Cloud Skin vs Dewy Skin — navigating the world of makeup trends can feel like learning a new language. Just when you’ve mastered the “dewy” glow, a new term like “cloud skin” drifts into the beauty zeitgeist. If you’re wondering what these trends are really about and which one deserves a place in your routine this year, you’ve come to the right place.
In 2025, it’s not just about shine versus matte. It’s a conversation between two distinct philosophies about what makes skin look its best. Let’s break down everything you need to know about Cloud Skin and Dewy Skin, from their core concepts to the step-by-step routines that will help you achieve them.
Cloud Skin vs. Dewy Skin: Defining the Dueling Trends
To understand where we’re going, we need to understand what these terms truly mean.
What is Dewy Skin?
Dewy skin is the legacy trend that refuses to fade, and for good reason. It’s all about luminosity, hydration, and a healthy, fresh-faced radiance. Think of the “glazed donut” effect or the iconic K-Beauty “glass skin.” This look mimics the natural, moisturized sheen of incredibly healthy skin. The core philosophy is “skin-first,” where makeup is used to enhance a solid skincare foundation, not cover it up. The result is a complexion that looks plump, juicy, and intensely reflective of light.
What is Cloud Skin?
Cloud Skin is the modern, evolved successor to the flat matte finishes of the past. It’s the answer for those who found the dewy look too greasy but missed the dimension of old-school matte. Popularized by makeup artists like Dominic Skinner, Cloud Skin aims for a soft-focus, ethereal finish. Imagine the way sunlight diffuses through a cloud—it’s radiant but never shiny. This “demi-matte” or “velvet” effect creates a blurred, filter-like perfection that looks both airbrushed and incredibly natural. It’s about a balanced, lit-from-within glow that is controlled and sophisticated.
The Devil’s in the Details: A Deep Dive into Techniques and Products
Achieving these looks is about more than just picking the right foundation; it’s a multi-step process that begins with your skincare.
How to Master the Cloud Skin Look
Cloud Skin is built on a technique of balance and strategic application. It’s perfect for those who value longevity and a polished, photo-ready finish.
Step 1: The Pre-Game is Skincare
Start with a well-hydrated canvas. Use a gentle cleanser followed by a hydrating toner and a lightweight moisturizer or serum containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. The goal is to condition the skin without adding heavy oils that could break down the makeup later.
Step 2: Create Your Hybrid Foundation
This is the signature technique. Instead of using a matte foundation straight from the bottle, mix one pump with a single drop of a glowing face serum or a liquid highlighter. This creates a custom, skin-like base that provides coverage but has a built-in, subtle radiance, preventing it from looking flat or mask-like.
Step 3: The Art of “Micro-Layering”
Apply your hybrid foundation with a sparse, fluffy brush. The key is to use a “whipping” or stippling motion to apply thin, sheer layers, building coverage only where you need it. This technique avoids a heavy, cakey application and allows the skin’s texture to show through in a refined way.
Step 4: Strategic Powdering is Key
This is the most crucial step that defines the “cloud” effect. Do not powder your entire face. Take a velour puff or a fluffy brush and a blurring loose powder (look for ones with silica). Press the powder only into your T-zone, under your eyes, and around your nostrils and chin. The objective is to deliberately leave the high points of your cheekbones and the outer perimeter of your face with their natural glow. This creates a soft, graduated finish that is matte in the center and radiant on the edges.
Step 5: Blend and Lock It In
Finish with a natural-finish setting spray. This step melts all the layers of product together, eliminates any harsh powder lines, and ensures your makeup stays put all day.
How to Perfect the Dewy Skin Look
The dewy look is a celebration of hydration and light, creating an unmistakable vibe of health and vitality.
Step 1: Layered Hydration is Non-Negotiable
This look is built from the skincare out. Begin by layering a hydrating essence, a hyaluronic acid serum, and a nourishing moisturizer to create a plump, “wet” canvas. The more hydrated your skin is, the better the dewiness will look.
Step 2: Choose Your Luminous Base
Opt for a dewy, light-coverage foundation, skin tint, or tinted moisturizer. Keywords to look for are “luminous,” “radiant,” “illuminating,” or “hydrating.” Avoid anything labeled “matte” or “long-wear,” as these are typically formulated to control oil and reduce shine.
Step 3: Cream Products are Your Best Friend
Use cream or liquid formulas for your blush, bronzer, and highlighter. These products blend seamlessly into the skin, enhancing the glossy effect without looking chalky or powdery. They mimic the natural flush and glow of skin better than powder products.
Step 4: Apply with a Damp Sponge
A damp beauty sponge is the ideal tool for this look. Use it to stipple your foundation and cream products into the skin. This technique presses the product in for maximum adherence while ensuring the finish remains light and luminous.
Step 5: Powder with Extreme Prejudice
If you have oily areas, use a tiny amount of translucent powder only on those specific spots. Avoid dusting it all over your face, as this will kill the glow you’ve worked so hard to create.
Step 6: Amplify with a Mist
Lock in your look and boost the radiance to the next level with a hydrating facial mist or a dewy setting spray. This gives the skin a final, refreshing drink of moisture.
The 2025 Verdict: Which Look is Truly Winning?
So, after all this, which trend is leading the pack in 2025? While the timeless, health-driven appeal of Dewy Skin remains a classic for those with dry skin, the momentum and buzz are overwhelmingly behind Cloud Skin.
The reason for its rise is its unparalleled versatility and modern practicality. Cloud Skin successfully bridges the gap between two extremes. It offers the longevity and pore-blurring perfection of a matte finish while retaining the dimensional radiance of a dewy one. It works brilliantly for those with oily or combination skin who could never make the dewy look last, and its soft-focus effect is incredibly flattering in both natural and artificial light.
Furthermore, its techniques align perfectly with the 2025 beauty ethos of “skinimalism”—the desire for makeup that enhances rather than hides, using hybrid products and strategic application for a result that is both high-performing and naturally beautiful.
Your Personal Winner: A Guide to Choosing
Ultimately, the best trend for you is the one that suits your skin, your lifestyle, and your personal style.
- You are Team Dewy if: You have dry or normal skin, you love a glossy, “no-makeup” makeup look, and your beauty philosophy is deeply rooted in a hydrating skincare routine.
- You are Team Cloud if: You have oily or combination skin, you prefer a velvety, airbrushed finish that lasts all day, and you appreciate a more polished, camera-ready effect.
Remember, the most modern approach in 2025 is to blend these trends. Don’t be afraid to create a Cloud Skin base for longevity and then tap a dewy highlighter on your cheekbones. Makeup is a personal journey, so experiment, have fun, and wear what makes you feel most confident in your own skin.
If you love exploring beauty trends, check out our guide on Trending Lipstick Shades for Every Skin Tone or learn how to create your own DIY Natural Skincare Routine to complement your flawless finish.
