Trendy strobing makeup technique: step-by-step application instructions

Strobing in makeup: what is it?

Strobing (from the English strobing - “exposed”) is the sculpting of the face using a highlighter. They highlight specific areas to give the skin a healthy glow and a sexy, dewy glow.

The technology itself came to us from the USA. Celebrity makeup artist Susan Giordano claims that the technique of highlighting certain areas of the face has always existed, it’s just that now it’s been given a new “name.” The peak of strobing popularity occurred in 2015-2016. After the shows of Prada, Versace, Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta, which released models with such makeup on the catwalk, the glowing look instantly became a hot trend. It is still relevant today!

Photos that clearly demonstrate what strobing is in makeup: this is the visual effect of young, fresh, sleek skin, as if illuminated from within.

Strobing makeup is often confused with contouring. Unlike the technique popularized by Kim Kardashian, the glowing skin look does not involve changing the face sculpture and looks much more natural. Its main task is to place the necessary accents with the help of highlights and thereby restore the radiance “eaten” by the foundation.

It is important to understand: spectacular makeup using the strobing technique, which we see in photos in glossy magazines or on the Instagram of beauty bloggers, will be inappropriate in everyday life. To create a wearable version of this trend, you need to know some nuances.

Strobing - fashionable makeup now!

I have a collection of Strobing Highlighters in my store one of these days!

This makeup trend can really transform you in minutes! Strobing gives the face radiance, makes facial features expressive and bright, makes the oval of the face clear, and creates an attractive moist shine on the skin.

Even if you are not a professional makeup artist, you can turn your face into a picture from a glossy magazine in just 5 minutes! How? The main thing is to learn a new type of makeup, popularized on social networks, called strobing.

Unlike contouring and sculpting , strobing is intended only to correctly place accents in makeup, and not to change the shape or sculpt new facial features. The effect of flawless appearance is created through the use of a highlighter that highlights certain areas, which is applied to the skin with your fingers and carefully shaded with them.

Strobing is adored by Hollywood stars, who have long resorted to this clever makeup technique to give their faces a divine glow. Jennifer Lopez, Kendall Jenner, Miranda Kerr, Gigi Hadid, Beyoncé and many other famous beauties prefer strobing , which, unlike the first, does not require any specific professional knowledge, nor specific cosmetics, nor any ingenious technology. And the result, as you can see, is obvious!

Strobing , by the way, became the founder of such an incredibly popular type of makeup this season as the no make up look , because, relying on the natural beauty of a girl, the makeup artist has no need to overload the image with decorative cosmetics. Glowing, barely touched by moisture skin, soft pink or nude gloss on the lips, a drop of mascara on the tips of the eyelashes, natural blush and, most importantly, well-groomed thick wide eyebrows - this is the ideal makeup that every fashionista should be able to recreate at home.

How to perform strobing yourself?

Apply highlighter to the points shown in this picture, then carefully blend it so that the tone looks as natural as possible. Do not allow the product to clog into the pores, and do not allow defects in the form of pimples and redness to be visible on your face - strobing does not tolerate shortcomings!

To hide defects, even out the skin texture and prepare it for strobing, first cover it with a makeup base (can be with a radiance effect or a simple one), then apply a moderate layer of foundation, and then work on all imperfections with corrector.

Which highlighter to choose for strobing? If your skin is oily or prone to oiliness, it is best to use a product with a crumbly texture; if it is dry, use a creamy texture. By the way, textures can be mixed with each other to achieve the most flawless shine. For example, apply a compact or loose highlighter to your forehead, and a cream highlighter to your cheekbones and under-eye area. The main thing is not to overdo it with the quantity, otherwise you will turn into a shining New Year's ball.

see how to do strobing in this video master class :

Strobing in makeup: step-by-step instructions

In fact, the usual use of highlighter in your everyday makeup is already strobing. For those who want to focus on smooth, even, radiant skin, we suggest “trying on” a simple, gentle and at the same time super-modern look. For light daytime makeup using the strobing technique you will need

2 types of highlighter (we have L'Oreal La vie en glow No. 02 and Glow Mon Amour in shades No. 01 and 02)
Foundation, concealer
Transparent finishing powder
Blush (or pastel eyeshadow)
Mascara
Eyebrow pencil

Procedure

Even out your skin tone with a lightweight foundation. If necessary, cover up any imperfections with concealer.
Apply dry highlighter above the upper lip, on the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, under the eyebrow and in the inner corner of the eye.
Use a light beige liquid highlighter to place highlights: drop by drop - on the center of the forehead and chin, on the apples of the cheeks. Blend well with a large brush.
Use a liquid bronze highlighter to highlight the contours of your face: dab a little on the top of your cheekbones and neck.

ADVICE. The effect of this makeup technique (strobing) will be enhanced by applying transparent mattifying powder to areas that are usually darkened by the sculptor.

Apply peach blush to the upper and lower eyelids.
Paint your eyelashes with voluminous mascara.
Shape your eyebrows with a brown pencil.
Paint your lips with nude lipstick with a shimmery finish.

Your image is ready!

Watch the video tutorial for this strobing makeup here:

Trendy strobing makeup technique: step-by-step application instructions

For some time now, contouring has occupied a leading position among makeup techniques. From the moment Kim Kardashian introduced this amazing sexy and expressive makeup technique, the technique became an international sensation and was picked up as a leading fashion trend. However, recently a new fashionable technique for applying makeup has appeared, quickly gaining popularity and competing in positions with Kim's technique. Fashionable ladies all over the world are eager to try a new fashionable trend in applying makeup - the strobing technique.

Celebrity makeup artist Sir John says that while the term strobing is new, the technique itself has been around for a long time. Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez has been using this makeup technique since the 90s.

JLo has been using this makeup technique since before it was called strobing.

What exactly is strobing? Believe it or not, strobing essentially means brightening. Compared to contouring, which aims to create expressive contours using bronzer and shading, strobing allows you to highlight facial features using lightener.

The photo shows Kendall Jenner on the red carpet, and the comparison shows the difference between contouring and strobing techniques.

The use of reflective products applied to the prominent parts and protruding planes of the face allows you to give the face shine, radiance, and catch the light in those areas that are key in makeup. Result? A divine gentle face that looks young and fresh. Alex Box calls it "a gentler way to create focus and shape the face."

Now that you know what strobing is, the question may arise: “How to do makeup using the strobing technique?” If this is exactly the question you asked yourself, great, since the step-by-step 5-step instructions and recommendations presented below will allow you to do delicate and sophisticated makeup using the trendy strobing technique.

Skin hydration

Since the essence of the strobing technique is to add expressiveness to facial features using light, you will want to leave your skin smooth and naturally radiant. Transform dry, dull skin in the prep phase by applying moisturizer first. Makeup artists recommend deep moisturizers, but if you have oily skin, choose a non-greasy moisturizer with a non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) formula that won't cause acne.

Applying the base

Give your skin time to absorb the moisturizer and then begin your makeup technique by applying foundation. This could be a primer, foundation or concealer, or any combination of these cosmetics. Just start applying your makeup as you normally would. Stop at the powder application stage. Because instead of powder you will use highlighter (brightener).

Choosing the right highlighter

Highlighter or brightener is the main cosmetic product in the strobing technique. You can't just grab and apply any highlighter you come across. The face must be competently and neatly outlined. When choosing the right highlighter, you should consider your skin tone. Here is a short guide on how to choose a highlighter:

Strobing makeup, application technique

Like any other makeup, storbing has an application technique, with its own tricks and features. First you need to determine the places where the highlights should be located. To do this, you need to see your face in daylight.

Those areas where the light falls should be highlighted with highlighter. As a rule, the chin, nose and upper cheekbones require highlighting.

So, let's start creating the image:

It is advisable to highlight those areas where the sun's rays fall with a highlighter with a creamy texture. The first step is to highlight the upper cheek area using a synthetic brush and liquid product. Next, you need to blend the highlighter.

To create an expressive evening or stage make-up, you should also apply a powder one on top of a product with a liquid texture. Afterwards, you need to carefully shade the layer, not forgetting about the borders.
Next, apply the liquid product to the bridge of the nose. The amount of product depends on the skin type. For oily types you will need a small amount of highlighter, for dry types a little more.
The next step is to add a slight glow under the cheekbone. This is the part of the face where makeup is usually applied when contouring.
If the image does not include a certain eye makeup, then it is advisable to use shimmer (shiny) shadows to highlight the central part of the upper eyelid, as well as the inner corner of the eye and the area under the eyebrow. This eye highlighting will help get rid of signs of fatigue.
Next, use highlighter to highlight the area above the upper lip. This stroke will make the contour clearer and the lips more seductive.
The final stage is the application of transparent mattifying powder.

What is needed for this?

The tools you will need are brushes and sponges. If you plan to apply a cream product, choose a flat synthetic brush, and if the cosmetics are dry, then the brush should be thick and fluffy. Most importantly, any brush should be clean. As for the sponge, prefer a beauty blender. It will help a lot when applying liquid concealer. The main advantage is the smoothness of the lines and blurred boundaries between the skin and the cosmetic product.

Now about the means, what are needed?

Cream highlighter. Applying highlighter will add moisture to your makeup, because a creamy texture is the best option for this purpose. When choosing a highlighter, try to make the skin glow and not shimmer due to excessive light reflection or large glitter. This type of makeup is not new, so most companies have already released products specifically for strobing.

Dry highlighter (powder). Best suited for combination or oily skin. This highlighter can replace shadows. If your skin is very oily, then it is best to use a matte and light highlighter. It will add volume to the face, eliminating shine. If the product is also mineral, it will take care of the skin and save it from further problems.

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Contour stick. This pencil is perfect for beginners. You just need to blend it a little with your fingertips.

Powder. Only white or transparent. It will add contrast and maintain the effect created by the highlighter.

When can strobing be applied?

Strobing - evening makeup. It is good where there is no sunlight.
Strobing is suitable for photography. In any case, photographers quite often recommend that models wear this particular makeup, especially for studio shooting.
If you have problem skin, it is better to avoid strobing, or first carefully hide all imperfections with concealer.
If your skin is oily and you still decide to do this type of makeup, you must first cleanse the skin and apply an anti-shine product.

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Initially, strobing was intended for catwalk models and from there it came to the masses. The technique of this makeup is not too complicated even for a novice “makeup artist.” Strobing does not take much time to apply.