Contouring has been the biggest trend in beauty for a while now, but it’s all got a bit overused and now it’s refreshing to see an antidote emerging to his heavy make-up craze; and that antidote is strobing.

It’s is all about adding light instead of shade. Highlighting the upper contours of the face instead of adding layer upon layer of shading to the cheeks. I have quite dry skin, so adding lots of luminosity is perfect for me and helps give the appearance of dewy skin which is so chic.

Strobing with Rosie Fortescue and Luke Stephens

I rarely wear a heavy base, I prefer a lighter foundation like the Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation  I have fair skin so would opt for Ivory 103 or Nude 105, but they also have perfect matches for darker skin types.

Before I apply the foundation I would apply a light moisturizer the Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beaute Light – 24Hr Soothing and Moisturizing Emulsion. It leaves the skin matte and contains fine rice grains that absorb excess oil which is essential preparation for the application of the foundation, and it has the bonus of working all day long.

My favourite product to get the strobing look is the Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion. You can use it in lots of different ways and it looks amazing every time. You can mix in it with your foundation to make your entire base more luminous or you can also add it as a liquid highlighter onto the high points of the face and accentuate the strobing effect. It comes in a Rose 01, Champagne 02 and a more warm Peach 03 so it suits all skin types. Concealer brush pens are also effective with illuminating the visage as they’re really easy to control where you want the light to go. I’d recommend the Givenchy Mister Light in Mister Meringue 01 because it’s really dewy and also the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Correcting and Highlighting Perfector Pen  because that one also works as a concealer under the eyes.

As I have dry skin, I find that creams and liquids seem to work the best with my skin, but for any oilier skin types or for those who don’t like to use creams I’d recommend the Guerlain Meteorites Compact. The product looks like a work of art all on it’s own but it also works to diffuse the skin and adds luminosity such an elegant way. It makes strobing easy!

Good luck with it, and if done correctly you should light up any room with your luminous make-up. Please do email me any questions and make-up tutorials you would like me to do I’m on rosie@escentual.com

Lots of love,
Rosie x