October 29, 2015

#strobing is the new contouring.



Hahaha I know right? Makeup trends are changing and emerging faster than ever, and with the spike in makeup specific Instagram accounts, word spreads quickly. I don't foresee contouring going away any time soon (although it's getting a little out of hand, amiright?), but another technique to achieve glowing skin and angular features is here: strobing. 

Basically it's highlighting and contouring without the contouring. Using cream or powder highlighters, "light" is placed in strategic spots on the face to give you a "lit from within" glow (top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, inner corner of eye, under brow arch, cupids bow).

My fave products for strobing:



1. Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in "100 Bare Light" 
Use this highlighter alone, under foundation, or mixed with your foundation to give yourself a radiant base ala Jennifer Lopez.

2. MAC Strobe Cream 
This moisturizer carrying the trend's namesake gives a really radiant finish so I like to use it strategically on the face: top of cheekbones and above eyebrows.

3. MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in "Light Boost"
Use this liquid highlighting product under eyes and around the face before using concealer and foundation to give yourself a "light boost".  It brightens but doesn't contain any sparkle so good for full under eye area.

4. Guerlain Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator in "00" 
This highlighting stick can be used after applying all other face makeup to highlight and brighten key areas. I love to use it in the inner corner of my eyes, under my brow arch and a little on my cupid's bow to give the illusion of fuller lips. This product is amazing (the brand calls it a magic wand) as it contains Guerlain's rejuvenating complex and real gold particles, but thus is also very pricey ($60+). A less expensive alternative that I've tried is Maybelline's Dream Lumi Touch Highlighter in "Radiant", not as amazing but still pretty good! 

5. Benefit "Watt's Up" Soft Focus Cream Highlighter
Love this cream highlighter!! Gives a really beautiful glow to the face. Super creamy and blendable. Use alone or under powder highlighter for a really strong highlight. A fave of many celebrity makeup artists!

6. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Lightscapade"
Powder 
There are so many powder highlighters on the market right now, and so many of them are great, but I am partial to MAC products and find I always reach for them so I'm recommending this one. It's a great highlighter for all light to medium skin tones, gives a soft finish, but can be built up if you prefer a really strong highlight. In this line of Skinfinish highlighters I also really like "Soft & Gentle" (peach toned) and "Global Glow" (gold toned - better for medium skin tones).


As with traditional highlighting/contouring, try not to overdo it and make sure you blend really good!



Have you tried any of these products? Love them? Hate them? Let me know in the comments!

- Lianne xo