It all started at New York Fashion Week, the Spring 2013 season. I went backstage at more than 30 shows, and every makeup artist I interviewed was obsessed with the same thing: skin.

But it wasn't the dewy, makeup-free skin of seasons past. Instead, it was perfectly highlighted and contoured skin. The key ingredient? Face powder. And -- no shocker here -- dozens of new face powders are now hitting the market.

Now, when I think of face powder, I'm reminded of the chalky, cakey powders I wore in high school. The color never quite matched my fair complexion, but I spackled it on anyway -- an attempt to get rid of shine and hide my freckles. But those are not the same face powders makeup artists used backstage at Fashion Week.

Skip ahead to learn more about the best new face powders.

The new generation of face powders is completely different. Most notably, the colors are sometimes ... well, a little bizarre. The new powders range from white to green to pink, which may make them look intimidating, but makeup artists swear they're foolproof.

Plus, the particles are micronized, which means they are so tiny it's impossible for them to clump. And the purpose of these new face powders is different, as well; instead of covering imperfections like a foundation, they do the opposite -- they highlight your best features, make your makeup look flawless, and give your skin a serious glow.

So, once you get over the initial shock of a green face powder, grab a fluffy brush and get started -- you'll be amazed by how pretty your skin looks.

Image via Imaxtree

Think about how your skin looks in great lighting -- a candle-lit restaurant, a stroll through the moonlight. Now, imagine you can get the same effect with these Hourglass powders. "There are no wrong choices; the powders are universal," says celebrity makeup artist Moani Lee. "It's more about choosing the lighting effect you want to replicate on your complexion."

With names like Diffused Light and Dim Light, they're easy to decode. Lee suggests using a powder that's lighter than your skin tone to highlight, one that's similar to your skin tone for an all-over glow, and a slightly darker shade to contour.

I love the marbleized look of this new powder from Physicians Formula. It's a nude base with pink tones to brighten, green to counteract redness, and yellow to add warmth. "If you need more of one -- brightening, redness balancing, or warmth -- just swirl the brush in that direction," suggests celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip. Plus, this powder is so sheer that you can wear it on its own or over your makeup.

Bobbi Brown's loose retouching powder comes in six shades: white, yellow, peach, pink, rose, and brown. And each one does something different. The white gives skin a luminescent glow while minimizing shine. The yellow can be used to balance out redness. The pink-ish shades can brighten sallow complexions, and also double as barely-there blush. And the brown looks beautiful on darker skin tones, or it can be used as a sheer bronzer.

Want skin that looks bright, healthy, and alive? These powders will do it.

This limited edition pressed powder is a work of art. It's embossed with a gorgeous garden motif, and it comes in a classic Chanel compact. The powder itself is gold with pink highlights, which makes it ideal for illuminating the angles of the face. Dust it on your cheekbones and you'll look perfectly contoured -- instantly.