Tuesday 15 December 2015

Strobing for Beginners

I love the strobing trend. As I've mentioned before, contouring doesn't do much for my bony little face, so for a while now I've been interested in trying its counterpart. Just in case you haven't heard about it, although I'm sure most people have by now, strobing is all about illuminating the high points of your face, as opposed to creating structure and shadows, as you do with contouring. It's basically highlighting on steroids! I think it gives a lovely, flattering glow to the skin, but I've never really been sure how to create the look - that is until I discovered a couple of products from Collection that made the whole thing a lot easier, especially for a beginner like me.

Strobing for Beginners with Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation and Speedy Highlighter

I was colour matched for Collection's Illuminating Touch Foundation at the Pegasus Beauty event back in September, but it's only recently that I've got around to fishing out the sample I was so kindly gifted and giving it a try. (It really is the goodie bag that keeps on giving!)

The Illuminating Touch Foundation is "infused with a blend of skincare actives" and designed to give "natural luminosity" to the skin, which it definitely does. Even worn alone, this has a luminous glow to it. It's quite full in terms of coverage, which is good news in my book, and all in all I really like it - this could definitely rival my current favourite drugstore foundation, Revlon ColorStay, for the top spot in my affections! I was matched to the shade 2 Ivory, and for reference, my skin is pale bordering on medium.

Strobing for Beginners with Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation and Speedy Highlighter

Strobing for Beginners with Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation and Speedy Highlighter

As well as the foundation, I also received a little instruction card, with a step by step guide explaining how to use it together with Collection Speedy Highlighter to create a strobing effect. 

So I bought a Speedy Highlighter. Obvs.

Strobing for Beginners with Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation and Speedy Highlighter

This is another very impressive little product. I got shade 01 Pearl Sheen and it's a cream highlight which you can just swipe across your face, like Benefit Watt's Up. It's a light gold, champagne sort of colour.

Strobing for Beginners with Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation and Speedy Highlighter

 The instructions to create the strobing effect are actually pretty simple:

  1. Apply the Speedy Highlighter to the areas of your face you want to highlight. (So, tops of cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of nose, chin and cupid's bow.)
  2. Apply Illuminating Touch Foundation as normal, over the top.
  3. Repeat step one, over the top of the foundation.
  4. Blend.
And that's pretty much it! The finished result is super dewy, illuminated skin that looks a little something like this.
  Strobing for Beginners with Collection Illuminating Touch Foundation and Speedy Highlighter

Perhaps not to everyone's taste - my husband asked me if I was supposed to look like I'd just been out in the rain - and probably not suitable for day to day wear, but for a night out, I love the effect, and I'll definitely be rocking it over the festive period. Plus, I kind of think it makes my cheeks look fuller - a massive bonus in my book!

Well done to Collection, a brand I used to pretty much dismiss with the exception of the Lasting Perfection concealer. The more I discover of their products, the higher up my drugstore list they soar. And so reasonably priced too!

While we're on the subject of makeup looks, my first post for magazine.co.uk went live yesterday. It's a wintry berry lip look inspired by Grazia. If you're interested in seeing what I came up with, you can check it out here, and maybe even give it a cheeky like if you're feeling generous!

What are your thoughts on strobing, and are you a fan of Collection?

Kate x
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28 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing this look Kate, I've avoided this 'trend' as I have oily skin and I don't want to look any more sheeny haha. I do love powder highlighters though and Sleek have an amazing palette that looks amazing!

    Hanh / hanhabelle

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    1. It's definitely sheeny! I like the powder highlighters too - in fact I'm a fan of highlight in any form! x

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  2. Your husband is too funny. Mine would have asked a similar thing. If he had noticed I had done something different, that is.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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    1. Haha, I think strobing is quite hard to miss! Definitely looks better in photos and soft lighting than full on daylight, I have to say! x

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  3. I have combination/oily skin so don't like dewy foundations on me but the stick highlighter looks so pretty! x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    1. The highlighter is brilliant. I honestly think it's as good as Benefit Watt's Up, which I have loved for years. Not to mention it's a fraction of the price! x

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  4. Thanks Anastasia! I'll definitely check out your blog. x

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  5. I was at the Pegasus event, too! I've given this foundation a fair shot, but it's just not for me, sadly! I have very pale skin, and even though I was colour-matched to the lightest shade, it still isn't quite right for me! I've just purchased the Speedy Highlighter though! I'm yet to give it a go, but hear nothing but high praise for it, so I'm sure it's fabulous! Visually, it looks very much like a dupe for the No7 version. I love your husband's comment, haha! Men, aye?! I'm with Dagmara; I have combination skin, so I'm not sure this duo would look so great on me, but the highlighter applied gently over a matte base could work x

    Laura | Lala London: Beauty & Lifestyle

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    1. I think the highlighter is very versatile Laura and would work very well over a matte base for a more subtle glow - in fact this is probably how I'll end up wearing it for the most part. The strobing effect is definitely one for evenings out in soft lighting - it's pretty full on! x

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  6. i have the blush stick from collection from that line and absolutely love how easy it is to apply. i should go get that highlighter!!

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  7. Oh, seems as this is a cool product!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    www.dressedwithsoul.com

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    1. Both the foundation and highlighter are winners! x

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  8. I love the Speedy Highlighter - it's so quick and easy to use xx

    www.missmakeupmagpie.com ❤️

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  9. I'm laughing at your husband's comment!! The speedy highlighter looks great! xx

    Beautylymin

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    1. It is! And to be fair, I suppose I did look quite "dewy"! x

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  10. I like the dewy look. Beautiful pictures too. I will need to try this out. :)

    www.chicuturnonglitz.blogspot.com

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    1. I do too! This effect was quite full on but I think it would be amazing for a night out. x

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  11. These products must be amazing! Beautiful makeup look! =)

    NEW POST on http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/

    xoxo,
    Jessica

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jessica! They are lovely products. x

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  12. I have read with envy about Collection products, they generally received great reviews and seems to be a firm favourite with UK bloggers! Alas, we don't get it here in Canada. ;-(

    Reflection of Sanity | Palmer's Cocoa Butter Care Package Giveaway (Canada ONLY)

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    1. To be honest Shireen I didn't realise until very recently what a good brand it was. I loved this one concealer, but it just didn't occur to me that they might do other great products as well! Better late than never though! I am sure there are all sorts of great things you get over there that we don't have here too. x

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  13. Your strobing skills are on point Kate, you look fabulous :)! haha I think I need the highlighting stick! :p I use the Anastasia Bev Hills powder highlighter which gives a more natural glow, if you wanted to try that for day looks? :)

    Serene | I Am Serene L

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    1. Sounds great! I love all highlighted looks, but this one is definitely more full on! x

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  14. I did a similar post with their Strobing. I loving Collection and the highlighter is amazing.

    Angie | Chocolate & Lipstick | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Yes I remember, I really liked that post! I've really discovered a new love of Collection - I hardly gave it a second thought until recently. x

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  15. Your skin look healthy and glowy. Been loving Collection's foundation. Such a great drugstore option. x

    Renata | Speaking Beauty UK

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