Getting Cheeky

A little bit of blush goes a long way. Cheek color is one of the most important parts of any cosmetic regimen: it immediately brightens the face and obviates the need for heavy makeup elsewhere. Unless your skin has a natural rosiness, blush is vital even as part of a daily makeup routine because it allows you to achieve the flushed, better-version-of-yourself look that makeup is supposed to produce, without requiring very many products or very much time.

If you're wearing blush, you may find that you end up needing less concealer, less bronzer, and less eye makeup, even for a big night out. Blush can even mask redness and imperfections, leaving you free from thick foundation and concealer. I like to apply blush early on in my routine so that I can see just how much of everything else I need to use.

Blush literally makes you glow, and you'll notice the difference when you see yourself in the mirror or see a picture of yourself. Many people say they prefer bronzer, believing that blush is outdated or that being tan is the ultimate goal, but bronzer without blush, like foundation without blush, is suboptimal. You will look much healthier if you highlight the apples of your cheeks with a little pink or peach color, bringing out your cheekbones and lighting up your entire face. If you must bronze in conjunction, do a light bronze all over your face and apply blush as you normally would over it. It's a misconception that bronzer/blush is an either/or decision.

The bottom line is that blush is a staple product that no one should go without; my daily routine is this: tinted moisturizer, concealer if necessary, a little mascara, and a little blush. On a weekend if I'm running errands, blush over bare skin is just enough that I feel like I made some effort. I'll go ahead and share some of my favorite blushes with you.

L'Oreal Feel Naturale Blush in Charmed Peach applies smoothly and provides just the right amount of coverage. It's almost impossible to over-apply the sheer peach color, and the texture is a soft and silky. The brush that comes with the compact is squared and luxe, and much thicker than typical compact brushes. It's perfect for applying blush on the go. At home, however, I like to use a regular blush brush for all my powder blushes for maximum precision and control.

Peach blush is universally flattering, and another one I love is Revlon A Floral Affair Sheer Powder Blush in Peachy Keen. This one is a palette of three different peachy colors, so the finish is natural, and it has a little sheen to it. I first purchased it as a replacement for a former favorite of mine that was unexpectedly discontinued, and I went back and bought a few extras since I loved it so much (and since it's a limited edition -- I couldn't have a new favorite disappear just as suddenly as my previous favorite had disappeared). The slim size of the compact makes it portable, but it doesn't come with a mirror or a brush.

A newer favorite of mine is cheek stain. I love Tarte Cheek Stain in both Dollface (a baby doll pink) and Tipsy (a glowing peach), which both have just a hint of shimmer. Since it's a gel blush, everyone can use it, and it's oil-free and alcohol-free, leaving your pores clear and your skin hydrated. The key with cheek stain is to blend well. Whether you apply directly to your cheeks like I do or whether you use a sponge or your fingertips, if you don't blend, you just might end up looking like a clown. Apply to your cheekbone, from the apples of your cheeks toward your ear, and soften the edges with your fingertips until they disappear. The flush is so natural and lasts all day. The other thing I love about this cheek stain is that it makes a great lip color as well! Just swipe across lips and you're done. It's so easy to use and comes in tons of shades at select Sephora locations.

I'll tell you one more favorite, but it's not for wallflowers or the fair weather blush lover -- M.A.C. Powder Blush in Exhibit A. This one is a truly smashing tomato red sheer powder. If you have trouble avoiding looking like a clown in the gels and peaches, then this one probably isn't for you. Exhibit A is dangerously easy to over-apply, and you need a light hand to get optimal results. I like to tap a lot of the excess powder off the brush before even touching my cheeks; you can always build, but it's much harder to take off blush. The color lasts for hours and brightens your whole face, and women of all skin tones, with the right tools and right touch, can make this shade work for them. A fantail brush or a brush made specifically for blush are your best options for brushes. I usually reserve this color for nights out when I'm wearing dark or drab clothes, when it can provide the maximum punch without looking like it's too much. A little trick to bring out green or hazel eyes for a smokey-eyed night out is to use this blush as an eyeshadow. First apply your smokey-eye dark brown, graphite, or green-black color as you normally would, then use an eyeshadow brush to apply just a little Exhibit A as a highlighter so that it's not even really visible when your eyes are open. A real professional (like my little) can do it way better than I can, but it's a great trick if you can make it work for you.

Have I convinced you that blush is not only essential but also incredible and versatile? I hope so. And I hope you make blush an exciting part of your routine and have as much fun with it as I do!