Strobing; Lights, Camera ... Action.

Whilst Kim K solidly holds the world title for contour queen there is a new make-up trend which is taking over Youtube and it has nothing to do with glow sticks and Ministry of Sound. Whereas with contouring your goal is to emphasise the contours of your face strobing focuses on illuminating the high points of your face with very minimal contouring. In the end they both tie into each other as they are both effectively contouring your face whether it is bringing more light to your face or emphasising the shadows of your face.

Avon doesn't as yet have 'illuminating' products such as highlighting products but the same effect can be achieved with some tips 'n' tricks. The following things will also help you if you're not a fan of having a million and one make-up products.

@thealexbox

The best example I've come across (thanks to LetzMakeUp) comes from Alex Box's* Instagram page. Alex's work is incredible and has featured with many well known design artists as well as featured on the cover of Vogue magazine.

Taken from Alex's instagram account @thealexbox

So what products can we use to recreate this strobe effect?

Avon doesn't have any specific products for 'highlighting' however there are several products you can upcycle to use for highlighting purposes and tips 'n' tricks. It helps keep you within budget and allows you to use products for multiple purposes. Now that's what I call getting bang for your buck.

Depending on your skin tone you will want to keep to colours close to your skin tone. Paler skins can keep to pale pinks, pearl whites and cool white/blue tones. Olive tones will follow suit with topaz/gold colours. Richer darker skin tones the same with mocca colours. 

Chopsticks Eyeliner in Smouldering Silver

Easy as apple pie is to grab yourself a white eyeliner. If your eyes are close set using some white eyeliner in the inner corner of your eye can help bring that space forward and therefore reduce the shadow created by the bridge of your nose. You can also use this colour along your brow bone and rub it in to illuminate that section. Depending of the consistency of the liner you can also use it along your cheekbone and jawbone to illuminate.

Supershock Vivid Liquid Eyeshadow

The Supershock Vivid Liquid Eyeshadow is of a cream consistency and so the blendability (yes people we just created a new word) is much more flexible. The particular shade Pink Party on very fair skins would work wonders.

Colortrend Flirtycase Smoketastic

By far my favourite Avon product which is holding a firm spot in my current non existent make-up bag. Four creamy shades which blend together incredibly well and can help you create indefinite looks. I tend to use the lightest shade on the inner corner of my eyes and the brow bone. As I have a yellow tone to my skin I could easily use the coppery tone as a wash across my eyelids or the lightest cream shade.

Ideal Flawless Concealer Stick

This item has been featured on this blog before in our bronzer post "Bronzers; How-To's, Do Not's and When, Where and Why." Whereas we advised you use a darker tone to contour in this instance you'd use a lighter tone that that of your skin tone to highlight.

MagiX Multi-Benefit Illuminator

Got bags? Had one too many the night before or simply couldn't put that book down? Are you behind on Game of Thrones? This nifty little tool is perfect for illuminating under eyes but can also be used to illuminate other areas of your face.

Anew Lip Restoring Colour Balm in Silky Pink

Another pearly translucent product to help bring the shine to your lips. Any lipgloss, balm or lipstick that has a pearly quality to it will help add to the strobing effect.

So there it is. It isn't as complicated as it may seem. Just to recap you're highlighting the high points of your face. Blocking out the shadows and bringing the recessed parts forward. Top places to highlight are; inner corner of the eyes, brow bones, forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin, cupids bow and lips.

Alex Box site : http://thealexbox.com/
Alex Box Instagram : @thealexbox