7.10.2015

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.

strobing tutorial



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.

64 comments:

  1. How interesting... I've never heard of it, but have been using my highlighter for years - I love the effect it creates, especially in summer with a little tan. :)

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  2. I didn't realize that this is what it was called but you're right I totally already do this!!! xo, Baina -BlovedBoston

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  3. I had no clue what strobing was so thanks for the tutorial! This gives you a nice sunkissed, glowy look without looking shiny! I love it! Susan

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  4. This is great. I've only been doing it (didn't know what to call it) on my cheekbones, but now I'm going to try my forehead and nose. Great post.

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  5. I have never heard of strobing and I'm going to have to try! Thanks for the tutorial! You look gorgeous!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  6. I love highlighting with makeup! Never knew what it was called. Your skin looks amazing Elle!

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  7. Haha so I've already been doing this but had no idea it had a name! Good to know!

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  8. I haven't heard of this but it's brilliant! I do very minor highlighting/contouring each day out of habit but I need to give this a try, especially just to change things up a bit!

    xoxo,
    Meghan
    Southern Belle Secrets

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  9. I've been strobing and I didn't even know it - haha!

    LOVE your highlighter collection - I'm wearing Champagne Pop {the Jaclyn Hill x Becca collab} for the first time this morning...love it!

    P.S. Thanks for letting me know about the FB link issue in my Giveaway - I checked it out, and everything is working. Maybe the page was down yesterday. :/

    xx

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  10. great tutorial. I think I will give this a shot soon!

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  11. I'm very fair and have yet to find a bronzer that doesn't oxidize orange on me. For the longest time I was using Tarte's Amazonian clay blush in exposed as a contour and lately I feel like it's showing up more orange than I'd like. I'm a pretty warm tone as well as being very fair. Maybe I'll give strobbing a shot. Any suggestions on a true brown that's warm without being orange?

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  12. What a fun technique! I can't wait to give this a try, and thanks for the product recommendations!
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  13. I have never heard of this!! Love the glow it gives you though! Need to try!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles
    

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  14. Your highlighter collection is AHmazing!! The mirabella one is by far the prettiest packaging-I agree! And I am glad you mentioned what you are wearing in the video because I kept thinking how gorgeous you looked! I got a highlighting stick and small tube from Elf last year because I wanted to try some of this but couldn't find what you suggested. Now I have lots of great tips and product suggestions! Thank you!

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  15. I keep striving for this look without looking like a 2 yr old painted on my face

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  16. I really like the way this looks--you do look glowy and sunkissed, but it's not over the top. I don't do any contouring (too complicated for me!) but I do have a highlighter so I might have to try this!

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  17. I didn't know there's a name for this because I've been doing it all the time and I thought it was just highlighting. It's good to know that I'm doing something right in the makeup world. LOL!

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  18. I've never heard of strobing, but definitely a fun technique I'd love to try! Your face is beautiful and glowing :)

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  19. Thanks for posting about this, I just heard about it but wasn't sure how to do it. Can't wait to try it.

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  20. I love this basis so bright

    http://bellodiesseredonna.blogspot.it/

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  21. Thanks for explaining strobing. I have never heard of that term. Great tutorial and you look beautiful as usual!

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  22. This looks so much easier then contouring. Going to try it out the next time I do my makeup. No plans here for this weekend. Just working.

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home

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  23. what movies are you wanting to see? i want to go to the movies this weekend.
    i had seriously not heard of strobing, thank you for explaining so well! love the gif.

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  24. I am late to the party on this one, because I had never heard of strobing. It does make a difference though! Thanks for the super helpful tutorial. :)

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  25. I've been hearing a lot about this technique and I think I can actually do this one. Thanks for the primer!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  26. I love this!! I'm all for anything that will make my nose look smaller. ;)

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  27. Great tutorial. I'm not one to follow trends but I love glowy skin so the strobing technique is right up my street. Mary Lou Maniser is my favourite highlighter so far :)

    Renata | Speaking Beauty UK

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  28. LOVE this post - I really LOVE the highlighted look and really want to try out strobing. I think I'll pick up the Loreal one you recommended! It looks so fresh!
    xx, Karen
    Glam Karen

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  29. This is a great simple and easy to follow tutorial. I think your face looking glowing and amazing in the last pic!

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  30. Thanks for sharing! I'd never heard of this before but would be interested in trying it. It's definitely perfect for summer!

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  31. omg i have never even heard of this (although I'm always behind so that doesn't surprise me)! You look so pretty! Thanks for keeping me in the loop ;)

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  32. I am so jealous of your collection, Elle! I'll be getting that Wet n Willd Cabana one to try for sure. And you make strobing sound so easy. Love your tutorials:)

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  33. This is amazing!! I've never heard of strobing but the highlighting looks awesome!

    xo Ivette
    http://itgirlapproved.com/

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  34. Strobing is not for me as my skin is super oily, but OMG your skin looks so glowy and FLAWLESS. I just got a Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter the liquid kind and my highlighting life has changed. I'm dying to get a Becca highlight powder now. Have a great weekend!

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  35. This is a new "thing" to me but I LOVE it!! You make it look so easy!

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  36. Even though all beauty novelties and oldies sounds amazing, I'm just a basic makeup girl ;) Would love for someone to try it on me though- if I knew a makeup artist :) xx Maja
    ❤ http://majasmuffin.blogspot.com/

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  37. I love how easy you make things look! I still won't try because I'm not auditioning for clown school and that's how it'd turn out.

    Pool time and movies sound like a great weekend! Hope you enjoy!

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  38. Your makeup looks fabulous! Contouring and highlights is definitely not a strong suit of mine. Happy weekend pretty lady!

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  39. I have a shimmer powder I put around my eyes...I was strobing and I didn't even know it!!
    Elle
    Southern Elle Style

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  40. Very glowy! My oily skin does this on its own. Glad that look is "in" now! I love how this looks on you!

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  41. You know, I'll try anything once! I like experimenting and trying some of the trends out there. It's pretty fun!

    What brush are you using in the GIF up there? Sorry if you did mention it and I missed it. I saw you mentioned the RT brush, but I was curious as to what you used there.

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  42. This is very interesting. I have never heard of this technique before. Thanks for sharing Elle!

    XO,
    Amanda || www.fortheloveofglitter.com

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  43. I have never heard of strobing, but apparently I already use this technique haha I love highlighting and contouring. I really only do it when I'm getting dressed up and going out. Great post and thanks for sharing all your tips and tricks.

    Xo,
    Brittany || Pretty & Sassy

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  44. I absolutely love this! The highlighting is amazing!

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy

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  45. Wow! I do this a lot but I had no idea it was called strobing! And I'm a cosmetologist so I should probably know! Shame on me, haha

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  46. I have never heard of strobing before, so that's pretty interesting.
    http://emilymaiko.blogspot.com/

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  47. Love this!! I slightly do this now, but not to the extent you show! I'll have to step it up a notch! hehe <3
    xoxo,
    Amanda | www.TheChambrayBunny.com

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  48. Strobing is new to me, but I love how glowy you look!

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  49. I haven't heard of or tried this yet! I really like intense highlights in the summer time but I usually just stick to my cheek bones

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  50. You look beautiful, Elle! I've never heard of strobing, but you make it look so easy (once you have the right tools to do it right). Thanks for sharing! xo

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  51. I'd not hear of strobing until now; what lovely effects, though! I enjoyed your highlights collection video with java in hand this morn. :) T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  52. Never heard of strobing. I've learned something new.

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  53. I Would try strobing, love a good glow. The Revlon and L'Oreal I have tried and love.

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  54. Looks amazing! I just love it!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  55. OMG, Elle, you look GORGEOUS! So tan and glowing with beauty! Loved the gif! This is quite helpful. I'm so oily I "strobe" without highlighters every day around 5:30 p.m. in the summer time! That being said, I adore the way this looks and still want to try it! Going to go watch your highlighter collection video now! WOOHOO!

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  56. Your face is glowing!!! So gorgeous!

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  57. I heard of strobing for the first time a couple weeks ago! I have never tried it, may need to one of these days! (But then again, I never got into contouring so I am quite behind haha!)
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  58. i just started hearing about this term a lot lately. Love the way your face is glowing here!

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  59. When I first read "strobing" I was like omg is she about to talk about a Rave she went to and there were strobe lights?! hahaha! I totally need to try highlighting! I need to try all the makeup tips you tell me to try! xo
    www.styleiseverythingblog.com

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  60. I did not know that this was called strobing? So cool. First of all, that glow on you is just absolutely gorgeous!! I am going to have to try that revlon one that you talked about, as well as the Wet N Wild. I had a sample of high beam from Benefits and really did enjoy that one too. So many highlighters. They are all so pretty!!!!

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  61. I head about strobing recently and I am so intrigued! This post was SUPER HELPFUL! I do a light contour most days, but this is a way easier way to enhance features! I love how perfect it is for summer! So light and pretty!

    xoxo, Christina

    Fitness & Frills

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  62. This tutorial was SO helpful! This post was put together very well! I'll be pinning this and definitely trying the strobing technique soon. Thanks, Elle!
    By the way, you look simply stunning in these photos!
    Now to check out your video...hopefully I don't see any more highlighters that I "need"...haha

    xx Chrystin

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  63. DAMN girl! Didn't know there were even that many highlighters lol

    I've heard good things about Becca & RMS but can't seem to shell out for them. I got that Wet 'n Wild Cabanna one you recommended and have been enjoying it. Although I dropped it and smashed half of it :/

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