What Exactly Is the Boyfriend Blush Trend?

Sunset blush, "blonzer," purple shades, berry tones — the blush trends keep coming, and we're not mad about it. Brands have been rolling out new and improved options that blur pores and give all skin tones and types a gorgeous flush. One of our favorite recent trends is "boyfriend blush." It's natural-looking and easy to do, especially if you don't have makeup artist skills (as most of us don't). And unlike what the name suggests, it has nothing to do with your relationship status.

The trend is called boyfriend blush because the location of the rosy flush is reminiscent of the outdoorsy effect you'd get while playing sports outdoors. Yes, the name is a bit silly (only boyfriends play outdoor sports?), but it's a look worth trying anyway. As content creator Ryan Bailey Potter explained in their viral TikTok video, "Essentially, it's a different placement of blush that makes your cheeks look a little bit more rosy and a little bit more full." Instead of on the high points of the cheeks for a lifted effect, you'll want to apply blush lower onto the face and "almost contour into the hollow part" of the cheek, creator Jourdan Sloane explained in her tutorial. You can use any color you'd like, but the trend usually calls for an orange-pink shade.

Cream or liquid blush is best for this look because you want a more diffused, dewy effect. In their video, Potter combines IT Cosmetics Glow With Confidence Sun Cream Blush in Sun Gaze with Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint in Delicate Mauve for the perfect shade for their skin tone. Mixing colors is a great hack for when you haven't found an exact hue you love. "It just makes you look really happy," they say of the trend. We couldn't agree more.