How to recreate the celeb-approved 'cloud skin' make-up look

Luminous, dewy, and soft—cloud skin has quickly become a beauty staple, with celebrities like Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, and Yara Shahidi turning heads with their radiant, glowing complexions. But cloud skin is more than just a glow; it’s about achieving a balance of hydration, radiance, and a soft-focus finish that leaves your complexion looking fresh and ethereal.

So, how do you create this look? It’s not as simple as just adding highlighter. Perfecting cloud skin requires a combination of skincare, makeup techniques, and the right products to build a smooth, glowing base. Whether you’re aiming for a luminous radiance or a natural, dewy finish, here’s your guide to mastering the cloud skin trend.

Start with a moisturiser

A hydrated base is crucial for achieving cloud skin. Well-hydrated skin appears plump, smooth, and prepped for make-up to glide on seamlessly. Choose lightweight moisturisers that deliver a powerful dose of hydration, helping your skin maintain that fresh, radiant glow.

O3+ Moisture Boost Glow Cream, ₹830

This moisturiser hydrates your skin, giving a soft, dewy glow. The formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving a smooth canvas for make-up to glide on effortlessly and enhance the glowing, airbrushed look.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre Moisturizer & Primer, ₹2,595

This French classic works well as a moisturiser and primer. It’s rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, making it perfect for prepping the skin to look dewy and smooth without feeling greasy. 

Move on to a lightweight foundation

Cloud skin is all about light coverage that enhances your skin’s natural texture, while still offering an even tone. And so using a breathable foundation that gives you that natural glow without feeling heavy is key.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blur Foundation, ₹3,150

This foundation is perfect for creating a smooth, even complexion while still allowing your skin’s texture to show through. It’s a medium-to-buildable coverage that blurs imperfections while maintaining a dewy finish, which is ideal for a cloud skin make-up look.

Dior Forever Skin Glow 24H Hydrating Radiant Foundation, ₹5,700

This foundation offers a luminous, buildable coverage that lasts all day. It’s infused with hydrating ingredients, giving you a natural glow while covering any uneven tone. It’s ideal for a soft-focus, radiant finish.

Subtle and nude eyeshadows

To keep the eyes soft and fresh, opt for nude and neutral shades that subtly enhance without overpowering. These tones blend seamlessly, creating a smooth, cloud-like finish that perfectly complements your glowing complexion.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Spice Palette Mini, ₹3,800

This mini palette features warm, neutral shades in matte and shimmer finishes, perfect for creating a soft, smokey eye. The rich, warm tones blend beautifully for an effortless, natural eye look that enhances the overall cloud skin vibe.

Huda Beauty Icy Nude Eyeshadow Palette, ₹5,900

This palette offers a mix of cool-toned nudes and soft shimmer shades that blend beautifully for an ethereal, cloud-like effect. The cool hues are perfect for creating a soft, understated eye look, while the shimmers add just the right amount of delicate radiance.

Cream blush for a natural flush

For a soft, natural flush, go for cream or liquid blushes that melt into your skin and create a seamless finish. These types of blushes give the skin a healthy, youthful glow while complementing the overall cloud skin look.

Kay Beauty Velvet Creme Multi-Use Blush, ₹1,199

This blush is creamy and blends effortlessly, providing a soft, radiant flush. It’s buildable and versatile, making it perfect for adding that youthful pop of colour without looking too intense.

Marmelo Petal Kiss Serum Blusher, ₹2,199

This is a lightweight serum blush that gives the skin a fresh, natural flush. It’s easy to blend and build, and its dewy finish adds to the overall glow without being overpowering.

Add the perfect glow

Liquid highlighters are perfect for adding a soft, diffused glow. Cloud skin isn’t about the intense shine of traditional highlighters; it's about that smooth, ethereal radiance that enhances the skin’s natural light.

PIXI On-the-Glow Superglow Highlighter, ₹1,950

This stick highlighter is smooth, easy to apply, and gives a subtle, buildable glow. It’s packed with aloe vera, making it great for adding a healthy, hydrated shine to the skin.

House of Makeup Pearly-Glow Liquid Highlighter, ₹799

This is a soft liquid highlighter that provides a glowing finish without being over the top. It blends beautifully into the skin, giving you that smooth, soft-focus, luminous look that’s perfect for cloud skin.

Top it off with a fresh pout

Complete the cloud skin look with a plump, glossy lip. Hydrating glosses add a touch of shine while keeping your lips looking soft and juicy. Avoid heavy formulas and stick with something light for the ultimate fresh finish.

Kylie Cosmetics Plumping Gloss, ₹1,900

This gloss adds a beautiful shine while also plumping the lips. It gives your lips that full, hydrated look without feeling sticky.

Etude House Over Glowy Tint, ₹930

A light, hydrating lip tint that provides a natural wash of colour. It’s perfect for that effortless, glowy look, and the soft tint gives your lips a healthy, natural shine.

Lock in the glow

Setting sprays are essential to ensuring that your make-up stays intact without sacrificing the dewy finish. Choose a hydrating setting spray that locks everything in while keeping your skin glowing and fresh.

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray, ₹4,500

This setting spray is perfect for cloud skin as it refreshes and locks make-up in place while adding an extra layer of hydration. It keeps your skin looking dewy, without feeling sticky.

Type Beauty Mattifying Setting Spray SPF 35 PA+++ Face Makeup, ₹799

Although a mattifying setting spray, this one has SPF built in, ensuring your glow stays intact while providing sun protection. It’s lightweight and won’t dry out your skin, keeping it fresh all day long.

Featured image credit: Getty Images

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