Strobing Is the Perfect Makeup Alternative to Contouring and Learn How to Do It

Can't quite master the art of contouring/highlighting? Here’s an easier way to define your features that is the perfect alternative: strobing.  You can ditch the expensive contour palettes and just use a highlighter.

What is Strobing?

Strobing is all about enhancing your features by using only a highlighter and natural light. It’s about stripping down your skills and focusing on applying highlighter where light would naturally bounce off to amplify it.

Strobing vs Highlighting

How you want to wear your highlight defines whether or not you're highlighting or strobing. Both techniques basically highlight everywhere. The difference is that highlighting usually comes with contouring, while strobing flies solo.

What products do I need for Strobing?

When choosing a highlighter, make sure you avoid anything sparkly. The point of strobing is to create a subtle shimmer that will look natural. You should also keep your skin type in mind. Cream stick formulas are best for normal to dry skin types, while powder highlighters are for combination or oily complexions.

Choose products based on skin tone

For a subtle sheen, make sure you’re using a highlighter that suits your skin tone.

• RMS Beauty Living Luminizer 

• It Cosmetics Hello Light Anti-Aging Creme Illuminizer 

• Benefit Sun Beam Golden Bronze Complexion Highlighter 

• NARS The Multiple in South Beach

TIPS BEFORE YOU START

• Prep your skin with a hydrating moisturizer.
• Only use the highlighter in spots that catch light.
• After you've applied the highlighter, blend it out with your fingers, a fan brush, or a damp makeup sponge.
• If you have oily skin, opt for a matte bronzer, blush, or other facial products, and only use a shimmery highlighter.

STEP-BY-STEP STROBING

Apply highlight on features that you want to emphasize. Apply on the top of your cheekbones, above the brow bone, on the tip of your nose, and on the chin. These are the usual spots where natural light hits. 

Now that you have a base highlight, intensify it a little bit more all over the face using a powdered highlighter. This will also set the base highlight you did on the first step.

Once you're done highlighting all over your face, focus on applying highlight again on top of the cheekbones, on the browbone, inner corner of the eyes, tip of the nose, and the Cupid's bow to really make those highlights stand out and pop. Use a concealer brush to highlight the cheekbones, then use a pencil brush on the rest.

And there you have it! Instead of faking shadows with contouring, give your face a sculpted sheen with strobing.

PRODUCTS WE USED IN THIS TUTORIAL FOR STROBING:

1. Becca Backlight Priming Filter
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne pop
3. Sigma E45 Brush
4. Sigma E40 Brush
5. Real Techniques Setting Brush

 CREDITS:

• Makeup and Images by Kristen Fornier  (Instagram: @kristenfortier)