2015 Spring/ Summer Trend- Strobing and achieving a natural glowing skin/makeup base.

The "no-makeup" looks, super natural makeup and "bare looking" style has really been overriding throughout the entire makeup trend of 2015 from winter and even till now. It's all about that weightless,light coverage,radiance and glow this summer for skin. No more painted canvases you see- instead, it's about enchancing your complexion and allowing your natural features to shine through. Strobing has conquered and bye-bye it is to contouring. Therefore, today I will be sharing with you my techniques on strobing (contouring with highlighters) and achieving a luminous glowing base especially to awaken dull complexions without looking oily or like a shiny disco ball. Not only it has come back in fashion in makeup trends this year-particularly this season, it is very popular in my workplace in what my clients demand as well.

My Technique/Tricks:

1) Firstly Start off with your usual skincare routine before doing anything else.My Skincare routine: (To be shared soon)
Then apply I a face primer. (I recommend a Silicone-based primer because it will provide you a more polished and flawless smooth finish. It acts as a better filler in problematic imperfections/areas such as targeting enlarged pores,fine lines yet also providing better oil control as well as creating a barrier between your skin and makeup.
I use: SMASHBOX Photofinish Primer /Benefit Pore Professional Primer prefferably with fingers/ a paddle foundation brush.

2)Then I apply a Fluid based Highlighter - I recommend Benefit's High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer / ELF Shimmering Whip in Lilac Petal. (great dupe, just that the Benefit one is easier to blend since it's more liquidy)
Firstly put some product on the back of your hand and dab using a makeup wedge all around your face evenly to create a luminous and glowing base on to your skin. Make sure to use pushing and dabbing motions when doing this and avoid doing any tugging and swiping motions because we want to this to blend in and sink naturally on to the skin rather than it being patchy and sitting on top.

2) Taking a Light to buildable based foundation/ BB cream ,buff it on to the skin. I recommend the Sigma F80/ RT Expert Face Brush for this.  If you have Dry/Acne prone skin i suggest using a Traditional Paddle Brush( Clnique Foundation brush/QVS double ended foundation/concealer Brush) because it can smooth the flakiness due to the application of downward stroking. However,buffing brushes can accentuate even more flakiness on drier skin types because you are irritating it even more due to the buffing emotions.

Here are some foundations I recommend for normal/combination skin :
(All shade references are based on my NC15 skintone)
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation (Lightest)Vanille Clair- Shade 51 - (Dupe for Chanel Vitaluimere Sation Smoothing Foundation but so much cheaper!)
L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation (Lightest) Rose Pearl C1
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Foundation Shade: Ivory-Believe in me (great for pink undertones) SPF 25 PA+++
Dior Skin Forever Foundation- Ivory 010
MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream Shade -No.13 Bright Beige SPF42 PA+++ (comes in more shades for darker complexions)
Clinique Repairwear Laser focus All Smooth Foundation SPF15 PA+++  - Shade 01

3) As the foundation sets I apply a powder highlighter to the high points on my face.
I use my number one all time favourite highlighter MAC Soft & Gentle and I apply this with my Real techniques Setting brush.
I focus on these particular areas:
Centre of Forehead- To create dimension especially from looking from the front view and to mimic a sun touched look (where light naturally hits the face)
Top of eyebrow arch and browbone- To open and bring out the eyes
On top of cheekbones-  To enchance your cheekbones and bringing them forward, giving your facial structure a bit more of a lift and making it look more dimensional
Down the bridge of your nose- To Sculpt the nose looking slimmer,taller and straighter
On top of your cupids bow- To make your lips look more fuller and sharpening the shape of your cupids bow.
Chin- To accentuate this area allowing your chin to look sharper and as a polished finishing touch to the face

4) Optional but to really mimic the look like your skin is glowing from within and to make your facial features even more prominent  I take the Benefit High Brow Glow under my brows and some on my cupids bow and then blending out with my fingers to really bring everything together and allow my brows/cupids bow to look sharper. Small details make a difference!  Finally I Powder my T-zone with a translucent Powder to remove any additional shine (Rimmel Stay Matte, MAC studio Finish Careblend-Light, Benefit Shine Vanishing Pro Powder). I use my Barbara Daly Powder brush to do this (Better than Sigma & Real Techniques one-Review Soon )

Disclaimer: (All Photos provided are not owned by me but are only used for the purpose to demonstrate looks done using the technique of strobing.)

I hope you enjoyed reading my post today! What are your thoughts on strobing? Do you prefer contouring or strobing ? please comment down below and share your thoughts, I don't bite LOL !As I got a request I'll be doing more upcoming posts in Chinese for my chinese readers ! Camdy xxx