By now you'll be aware that prairie chic is spring's essential look. Think English roses skipping through fields dressed in billowing skirts, pretty blouses and tassels with everything. Frankly, I'm underwhelmed by this - I look as daft in skipping-through-the-fields gear as I did in Victoriana. But once again, it's the make-up that saves the day, and one of the most important features of prairie chic is a healthy, outdoorsy glow, for which anyone beyond the age of 25 will need a little help. All the blushers I mention here are powders and creams; I'll cover blush sticks at a later date.

First, ignore anything peach in tone, as these will make your skin look dull and ashen. If you're feeling frugal, go for either red, purple or deep pink, if you're feeling flash, then invest in one of each shade, as they all give a different sort of blush. Radiant and Blushing Colourwashes from Calvin Klein, both a deep red-brown, are a good starting point if you're trying blusher for the first time. The Luxury Blushing Powders from Iman in Freesia (deep purple) and Cranberry (er, cranberry) are great all-rounders.

The powder blushes from Chanel in Rose Caché and Fantasia give a lovely subtle hint of colour with a slight sparkle; the former is pretty on olive skin, the latter, a newer shade, amazing on darker skin.

For a rosier, red blush, try Stila Dual Lip & Cheek Cream in Poppy (number four) or MAC Cream Colours in Premeditated or Movie Star Red - pillar-box and blood red respectively - but they're sheer, so not as shocking as they sound. Blush Variations from YSL in Number Eight and, at the other end of the price scale, Number 48 from Bourjois are similar pretty pinks that look good on lighter skin, but are too pastel for anyone else. Instead, try Cheekie Blush-n-Brush from Hard Candy. It's a bubble-gum pink, ideal for all shades, but very girlie and not exactly natural, so best kept for nights out.

Once you've started using blushers, you won't want to stop. But be warned: if you think you've overdone it, you probably have.