HOW TO | Contouring and Strobing Tips with Burberry's Face Contour and Highlighting Pens

Contouring and strobing are makeup trends that seem to be here to stay. With everyone taking and uploading selfies in this day and age, it's no wonder that picture perfect makeup has become a priority! There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to contour or highlight, but there are definitely ways to make it more natural and believable.

TUTORIAL | A Guide to Strobing

There are many different products to strobe with, and my top 10 list will be shared soon enough, but the process of strobing is quite simple! It is essentially highlighting all over the face — as opposed to only underneath the brow bones or just down the nose bridge.

I always start with my cheeks because that's where "the glow" is most desired. Apply to the tops of your cheekbones but avoid the under eye area! Most seem to forget about the eyes when it comes to strobing, but highlighting under your brow bones and in the inner corners of your eyes will bring the whole look together. Finish off the look by taking some of the highlighter down the bridge of your nose, on the tip of your chin, and gently across the forehead.

I love the mix of products that I used for this tutorial because they're both multi-functional in their own right. The Touche Eclat + Full Metal Shadow blend is a very unique and effective way to strobe without spending a fortune on new products dedicated to this strobing trend! It won't look greasy or oily, and it stays put throughout the day.

If you prefer less shimmer, you can try applying the strobing cream before your foundation. It will make the sparkle much more subtle. I chose to apply on top of my Le Teint Touche Eclat liquid foundation for emphasis since the camera tends to wash everything out. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Makeup Worn:

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat in 2

Yves Saint Laurent Full Metal Shadow in 2

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Blur Primer

Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

Yves Saint Laurent Couture Brow in 1

Yves Saint Laurent Kiss and Blush in 4+5

Shirt:
Comme des Garçons

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TOP 5 | Best of Hourglass Cosmetics Review + Swatches

Over the years, I have been asked repeatedly for introductory brand guides, so I have been focusing heavily on these Top 5 edits this quarter. Since I am often short on time and cannot always dedicate extra time to permanent products when limited edition collections roll out faster and faster each year, these curated reviews have allowed me to share old favorites. I am thrilled to spotlight one of my favorite niche brands, Hourglass Cosmetics, now available via Nordstrom. Hourglass has been rather elusive over the years, so this first department store launch will finally make their incredible products accessible to more of my readers! Explore my must-have selections from Hourglass after the jump xo

Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancers in 11 Pastel, 12 Gold, 13 Sand Beige + 14 Delicate Pink Reviews, Photos, Swatches

My #1 makeup obsession this year has been the Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer. I was hooked since the first application and I have since used and featured 13 Sand Beige in multiple tutorials (here and here). All four are beautiful, but I have discussed 13 most since it blends so seamlessly with bronzer. Today, however, I will share the other three shades available. Check out shade break downs and swatches of all four Luminizing Face Enhancers after the jump! 

Dior Summer 2014 Transat + Transatlantique Collection Review, Photos, Tutorial

Dior's Summer 2014 Transat and Transatlantique makeup is undeniably lust-worthy! The warm tones and divine textures make it the perfect summer collection, and it is indeed one of my favorites. I am happy to share some limited and exclusive products in action and provide feedback on some highly anticipated new additions to the Dior range!

Unfortunately, the Dior Nude Tan Transat Edition and the Rouge Dior lipstick I used in the tutorial are no longer available! I scooped up the gold powder highlighter from the LAX Duty Free Shop, and I purchased the lipstick from Saks. I, however, still highly recommend the other Rouge Dior Nude lipsticks! If you are willing to go more pink, try Swan. These reformulated lipsticks are much better than previous generations.. good riddance to the funky taste and waxy stench!

FYI: The My Lady Cannage Blush I used toward the end of the video is back in stock at Saks!! Get yours now before they sell out again. The Addict Fluid Sticks have also been flying off the shelves since their release, and Frisson is sold out at both Nordstrom and Sephora online (though it is available through other department stores). As I stated in the video, Kiss Me and Frisson are my favorites, so definitely give those a try if you like softer lip colors!

The review ran longer than expected so I cut out the Dior Pore Minimizer pictured above, which is ideal for combination and oily skin. It does keep the shine at bay for a few hours, so I highly recommend giving it a shot if you have found other formulas too drying! The Dior is quite silky and feels luxe, though I would not repurchase it. I personally prefer illuminating primers since I have normal skin and do not have issues with extra large pores, but I occasionally use this on bumpy patches where my acne scars are still healing!

P.S. Don't forget that you can still enter the @RAEVIEW + @STYLEHAUL #MyLuxeLook contest to win a Dior IT-LINE and many more amazing beauty goodies from Chanel and Shu Uemura! One winner will walk away with the $500 prize. Please refer to all giveaway guidelines HERE!

Makeup Worn + Used:

Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation in 113

Koh Gen Do Triple Lighting Powder in OC-1

Cle de Peau Concealer in Beige

Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204 and Holder

Dior Nude Tan Glow Bronzer in 002 Sunlight

Dior Transatlantique Eyeshadow Quint in 564 Sundeck

Dior Eyeshadow Mono Transat Edition in 541 Pavillon

Dior Addict It-Line Liquid Eyeliner in It-Black

Dior Iconic Overcurl Waterproof Mascara in Black

Dior My Lady Glowing Color Blush Palette in 002

Dior Nude Tan Transat Edition Highlighter

Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in 381 Sunrise

Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 239 Frisson

Marc Jacobs Highliner in 42 Blacquer

EM Michelle Phan Scribble Eyeliner in Snow

Velour Lashes in Doll Me Up

*Use promo code RAEVELOUR to receive 15% OFF

Brushes Used:

Tom Ford Eye Shadow Blend 13

Wayne Goss The Collection Blender 03

Wayne Goss The Collection Crease 05

Wayne Goss The Eye Set Pencil Brush 20

Hakuhodo Angled Blush B512BkSL 

Nail Polish:

Dior Summer 2014 Yacht & Sailor 

[Both still available at Sephora] 

Earrings:

Dior 'Mise en Dior' Tribal Pearls

Sweater:

Wildfox Couture [old]

Sundeck is shown perfectly true to color here!

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Bobbi Brown Twilight Pink Palette, Everyday Pretty Palette, Nude Glow Shimmer Brick, Siren Red Lip Gloss, and Pure Gold High Shimmer Lip Gloss Reviews, Photos, Swatches

The Bobbi Brown Holiday collection is full of wearable surprises and is still available online! I absolutely love and look forward to the preppy, chic black and gold packaging that Bobbi releases during the winter months. They make perfect "feel good" gifts for co-workers and family members and/or tasteful treats for yourself. Check out the photos with all swatches after the jump!

Giorgio Armani Eccentrico 4-in-1 Face Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Giorgio Armani released a small collection of vivid colors for Holiday 2013. I was immediately enamored by the edgy design and packaging of the Eccentrico Face Palette and and ordered one as soon as it was available at Nordstrom. I picked it up without glancing at the price and was shocked when I realized I had paid $88 + tax, which is the standard pricing for Armani palettes containing one blush with three eyeshadows. I feel a justified price would have been around $65 since Armani's eyeshadow quads are $59. Despite my mixed feelings about the price, I have fallen in love with the color and quality. Check out more details after the jump! 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold Review, Photos, Swatches

Today I wanted to explore rose gold, which is still very much in trend this Fall. I will focus on Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38 USD), a creamy powder luminizer that absorbs and reflects light for a superbly natural glow. The texture of this powder is silky and easy to blend. Becca makes some of the most coveted highlighters on the market, so check out the swatches after the jump!

Ellis Faas Light in E303 and E304 Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

Ellis Faas is a makeup artist that has worked with some of the most world acclaimed fashion design houses such as Armani, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent. Her makeup line reflects her vast experiences with color and texture. I love her military inspired sleek and innovative pen packaging, which is striking on a vanity but truly practical for traveling. The twist mechanism provides more control than does a plain squeeze tube, but I found I had to turn it about two dozen times to dispense product with the first use. Thereafter, one to three twists dispenses just enough product for each eye. Light, however, is a different kind of eyeshadow for many reasons. Find out more and view the swatches after the jump!

Laura Mercier Spellbound Face Illuminator Review, Photos, Swatches, Comparisons

New and limited edition for Fall 2013, the Spellbound Face Illuminator has a soft rose-gold shimmer that is ideal for highlighting. According to Nordstrom, "the unique formula based on high pearl level provides buildable long-wearing color." I have already fallen in love with how well this wears on my yellow-toned skin. Spellbound is one of the most flattering colored highlighters I own. See all swatches and comparisons after the jump!

Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen Reviews, Photos, Swatches, Comparisons

Tom Ford released his new Illuminating Highlight Pens last year, but I have only just been able to experiment with these dreamy, versatile products. There are shimmery and matte shades, available at Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman, all swatched and described toward end of the post. Click below to see more photos!

From Harrods.com: Tom Ford believes in balance and symmetry. The illuminating highlight pen allows you to enhance, contour or diminish your features to create the appearance of symmetry. The range includes eight highly micronized shades: four tones that catch the light and bring focus to the cheekbones and eyes to create balance and symmetry (Citrine, Lavender Voile, Peach Blush and Liquid Bronze) and four tones that act as skin-priming concealers to diminish flaws and shadows (Naked Bisque, Dusk Bisque, Amber Éclat and Sable Intense). All eight tones work to soften and diffuse light for a smooth and undetectable finish.

Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter Review, Photos, Swatches

Benefit's new soft focus champagne highlighter is a hit with me! I say that right off the bat because I've tried NARS Copacabana and Luxor Multiples, which slide around my cheeks, even when set with a powder. If you're not familiar with these solid stick, cream-to-powder finish highlighting products, you're in for a treat! I think they are the easiest highlighters to work with and they are also the most natural in finish. I simply swipe the top of the stick across the tops of my cheekbones, blend out, and apply my powder blush just underneath it. You can, however, use Watts Up! over your blush if that's what you're used to. The champagne color may seem to suit warmer skins better but it actually is flattering across all skin tones! There isn't too much pink or peach so it will also work with a variety of blush shades.

My skin is still tan [Chanel Perfection 40] but Watts Up! definitely works on my coloring.

Close-Up of the Champagne Color! Some say it's peachy but it's neutral on me.

The packaging is cute yet practical, with the product on one end and a sponge for blending out the product on the other. I don't find I use the sponge often, as I prefer to quickly blend with my warm fingers, but if you cannot bring yourself to touch your face with your fingers, the sponge is very effective at smoothing out the edges. Watt's Up! is emollient but not overly creamy so there is not much slip, meaning the product stays put on my face all day. It does fade 4 hours later, though, so you may want to throw this in your make-up bag if you like to have highlighted skin all day!

The sponge is small but precise - easier to work with.

I do feel it's expensive at $30 for 0.33 oz but because Watts Up! outperforms my NARS Multiples, I would repurchase. 

Images: Benefit & Rae of TheRAEviewer.com