What Is Boyfriend Blush? How To Master This Viral Blush Trend

If you’ve been on TikTok recently, you may have come across a few videos spotlighting “boyfriend blush.” (If you haven’t, you will soon—there are currently more than 11 million videos about the blush trend on TikTok at present). Unlike more sculpted blush looks that require applying blush to the cheekbones, boyfriend blush involves placing your blush of choice a bit lower down on your cheeks. Done properly, it gives the illusion of a genuine flush—as if you were blushing from excitement or pink in the cheeks after an intense workout. It’s alluring, natural-looking, and well-suited for just about every face shape. Ahead, we’ll share everything you need to know about boyfriend blush, including which products to use and how to perfect your blush placement to nail your fresh-faced flush.

How To Wear Boyfriend Blush

With boyfriend blush, proper placement is key. Typically, the flush is focused more toward the center of your face, slightly beneath the apples of your cheeks. This blush placement helps create the illusion of a natural, almost sporty-looking flush.

If you’re having trouble determining the exact placement that’ll look best on you, picture where you tend to flush after an intense workout (you could even do a few jumping jacks in your bathroom and see where your cheeks pink up). You’ll want to focus your blush there, though you can also blend the pigment toward your temples for a slightly softer take on the trend. And keep in mind that while boyfriend blush placement is lower than more sculpted blush looks, it shouldn’t be so low that the blush reaches your mouth. With this look, you want to be intentional and careful with your blending—pulling your blush too low down can result in an unnatural look.

What Do You Need to Apply Boyfriend Blush?

To apply boyfriend blush, you really don’t need many tools apart from the blush itself and whichever tools—brush, makeup sponge, or even your fingers—you’d normally use to apply it. Keep in mind that the blush for this trend should be in the pink family to best mimic a natural flush—anything too warm or cool may not create the desired result. Ahead, we’re sharing some of our favorite formulas to use when trying this blush trend.