All other factors are moot if you choose the wrong blush shade for your skin. Baby pink blush complements fair skin well, as does peach. Medium skin tones do well with apricot shades and mauves, especially when paired with sheer, natural lips. Got olive skin? Bronze works well. Dark skins can pull off beautiful hues of tangerine and brick.

The other colors you choose will help determine your blush. If you’re wearing a deep nude lipstick, for instance, don’t choose a pinky blush. Similarly, if you apply a thick coat of purple mascara, then salmon blush probably won’t look so great. Choose shades of the same general warmth or coolness, and in the same shade family.

Blush color definitely depends on time of year. Partially this is due to seasonal variations in your skin tone, but it’s also related to trending colors. While specific shades vary from year to year, spring often brings pastel pinks, while fall calls for salmons. Summer is a time for peaches and darker pinks that show up against tanned skin, while in winter, deep rich roses look best.

Your blush should also complement your outfit. Again, the same color rules apply. Go for pink with pink, peach with peach, red with red. Feel free to vary the shades a bit, but don’t stray outside the color group.

Keep in mind that long summer days may call for nothing more than a bit of bronzer, while those with very pale skin can get away with no blush in the depths of winter, when the ice queen look totally rocks. Go with what’s best for you, and you’ll do fine.