Beauty Reporter: Beauty 101.

Bright Blush

Flushed cheeks in three easy steps. By Cara Birnbaum

For years, it was no louder than a whisper -- the quietest suggestion of well-mannered color. But now blush is brighter, and not the least bit soft-spoken. "We're seeing a lot of gray in fashion," says makeup artist Virginia Young. "A punch of color on the cheeks works so beautifully." Despite their eye-popping brilliance, the latest formulas are far sheerer than the thick rouge our mothers wore. "Just a light stain wakes up the skin," says makeup artist Stephane Marais, who likes shocking pink or red on fair or medium skin, peach or apricot on olive faces, and purple tones on dark complexions. "Light" is the operative word, says makeup artist Dick Page, "to avoid looking like a graduate from clown college." (Those with blemishes should skip bright blush until they clear.) The pros keep intense colors from looking fake by topping them with highlighter. From there, they blend like crazy. "You should see no distinct edges," Page says. "I cringe when I see these colors turn into racing stripes."

prepare skin

Wash the face, and pat with a towel. If needed, apply a light ...