How to Choose a Blusher

Blusher has been around for centuries and never goes out of style. It used to be referred to as rouge and was made from a fine, reddish powder derived from crushed cochineal - a Mexican insect. Used to give dull complexions a healthy glow, you can go for the Seventies baby doll look or the aura of a sun-kissed goddess. But there are so many blushers around to choose from it's difficult to know where to start.

Types of  blushers

Powder blushers

These are the most popular as they're the easiest to apply and great for all skin types. If you have oily skin, powder blusher gives a shine-free finish.

Powder/cream blushers

Smooth on like a cream but dry with a matt, powder finish. They combine the staying power of a cream with the blending power of a powder. Use a cosmetic sponge to apply and blend.

Cream blushers

These stay on for longer but those unused to handling make-up may find these difficult to apply. And if you have oily skin, you should probably avoid this type of blusher as they tend to clog pores. Colour should be blended in with a sponge or the fingertips and then followed with a light dusting of loose powder to "set" the blusher and help prevent shine.

All-over colour

This is especially good on holiday. Just sweep over your face for a bit of extra glow. You can use this on your cleavage, too. It takes less precision to apply and comes in a variety of formulations.

What color to go for?

Simply pinch the skin on you cheeks lightly to bring colour to your face - that's the blusher color you want to go for if you want natural-looking contour. It's important to pay attention to the time of day you're applying colour. Obviously, it's best to avoid anything too strong or garish during the daytime. But at night, it's safe to go for bolder colors. If you have:

• Pink skin tones - you can choose warm peach to highlight a rosy complexion.
• Yellow skin tones are often on the sallow side - choose a peachy/coral shade.
• Ivory skin tones - should avoid intense colors. Opt instead for subtle shades such as light beiges and soft pinks.
• Dark, olive skin tones - work well with browns, russets and fudge-coloured blushers.
• Black skin tones - choose browny reds or browny oranges. Bright pinks can be too garish.