Looking for a beauty trick with instant results?

A fresh, hydrated glow is the key to any make-up look and the good news is you can achieve it with the addition of a single, magical little product.

The secret to no-makeup makeup? A good cheek balm in a neutral shade.

This little pot of genius will deliver a wash of soft-focus moisture to the apple of your cheek, just where the light reflects.

The best bit is that you don’t have to change anything else if you don’t want to, just slick a little balm over your usual foundation for a spring/summer update.

Here are five we love: 

DR. PAWPAW PEACH PINK BALM

A steal at just over €7, this healing lip and cheek balm glides on over make-up, producing a fresh peachy glow. The main ingredient, fermented PawPaw, is a natural remedy for dry skin too so using this balm on the regular will leave your skin plump and moisturised too.

Dr. PAWPAW Peach Pink Balm is €7.75 here and in Holland & Barrett.

MIRACLE BALM BY JONES ROAD

One of our favourite picks of late is Miracle Balm by Jones Road, an artfully curated collection of products created by beauty guru Bobbi Brown. The lush texture sweeps on like a dream, adding instant glow where you need it most. It’s especially effective on older skin, and you can wear Miracle Balm alone or layer it on top of foundation for an instant refresh.

Miracle Balm in ‘All Over Glow’ is €36 from jonesroadbeauty.com.

ARMANI BEAUTY FLUID SHEER

If you prefer a liquid formula over a pot of balm, Armani’s magical Fluid Sheer Liquid Highlighters can be blended with brushes or fingertips. Add a dab to the high points of the cheeks for an extra glow, apply under foundation for a subtle, lit-from-within look or use it on your eyelids as a glowing base. A little goes a very long way.

Fluid Sheer Liquid Highlighter is €37 at Brown Thomas Cork.

THE RIGHT LIGHT BY TRINNY LONDON

Here’s one that does exactly what it says on the tine. Trinny’s subtly transformative cream-based highlighter lets you take The Right Light with you wherever you go. Gently pat onto the cheekbones, just under your brow bones, on your Cupid’s bow and in the corner of your eyes. With daily use, one pot lasts a whopping nine months.

The Right Light is €30 from trinnylondon.com.

CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK

If you’re brand new to cheek balms, start here. Clinique’s Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm creates a creamy, mistake-proof healthy glow in an instant. We love the Ampd Up Apple shade – just dot it on the apples of your cheeks and use a finger to blend it up towards your hairline.

Clinique’s Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm is €30.50 from Brown Thomas Cork.