If you’ve always wanted some one-on-one personal makeup TLC with me, here’s your chance! My friend Karen Robinovitz (author of The Fashionista Files) and her site, Brickfish.com, are running a Spring Beauty contest where I’m the prize! All you have to do is submit a photo that shows your interpretation of your favorite, hottest, must-have spring makeup look. Think candy-colored lips, metallic eyes, and romantic beauty. Be daring, be creative, be fun! I’ll do a virtual consultation with the winner, who will also receive up to $300 worth of the products I recommend.

Click here to enter

This spring one of the hottest trends is a flushed, blushed cheek. There are many products on the market and many formulas to choose from, but which one is the best for you? For women with oily skin I recommend using a powder blush. Sweep it on with a large, fluffy powder brush. Make sure your face is prepped with a light foundation and translucent powder first so the blush color will stay true and won’t go on blotchy. Don’t use the regular blush brush that is included with most blush products because it will deliver too much color in a concentrated area. You want it to look seamless. By using a large powder brush your result will cover the apples softly, creating the perfect flush. For normal skin try a cheek stain. Stains last longer and give the most natural look. This is applied on clean skin or right after foundation by dabbing the stain on the cheek and quickly swirling it in circles with clean fingers until it blends in. For dry skin, I love cream blushes. They come in sticks, tubes, and compacts and will leave your cheeks looking cherub chic. You can apply them with a sponge, swirling or pushing it into the skin it in a circular motion from the apples and then along the cheekbones. If you have applied too much, simply turn the sponge over and buff away any excess. The hot color range to play with this season varies from every shade of pink to roses and corals. If you’re fair, go for petal pinks. Medium skin looks great with rose pinks and dark skin looks amazing in bolder colors like true corals.

1. Body and Soul Brush #1 @ www.bodyandsoul.com
2. Lancôme Blush Subtil @ www.lancome-usa.com
3. CoverGirl TruBlend Blush with Minerals @ www.covergirl.com
4. Mac Powder Blush @ www.maccosmetics.com
5. Benefit Benetint @ www.benefitcosmetics.com
6. Tarte Cheekstains @ www.tartecosmetics.com
7. Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush @ www.drugstore.com
8. Pout Flush Blush @ www.sephora.com
9. Benefit Sheer Cream Blusher @ www.benefitcosmetics.com
10. Almay Touch-Pad Blush @ www.almay.com

Have a question you want Carmindy to answer? Email her at newsletter@carmindy.com

Anne Brickell writes
Can I use cream blush if my cheeks have constant breakouts?

Carmindy:
I suggest sticking with powder blushes that won’t change color on problematic skin and will last longer. Try the Lancôme Blush Subtil I recommend. It’s oil-free and won’t cause breakouts.

Mary Lou Kenmare writes:
I suffer from rosacea on my cheeks and don’t know if blush will make it look worse for me. What should I do?

Carmindy:
First, apply a foundation and light powder on your skin and then see if your natural rosy flush comes through. If so, then lucky you! That’s one less product to buy. If not, try a light dusting of sheer pale pink powder blush. That will be all you need to bring color back into your cheeks.

Ginger Larson writes:
I heard that applying cream blush then powder blush over top of it will make it last longer is this true?

Carmindy:
It will if you need to be on camera with hot lights or on stage performing. For day to day simply use one or the other.