13 Tips About The Strobing Makeup Trend That You Need To Know For Better Skin

Strobing is a genius new makeup hack that's sweeping the nation. It's the easiest way to do face-sculpting that actually looks good. Strobing is all about forgoing the darker shades associated with contouring and using soft shades of highlighter and applying it where light naturally hits your face (cheekbones, center of your forehead, nose and chin). The end result is a more shimmery and healthy-looking complexion! Be sure to check out these tips before you try it.

Highlight the higher points of your face and don’t be afraid of going intense.

Strobing is the opposite of contouring, so the more intense you go, the better! While you can use any highlighter, you should apply it with a blush or bronzer brush and damp it before you apply it — this will heighten the intensity.

Be sure to hydrate.

Double cleanse your skin with a quality cleanser to ensure that your strobing experience goes over well. A re-texturizing face mask will also help. Hydrating toners and vitamin-moisturizers are also products that will prep your skin for quality strobing.

It doesn’t HAVE to be complicated. 

Sure, a brush works GREAT, but even famous makeup artists have admitted to strobing their celeb clients using just a finger. “I love a cream or liquid illuminator [for strobing] because you can easily apply with a finger,” Sir John, Beyonce’s longtime makeup artist says. “I always apply with my ring finger because it’s the weakest finger that picks up the least amount of product. To apply, start with the high point of the cheekbone, center of the nose, followed by above the Cupid’s bow. You can apply down the center or the face and even on the collarbone to usher in more light.” The master has spoken! 

Don’t neglect the rest of your body.

Why stop with your face? Your entire body is worth it! Try a lightweight cream and strobe the tops of your shoulders or the shins of your legs. You’d be surprised how great this makeup trend works for all parts of your body.

Go for the glow.

You look and feel better when your skin is luminous and glowing. Try skincare products that are rich in texture or have a high SPF. These will help with the strobing effects as they work to give your skin a light, reflective quality.

Blend it!

It’s imperative to blend your strobe in with your foundation. If you don’t, you might see yourself go viral as a makeup fail picture on the Internet. So, blend away!

Don’t forget the powder.

A light dusting of powder will set in to help absorb the shine on your face that’s a bit too strong. Choose a fine powder that doesn’t clog or uncomfortably stick to your makeup. You only need a tiny amount for a fine dusting. Bare Minerals’ Mineral Veil Finishing Powder is a great product for this!

Don’t waste your money on specialty products.

Since strobing has swept the nation as such a popular trend, lots of retailers have hauled out strobing palettes in an attempt to capitalize on this social media craze. You DON’T need to buy these, though! Use a highlighting stick, concealer or shimmer powder that you already own — you’ll for sure save some bucks!

Don’t always do the dew.

While there’s no denying that a dewy finish with strobing is pretty, it’s definitely not practical for everyone. If you tend to sweat more, have large pores or have some acne, doing a dewy finish will only accentuate these blemishes. Instead, try a matte finish, as this effectively hides your imperfections without forsaking a desirable glow.

You don’t necessarily need to strobe for the office.

You of course CAN strobe for your 9 to 5. However, keep in mind how much you highlight for a day at work versus how much you highlight for a weekend night out on the town. Different engagements call for different levels of strobing.

You can pick and choose.

Your makeup techniques are meant to work in YOUR favor. If you’re following an online tutorial that asks you to strobe in a place that isn’t relevant for your face, don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. You should definitely highlight YOUR best features. So, if you have blemishes in certain areas, apply the highlight where you don’t have these skin issues.

This works for the eyelids, too.

If you don’t have time to do your extensive eyeshadow routine, try using your highlighter. Apply a dot of illuminator to the center of your eyelid and blend from side to side.

When in doubt, stick with the basics.

There’s a lot of tips out there as to how to strobe the best (duh, given as you just spent time reading these tips). When in doubt, follow the three golden steps: moisturize your skin, apply a clean foundation base and then brighten up your favorite features using a highlighting stick or liquid illuminator. Simple as that. Happy strobing!