Glossier Just Dropped a Powder Version of Cloud Paint—We Tried It

I remember when Glossier launched its Cloud Paint Blush like it was yesterday. It was 2017, I was still in college, and Glossier was still a fledgling cool-girl brand instead of the giant it is today. Every single thing about the brand excited me, from its editorial background to the no-fuss products, but I was particularly interested in this launch, as it was only the brand’s second foray into color after its sheer matte lipsticks, Generation G.

Could Paint helped set the stage for the blush-heavy makeup looks of the 2020s, as it’s one of the first times I remember thinking blush could be cool. Previously, I had mostly associated the product with my mom begging me to “put a little color in my cheeks.” Now, the product is a key part of my makeup routine.

The creamy, paint tube-housed blushes have also remained a staple in the blush category, and are easily one of Glossier’s most-loved products. On September 9, the brand is expanding the Cloud Paint family with a new powder formula, Cloud Paint Plush Blush. Ahead, Emily Trillaud, Glossier’s Vice President of Product, fills us in on the new launch. Plus, team Byrdie’s honest reviews.

The Inspiration

With Plush Blush, the brand wanted to honor the legacy of the original Cloud Paint formula, as well as innovate on the form. “Our goal with Cloud Paint was to reimagine what blush could be by creating a unique gel-cream formula,” explains Trillaud. “Since its launch in 2017, it has been a cult-favorite and even inspired our expansion with the Cloud Paint Bronzer.  With that in mind, we saw it fit to continue the legacy and evolve the way blush can continue to be personalized, playful, and convenient without missing the mark on efficacy. Enter Plush Blush! Its innovative pillowy-soft memory cloud texture brings the Cloud Paint universe to life in a whole new way while maintaining the joyful, artistic expressions of its predecessor.”

The brand settled on a super bouncy, putty-like texture for a modern take on classic powder. “Our one-of-a-kind memory cloud texture is pillowy-soft under your fingertips, then transforms into a weightless, blendable powder with buildable payoff,” says Trillaud. “It allows for easy application and control of the product on your skin—from a soft flush to a bold moment. In addition, the powder elements of the new blush help absorb excess shine while being water, sweat, humidity, and transfer resistant, ensuring your look lasts all day.”

The Formula

When it came to formulating the blushes, Trillaud explains that flexibility and wearability were top of mind. “Whether looking to achieve a soft everyday blush or a louder effect, we’ve always ensured we are creating an ease to a person’s routine. That even shows up in application, whether fingertips or a brush—our product meets the needs of the user to show up as they choose,” she says.

In addition, Trillaud and her team wanted to make sure to include skin-loving ingredients. “Cloud Paint Plush Blush is formulated with clover flower extract, an antioxidant-rich plant extract that acts as a real-life filter, and powdered ceramides and botanical glycerides, which are lipids that lock in moisture and provide the skin with the feeling of a comfortable soft-matte finish.” She also points out that testing was super important to the brand, and highlights results like “100% of users agree their skin has a healthy-looking flush color, and “90% of our users love how long the color lasts and didn’t feel the need to touch-up. ” This “provides credibility and real-life examples of how Cloud Paint Plush Blush works as it says it should.”

The new blushes come in 10 shades, some borrowed from the original Cloud Paint lineup—Puff, a light pink; Beam, a soft peach; Soar, a bright pink; Storm, a warm rose—and some new—Billow, a cool lavender; Gale, a tawny mauve; Bloom, a cool bright pink; Float, a rosy mauve; Burst, a bright red; and Plume, a rich plum. Like the original lineup, each shade is inspired by the gorgeous colors that spread across the New York City skyline at sunset.

Our Reviews

Olivia Hancock, senior editor

“I’m a blush girly—powder or cream, it doesn’t matter. So, with Glossier turning their beloved Cloud Paint into a powder blush, I knew I had to try it. I went with the shade Beam and applied it using the brand’s new blush brush. Since the formula is meant to be buildable, the first layer deposits a sheer veil of color. I applied a few layers to achieve my desired intensity. But even in doing so, the formula didn’t become cakey, patchy, or dry-looking. My skin still felt soft and looked smooth. Throughout the day, I could tell that the powder was working to control shine and oil—my cheeks maintained a demi-matte finish all day. Kudos to Glossier for formulating another winner.”

Beautiful hunter, senior news editor

“I don’t necessarily associate the word ‘pigmented’ with Glossier, so I was a little surprised by how much color payoff these blushes had. One swipe gave me a pretty solid pop of pink (I tried the shade Bloom) that I could diffuse out or layer up for more impact. The formula is really nice, as the powder is silky and easy to blend—it never got caky or felt heavy, in fact it pretty much melted into my skin. I’m also really impressed with the staying power, I wore this all day in 90 degree weather and a surprise rainstorm, and it didn’t budge. I can’t wait to get my hands on more shades!”

Jasmine Phillips, social editor

“Glossier’s new Cloud Paint Plush Brush is basically everything you could want in a blush: pigmented, long-lasting, pigmented, blendable, pigmented, leaves a soft-matte finish, and did I mention pigmented??? The shade Plume is a very pretty rich plum that melts into my skin and looks even better as the day goes on. A little goes a really long way, and this is coming from someone with deep skin, so use sparingly.”

Holly Rhue, editorial director

“It’s been said, but this blush is really quite pigmented for a powder. That being said, it’s also buttery smooth, so it’s very easy to blend out to your desired concentration. I personally pressed a single brush stroke’s worth of shade “Soar” into my cheekbones, then diffused the edges with my foundation brush (including the leftover foundation from my base application). I found that delivered a really natural, feathered look I could amplify with more blush or diffuse even further with a highlighter. So while the color payoff is strong (always my preference when it comes to blush), it’s also a really flexible formula. I’m hesitant to speak on behalf of Sabrina Carpenter, but I feel certain she would approve.”