With contouring being the most talked about make-up technique ever thanks to the Internet, I am welcoming the latest trend of strobing with open arms. Anything that is is anti-contouring and I'm all for it (probably because I like to be contrary to the crowd). Similarly to contouring, strobing is about pinpointing areas of the face in a way to enhance individual features, giving the illusion of dewy and prominent areas. However, unlike contouring which adopts shading techniques with deep matte textures to the hollows of the face, strobing is all about adding highlight with shimmer products to the highest points of the face. It plays off individual bone structure to create glowing, healthy, natural looking skin.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
Thanks to the thousands of talented beauty experts on YouTube, everyone can become their own make-up artist. Knowledge is power and the worldwide availability of tutorials means everyone can know more about professional techniques. Both contouring and strobing can make you photo ready at any opportunity. Contouring and strobing are typical assets for make-up artists backstage at runway shows and behind the scenes at photoshoots, strictly used by pros. Due to mainstream media and new products being publicised every month by Insta-famous celebrities, the average girl has now adopted contouring into their everyday make-up routine. And strobing is next so be ready for all cosmetic companies releasing products with the word strobing attached or implied.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
When used correctly, strobing can really lift the face and give the much desired look of being lit from within. Strobing is not a new technique. It is a method which make-up artists have kept in their arsenal for years and essentially is just another word for highlighting. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba can often be seen with the most dewy, luminous skin and it is evident that strobing has been used to achieve this highly sought after look. Big beauty brands such as Illasmaqua, Ellis Faas and MAC Cosmetics use strobing in their campaign images as this method beautifully catches the light on the highest points of the face. MAC's Strobe Cream namesake is starting to make sense now, isn't it?
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
The theory behind strobing is to utilise natural beauty and natural light without the use of contouring. This is why it is much more forgiving make-up technique than contouring. It removes the complex skills needed for shading and allows you to use minimal products to achieve an effortless look - although we all know we put so much effort into getting that J-Lo glow. Strobing focuses on natural skin so opt for a BB cream or mix a little moisturiser/oil into your your regular foundation for a more sheer finish. At this stage you can always add a drop or two of your favourite liquid or cream highlighter for an even more wet-look appearance. You can also add moisturiser into your concealer for extra dewiness. As strobing focuses on highlighting, oily skins may not appreciate the copious amounts of cream highlighter. For oily skin textures, I suggest incorporating an appropriate moisturiser into your foundation (one that will sit well with your base) and use powder highlighting products on to the tops of cheekbones, apples of cheeks, Cupid's bow only and eyes. For those with normal, dry, dehydrated or combination skin, they can continue on adding highlighter to the bridge of the nose, tip of the nose, philtrum, centre of the forehead, chin, inner corners of the eyes, the mobile lid, underneath and above the highest point of the eyebrows - pretty much the highest planes of the face and any areas you want to brighten up. Everyone is different so find your comfort zone and see where the light naturally hits. Think of strobing as your spotlight smoky eye only this time it's for the entire face.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
Strobing pros:
Easier than contouring.
Makes use of natural features.
Great for summer.
Looks better in natural light.
Less maintenance.
Gives a more youthful appearance, time rewinds when I strobe.
Skin looks amazing!!!
Focuses on natural beauty instead of masking the face.
Strobing cons:
Need relatively good skin to begin with.
Skincare regimen must be improved - I suppose that's not really a con as we should all look after our skin anyway but for this technique to truly work you should cleanse and moisturise on a daily basis and use a brightening face mask one to two times per week.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
Contouring pros:
Adds definition.
Narrows the face, making it appear slimmer.
Great looking for photography.
Contouring cons:
Masks the face as contouring tends to be a heavy handed make-up technique.
It's been done and overdone time and time AND TIME again.
Re-shapes the face making you look less like you.
Not so great looking in real life.
Ageing.
Focuses on heavy coverage.
Time consuming.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
Personally, I prefer strobing as opposed to contouring as it gives a more youthful appearance full of freshness and vitality. Contouring can be ageing. Don't get me wrong, I love how multi-dimensional the face can look when contouring, highlighting, bronzing and blushing is all going on but sometimes a girl just ain't got time for all that. Both contouring and strobing must be done carefully. Remember that even though strobing will generally look better in natural light, it is easy to overdo both methods of shaping the face.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
So what to go for? If you want to do both, go for it. It's your face, your make-up and it's all about what you like. Although I suggest opting for strobing for your everyday glamorous look and adding light touches of bronzer and blusher to give you that all over glow. For special occasions when photography is involved add a hint of contour to the hollows of you cheeks - you don't need to go full on faux drag queen. Unless you are like me and want people to be in awe of your skills then drag, drag, drag away.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
When choosing shimmer products, go for colours that will complement your skin tone. If you are deep, pick warm golden shades. If you are medium, opt for peach illuminators. If you are fair with cool skin like me, choose pink tones. My favourite powder highlighters are Make-Up Revolution vivid baked highlighters as they have one for everyone - Golden Lights, Pink Lights and latest obsession, Peach Lights. You can always customise the colour to suit your mood and your skin tone by applying some cream highlight before your powder. My favourites for this are the undress your skin liquid glows from Make-Up Academy. Again they come in variety of shades including Pink Shimmer, Oyster and Champagne. If layering products isn't for you and you want to keep your route fuss-free, choose MAC Cosmetics cream colour bases. Again they have one to suit a variety of skin tines and my favourites are Pearl, Luna and Hush.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
For a streak free base, use a dense buffing brush to really work the product into the skin. If you don't have brush like this use your regular method of applying foundation and then use your hand or a sponge in a gentle stippling motion to blur the edges and remove brush marks. Apply your cream products with your fingers and blend out with either clean fingers or a synthetic brush. For your powder products use a small fluffy brush or soft pencil brush for precise areas such as inner corners of the eyes and an angled brush for the tops of your cheeks. You will look f-l-a-w-l-e-s-s if you use the right tools.
Goodbye Contouring, Hello Strobing
I am delighted that strobing has become a trend as nothing shatters my tiny make-up heart more than seeing ladies cover their naturally beautiful skin with thick contouring products. I mean, I like to be a faux queen too but balance is key and strobing really is the way to go. Happy strobing!
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