Blush has the power to instantly transform your face with just a few brushstrokes. Check out these pretty colors in lasting formulas, then take a few of my pro tips.

I have a special love affair with blush, because it's the first makeup I ever wore. My mom would rosy up my cheeks before school pictures to give me some color. When I later graduated to the big league, my first purchase was Benefit's famed Benetint lip and cheek stain. If you're ready to give your cheeks a healthy glow, then bust out a new shades or textures. Here are my favorite new blushes for all you cheeky babes.

1. Make Up For Ever HD Blush
This new product from Make Up For Ever is one of the silkiest, non-sticky cream blushes I've ever tried. Their previous HD blushes were not user-friendly and came in an odd pump. These are a vast improvement and the color range is fab. Bravo, MUFE!

2. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush
Spurred by the success of their Ambient Lighting Powders, Hourglass has created a blush with the same soft, diffused glow. The luminescent particles create a more dimensional look to the cheek and the formula is feather-light.

3. NARS Matte Multiple
NARS multiple sticks are nothing new but for the longest time, a matte version was hard to find. For makeup lovers with enlarged pores, wrinkles or other texture issues, shimmery blush sticks are not your friend. NARS must have listened by putting out these 100% matte multiple sticks.

4. NYX Baked Blush
These shadows and blushes begin as a liquid and are baked on terra-cotta plates, leaving behind pure pigment. The initial top layer may feel hard but after a few swipes, you'll experience pure pigment. Many have subtle shimmer to give you fresh, glowing skin that says "winter who?!" The color Solstice would look great with most complexions.

5. Tarte Cheek Stain
Tarte's Cheek Stains have been around, but they were recently repackaged. The same natural formula is all there but the product labeling has received a darling makeover and the size has changed as well. Personally, I felt that the older, larger size was cumbersome and more like a deodorant! These stains always blend out perfectly!

6. Clinique Cheek Pop
Well, if this isn't the cutest little blush you've ever seen, then I don't know what is! Clinique knows how to do a soft, natural blush and the Cheek Pop is no exception. Though a powder blush, the feel is more creamy.

7. Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Glisten Blush Stick in Pink Fever
These are great for girls on the go! Swipe on this hydrating cream blush and blend with fingers or a small stippling brush. The effect will be a soft, glowing flush.

8. Benefit Lollitint
If you're hesitant about how you'd wear Pantone's Color of the Year–Radiant Orchid–on your cheeks, here's your answer! What appears quite purple in the bottle actually looks like the most lovely flush on cheeks and lips. The formula is about as lightweight as it gets so if you're oily, you'll barely feel a thing!

Pro Placement Tips

• A gorgeous blush can go wrong if not placed properly. Take your index and middle finger and place them alongside your nose. Blush should start no further inwards than where your index finger hits.
• Now, take your index finger and place it under your eye. Use this as a guide for keeping blush high enough, but not too high. Depending on your face shape, 2 fingers may serve as the perfect spacing here.
• Imagine a horizontal line that extends from the bottom of your nose all the way across your face. Try to focus on keeping your blush above this line, lifting the cheekbones.
• Apply blush with either an angled blush brush that naturally mimics the shape of a cheek bone or a slightly tapered brush to control the placement of color.

For more makeup insider tips and techniques from Ivy, go to Wake Up for Makeup.