Given up multiple (failed) attempts to contour like the Kardashians? Meet the sculpting technique's latest competition: strobing.
While contouring is intense, and includes complex use of darker and lighter shades of foundation to define your features—think beautiful high cheekbones, a defined nose and bye-bye double chin—strobing is a rather simple and light method to enhance your best facial points, without all that swatching.
Like the name suggests, strobing plays with light to put your natural features in the spotlight.
The result: a dewy fresh glow. With the star product of this technique, a highlighter, you define the high planes on your face (cheekbones, along the brows etc.), which catch and reflect the light that falls on them.
Unlike its complicated counterpart, strobing does not involve heavy layering of product. It's lightweight and perfect for unkind weather conditions.
Contouring is tricky—deciding just the right shade of dark and light to make your features pop—as opposed to strobing, which uses only one product to complete the look.
Strobing results are more natural and radiant as compared to contouring's intense made-up look.
Strobing may be easier than contouring, but it still requires precision and is about more than just adding shine to your face. Here's how to do it:
Moisturise a cleansed face to create a smooth base.
Use a lightweight foundation to create an even complexion, such as Clinique's Superbalanced, which gives a silky finish.
This is the most important step. After inspecting your face in the mirror with ample light, notice the parts where light falls naturally—like your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and between your brows and temple—then, swipe on your highlighter, such as MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish.
Seal this luminosity with a translucent setting powder. Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder with SPF 15 is perfect to finish the look and it banishes all signs of dullness.
Complete the look with soft fanned-out lashes, using Bobbi Brown's Smokey Eye Mascara, and plump nude lips.
