Light show: Highlighters are the secret to luminous, sculpted skin

IF YOU haven’t heard of strobing already, you soon will.

 

It’s the make-up trend that’s gone stratospheric, and while it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, you really only need one product in your kit: a highlighter. Patted on to the higher planes of your face, strobing can slim and lift without all the laboured techniques of contouring. It’s the shortcut to luminous, healthy skin. Convinced? From illuminating creams to push-up pens, there’s a highlighter to suit everyone. Time to get glowing.

 

 

 

Most highlighters come in one universal pale pink – not so ideal for darker skin tones. Step forward Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator (£22.50; 0870 034 2566), which is available in three shades. Pump the super-sheer liquid on to the back of your hand and use a fingertip to spot highlight cheek and brow bones or mix with your foundation for all-over luminosity.

Picture a nail polish pot and you have Benefit High Beam (£19.50; 0800 279 4793). Remove the excess from the brush and dot the satiny-pink liquid sparingly on to the tops of your cheekbones and brow bones – a little goes a long way. High Beam is perfect for pale skin but if you have a medium to deep complexion, switch to its bronzier sister Sun Beam (£19.50).

Highlighters don’t come much more luxurious than Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (£38; 020 8740 2085). Like a glistening cushion of opalescent pressed powder, the tiniest amount is all you need for heavenly highlight. You can also use all over for a soft-focus finish. There are six shades but Ethereal Light, a cool, creamy white that’s said to mimic a moonlight glow even if you’re in stark daylight, is particularly lovely.

 

If you can’t face being without your highlighter, add Burberry’s new designer stick to your handbag. Out in September, the sleek Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen (£25; 03445 616161) is perfect for achieving a glow on the go. Try this creamy stick if you want a bit of strobing precision. Just glide on to areas where light would naturally hit, like your Cupid’s bow, and blend with your fingertips.

Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter (£3.99; 020 8349 2992) is another option for on-the-move highlights. In chunky crayon form, the texture is lightweight and effortless to apply. The effects are subtle but you can easily build up for a more sculpted look. Keep the rest of your make-up matt to balance out any hints of shimmer.

Less portable but oh-so-pretty is Laura Mercier Candleglow Luminizing Palette (£45; 020 8740 2085), which is out in September. If you want to experiment, this has two highlighting shades and four eye shadow shades that also double up as highlight accents with names like Glow, Spark and Twinkle. Use a soft fan brush and focus the light-infused shades on high points of your face for a radiant finish.

 

Shiseido’s Face Colour Enhancing Trio in Lychee (£32.50; 0345 602 1073) is essentially three-step strobing. Use the palette’s middle colour for highlighting, the top to give your cheeks a subtle glow, and the bottom blending colour to harmonise both powders together with your skin tone. For a speedier highlight, just use the middle shade individually with a sweep of the mini brush.

When it comes to the strobing trend, MAC was light years ahead with the cult Strobe Cream (£24.50; 0870 034 2676). A classic backstage at fashion weeks, it’s the go-to for perking up complexions, fast. Rather than pinpointing specific areas to reflect light, subtle iridescent particles in this fast-absorbing cream give you an all-over, fresh-faced
glow. Mix a small amount with moisturiser for an instant skin boost in the morning.

Another versatile liquid strober is NARS Illuminator (£23; 0800 123400). Available in six shades, Copacabana is the perfect highlighter. Use for specific zones of your face or wear over or under your foundation for that elusive lit-from-within quality. Why stop at your face though? Extend your strobing with highlights on your collarbone and shoulders. Warning: this trend is addictive.