Butter Skin Is In: The Velvety Makeup Trend Taking Over Runways and Reels

Enter butter skin: a creamy, velvety finish that’s soft, dewy (but not greasy), and impossibly smooth—like the kind of skin you want to touch and instantly regret not moisturizing more. Think of it as your skin, but with the luxury dial turned all the way up.

But what exactly is butter skin, and how do you get it without looking like a melted stick of margarine? We’re breaking down the buttery beauty trend that’s melting hearts from TikTok tutorials to the backstage at Fashion Week—and why it might just be the most wearable, low-effort glam trend of the year.

What Is Butter Skin, Really?

Butter skin is all about texture. Unlike the high-gloss sheen of “glass skin” or the light-reflective gleam of “dewy dumpling” complexions, butter skin leans into a more grounded glow—one that feels plush, hydrated, and deliciously smooth, like skin that’s been soaked in rich emollients and sealed with a whisper of glow.

It’s the beauty lovechild of skin care and makeup: the creamy hydration of a good barrier repair cream, paired with a soft-focus foundation finish that diffuses pores and lines, rather than spotlighting them.

The look evokes the softness of candlelight—subtle, refined, and quietly luminous. Think Hailey Bieber’s radiant minimalism, blended with the rich skin finish seen on models at Proenza Schouler or Altuzarra.

The Key to Achieving Butter Skin

This trend isn’t about piling on product—it’s about intention. The texture starts with skin care, but it's the layering of makeup with precision that delivers that buttery effect. Here's how to get it:

1. Prep Like You Mean It

To get that buttery-smooth base, hydration is everything. Start with a gentle exfoliation (think: lactic acid toner or an enzyme mask) to slough off flakes and even out texture. Follow with a ceramide-rich moisturizer or balm-like primer to create a soft, cushiony canvas. Bonus points for layering an oil-serum underneath for added richness and glow.

Pro tip: Skip mattifying primers—they’ll fight against the entire ethos of this look.

2. Choose the Right Foundation

Butter skin makeup favors creamy, light-to-medium coverage foundations or skin tints that offer a second-skin finish. Avoid anything overly matte or powder-heavy. Think: a balmy foundation stick like Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Foundation Stick or a nourishing serum-foundation hybrid.

Application is everything—use your fingers or a damp sponge to melt the product into the skin. The goal is seamless, breathable coverage that moves with your face, not sits on top of it.

3. Blend, Buff, and Blur

After applying your base, lightly buff the skin with a fluffy brush to create that velvety, diffused texture. No harsh lines. No obvious layers. Just that cashmere-skin effect.

Want to double down on butteriness? Lightly press a cream highlighter or balm on high points of the face—cheekbones, brow bones, Cupid’s bow—for that warm-lit-from-within vibe.

4. Skip the Powder—Or Use It Strategically

This trend is not anti-powder, but it is selective. Instead of setting your whole face, press a tiny amount of ultra-fine loose powder only on the areas where you get shine (usually the T-zone). The rest of the face should keep its supple glow.

5. Finish with Creams, Not Powders

Opt for cream blushes, bronzers, and highlighters to keep everything cohesive. A soft peach or rose-toned cream blush melts beautifully into butter skin, while a sheer cream bronzer warms up the complexion without disrupting the texture.

The result? A finish that feels organic and touchable—like your skin, only better-buttered.

Why Butter Skin Feels So 2025

In a post-skin cycling world, where everyone is layering actives and embracing barrier repair, butter skin is the natural evolution. It’s makeup that respects skin health—a look that works with your skin, not against it. There’s also a deeper beauty message baked in: softness is powerful. And in an age of hyper-glam and filtered finishes, this kind of restraint feels quietly rebellious.

It’s no surprise beauty insiders are obsessed. From TikTok creators demoing butter skin routines in real-time to backstage artists mixing moisturizers into foundation for that supple, lived-in effect—this trend is everywhere, and it’s here to stay.

Butter Skin for All Skin Types

Yes, even oily skin can butter up. The key is choosing lighter, water-based hydrators and balancing the richness with strategic powdering. Drier skin types, of course, will love this trend for its glow factor and plush payoff.

If you're acne-prone, look for non-comedogenic creams and tinted moisturizers with ingredients like squalane or niacinamide that help hydrate without clogging pores.

Skin That Feels Like a Hug

Butter skin isn’t about looking flawless—it’s about looking comfortable in your own skin. It’s sensual, warm, and a little indulgent in the best way possible. And in a beauty landscape that often prioritizes shine or matte extremes, butter skin finds the sweet spot right in between.

So go ahead, butter up—your skin (and selfies) will thank you.