Despite its name, you don’t need a relationship status to achieve TikTok’s buzziest new trend: “boyfriend blush.”
Instead, think of that naturally flushed glow you get after a good workout or when you look a little flushed after spending some time in our perpetual heat.
Ahead, everything you need to know about the viral “boyfriend blush” trend and how to get the look.
What Is the “Boyfriend Blush”?
@malloryosses Replying to @Thanksbuddy What is Boyfriend Blush? 💕 #boyfriendblush #blusher #oblongface @Mallory Osses @Mallory Osses
TikToker Mallory Osses (@malloryosses) brought the term back into the mainstream media. “I heard about this trend years ago. Maybe a decade ago,” she explains in her video.
The “Boyfriend Blush,” which emerged in the ’90s, embodies a fresh, natural aesthetic reminiscent of the flushed glow one might acquire post-exercise or upon receiving a compliment. It encapsulates a sporty, vibrant appearance that defines the essence of the trend.
How to Achieve the “Boyfriend Blush”
To get the look, take note of the shade of blush and the placement.
Choose a shade of blush that matches the natural flush of your cheeks – whether it be a bright baby pink or a warm, ruddy red.
Add a dot of blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend down into the lower part of your jawline to get that sporty, just-worked-out look.
To accentuate your cheeks even more, add a smaller dot of a darker shade of blush and blend, focusing only on the cheeks.
@raiyamarina Trying out the boyfriend blush placement trend and i loveeeee 🫶🏻 lost the footage for firsr blush but it was @Saie chilly then i went in with @Rare Beauty bliss and love #boyfriendblush #blushplacement #blush #blushhacks #blushtrend #rarebeautyblush #makeuptrend #blushtutorial #liquidblush #sunburntblush #summerblush #roundfacemakeup #roundfaceblush #palegirlmakeup #greenscreen
Although this blush technique is versatile and can be applied to all face shapes, Daily Vanity‘s Senior Social Media Designer Swee Qi experimented with the trend and observed that it particularly complements those with longer face shapes.
This technique might be challenging for individuals with acne-prone skin, as it could potentially accentuate blemishes, making it appear as though there’s a breakout.
However, there’s a simple workaround: those with acne-prone skin can still enjoy the “boyfriend blush” trend by opting for a lighter blush shade and a matte, shimmer-free formula, ensuring it smoothes over any skin imperfections.
Ready to hop on the trend? Here are our top blushes to try.
New Blushes To Try
Sheglam Colour Bloom Liquid Blush
New in the game is Sheglam, where beauty meets affordability in a delightful fusion of colour and quantity. It offers 14 blush shades in matte or shimmer finishes to cater to all skin types and tones.
Our Editorial Intern Jovial raves, “The Colour Bloom Liquid Blush in the shade ‘Swipe Right’ is my everyday to-go blush! It is really blendable, allowing me to build up the colour if I wanted that natural glow.”
Not only is it lightweight and long-wearing, but this alcohol-free blush is made with skin-loving ingredients to nourish and hydrate, leaving your skin feeling as good as it looks.
The Colour Bloom Liquid Blush Matte-Finish retails for S$5.99 at Sheglam.
Fwee Mellow Dual Blusher
Following the wave of TikTok virality, the Fwee Mellow Dual Blusher is a versatile and cost-effective blush designed to add a natural flush to the colour of your cheeks.
Within each compact, two complementary shades allow customised blending to achieve the perfect hue for any skin tone.
On top of that, this blush provides a blurring effect when blended to achieve that smooth finish.
The Fwee Mellow Dual Blusher retails for S$29.92 at Olive Young.
NARS Blush
NARS’ Blush is a cult-favourite beauty product renowned for its iconic shades and superior quality.
Known for its silky, finely-milled formula, each of the 19 shades delivers a healthy-looking colour that enhances the complexion with a soft, buildable finish.
“777 Orgasm” is a beauty staple that provides a universally flattering, peachy-pink hue with a subtle golden shimmer.
Recommended and loved by makeup artists and enthusiasts alike, NARS’ blushes remain a top choice for achieving a healthy, luminous complexion.
The NARS Blush retails for S$57 at Sephora.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint
With summer right around the corner, Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint is a hydrating gel stick that provides a refreshing splash of colour to the cheeks (and lips!).
Infused with caffeine and seawater, this cooling tint revitalises and soothes the skin while delivering a natural, dewy summer glow. Its lightweight formula packaged into a compact tube allows for easy application.
Ideal for on-the-go use, the Cooling Water Jelly Tint combines skincare benefits with vibrant colour, making it a versatile addition to any beauty routine.
The Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint for S$32 at Milk Makeup.
Too Faced Cloud Crush Blush
The Too Faced Cloud Crush Blush is a delightfully airy blush that imparts a soft, natural-looking flush to the cheeks.
Its innovative, cloud-like formula ensures a smooth application and a weightless feel on the skin.
Available in six shades in the cutest coquette packaging, the Too Faced Cloud Crush Blush is infused with hydrating ingredients that not only add a pop of colour but also enhance the complexion with a dewy, fresh finish.
The Too Faced Cloud Crush Brush for S$50.40 at Cult Beauty.
