Finding a blush that leaves you with a natural glow rather than a clownish appearance can be a challenge when you consider all of the options at the makeup counter. Determining which colors work best for your cool or warm skin undertones can make all the difference in bringing home a winner. You can figure out your skin tone and find the right blush finish to make sure you get best color to brighten up your face.

To figure out your best blush color, first determine whether you have cool or warm skin undertones. For example, with cool undertones, a warm tone blush washes you out, while a cool tone blush gives you a little more radiance.

Test your skin tone by putting on a white shirt and standing in front of a mirror with a white backdrop. Surround yourself in as much white as possible. Hold a silver cloth or necklace under your face followed by a gold cloth or necklace. Which looks better? If silver does, you have cool undertones, and if gold does, you have warm undertones. Or you may just be lucky enough to be neutral toned where both colors look equally good on you. Still not sure which skin tone you have? Take a skin undertone quiz, great for all skin colors.

Blushes in the peach and coral family flatter warm undertones while the pure pink and rose colors look best on skin with cool undertones.

Blushes come in mousse, stain, powder, cream and stick form. It is fun to play around with the options and different brands to figure out what feels best on your skin. If you have normal or dry skin, the mousse, stain or cream blushes make a good starting point, generally providing vibrant results. They blend well and last all day. If your skin is on the oily side, powder minimizes shine and blends with your foundation. You can wear blush without foundation if you are going for a minimal makeup look. If you do choose to wear a foundation, put your cheek color on last and blend it well.

Once you figure out your skin tone and the best finish, you can choose a color suited for the season. Spring offers a great time to try out brighter colors. Whether you wear vibrant colors, softer neutrals or even pastels, your blush color can be a good accent to your clothing.

A few spring color examples:

• Purminerals Chateau cheek cream blush in Coy: This neutral tone works with any clothing color, but makes a particularly safe bet with bold colors and prints.

• Bare Minerals Blush Balm in Papaya Passion or Posy Passion: Opting for pastels or neutral clothing? Liven up your face with a pink that suits your skin.

• Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Coral Sheen: If you are wearing white, chambray or even a floral pattern, corals are a really great way to keep the glow on your face without competing with your ensemble.

• Benefit Brightening Face Powder in Dandelion: Brightening powders work with just about every color since they are a subtle addition to your complexion. No matter what skin color and tone you have, a brightener should lift the shadows from your face and add a very subtle hue.

• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Mousse Blush in Pink Frosting or Peach Satin: The lighter pinks and peaches are perfect for complementing sorbet clothing colors, bold prints and even simple neutrals. These colors are an easy way to light up your face and add just enough color to achieve a sun-kissed look without too much fuss.

Blush colors are best applied after your base makeup. For natural results, follow a few tips for applying it smoothly:

*Mousse, stains and sticks can all be blended with your finger or a sponge. Brush small strokes starting at the apple of your cheeks. Blend the color towards your cheekbones. Layer it for a richer result.

*Cream blush can also be applied with fingers or a sponge as well as a blending brush.

*For powder blushes, use a nice and full blush brush to blend well with your base powders.

No matter which finish you choose, it helps to use a finishing powder to blend your makeup and avoid splotches and streaks.