Strobing is a new technique that enhances your features and makes you look slimmer

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Strobing is a fairly new concept in the beauty world
Mimics the radiant look you get when natural light hits your face
It's easy and quick to achieve

Published: 19:53 EST, 25 October 2015 | Updated: 23:38 EST, 25 October 2015

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I've heard about a new make-up technique called strobing, which is supposed to make skin look more luminous. How does it work?

Sarah Jane, 48, Birmingham.

Strobing is a fairly new concept in the beauty world, but, unlike many make-up trends, it is quite simple.

Designed to enhance your features and make you look slimmer by using highlighters in the right places, it mimics the radiant look you get when natural light hits your face.

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Strobing is designed to enhance your features and make you look slimmer by using highlighters

Strobing is - quite literally - a trick of the light. And the good news is, it will work within your usual make-up routine and takes only a couple of minutes.

Sarah-Jane Froom, international make-up artist for bareMinerals, says: 'Strobing is the opposite to contouring, as it relies on highlighting rather than dark shading.

'The key is to apply highlighter where light would naturally hit the face - such as the high parts of the cheekbones, down the nose, below the brow bone and above the cupid's bow. The idea is to sculpt the face, rather than make it look shiny.'

Celebrity make-up artist Polly Osmond recommends a product such as Elizabeth Arden Golden Opulence Highlighter (£29, elizabeth arden.co.uk). The three shades in the palette can be mixed to suit any skin tone.

But Davinia Fermi, a make-up artist and founder of DFMA, a London-based specialist training academy, warns against using strobing to disguise imperfections, as highlighters can often be mistaken for concealers. 'Strobing should only be used to bring out your features, rather than mask them,' she adds.

WHAT TO USE

Paul & Joe's Moisturising Foundation Primer (£22, beautybay.com

The key to successful strobing is creating a flawless base on which to work. Paul & Joe's Moisturising Foundation Primer (£22, beautybay.com) creates a light coating, making a perfect base for make-up.

The right foundation is also important. Choose one that enhances - rather than cakes - the skin. I like MAC's Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation, which comes in a range of shades (£25.50, mac cosmetics.co.uk).

A cheaper option is Essence's new Pure Nude Make-Up (£3.80, wilko.com), which gives a light and radiant finish.

Then it's time for the strobing effect. For a natural, daytime look, try Bobbi Brown's Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm (£42, bobbibrown.co.uk). Nars Copacabana Illuminator (£23, narscosmetics.co.uk) gives a gorgeous glow, and I also like Marks & Spencer Twist Up Cheeks Highlighter (£9.50, marksandspencer.com).

Nars Copacabana Illuminator (£23, narscosmetics.co.uk)

MY TWO-MINUTE STROBING TECHNIQUE

if you want a quick, subtle way of strobing, use an illuminating face powder, such as Too Faced Candlelight (£21, Debenhams) all over the face.

Then, use a blusher brush to sweep a pink-toned powder, such as Benefit Dandelion Blusher (£23.50, Boots), across the tops of cheeks and the centre of the nose.

Finish with YSL Touche Eclat (a collector's version, Kiss & Love, is £25, yslbeauty.co.uk). Blend along the eye socket and above the cheekbones.

Pure Essentials Exfoliating Facial Scrub (£2.49, lloyds pharmacy.com

UNSUNG HERO

Regular exfoliation is the key to a brighter, clearer complexion but, sometimes, facial scrubs can irritate sensitive skin. The new Pure Essentials Exfoliating Facial Scrub (£2.49, lloyds pharmacy.com) is gentle enough to be used even on delicate skin. It removes dead cells and leaves your skin feeling smoother and replenished.

Halloween Lashes (£6.95, eylure.com)

BARGAIN BUY

It’s Halloween on Saturday — the perfect excuse to go dramatic with your make-up. Eylure has launched special Halloween Lashes (£6.95, eylure.com), which come in two styles - Carnival (left) and Cat Face. Ideal for a spooky makeover.

Murad Collagen Support Body Cream (£38, murad.co.uk)

ELSA'S PICK

Murad Collagen Support Body Cream (£38, murad.co.uk) is designed to target signs of ageing on the body. Rich in emollients to encourage the production of collagen, it has an uplifting aroma of lemongrass, vetiver and bergamot.

TREATS TO MAKE YOUR MONDAY MARVELLOUS

No. 7 has launched a range of bath products - perfect for a pampering night in. The Beautiful Skin Indulgent Bathing Range includes Sheer Indulgence Bath Oil (£12, Boots) and Foaming Shower Oil (£12) with grapeseed and almond oils to nourish skin, and vitamin E and argan oil to lock in moisture. To finish your pampering session, the Silky Leg Oil (£12) will keep skin hydrated on cold days.

Foaming Shower Oil (£12)

Gel and cloth face masks have become hugely popular this year.

Decleor’s Aurabsolu Hydrogel Mask (£12, decleor.co.uk) uses essential oils, including Jasmine Absolute. It absorbs into the skin like a gel but is actually oil suspended in water, meaning you can’t feel it on your skin. This is one to use before a special occasion as it plumps skin, leaving it glowing and healthy-looking. The effects are amazing.