Just when we thought we’ve seen every type of highlighting and contouring application trend there is, chroming happens. Well, chroming isn’t so much about the application technique as it is about the product you’re actually applying.
Following in the strobing trend’s footsteps, chroming also involves a strong, bold highlight… but using lipstick to achieve your glow.
Straight off the runway at London Fashion Week, MAC Cosmetics senior makeup artist Dominic Skinner shed light (pun intended) on the new trend when he posted his backstage trick on Instagram. Skinner used the new MAC x Mariah Carey All I Want lipstick as a cheek and brow bone highlight, and the internet went crazy over it.
Some commenters pointed out that this has been one of their go-to beauty hacks “for years,” while others likened the look to “pork chop grease.” Love it or hate it, be prepared to see it making the rounds in the beauty community starting now.
Of course, chroming immediately piqued my curiosity because it seemed like a trend that people could try out by raiding their own lipstick collection. Even if you do end up buying a new lipstick for chroming, though, it’ll automatically be a two-in-one product.
I want to start off by saying that if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, proceed with caution. Most lipsticks are heavier than cream contours that are specifically formulated for the face, and may clog your pores.
Also, since creamy lipsticks will work best for this trend, you’re going to get maximum dewiness. If your skin already doesn’t play nicely with liquid and cream products, this trend also probably won’t be for you.
The best lipsticks for chroming are neutral shades with a luminous or shimmer finish. After completely tearing apart my lipstick drawers for something that would work, my knight-in-shining-lipstick-tube ended up being the Coastal Scents Lipstick ($4) in shade #6— a light pearly pink with a super luminous sheen finish. I’ve used it for layering over lipsticks in the past, but knew right away this would be perfect for the new chroming makeup trend.
Other affordable lipsticks you can use for chroming:
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Pink Sand
Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl Lipstick in Skyline Pink
CoverGirl Queen Collection Lipstick in South Beach Sand
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Apricot
Just as I would apply any cream highlighter, I pressed the lipstick straight from the tube onto the tops of my cheekbones and drew upwards lines toward my ear. Then, using my fingers, I blended the lipstick in an upwards direction until it looked seamless with the rest of my face makeup.
Depending on your skin type and the lipstick you use, you might want to set your highlight with some translucent powder, since the texture is a bit stickier than your typical cream highlighter.
I’ve gotta admit… the end result looked pretty damn awesome. I loved that the texture of the lipstick gave my skin a fresh dewy look on top of the sheen the actual shade provided. Is it something I would do every day? Probably not. Like I said, I’m not sure of the effects it would have on my skin over time (and I’m not too keen on finding out the hard way), plus I already have a ton of go-to cream highlighters that offer the same look. Also, this gorgeous and dramatic highlight only lasted about four hours without powder before becoming completely nonexistent.
With that said, this is still a great trick if you’re low on money or time and want to use one product for multiple jobs, or even if you’re traveling and want to cut down on products to pack. Especially while there are still so few cream highlights at the drugstore (and cream highlights are the way to go, in my opinion) this is an easy and cost-effective solution to getting the strong highlight that has become so popular.
What do you think of the new chroming trend?
Nidia Doherty
I’ve been using lipsticks as a blush in a pinch for years. New twist on an old fave.
Rachel Runyan
How long till cosmetics companies start selling “chroming sticks?” Chroming looks very pretty on you, but with my oily skin, I’ll pass.
Lorraine ER
I did this once when I was in a rush & couldn’t find my fave highlighter, lol!
My skin is already shiny so this isnt good on me & you look great but I’m not a huge fan of the Mac pics, it looks exactly like my skin does if I can’t blot or powder in time.
Miranda | SlashedBeauty.com
Yes it’s definitely a very tailored trend that really depends on skin type– like I said I probably wouldn’t do it every day just because I’m acne prone. Thanks so much for visiting & commenting!
hashtagfablife
This looks stunning on you! I actually remember in elementary school doing this with a marshmallow shimmer white lip smacker! #throwback
HashtagFabLife