Strobing 101: How To, What Products To Use, Tutorial

One of the biggest beauty trends right now is strobing. Yes, this is officially a "thing." But what is it? How do you do it? What products do you need?

I'm answering all of those questions today and I am including a tutorial. BONUS: I am sharing my highlighter collection, if you'd like to see--it's at the end of the post.

What is strobing? 
Strobing is simply enhancing your features using a product that has a sheen and/or shimmer to it, and chances are, you are already doing this. The goal here is a glow on your skin in those enhanced areas.

How is this different from contour and highlight?
With contouring, you are hiding/recessing features to create an illusion, like having a smaller chin or deep cheekbones. Highlighting can be done with a matte powder (think Kim Kardashian's famous banana powder highlight) or a shimmer one.

Why do I need to try this?
If you could never get the contour/highlight look to work for you, strobing is a great trend to try. Summer is the perfect time--think beachy waves and sun-kissed skin.

What products do I need for strobing? How long does this take?
You need a highlighter with sheen to it. Highlighters/illuminators/luminizers come in many different forms and shades. For all skin types, try powder. For drugstore, try NYX and Physician's Formula. Becca and The Balm's Mary Lou-Manizer are my fave high-end ones. For dry skin, maybe a cream or liquid, like the Sonia Kashuk one pictured above, or the new L'oreal Lumi Glow Illuminator. If you are using powder, you'll need a small brush. Some people like a fan brush, but I don't think it is necessary. I like Real Techniques Setting Brush. but used one from Stillazzi for the pics.  You can use your fingers to blend with the liquid and creams. For more suggestions, check out the video. I give around 30 options for all price points/colors.

It takes a few seconds to a minute or so, depending on how/where you apply.

How do you do it? Strobing Tutorial?

Here's a gif version using powder and a brush, but the same techniques apply for any type of highlighter. Full disclosure--I am sharing a general strobing method. Since we all have different face shapes and features, my suggestions might not apply to yours. Pick the areas that you want to enhance.

• Start by applying a powder to the center of the forehead and blending out. If you have a large forehead, you can skip this.
• Apply the highlighter in a "C" shape, as pictured. You are enhancing/bringing out features, so think where the sun hits your face. Think slightly above the brows, near the eye, and focusing on the tops of cheekbones. Be sure to blend.

Other areas of application:

Apply to the highest point in the middle of the nose. Apply down the length of the nose to elongate it. Or apply at the end to lift it up.

Apply above the lips on the Cupid's Bow.

Apply on the chin.

To really glow, apply some under brows and in the inner corners of the eyes. You will need an eyeshadow brush or Q-Tip for those areas.

And now for my highlighter collection video--this was requested, so thank you. Check it out below or on my Youtube channel.

http://youtu.be/BfnTOrCBLIA

Are you into the strobing trend? Would you try strobing?

Extra Elle:

• Thanks for the tv show suggestions! I can't wait to check them out this weekend.
• Weekend plans? There are a few movies I want to see as well as have some pool time.