Highlighting Vs. Strobing: The Real Difference Between The Two

It is hard to believe that only a few years ago we were blithely carrying on with our mundane lives, blissfully unaware of the astonishing difference highlighters and strobing products can make to our makeup routines. Currently, thanks to the influence of the Kardashians and Hadids, both are flooding the markets in their various avatars with millennials stocking them quicker than you can say ‘cheekbones’ . But what do these products really do? And, is there really that great a difference between the two to warrant separately-labelled products on beauty shelves? The main difference, points out makeup expert Marianna Mukuchyan, is that “highlighting is usually paired with contouring, whilst strobing works on its own.”

Guerlain Météorites Base. 

M.A.C Strobe Cream in Peachlite, Rs. 2,700. 

She also goes on to stress on the fact that while highlighting may or may not make you shine like a million-watt bulb in a dimly-lit room, “strobing typically gives you a very dewy, glowing finish thanks to the illuminating creams, moisturisers, and serums mixed into the base foundation prior to its use.” Makeup artist Mehak Oberoi agrees, “Strobing gives your face a wet look and is more like the preliminary step in your makeup routine. You can mix strobing creams with your foundation for a dewy look. On the other hand, highlighting is not necessarily done with high-shine powders or creams. Even matte highlighting is possible. It basically makes your features stand out while contouring pushes certain areas of your face into the background.”

HOURGLASS Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder, Rs. 2,472. 

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Writer and blogger Sumiran Annamaria Kashyap says she uses either of the techniques depending on the outcome that she’s looking for. “Highlighting has an element of exaggerated ‘facial landscaping’ to it through contouring techniques. Strobing, on the other hand, entails enhancement over exaggeration, and an awareness of the ‘touch points’ in the natural ‘dips and troughs’ of the face,” she says, adding, “I prefer liquid products because I use my fingers to dab and hence they are easier to work with.” And while there are those who make a very clear distinction between both techniques, makeup artist Manjari Singh feels that strobing is simply a more extreme form of highlighting. “Strobing uses shimmery shades of highlighter to accentuate your features, creating the illusion that the face is contoured without actually using a contour.Bobbi Brown Limited Highlighting Expert, Rs. 3,400. 

Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand, Rs. 2,500. 

The technique doesn’t use any form of dark powders or creams to create shadows,” she says. Singh calls highlighting “contouring’s partner in crime” and feels it has a more chiselling effect. “While one focusses on lighting your face up, the other focusses on creating shape and structure,” she emphasizes. Sonic Sarwate, global senior artist at M·A·C Cosmetics India, definitely feels the lines are more defined even though both techniques are sometimes used to complement each other. “Highlighting is all about enhancing your features with shimmery products, while strobing gives the effect of luminous skin, which catches light.” Sarwate advocates the use of creamy products for winter and powdery products for this season. 

Smashbox and M∙A∙C: Nykaa.com. Hourglass: Sephora.com. All other images: Courtesy. 

Assisted by Dishari Basu.