Strobing, Highlighting products, It’s Ate Glow!

Social media has given makeup applications new terms, to make content in their feeds relevant.  One of these terms we refer to is Highlighting which is now termed Strobing or Reverse Contouring, thanks to Instagram and Youtube.  Both terms mean the same thing which is a makeup application that accentuates the high points of the face, the top of the cheekbones, underneath the brow bone, inner corner of the eye, middle of the nose and the Cupid s bow the area on top of the lips using products with high amounts of shimmer or shine .

Highlighting Technique
A simple diagram on where to put highlight products on the face whether its cream or powder based.

I discovered this product from a colleague and she considers this  her Holy Grail of highlighters.  Mary Lou Luminizer is an American product under the label The Balm Cosmetics.  Packaging has that retro feel similar to Benefit Cosmetics which makes it appealing to makeup junkies.

 

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Aptly named, Watts Up by Benefit Cosmetics and MaryLou Luminizer are highlighters that can lift your face all the way to the Diwata Satellite.

 

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This can also be used as an eyeshadow for a natural day look and emphasized with a black cat eye.  Simply divine. 

 

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Its described as a “Honey Hue” warm champagne highlighter best suited for medium tones.

 

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Has a pearly sheen and well pigmented.

 

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Be careful when you apply too much. This is how it looks unblended

 

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Blended with fingers, it gives a nice subtle glow.
This is how I apply the luminizer on the face, Real Techniques Setting Brush
This is how I apply the luminizer on the face, Real Techniques Setting Brush

 

 

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Used the MaryLou Luminizer on Shanen my model for a bridal shoot recently. Ate Glow

 

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Famously used by Mario Dedivanovic on Kim Kardashian on her YouTube video on Strobing.

 

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A Shining example. Not blended.

 

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I think I blended it too much. But good news is, its buildable and you can use a Beauty Blender sponge to apply it.

 

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There is a rubber sponge at the opposite end of this stick which helps in applying and blending the product but i prefer to use the fingers or a Beauty Blender sponge for flawless coverage.

 

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Watts up with her? Tried and Tested on my model on a bridal shoot.

 

Final thoughts on these two highlighters:

Use them sparingly and the key to not making you gleam like a greasepan is to blend it with your fingers, brush or sponge.

When applied too much, highlighters can sometimes look oily and sweaty in photos.  Do not use this on oily skin, it will look like a disco ball.

Apply them with ample lighting or across a window with natural light streaming so you’ll know how much to use.

Apply on the inner corner of the eye or tear duct to make close set eyes bigger or when you want to highlight that corner a la Korean pop star.

Layer this on top of your lipstick and tap a little amount on your ring finger and apply on the centre of your bottom lips to give the illusion of a fuller mouth.

Apply to the collarbones for a glowing sheen that makes everyone look good in photos.

 

Benefit Cosmetics is available at Greenbelt 5, Trinova, Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Alabang Town Centre, BGC Central Square, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-la and SM Seaside Cebu.  Watts Up Highlighter is priced between P2500.00-2700.00 (Online or at the store)

MaryLou Lumber is available at all Beauty Bar outlets.  Priced between P1200.00-1700.00 depending whether its bought online or at the store.

  1. I enjoyed reading your post. I’ve been doing highlighting even before I learned about the term. Back in college, I used white-silver eye shadows but I graduated from that. Lol. And now, I have all sorts of highlighters – mostly liquids, creams, and those on sticks. I haven’t used the powder type in a while, but thank you for the recommendations. I’m definitely checking these products out.

  2. I must be living in the old ages. LOL I am not really familiar with those kinds of stuff as all I know is powder and foundation. But I have been viewing video tutorials, though. I have seen some new makeup stuff that I haven’t tried. I am pretty sure that even though they seem to look new to me, I would be fascinate to give it a try.

  3. So many products to strobe and to highlight. Almost hard to choose. These products I can surely see that they shine baby! I love the products from make up forever too. Do you use them as well?

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