Life
In graduate school, I had my morning routine timed to the minute. Get out of bed, make coffee, hop in (and out of) the shower, grab a cup of coffee and sneak hurried sips between getting dressed, drying my hair, putting on makeup, gathering my things, and running out the door. Nowadays, my routine is more scattered according to what the day holds, but I'm still always looking for tricks to cut down on time spent primping. Plus, I'm not what you'd call a makeup pro (read: I'm all about lazy girl makeup tips). So strobing hacks to perfect your look in 15 minutes fall under the category of "need to know".
I don't know about you, but I don't have the time to morph into a professional makeup artist everyday to make sure my makeup's flawless. Nor do I have the desire to get up earlier to do so. Strobing is a sort of novice (or lazy girl) contouring, which can take a bit of practice to get the hang of. Luckily, strobing is easier to master. Strobing is all about the light — the highlighter is applied to the parts of your face where the light naturally hits — giving you that glowy, dewy look you're after. Especially in the dead of winter when your skin doesn't have that natural glow. Try these seven quick and easy strobing hacks for the perfect low-maintenance look and your new makeup obsession.
1
Figure Out What Shape Your Face Is
Highlighting and strobing are both reliant on where the light hits your face naturally, which depends on the shape of your face. According to The Every Girl, the highlighting done is different based on your face shape, so determining that is the place the start.
2
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
If what you're looking for is a dewy, dreamy soft glow, moisture is essential. And in the winter, sometimes it's hard to combat the elements, which can make your skin appear duller and drier. According to cosmetics and accessories subscription company Birchbox, a tinted moisturizer can give you the right base to work with and make sure your results are radiant.
3
Pick The Right Foundation
According to Seventeen, there's a right and a wrong foundation for strobing. The publication noted that a matte foundation is typically the wrong pick because it usually leaves your skin looking dry with a powdery finish. Instead, go with a foundation that leaves your skin looking luminous and glowing, rather than set and dry.
4
Choose Your Highlighter
Obviously, it's important to take your skin tone into consideration when choosing the right highlighter for the job. But as makeup artists Molly Stern and Susan Giordano told Allure, the right highlighter for strobing is one that's shimmery, not overly glittery. You're not hoping to resemble a disco ball, after all.
5
Get Glowing
Although it's important to focus on the shape of your face when thinking about where to highlight, there are some common spots where light tends to fall. The apples of your cheeks, Cupid's bow, your brow bones, your nose, and the inner corners of your eyes are all common places to highlight, according to The Every Girl.
6
Blend It All Together
Make sure you blend your highlighting product for a more natural look. According to Elle, the strobing affect shouldn't be harsh or overly reflective.
7
Feel Free To Mix Products
Rather than layering on the products, consider just one step. Professional makeup artist and MAC Cosmetics Director of Makeup Artistry, Gregory Arlt told Racked that mixing a small amount of illuminating liquid, such as MAC's Strobe Cream, with a BB Cream or liquid foundation and brushing it on your face will give your skin the oomph it needs and majorly up your glow.
