What’s Been Up
Pressed powders are back—here’s how to use yours for a soft matte finish
Read Now
Ever since Hailey Bieber proclaimed the ‘glazed doughnut’ trend as her forever aesthetic in 2022, no stone—or moisturiser tube—was left unturned in the quest for skin that glistens like the freshly frosted treat. But the tides of skincare wait for no one. Dewy, jelly-like skin has now been nudged out of the spotlight in favour of soft matte skin. But what is this new aesthetic and which products do you need by your side to recreate it? Here’s all that you need to know.
What is soft matte skin?
For starters, the word ‘matte’ in its moniker doesn’t offer free license to revive all the cakey foundations that littered our beauty kits circa 2016. Instead, the newest iteration of this aesthetic has been likened to cloud skin—picture a wispy film of clouds blurring the harsh glare of the sun. A soft-focus finish is preferred for this aesthetic with skin taking on a lit-from-within glow with matte skin products. Not entirely matte and not entirely dewy, soft matte skin instead takes pride in offering up a velvet-smooth texture and natural radiance.
.jpeg)
If you are looking to lean into the dreamy undertones of the cloud skin aesthetic, you can take heart in the knowledge that you needn’t dump all your dewy foundations just yet. Instead, pair them with your favourite matte skin products to get a softer base that isn’t quite as shiny as glazed skin. Here’s how you can get started.
1. Prep is everything. Get started on your journey towards cloud-like skin with a cleanser suited to your skin type followed by an ultra-hydrating facial cream to create a supple base for all the makeup products to follow.
2. Once done, you can choose to skip the foundation altogether in favour of a tinted moisturiser that offers up even-toned coverage. If you are looking to zero in on that lit-from-within look, it doesn’t hurt to dab in a little amount of liquid highlighter with your base makeup products.
3. Now that your skin has been morphed into a soft matte canvas, it is business as usual for the rest of your makeup routine—but with everything geared towards a mattified finish. For instance, creamy blushers? Douse them with a quick hand of powder for a softer, non-gleamy finish.
4. For that cloud-like glow, skip heavily saturated lip products in favour of a tinted lip balm that will offer up just enough colour to seal in the look.
5. Once done, dust your face with a setting powder or lock in your handiwork with a quick spritz of a matte setting spray and you are all ready to take on the day.
1. Dry skin girlies do not despair. With a little help from the right skincare products, you too could achieve the soft matte look.
When buying skincare products online for soft matte skin, you’ll want to double down on hydrating formulas in your base. Look for a luminous primer next for a satin-soft finish that won’t be as drying on your skin as conventional matte makeup products.
2. And how to get a matte finish on your face if you have oily skin? We are glad you asked. When choosing skin products, you’ll want to opt for gel-based formulas that can help control any excess shine.
The same applies to your choice of foundation. Skip dewy formulas that can exacerbate any underlying oiliness in the skin and instead look for a mattifying primer that can set your base in place.
3. As a rule of thumb, it helps to apply all makeup products in light, buildable layers and to stash blotting papers at hand to mop off any excess shine that pops up during the day.
Whether you find yourself leaning towards a glazed finish or a more soft-focus matte look, there’s no escaping the need for a customised skincare routine that works for your particular skin type. Repeat after us—trends may come and go, but healthy skin is always happy skin.
If you are looking to lean into the dreamy undertones of the cloud skin aesthetic, you can take heart in the knowledge that you needn’t dump all your dewy foundations just yet. Instead, pair them with your favourite matte skin products to get a softer base that isn’t quite as shiny as glazed skin. Here’s how you can get started.
1. Prep is everything. Get started on your journey towards cloud-like skin with a cleanser suited to your skin type followed by an ultra-hydrating facial cream to create a supple base for all the makeup products to follow.
2. Once done, you can choose to skip the foundation altogether in favour of a tinted moisturiser that offers up even-toned coverage. If you are looking to zero in on that lit-from-within look, it doesn’t hurt to dab in a little amount of liquid highlighter with your base makeup products.
3. Now that your skin has been morphed into a soft matte canvas, it is business as usual for the rest of your makeup routine—but with everything geared towards a mattified finish. For instance, creamy blushers? Douse them with a quick hand of powder for a softer, non-gleamy finish.
4. For that cloud-like glow, skip heavily saturated lip products in favour of a tinted lip balm that will offer up just enough colour to seal in the look.
5. Once done, dust your face with a setting powder or lock in your handiwork with a quick spritz of a matte setting spray and you are all ready to take on the day.
1. Dry skin girlies do not despair. With a little help from the right skincare products, you too could achieve the soft matte look.
When buying skincare products online for soft matte skin, you’ll want to double down on hydrating formulas in your base. Look for a luminous primer next for a satin-soft finish that won’t be as drying on your skin as conventional matte makeup products.
2. And how to get a matte finish on your face if you have oily skin? We are glad you asked. When choosing skin products, you’ll want to opt for gel-based formulas that can help control any excess shine.
The same applies to your choice of foundation. Skip dewy formulas that can exacerbate any underlying oiliness in the skin and instead look for a mattifying primer that can set your base in place.
3. As a rule of thumb, it helps to apply all makeup products in light, buildable layers and to stash blotting papers at hand to mop off any excess shine that pops up during the day.
Whether you find yourself leaning towards a glazed finish or a more soft-focus matte look, there’s no escaping the need for a customised skincare routine that works for your particular skin type. Repeat after us—trends may come and go, but healthy skin is always happy skin.
If you are looking to lean into the dreamy undertones of the cloud skin aesthetic, you can take heart in the knowledge that you needn’t dump all your dewy foundations just yet. Instead, pair them with your favourite matte skin products to get a softer base that isn’t quite as shiny as glazed skin. Here’s how you can get started.
1. Prep is everything. Get started on your journey towards cloud-like skin with a cleanser suited to your skin type followed by an ultra-hydrating facial cream to create a supple base for all the makeup products to follow.
2. Once done, you can choose to skip the foundation altogether in favour of a tinted moisturiser that offers up even-toned coverage. If you are looking to zero in on that lit-from-within look, it doesn’t hurt to dab in a little amount of liquid highlighter with your base makeup products.
3. Now that your skin has been morphed into a soft matte canvas, it is business as usual for the rest of your makeup routine—but with everything geared towards a mattified finish. For instance, creamy blushers? Douse them with a quick hand of powder for a softer, non-gleamy finish.
4. For that cloud-like glow, skip heavily saturated lip products in favour of a tinted lip balm that will offer up just enough colour to seal in the look.
5. Once done, dust your face with a setting powder or lock in your handiwork with a quick spritz of a matte setting spray and you are all ready to take on the day.
1. Dry skin girlies do not despair. With a little help from the right skincare products, you too could achieve the soft matte look.
When buying skincare products online for soft matte skin, you’ll want to double down on hydrating formulas in your base. Look for a luminous primer next for a satin-soft finish that won’t be as drying on your skin as conventional matte makeup products.
2. And how to get a matte finish on your face if you have oily skin? We are glad you asked. When choosing skin products, you’ll want to opt for gel-based formulas that can help control any excess shine.
The same applies to your choice of foundation. Skip dewy formulas that can exacerbate any underlying oiliness in the skin and instead look for a mattifying primer that can set your base in place.
3. As a rule of thumb, it helps to apply all makeup products in light, buildable layers and to stash blotting papers at hand to mop off any excess shine that pops up during the day.
Whether you find yourself leaning towards a glazed finish or a more soft-focus matte look, there’s no escaping the need for a customised skincare routine that works for your particular skin type. Repeat after us—trends may come and go, but healthy skin is always happy skin.
