Think Pink!

From the delicate blush of peonies to the vivid burst of bougainvillea, it seems there is a pink for all seasons. Find the shade to suit and few colours are as flattering to wear, with the ability to be softening and brightening to the complexion. Perhaps that is why pink is showing so strongly in makeup collections this spring, not just for lips, but also in subtle pearlescent finishes on cheeks, eyes and nails.

It's a step on from the nude trend that has flourished for some time, but less in your face than the parallel trend of intensely matte "pops" of colour seen on the runway and the street when makeup isn't playing hide and seek. Wearing pink, the most feminine of cosmetic colours, suddenly seems modern again. Shell shades, with occasional forays into rosier tones, featured at a number of last month's London and Milan shows.

Makeup artist and cosmetic company founder Bobbi Brown advises choosing a lip shade at least as dark as your natural lip colour.

If you've wondered why, when you get a makeup gift with purchase, it often includes a warm rose-pink lipstick, that's because, trends aside, it is a safe shade that suits many women. But unless that's your perfect pink, don't be afraid to experiment.

Those with olive complexions should tend towards the warmer shades of pink, especially with a coral or orange cast. For dark complexions try berry into burgundy. Natural fair-skinned blondes suit nude-pinks, but may go lolly with brighter and mauve pinks. Brunettes can have fun with more intense hues, such as cyclamen and fuchsia.

That brings us back to the language of flowers, which somehow only underlines how pink naturally grows - beautifully - on us.

Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Exaltation, $53
If you wear a statement pink shadow alone, then be sure to define it with a brown or black liner or mascara. Be bold and forgo shell shades in favour of this matte cool-toned bright. It is striking against brown eyes. To match the intensity of colour in the pan, try using an eye primer first

Essie Nail Lacquer in Lovie Dovie, $22.99
It's not hard finding a good pink nail polish, but Essie does the colour particularly well, ranging from near nudes and ballerina pale to this flamingo shade, with stacks of subtle variations in between.

Clinique Cheek Pop in Berry Pop, $48
This cute little blush gives a "just pinched" look to cheeks without any obvious powder overlay, thanks to an innovative formula. The daisy embossed Cheek Pop begins as a liquid which is slowly baked into a solid, with a lightweight feel. It comes in four shades.

Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Budding Blossom $40, Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Showy $20.50 and L'Oreal Glam Shine Balmy Gloss in Mad for Pomegranate $19.99.
The quickest and easiest way to go pink is to grab a colouring-in crayon. These wind-ups are one of beauty's easiest options and, although it is decades since Clinque pioneered the crayon, now pretty much everyone is doing them. Notably this still includes Clinique, which has brought out a new lighter version called Chubby Stick Baby Tint in four moisturising shades. Revlon is to the fore with 10 shades each in balm, stain and matte formulas and L'Oreal has extended its Glam Shine lip franchise into crayons with a shimmery finish.

Lancome Blush Subtil Star Palette in Nectar Lace ,$77
Shade, blush and illuminate from this peachy palette with gold highlights. The creamy soft powder is blendable, buildable and lasting.

Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in Rose, $64
Correct and perfect for a flawless facial canvas. Available in three shades: rose to illuminate, champagne to correct redness and peach to bring the glow back to medium-toned skins, this hydrating liquid primer glides lightly across the skin.

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Angela ,$52
This orchid pink colour is one of 30 shades created by Francois Nars to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beauty business he launched with a dozen lipsticks. Times have moved on and so have moisturising formulas and colour intensity, making these 
single-stroke stunners.

Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow ,$29.50
Give your complexion a sun-kissed glow with this buildable block of shades, which can be applied as blush or used higher on the cheekbone for illumination.

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer $55, Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupte in Rose Ofevre,$55 and M.A.C Mineralize Glass in Tender,$48 
Gloss works best in subtle shades like these, and though matte glosses and lacquers are improving the obtainable depth of colour, if you want lasting impact with shine you're better to start with a lip pencil or matte lipstick and gloss layered on top. For gloss-plus, try the lip-plumping effect of this Dior, which is a minty little number that makes your lips tingle for a fuller pout, while also anointing them with a sheer pink crystal coat. YSL's reflective gloss is a slick of rosy pink and the M.A.C is richly creamy compared with its standard Lipglass.

Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Fougueuese ,$59
I love how Chanel does shades that hover between pink, coral and red. To save confusion, go for this obviously bright pink, which gives a good 
near-opaque coverage with a satin finish. If you prefer mattes, check out Chanel's Rouge Allure Velvet range.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lipstick in Nude Ballet ,$23.99
Kim Kardashian wore this colour on her wedding day, but if you're not a fan of the reality television celebrity don't let that put you off. It's a nice warmed-up nude and these lipsticks are smartly priced and packaged, with Sakura Petal another enticing pale pink.

Clarins Limited Edition Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Vibrant Light ,$87
The way to avoid a "pink eye" effect with shadow is to mix it up, by applying a pearly highlight shade and complementary contouring ones such as the grey and plum in this palette.

•Stockists: Selected departments stores and pharmacies, unless otherwise stated. Clarins also in selected spas and L'Oreal and Revlon also in selected variety stores. M.A.C from Smith & Caughey's, Farmers Centre Place, Hamilton and M.A.C Britomart, St Lukes and Botany. Essie from selected Farmers and pharmacies. Benefit from Smith & Caughey's and Auckland International Airport airside. Nars from Mecca Cosmetica stores or see meccacosmetica.co.nz. For Chanel stockists, ph 0800 957352.