It is January. The 6^th of January to be exact, the day which the media has posited as the most depressing of the year. It’s cold. It’s wet. And our faces tell the tale. All is not lost though. For, while winter takes all the good stuff it can from our skin, it also gives one thing back in return: the rosy, frost-bitten cheek. And this is demonstrated in no greater way than by Keira Knightley in the 2002 TV miniseries, Dr Zhivago.

Keira, of course, has sterling form as a milky-skinned English-rose, a beauty totem that is as much indebted to the tropes of innocence and wonderment as it is to the Great British Weather. For, it’s only within temperatures below that which is comfortable that such a raspberry glow appears by magic across the plains of the cheeks. Of course, the irony is that in Dr Zhivago, she plays a Russian

Still, it doesn’t come naturally to us all, which is where the surfeit of glow-giving, gently-warming make-up comes in. Despite having a complexion that could rival Casper the Friendly Ghost, I struggle to summon anything approaching a blood-pumping, naturally pinkish hue on my face, unless I am unwillingly blushing (coupled with public speaking, red wine or awkward silences). Hence, I’ve become something of an expert at faking it.

"The trick is to perfect a glowy base before you even consider going near a blusher"

The trick is to perfect a glowy base before you even consider going near a blusher. Opt for a subtly glowy tinted moisturiser either on top of foundation or mixed with it before applying and reject the temptation of setting it with powder (powder is banned from the forthcoming’s seasons trends according to the catwalk).

Then – blusher – on the apples of your cheeks and not, categorically, across the cheekbones (too Barbie). Occasionally, for nostalgia’s sake more than anything else, I’ll revisit the heavy-handed (but infinitely longer-lasting) powers of a powder blush but increasingly, I’ve more drawn to the beauty world’s new cream blush formulas which manage to glide more seamlessly than ever, but also stand the test of time a little more than they used to.

And it’s a total cinch – requires no tools other than a single fingertip and takes exactly 4.5 seconds to smear on - which when you’re forced to put your make-up on at 7.39 in the dark, is quite a gift. Though, I suspect Keira doesn’t need to try at all. 

1. Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in Rose, £26
2. By Terry Touche Veloutee in Porcelain, £35 at SpaceNK
3. Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel in Inspiration, £27 at Selfridges
4. MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl, £15

Photography: Hugo Yanguela