Move over contouring, strobing is the new way to define.
According to new figures from UK retail analysts NPD Group, high definition makeup ranges are having a boom. Popularised by perfectly made-up celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, strobing is the technique of layering highlighters on the face to create an illuminated, highly-defined complexion that glows with health.
The new figures show that sales of highlighters, key in the strobing trend, are up by a whopping 48.5 percent in the UK’s first eight months of this year.
NPD’s director of beauty for the UK, June Jensen says the figures are fuelled by the popularity of the selfie. “It’s a trend we see across the board and make-up is essential to creating the perfect look,” says June.
To the uninitiated, strobing is about illuminating areas of the face that naturally catch the light in order to achieve that elusive glowing-from-within look. And it’s simpler than contouring. What’s not to love?
The trend is largely thanks to selfie-mad celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and Cara Delevingne who manage to look amazing in every picture they ever upload (and there are many) – and bloggers, vloggers and the mainstream press are going nuts over it. A lazy Google search will bring up hundreds of online videos and stories on the topic of strobing.
“Brands have capitalised on this [new trend] with new launches and focusing marketing on existing lines to drive sales in store and online,” says June.
Products to try:
Givenchy Photo’Perfexion Fluid Foundation,
Lancôme Photogenic Lumessence Foundation
Makeup Forever Ultra Definition HD Foundation
Have your say: Do you use the strobe technique on your clients?