The Secret Behind 'Strobing'

If you've been on social media or seen a magazine cover in the last month or so, odds are you've heard about 'strobing'. The hottest, 'new' trend for Summer 2015

Work by Natasha Denona

So what even is 'strobing'?
Strobing is drawing attention to the high points of your face (think cheekbones, bridge of your nose, brow bone, cupids bow) and giving yourself an all 'round glowy,dewy, youthful appearance. Us oily skin folks can get away with it too by mattifying the other areas of the face, (jaw, forehead, cheeks, and chin)

Must I contour and strobe to get the full effect?
Nope. 'Strobing' means that the areas where the sun would hit are super dewy and glowy and highlighted, even by mattifying the other areas of the face this will give you a natural contour. 'Strobing' is all about looking natural and youthful, so no contouring, no heavy eye make-up (eeek) .

Hang on a second... this whole strobing thing sounds kinda familiar
It does doesn't it? Maybe because it's HIGHLIGHTING. Yes everyone this is the big secret. Strobing is nothing new. The makeup industry does this every so often, they pick a new name for something that everyone's been doing for years and years. By doing this they suck people in to buy extra products they do not need by claiming they're the 'ultimate strobing device'. They simply take advantage of the people who are less au fait with makeup causing them to freak out, go and buy all these products. If you ask me it's just a money making scheme. By Christmas you'll probably be able to purchase strobing kits (probably) I've already seen make up artists advertise 'strobing classes'. It's bad form.

Rant aside, what do I think of this trend?
Personally, I'm not a super dewy kinda person. I like to be totally matte, but I love a super strong highlight. Highlighting is my favourite part of my skin makeup. On other people I think this is truly stunning and really nice for Summer, though I'm kinda wondering if we'll ever see the sun again here in Ireland. But despite my disapproval of the term 'strobing' I think the look itself is gorgeous. Above there's an example of work by Natasha Denona who's an incredibly talented artist and 'strobes' beautifully. You can check out more of her work here

What do I use to strobe (i.e highlight) ?

• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in fair. (this colour isn't light enough for me to use as a highlight but I tend to go for it anyway #palegirlproblems). Retails in Boots for €5.79
• Benefit High Beam. Retails in Boots for €27.50 
• Mac Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle (my all time favourite highlight) retails in Brown Thomas for €30.00
• Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero shine (to mattify the non highlighted areas) Retails in Boots for €33.50

So that concludes my thoughts on 'strobing'. I realise I didn't go very in depth into how exactly to highlight/strobe. But let me know if ye would like a step by step 'how to' and I'll do that for you! 

Until next week, 

Laoise, Just The McGinning

Is Sleek on Fleek?

Since Sleek MakeUp is a relatively new brand to the Republic of Ireland, many of us have yet to try the once Superdrug exclusive UK brand. I do not claim to have an especially large range of Sleek products, nor do I claim to be an expert on the brand I am just offering my humble opinion on what they has to offer. So the question I'm posing today is, 'Is Sleek on Fleek?' (I'm really sorry, it rhymed and I couldn't resist)

Eyes

L-R: 'Oh So Special' , 'Ultra Matte V1' , 'Storm'

From their i-Divine range I own the Storm, Oh So Special, and Ultra Matte V1 (I used to own the Au Natural palette but that met its end when I dropped it... :( ).  Retailing at €10.49 from Boots these palettes are most definitely a bargain!! 

What's Good About It?

• Sleek provide their consumers with an excellent colour range, not only across their collection of palettes but within each individual i-Divine palette. They can be used to create day or night looks and generally are very versatile. 
• The price point, a Naked Palette is about €45, you could by 4 of these for that price and to be honest, the quality is almost on a par.
• Most shadows are well pigmented and blend easily. 
• The mirrors in ALL Sleek products are phenomenal, I usually keep a palette in my handbag purely for the mirror cause they're so good

What's Not So Good?

• These shadows have a lot of fall out, and for a good colour payoff on the lid a base/primer is most definitely required.
• The shadows aren't all consistent, one may be incredibly pigmented the next, just a very sheer wash of colour, I especially find this in the Ultra Matte V1 palette. 

Cheeks

Top Left: Precious Metals Highlighting Palette. Bottom Left : 'Life's A Peach' blush, Right: 'Fair' Face Form palette

As well as their eyeshadow palettes 'Sleek' are renowned for their cheek products. 

Precious Metals Highlighting Palette: This will set you back €13.49 from Boots , I'm in a love/hate relationship with this product. Each highlighter swatches beautifully but however when put over your foundation it turns into a very strange texture, it does not blend easily. The dark, bronzey colour on the bottom is a strange mix between powder and cream, and I can't find a way to make this product work for me, despite how absolutely gorgeous the colours are. If anyone has this, and it works for them please do let me know how you're using it! (Tweet me at @laoiselaoise ) 

Blush in 'Life's a Peach' : I have nothing negative to say about this blush and Sleek's blush formula, incredibly pigmented, long lasting and come in a variety of colours. Apparently Sleek have some excellent dupes for the Nars blushes. I really plan on buying more as I just love this so much, you can pick these up in Boots for €5.99

Face Form Palette in 'Fair': Do I like this palette? Yeah, But do I love it? Nah. Personally I don't like the colour of the contour shade, I prefer an ashier contour and this is just a bit too bronze for me, I really like the highlighter, it has a gorgeous amount of payoff and the right amount of sparkle, the blush isn't really a colour I myself would wear, however there is nothing wrong with the quality. Again, like everything else you can get this in Boots for €13.49. 

So, all in all I can safely say that Sleek would be one of my favourite 'on a budget' make up brands. There are many more products from them I wish to try and will definitely be buying from them in the future. 

To answer my initial question, Is Sleek on Fleek? Very much so. 

If anyone wants a more in depth review of any of these products, do let me know and I will be more than happy to do so!

My next post will be on: The Secret Behind Strobing

Until then, 

Laoise, x