What is strobing in makeup, what cosmetics and tools are needed to create such an effect? Rules for applying cosmetics, features of strobing depending on the shape of the face. The content of the article:
- What is face strobing
- Cosmetics and tools
- Application technique
- Highlighter tips
Strobing is a special technique for applying decorative cosmetics that involves the use of highlighters to contour the face. As a result, with the right makeup, it appears radiant, healthy and well-groomed, without losing its natural look. Initially, such a make-up was used by professional models. Now it is increasingly used in everyday life.
What is face strobing?
In fact, strobing is a type of facial sculpting using decorative cosmetics. But the emphasis is not on the "deepening" of the shadows, as is customary in contouring. On the contrary, strobing in makeup is emphasizing the natural bulges of the face by applying highlights and highlighting individual areas.
Technique came into everyday life from catwalks and fashion photo shoots. And the main problem with this way of expression was the unsuitability for use in real conditions. Everything that looked vivid and natural in the photo looked ridiculous and clumsy in everyday life. Therefore, makeup artists began to look for options for translating such makeup into real life. As a result, we managed to create a beautiful make-up technique, which makes the face fresher, more rested and healthy.
Strobing is a great way to enhance natural make-up, healthy glow and youthful skin. It makes facial features more expressive, oval - clear. It differs from traditional contouring and sculpting in that it does not change the shape of the face, but only sets accents in the make-up, gives volume to individual areas. Strobing also gives the effect of a slight lifting - the features become more harmonious, the cheekbones become high.
Hollywood stars love to use this makeup technique. After all, strobing does not require certain professional skills, such as contouring, as well as a large number of cosmetics of different shades and densities. It is enough to have only a suitable highlighter.
Strobing is great as a light evening make-up, as well as for photo shoots. It is not recommended to use this technique for everyday daytime make-up. In the sun, the abundance of glare will look unnatural and ugly.
You should not get involved in strobing women with oily skin. Highlights will give it extra visual boldness. If you really want to try strobing, then it is important to carefully tint your face in order to avoid the appearance of an oily sheen while wearing makeup. The same goes for girls with problem skin. It is necessary to even out the tone as much as possible, mask the imperfections with a concealer and a dense foundation.
Cosmetics and strobing tools
To get quality strobing, you need to have the right tools and cosmetics on hand.
Consider the basic makeup used in this technique:
- Cream based highlighter … These tools are ideal for creating a strobing effect. The creamy texture gives a special "moisture" to the make-up, which is required from such a make-up. These highlighters blend easily on the skin and have a soft, pliable texture. The main thing is that such a product should give the face a healthy light glow, and not flicker with all the colors of the rainbow due to the presence of large reflective particles in the composition. Many cosmetics manufacturers have released a line of highlighters specifically for home strobing.
- Dry highlighters … These powdery products are ideal for women with oily and problem skin. They slightly dry the epidermis, eliminate excess fat. In addition, such powder-based products can be used as eyeshadow to indicate highlights. In case of excessive work of the sebaceous glands, it is recommended to use a light-colored highlighter with a matte texture. It will give the necessary volume to certain parts of the face and eliminate excess oiliness. It is optimal to select a highlighter for minerals. This will help improve the condition of your skin. Powdery products tend to be more pigmented and vibrant. Therefore, apply them carefully so as not to overdo it with the strobing effect.
- Highlighter sticks … These are dense contour pencils that are convenient for applying highlights to the face. It is also easy to shade them. You can even use your fingers for this.
If you have the opportunity to use cream and powder highlighters at the same time, then apply the cream first, and dry on top of it.
Highlighters come in different shades, so you need to choose the right one. For example, a pearl tone highlights bumps well, pinkish or lilac - gives the face a radiant blush, golden and bronze - emphasizes the cheekbones, gives a tanning effect. When choosing a suitable highlighter shade in the store, ask for a strobe palette to find out which color suits you best.
Remember bronzers are not highlighters. They do not illuminate the face, but rather give it a darker, tanned tone. They can be used with, but not in place of, highlighters. In addition, in addition to the highlighter, you will need a special powder. It should be either white or transparent. The second option is preferable. So it will be possible not only to additionally even out the tone of the face, but also to preserve the makeup for a long time. In this case, you should not use powder enriched with reflective particles, so as not to overdo it with the shine of the face. As for the tools for applying highlighters, they are different for each type of product. So, the creamy texture is best shaded with a flat, unnatural brush. Powders are best applied with thick, natural hair brushes. Also, a creamy highlighter can be applied with a special sponge or beauty blender. Such devices gently shade it and do not leave clear boundaries after application.
Strobing technique
To make strobing and look attractive and fresh at the same time, you must adhere to certain rules. Consider the strobing makeup technique:
- Apply a make-up base to the face, which will even out the skin, smooth out irregularities and roughness.
- Thoroughly blend the foundation that matches the skin color (perhaps one or two lighter tones).
- We mask problem areas with a concealer or corrector.
- We carefully examine our face in daylight. It is important to mark all areas that are most illuminated (convex). As a rule, these are cheekbones, nasal bridge, chin, forehead.
- Apply a cream or sticky highlighter in the shape of a triangle to the upper part of the cheekbones. We carefully shade the borders.
- Apply a small amount of highlighter to the center of the forehead.
- We open our eyes wide and apply a little product under the eyebrow.
- Highlight the back of the nose with a highlighter. Using a thin brush, blend the product until the effect of a slight "glare".
- Use a light concealer to highlight the area under the cheekbones to make them look more voluminous.
- Apply the highlighter in the dimple above the upper lip to give the mouth a seductive puffiness.
- Draw a small circle with a highlighter on the chin and blend it.
- We use shadows with shimmer. We apply them in the middle of the movable eyelid and in the inner corner. Shade thoroughly.
- Lips can be accentuated with matte nude lipstick.
- Finish the makeup by applying translucent powder to the face.
If you do such makeup for the evening, then have a transparent loose powder and a brush on hand so that you can correct the make-up at any time. For longer makeup, you can use a fixing spray. Matting agents in this case will not work, they can ruin the whole look.
Remember that the use of bright decorative cosmetics when applying makeup using the strobing technique is inappropriate. Such a make-up is bright in itself, so it is enough to limit yourself to nude matte lipstick, light translucent shadows, black mascara and, possibly, eyeliner. Important! Do not use strobing in hot weather to avoid looking overly shiny.
Tips for using a highlighter for different face shapes
The recommendations for applying highlighter to create a strobe effect may vary depending on the shape of the face.
Consider the basic rules for using this cosmetics to achieve a positive result:
- Round face … Holders of this shape can apply some brightening agents on the protruding parts of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, on the cheeks under the eyes, and also on the lower part of the chin. Cheekbones are accentuated diagonally with blush or bronzers.
- Long face … The highlighter is recommended to be applied under the eyes from the inner corner to the outer corner, as well as in the temple area.
- Face-heart … Apply a little brightening corrective to the upper part of the forehead, as well as under the cheekbones, highlighting them.
- Square face … Apply the highlighter diagonally above the cheeks, on the convex parts of the forehead and on the protruding area of the chin.
Makeup artists advise against experimenting with strobing if you are doing it for the first time and are going to an important meeting. Try to apply this makeup when you are in no hurry, study your face, its features.
Remember also that there should be too many highlights of the highlighter, otherwise the face will look unnatural and have a "bold" look. The glow should be light, barely noticeable. It is important to blend the highlighter carefully to avoid the appearance of crisp lines. If you are wondering what kind of strobing is in makeup, then on the Internet you can find training videos for applying such a make-up:
This is a relatively simple technique that even a beginner can handle, the main thing is to experiment more with your face and choose suitable areas for highlighting with a highlighter.