The experts all agree that for Spring 2007, glamor is back.

The look for skin is flawless and matte, but not heavy or caky. Sheer foundation lightly set with translucent powder will achieve the most natural look while covering imperfections. Lips will be pale and neutral, barely-there colors are in.

Eyes will be dramatic and smoky. Eyeliner is all-important to bring out eyes and liner on the lower lid will be seen more. For eyeshadow, smokey greys and metallics, pinks, golds and shimmers are the color choices. Brows are definitely thicker, not pencil-thin. They will create the dramatic frame for the eye area. To help the eye stand out even more, lash extensions rather than full false lashes will be the rage. These can be done professionally or you can buy false lashes that are individual sprigs that you glue to the base of the lash line to create a lush, full look.

Blush, if used, should be as close to a natural match color as possible or you can try bronzing powder. The goal is seamless, flawless skin, so any color applied to skin must be lightly applied and blended well to highlight cheekbone structure.

The application of blush can be considered a form of art in the style of realism. Too many times blush can look more like modern, abstract art with its streaks and sharp edges and way-too-vibrant colors.

Blush is meant to be just that - a glow on your cheeks, subtle color that makes you look healthy and fresh.

If you use gel or cream blush, the key is blending. Start at the center of the apples of your cheeks and blend outwards in widening circles. Keep in mind that the color must be lighter and more blended with each circle until it disappears at the very edge. You can use a translucent powder over it to set it and prevent it from “melting” into pores.

Powder blush is easily blended if you use a large, soft brush. If your powder blush came with a small, square, flat brush, throw it away and get a professional makeup brush. Again you should start at the apples of your cheeks and lightly brush over them with color.

The best blush color is one that looks natural. Bright pinks or pinks that are too dark will leave you with a “slapped cheek” look. For most of us pinky peaches or peachy tans are the most natural but not every skintone is alike so look for a color that is natural on you .

Finally, your blush should never compete or clash with your lipcolor. People should see your face as a total whole, and not in brightly painted pieces.

This bust of Nefertiti is one of the most famous examples of classic beauty. Wife to the pharoah, Akhenaten, her name means “the beautiful (or perfect) woman has come”.

We can see why she was so named. Note the symmetry of the face, the distance between the eyes and their shape are both perfect. High cheekbones and a well-shaped mouth add to the classic ideal of beauty. But notice also what she has done to emphasize her natural attributes.

The eyebrows are soft arches in a natural line. They are neither too thick and bushy nor are they pencil thin and sharply angled. The high cheekbones are emphasized with a deeper shade of makeup under the ridge. Slight shadows in the crease of the eyelid make the eyes appear deeper. Eyeliner was popular in Egypt and Nefertiti made good use of it, lining both the upper and lower lids; defining the eyes and emphasing their shape. The lips are stained with a berry red.

The Egyptians were some of the most ardent and artful masters of makeup the world has known. Although the images we often see appear to be overstated in the use of makeup, this bust of Nefertiti was used by the scupltor as a guide for creating official portraits and was not itself for display. Therefore, this is most likely to be a true representation of one of the most famous faces of all history.

If you are using the brush that came with your blush, chances are you are using a brush that is too small, too stiff and unsuited to the task.

Blush is not meant to be a stripe of bright color on the sides of your face. Streaks of red, pink or brown that appear “painted on” end up looking clownish.

Choose a large, soft, fluffy brush to apply your cheek color. Don’t overload the brush. Sweep the brush across the blush product to load the bristles with color, then tap it to shake off any excess.

Start below the cheekbone ridge and brush lightly up to the “apples” of your cheeks. The color should give you a natural glow to your cheeks and there should be no discernible edges.

A great brush is the key to proper application of blush. Bare Escentuals Tapered Blush Brush is exactly the type of brush we recommend. It’s available at Amazon for $15.00 but if you shop local stores and beauty outlets, you might some great deals on brushes and brush sets. It’s not the name that makes you beautiful, it’s having the right tools, the right methods and the right products for you.