Fashion

7 Lazy Girl Strobing Hacks To Get A Quick Glow

by Kali Borovic

There are certain techniques that look so much easier than they are, and strobing is one of them. No matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch, it seems like there's no surefire way to apply highlighter. The key to the perfect face-flattering highlight is all about the person wearing it. If you're the low-maintenance type, these seven lazy-girl strobing hacks will be lifesavers for you. Once you realize what you've been doing wrong, no one will be able to compete with your chiseled cheekbones.

Before we get started with the hacks, you should know the difference between contouring and strobing. Because once you understand what a technique truly is, it becomes that much easier. Strobing is meant to highlight your features so they stand out, while contouring is all about chiseling them using shadow. Think of them as opposites. In both techniques, the highlight goes on the places of your face where the light hits first.

The trick from there is to figure out what those features are. Normally, people highlight their cheek bones, bride of the nose, cupid's bow and center of the forehead, but just because others pick those places doesn't mean you have to. The secret is to knowing your face. Here are some super quick and easy hacks that will help you learn the ins and outs and make you a strobing pro in no time.

1. Know Your Tones

Champagne Pop, $38, Sephora.com

BECCA Cosmetics Style Director Kerry Cole recommended the BECCA x Jacyln Hill Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector for all skin tones. She told Allure that the peachy hue in Champagne Pop cancels out your undertone, whether its pink or yellow, and leaves the perfect amount of shine so mater your complexion.

2. Hydrate Your Skin

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer, $7.95, jet.com

Highlighting does make your skin glow, but it can't do all the work for you. Cosmopolitan suggests starting your strobing routine with a hydrating moisturizer to replenish the skin first.

3. Get The Right Primer

Nyx Born To Glow Illuminating Primer, $13.99, ulta.com

According to Huffington Post, applying an illuminating primer before you strobe is the best way to get a nice glow before you even pick up the highlighter.

4. Know Your Face Shape

Omar Havana/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Before you start to pick where you put your highlight, you'll need to know what your face shape is. Cosmopolitan has a great highlight and contour face map that will give you a quick rundown of the basics.

5. Balance The Shine

Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up Highlighter, $30, HSN.com

If you think this pretty product is just for your cheeks, think again! To get the most natural looking glow, you'll want to balance things out by placing the product on other areas of the face. Try Allure 's five step highlighting guide to get a candle-light effect to the face.

6. Reverse Contour

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

If you're already a pro at contouring, then you'll love this trick. To get a more natural and soft face shape, Instyle UK suggests reverse contouring, which is simply contouring with a highlight instead. It's like strobing lite!

7. Don't Forget To Set

Pixie Makeup Fixing Mist, $15, target.com

There's no point in doing all that makeup work if you don't set it all at the end. To get the dewiest skin possible, Bustle writer Emily McClure suggests finishing with a setting spray instead of a powder.

Who knew it could be that easy?

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