Chic to cheek

Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Anyone wanting to pull a sickie should turn up to work without blusher. It's pretty much guaranteed to get you sent home - or at least a lot of sympathy. Simply, rosy cheeks mean a healthy look.

1. M. A. C Orange Twink Glimmershimmer

$34

For advanced blushing, this limited edition pearly light coral fluid can be used over a powder blush like Sheertone Shimmer Blush to shine and polish the apples of the cheeks or be used as a highlighter. Or you could try it on its own for a sweetness-and-light look. Coral is a colour that suits most, too.

From Smith & Caughey's Newmarket and M. A. C Chancery from April.

2. Chanel Lumieres Magiques De Chanel

$100 for 4g

A one-stop shop for cheeks. Inspired by the light techniques of film, this fuchsia pink, brick orange and iridescent lilac are just the things for a 40s sculpted, cinematic cheek with an orange hollowed cheek and contrasting lilac. Joan Crawford here we come.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

3. Shiseido The Makeup Rouge Flush Accentuating Color Stick

$42 for 10g

This cream stick blusher comes with its own built-in long-last moisturiser, as well as slight fruit and floral fragrance. Most pleasing. It comes in four colours - this is an intense shade of rose that intends to be full-on glamorous. If you want a more natural result, it can be blended easily enough.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

4. Maybelline Pink Frosting Dream Mousse

$18.99 for 5.75g

Hard to go wrong with this air-whipped mousse that's applied with your fingertips. It's easily blended, too. This colour's a lovely shade of damsel-in-distress.

From selected pharmacies, department and variety stores and supermarkets.

5. L'Oreal Barely Blushing True Match Super-Blendable Blush

$31.99 for 6g

The True Match blushers, foundations, powders and concealers have one objective: to perfectly match your skin tone and undertone for flawless makeup thanks to Opti-Match technology. This warm blusher for warm light to medium skin is so believable no one will know you're wearing blush. And the secret squirrel compartment underneath has a mirror and brush.

From selected department and variety stores and pharmacies.