Beauty Reporter.(cream blushes replaced with water base)(Calvin Klein fragrance)

makeup trend

summer flush

It seemed like only minutes ago that makeup artists were praising cream blush for its transparency. Although they're still smitten with sheer, they're now exalting the next generation of light creams and gels that contain water instead of wax. "Traditional cream blushes are made of oil and wax -- requiring dry, heavy fillers such as mica or talc to keep them from looking greasy," says Jane Hollenberg, an independent cosmetics chemist. "Oil-and-water emulsions and gels require fewer fillers, delivering a hint of color without all the extra ingredients." The result is unprecedented transparency. New York City makeup artist Chrisanne Davis says the featherweight formulas are the most foolproof she has used, as they don't become cakey or dense -- even when layered for a deeper hue. The drawback: They seem to wear off more quickly than creamier versions, according to Davis. For added staying power, "apply a sheer base on the skin first, like Nars Makeup Primer, or follow the blush with a sexy golden shimmer powder to set it," she says. Bottom Line: The wax-free cheek colors look and feel remarkably light -- making it easy to achieve a glow as natural as pinching your cheeks.

CATHERINE PIERCY

Smell This

fruit cocktail

Calvin Klein's cK One Summer is a "modern, crisper interpretation" of the original unisex fragrance, according to the press release. We took the bottle of citrus, golden kiwi, and star fruit to the produce section of NYC's Fairway market to see if shoppers thought the fruity blend was as fresh as the real thing.