colours with shine.
