Forget Contouring, Strobing Is The Makeup Trick You Need For Summer (Photos)

Contouring, made popular by Kim Kardashian and Ko. is undoubtedly one of the best beauty tricks in the book: Master it, and you can cut yourself a killer cheekbone, fake a nose job and make yourself look about 10 pounds thinner, all with the wave of a (blending) brush.

It's the closest thing we have to magic.

But as the temperature rises, the prospect of wearing layers upon layers of foundation and powders — the kind contouring relies on —becomes wildly unappealing.

That's where strobing comes in.

Think of strobing as contouring's warm-weather cousin: While the former relies on the use of dark pigments to create shadows, the latter utilizes shimmer to create highlights.

The result is the same, according to Illamasqua creative director Alex Box.

She explains,

“[Strobing is] about using reflection on high planes and points of the face that catch the light to create spotlit areas. "It's a much more forgiving way to bring focus and shape to the face.”

Here's how to master the radiant look:

First, you'll want to start with a clear, smooth complexion.

Cleanse and moisturize as usual, and then apply a lightweight, iridescent tinted moisturizer to the face and neck, blending well.

Marie Claire suggests Mac's uber-popular Strobe Cream, or try RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, pictured above.

MAC Strobe Cream, $12, Nordstrom; RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, $38, Amazon 

Next, you'll want to apply a highlighter to the most prominent areas of your face, including the top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and the upper-middle forehead.

A helpful trick: Envision where the sunlight hits most directly and apply there.

Cream highlighters work best and keep the look fresh.

At $13, the Chic Luminosity stick by Sonia Kashuk is a great pick.

Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity, $13, Target 

Finally, apply a light, slightly-shimmery translucent powder to set the look.

Keep the rest of your look simple.

Strong eyebrows and a little mascara is all you need.

And let your radiant skin be the star of the show.

The result: A fresh, youthful — but still well-defined — complexion, sans the heaviness of traditional contouring.

Beautiful.

Citations: Meet Strobing The Anti Contouring Beauty Trick You Need To Know Now (Marie Claire), Contouring Is Out, Strobing Makeup Is Taking Over The Internet (BuzzFeed)