There's two words for makeup this spring. Think PINK! Not a traditional pink, though, but a more refined, dynamic pink!

Pinks in the past have been either bubble gum Betty or too pale and close to dead. The new colors for 2006, however, have found their middle ground - more than visible on the lips but also refined and elegant, giving pink a new found respect.

Most progressive cosmetic lines are now on the pink bandwagon - coming out with luscious, pale, but dimensional pinks, taupey pinks or warm pinks, all which contain just a hint of yellow in the color mixture. This gives them their flesh tone and salmon warm richness. And these new expressive colors are now housed in sleek, slim compacts for busy women on the go.

Bobby Brown has "the express face" which contains three shadows, three lips stains, and a blush to help keep you perky throughout the day. The size of the color wells are perfect: not too tiny so that you run out before the next season, and not too giving so that you tire of the products. And don't be afraid of the new shimmery eye shadows that Bobby has available for women over 30! They're so refined, that if the skin is hydrated and the eye shadow is worn properly, crepeing will never be an issue.

Overall, the look for spring is fresh and colorful with an emphasis on lashes and gel liners, either worn thin and crisp or thicker at the end of the eye, smudging to a halt. The real skin look is still being respected too- that slightly over powdered look has been tossed in a shoe box and is now sitting on a shelf somewhere. And with the new breed of foundations and gel cream blushes available in multiple shades, achieving this fresh skin look has never been easier.

When I studied makeup in "81" the founders of Mac Cosmetics had not yet (through their frustration) revolutionized colors & formulations in North America. Foundations were overly watered down or heavily oil based - reminiscent of the salad dressing I used at home! Blushes were either loud or chalky, and some were so unrefined that they sat on the skin instead of looking like part of it. Silicone is now being called the new oil, and foundations glide on with superior coverage yet are extraordinarily light to the touch. This is something I have never seen before. Some silicone foundations set without powder, encouraging that natural flawless second skin look that women adore.

Blush for spring is still playfully visible, coordinating with your lipstick shade. The silicone cheek pots by STILA are from another world. Initially they behave like a cream, but before you can blink they've dried to a silky powder. Gone is the overly dewy wet cheek, now replaced with a satiny matt elegance.

On a final note, you should be able to find your signature shade of pink lipstick at the makeup counter very easily. Just remember two things: If you or the sales person must convince yourselves that the new shade you're wearing is kind of hot- it's not for you. You should love your lips pretty much after the first take. Secondly, make sure the depth of the lipstick is in harmony with the depth of your hair. Obviously blonds will have more fun wearing a lighter pink lipstick, whereas the dark haired diva may introduce some blue or smokey brown undertones in her version of pink. This is to accommodate the depth of her hair color which frames her face.

For more makeup tips and advice, or to post your own tips, please visit my Makeup Blog.

Welcome the new pink... it's hipper than you think!