What really brought about change in my perspective and my makeup application focus, was getting older... 

First of all, when you get older, as in no longer a teenager, and you move into the work force, your play time is cut down...bottom line, less time outside keeping that natural radiant glow to your complexion.

The second way I mean 'getting older' is as in, aging...lines, uneven complexion, sun damage...your skin is aging and that impacts your 'fresh' appeal.

...And no matter how great your eye makeup is, it will never be enough to counter the impression of dull lifeless skin.

BIG Epiphany Tip #1  RADIANT SKIN should be your biggest focus, regardless of your style.

Starting with a good skin care regimen, and followed by makeup application that generates that gorgeous radiant glow... hydrated, fresh, dimensional color complexion.

BIG Epiphany Tip #2  Use GREAT products!...That will make TIP #1 very EASY to achieve.

We all have different skin; color, condition, type etc...the list below is definitely the short list to the best blush and bronzer makeup available.  They all have one or a few of the following attributes; beauty editor favorites, top pro makeup artist staples, award winning formulations, consumer number one choice blush, have beauty cult status, and hey, they are all my favorites.

BIG Epiphany Tip #3  Understand the variety of formats blush and bronzer come in so you can best choose the product that will give your desired effect.

First a little bit of product decoding so you can pick the best blush for you: 

Blush  

Cream 

• presence of color based on quantity applied
• solid but creamy texture for easy blending
• apply sparingly with sponge or finger tips after foundation application before powder  application first to apple of cheeks and then out along cheek bone (concentration of color diminishing as move toward hairline)
• preferred choice for normal to dry skin types, especially in colder weather

Powder

• presence of color based on quantity applied
• solid but pressed powder texture
• easy application with quality blush makeup brush (avoid using little applicator blush...bristles harder and smaller span place too much color) in circular motion at apple and sweep out along jaw (concentration of color diminishing as move toward hairline)
• preferred choice for normal to oily skin types, especially in warmer weather

Cheek Stain

• solid but with 'wet slip' present
• very sheer natural finish 
• quick blending after placement needed to ensure natural look
• better application when skin moisturized

Cheek Gel

• liquid/gel format from tube type dispenser
• finger tips blend into apple of cheek for pinched cheek natural  look
• better application when skin moisturized

(For more on applying  blush, click here)

Bronzer

Lotion

• Moisturizer like format that is either an instant tint (that will wash off)  or self tanning formulation that takes some time to arrive (but has staying power and is waterproof)

Powder, Cream qualities like Blush

(For more on applying  bronzer, click here)

My Best Blush & Bronzer  List:

BLUSH

• Bobbi Brown Cream Blush Sticks (8 colors ranging from pale pink and coral to earthy pink browns and golden browns)
  -This handy cream stick format has been an excellent source of multi dimensional radiant sculpted looking cheeks, natural looking color and the appearance of healthy hydrated skin (which favors my normal to dry skin in almost every season except extreme heat)...I definitely recommend having at least two complimentary shades like desert rose and pale pink that work together (I've got eight), create dimension, and flatter your skin tone. Recommended for all skin types except very oily.

• MAC Blush Creme-LadyBlush
  - Handy staple, beautiful natural rose shade.

• MAC Powder Taupe
  - Powder format, second shade, deeper matte tone blush role for powder format multi dimension.

• NARS The Multiple; "Antibes", "Maui", "Portifino"
  -Super sheer gorgeous colors, multi purpose concept, I love  the feel like a star highlight effect to cheek bones, brow bones etc
  FYI-Staple in the case of every professional celebrity makeup artist

• NARS Powder Blush "Outlaw"
  - Beautiful blush with some shimmer, for creating that sculpted cheekbones look, in a powder format
  FYI- Winner of InStyle magazine's Best Powder Blush award, 2008; Winner Best of Sephora 2007, 2008

• Tarte Cheek Stain "Blushing Bride"; "Dollface"
  -Awesome instant fresh ultra natural looking cheek blush with yummy scents to match the delicious colors...Blushing Bride is plum shade which suits many, probably all skin tones; Dollface is a very sugary sheer pink which I love in combination with my bronzer.
  FYI- InStyle's Best Beauty Buys in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007*; Self, Healthy Beauty Award 2001, Best Blush (flush); Cosmopolitan, Best Beauty Booty, Best "I really work out every day" blush

BRONZER

• Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion
  -Most natural looking instant tanner I have ever tried...a little tricky to use because of  tiny coffee-like grinds which are pigments which will burst when being applied a create the perfect sun kissed look for you...I am not sure of the science BUT I can tell you it works.

• Lancome Flash Bronzer
  -This is a great self tanning lotion that rivals Clarins quality self tanners...plus you get both immediate 'in a flash' and long term (as in waterproof) results

• GuerlainTerracotta Bronzing Powder Compact
  -I love this stuff (and so does everybody else-yearly award winner).  It is so easy to use with a big powder brush, and creates that sun kissed look, in an instant.
  FYI - Winner of Allure magazine's 'Best of Beauty' Best Bronzer Award for 2007.; CEW Best Classic Prestige Makeup Product 2007

• Bobbi Brown Cream Blush Sticks
  -To warm up my skin tone in out of sun seasons, I use the warm  or earthy browns to create a sculpted cheek which also has a sun kissed feel to it.

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Not necessarily in my makeup case but incredibly important to your overall appearance is a bright healthy smile (can you imagine gorgeous Gwyneth or Beyonce with dull yellow teeth?!).  Take the time to get a teeth whitening program for your teeth...there is one for every budget.

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