Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Strobing: a step-by-step guide to the new beauty craze


December 8, 2015
Share this:

From Jennifer Lopez to Karlie Kloss, the world's most beautiful women regularly hit the red carpet with a dewy fresh-faced complexion – and now their biggest beauty secret has been revealed. Strobing, which consists of highlighting the parts of your face that catch light, has become an A-lister beauty trick, with bloggers and beauty addicts around the world hailing it as the new contouring.

We take a look at how to master this major beauty trend with a step-by-step guide…

jennifer lopez© Photo: Getty Images

Stars such as Jennifer Lopez often rock a dewy fresh-faced look at events

Before you begin:

Make sure to choose a highlighter that suits your skin tone, to avoid a washed-out look. Pale skinned ladies should opt for champagne or pale pink shades, while olive-skinned ladies look great with dusty pink or rose tones. Darker skinned ladies should go for colours with a warm, bronze or gold hue. Stick to liquid or cream powders with illuminating factors as these work better for creating the dewy glow.

Step one: make sure to moisturise

Use an oil-free moisturiser with SPF to give your complexion a hydrating boost before you begin. Not only will this keep your skin healthy, but it will add to the look's fresh-faced finish.

Step two: prep your skin

Apply a primer that matches your skin tone, then add a touch of foundation or tinted moisturiser for a smooth, even finish. Add a touch of concealer to hide any remaining blemishes. Make sure that you stick to matte shades – the only product which should shimmer is the highlighter.

karlie kloss© Photo: Getty Images

A matte foundation like the one Karlie Kloss chose makes a great base for strobing

Step three: apply the highlighter

Apply the highlighter in strokes to the middle of your forehead, cheekbones, eyebrow bone, the tip of your nose, the Cupid's bow and finally, the centre of your chin. Don't spread the product all over your face – otherwise you could risk a greasy finish. If you have oily skin, avoid your forehead and chin as these will have a shine already. A top tip when it comes to strobing – less is more.

Step four: blend, blend, blend

Like contouring, the key to successful strobing is blending. Using your fingers or a brush, start by blending the harsh edges of the highlighter lines into your skin. Keep blending the product until the lines are no longer visible, making sure the rest of the product fades into the rest of your complexion.

Step five: complete the look

Add a hint of blusher to avoid looking too pale or washed out. If you want to amp the glam factor, then define your eyes with a touch of eyeliner and dramatic long, thick lashes.

Click here for more make-up tutorials

Transform your routine with expert advice from our beauty and wellness team

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here

More Makeup

See more