When makeup artist Mallory Osses took to TikTok to discuss “boyfriend blush,” she admitted she didn’t just pull the term out of thin air.
“This is not a new term. I heard about this years ago—maybe like a decade ago. It’s all over high-fashion, runway, editorial looks,” shared the social-media makeup sensation. Osses has since made several other popular videos on the subject, explaining that this was one makeup move with an unexpected royal angle.
“When you think about boyfriend blush…look at how Henry and William have that flush that goes down,” she said, showing a picture of the royal brothers when they were younger. “It looks youthful and sporty.”
While it may not be a new trend, it certainly is trending, as the term has racked up more than 700 million views on TikTok.
But Osses isn’t super surprised by the surge. “Boyfriend blush is a super fun and laid-back blush application that looks good on any face shape—who wouldn’t want to try it! What I love about boyfriend blush is that you don’t have to be a pro to apply it. Anyone can throw on boyfriend blush and achieve the look in seconds. It’s a great change from the ‘lifted, snatched‘ look of the recent Instagram age.”
Who Is Boyfriend Blush Good for?
Regardless of your royal revere, Charlotte Knight, founder and CEO of Ciatè London, considers boyfriend blush to be the next spring blush trend, tagging it as the “post-workout” blush. “The increasingly popular trend is also said to be particularly flattering for those with longer, squarer faces as it complements the structure.”
Interestingly, like Osses, Knight applauds it mainly for the shift in aesthetics. “It’s also a blush trend that marks a departure from the previously coveted ‘lifted-cheek look,’ and instead “focuses on enhancing the fullness of the cheeks for a more relaxed and approachable look.”
Makeup artist Lan Nguyen also likes the trend for how light and “fun” it is. “When you think boyfriend blush, think about a day at the beach or that healthy glow after a great workout—where the flush of the cheeks is coming through your skin on the upper and wider parts of the cheekbones. Or, when you’re blushing for someone you like, your cheeks suddenly get a sudden rush of color.”
How Can You Create the Boyfriend Blush Look?
Nguyen says the trend is “quite simple” to do because it’s not sculpted nor does it require a specific placement. “It can easily be achieved by building and placing color all around the cheeks and even spread across the nose and wider part of the face—so it suits all face shapes as the idea is to gently work product in where you naturally get flushed.”
“Start at the apple of the cheek blend upwards to the hairline and downward towards the jawline,” she recommends. “Keeping the strokes soft and light so there is a better graduation. Apply base on top or powder to diffuse if needed and reapply on the point of the cheek for more drama and color.”
Knight also offer this easy hack: “Create a downward triangle shape on the cheeks, starting from a higher point and extending down to the bottom of the cheek,” she says. “This technique mimics the subtle flush that occurs after physical activity, lending a fresh and youthful glow to the complexion. Begin with a minimal amount of product and gradually build up to achieve the desired intensity, as it’s easier to add more color than to remove excess pigment.”
What Products and Shades Are Best for Boyfriend Blush?
The great news: Achieving the boyfriend blush look can be done easily using blushes you already have. “To start, opt for a cream or liquid blush formula that seamlessly melts into the skin, ensuring a natural finish,” Knight suggests. “Begin by choosing a shade that closely matches your own natural blushed tone, as this will allow for a more effortless and harmonious appearance. For a seamless and natural-looking application, consider using your fingers instead of a brush to apply the blush. The warmth of your fingertips helps the product blend effortlessly into the skin, resulting in a more subtle and diffused finish, which is perfect for this boyfriend blush look.”
As for product recommendations, Knight says her Ciatè Dewy Blush ($22) stands out as an ideal option for achieving the boyfriend blush look. “This runny, liquid blush not only imparts a luminous glow, but also delivers pigmented color payoff, ensuring that the skin appears radiant and multidimensional. Its lightweight formula blends seamlessly into the skin, providing a dewy and youthful flush.”
Nguyen also recommends trying out a textured blush. “One that’s more liquid-based will give you a lovely transparent finish— ICONIC London Sheer Blush ($22) is my favorite—and, building on the color using a big brush, it can easily be blended into the skin. Using another tone or adding deeper tones for density create like a V shape; I like ICONIC London Multi-Use Cream Palette ($49). It has all the shades you need.”
