When Pantone names an off-white as its Colour of the Year, are we really surprised that this announcement sparked both curiosity and debate, especially in a diverse beauty landscape like India? Cloud Dancer, a shade rooted in restraint and subtlety, challenges conventional ideas of colour, contrast, and complexion. So how does this barely-there hue translate across Indian skin tones? These industry leaders and experts unpack its possibilities, pitfalls, and modern appeal.
NAMRATA SONI, CELEBRITY MAKE-UP ARTIST:
Cloud Dancer sits in a soft, cool-neutral space, which makes undertone balance and formulation especially important for Indian skin tones. On medium to deeper complexions, formulations that are sheer and buildable textures tend to translate better than dense or opaque finishes, as they help prevent the shade from appearing ashy or chalky. When paired with warmer transition tones such as soft browns, taupe, or beige neutrals, the colour gains depth and dimension.
“Overall, its
WEARABILITY
comes down to
THOUGHTFUL PLACEMENT
, t
EXTURE CHOICE
, and
CONTRAST
.”
-Namrata Soni
In make-up applications, Cloud Dancer works best as a diffused base or supporting shade rather than a standalone colour. On the complexion, it can function as a subtle brightening or highlighting tone when balanced with warmth elsewhere in the make-up. Overall, its wearability comes down to thoughtful placement, texture choice, and contrast. When approached correctly, Cloud Dancer reads clean, modern, and refined across Indian skin tones.
VIPUL BHAGAT, CELEBRITY MAKE-UP ARTIST:
“Ultimately,
CLOUD DANCER
challenges the makeup artist to balance
CREATIVITY
with
CONTROL.
”
-Vipul Bhagat
For Indian skin tones, Cloud Dancer is less about the literal colour and more about how it is executed. Off-white and ivory shades have long existed in Indian beauty, but their wearability today depends on undertone correction, depth control, and precise blending. On dusky and deeper skin tones, these shades can pop beautifully when handled with confidence. On fairer Indian skin, warmth must be introduced first through bronzed or sun-kissed undertones. This prevents the shade from looking flat or washed out.
Cloud Dancer works best as a texture and finish rather than a statement colour. Semi-matte or satin formulations translate more elegantly on Indian skin than overly glossy or dense finishes, which can appear harsh or chalky. Control on how much product is used and where it’s placed, is critical.
From a wearability perspective, Cloud Dancer is highly adaptable. While it naturally lends itself to editorial and fashion-led looks, it can be customised for clients when aligned with the overall styling like hair, outfit, jewellery, occasion, and personal comfort. There is no fixed formula. The success of the shade lies in understanding the face in front of you and executing the look with confidence and restraint.
Ultimately, Cloud Dancer challenges the make-up artist to balance creativity with control. When used thoughtfully, it reads refined, intentional, and modern, proving that even the palest shades can belong beautifully on Indian skin.
SHIRIN MERCHANT, HAIR AND MAKE-UP EXPERT:
Cloud Dancer evokes a mix of hesitation, reinterpretation, and excitement. While Indian beauty culture is inherently vibrant and colour-forward, off-white tones invite a creative challenge: how to adopt restraint within a traditionally expressive palette? Historically, white has never been misused. From the 1950s through the 1990s, it evolved thoughtfully. From clean lid-brighteners paired with bold lips, to cut creases, graphic lines, and later softer nude revivals, it was always used with intention.
In terms of wearability, undertone awareness is key. Wheatish to deeper skin tones with warm undertones like golden, orange, olive, or red, carry pale whites more gracefully, especially when balanced with darker contours, smudged liners, or structured eye techniques. Fairer skin tones benefit from added warmth on the cheeks and lips to offset paleness around the eyes.
“Cloud Dancer is highly versatile: it works on the centre of the
EYELIDS, BROW BONE, LIPS
for a pout effect, mixed into
FOUNDATION
for lift, or as a base under
HIGHLIGHTER
.”
-Shirin Merchant
Cloud Dancer is highly versatile: it works on the centre of the eyelids, brow bone, lips for a pout effect, mixed into foundation for lift, or as a base under highlighter. Editorially, it can stand alone; for bridal and everyday wear, it performs best when layered with contrast. Ultimately, Cloud Dancer works as a perfect base shade, one that demands thoughtful proportions and opens up deeper conversations around inclusivity, undertones, and technique in Indian make-up.
GAYETHRI CHAKRAVARTY, INDEPENDENT MAKE-UP EXPERT:
Pantone’s Cloud Dancer calls for reinterpretation rather than literal application on Indian skin. Off-white shades, when used directly, rarely flatter deeper or warmer complexions, but can be adapted effectively through considered warmth, texture, and technique. Historically, whites in Indian make-up were often applied too thickly or with cool undertones, resulting in grey, ashy, or patchy finishes, an approach best left behind.
The adaptation lies in shifting away from stark white towards warm ivory, soft beige, and creamy undertones, allowing the skin to retain depth and natural vitality. Cloud Dancer functions best as a finish rather than a flat colour, expressed through soft glows, sheens, and highlights that enhance luminosity without overpowering the complexion. Golden and neutral undertones respond most easily to this palette, while olive and deeper skin tones benefit from sheer layering and added warmth.
“Cloud Dancer functions best as a finish rather than a flat colour, expressed through
SOFT GLOWS, SHEENS, AND HIGHLIGHTS
that enhance
LUMINOSITY
without overpowering the
COMPLEXION.
”
-Gayethri Chakravarthy
This shade family translates most seamlessly on the eyes, subtle highlights, and nails, with restrained use recommended on lips and base products. Creams, sheers, glosses, and pearlised textures offer the most flattering results, often layered with gold or peach tones to soften the effect. In India’s climate, thin application, thorough skin preparation, and minimal powder help maintain a natural finish. Cloud Dancer for Indian skin emerges as a soft, warm glow inspired by white, rather than white itself.