Blush is a multi-faceted product that serves many purposes. But for when you’re wanting to get that summertime ethereal flush in an effortless way, there’s one technique that everyone can’t stop talking about: boyfriend blush.
Boyfriend blush is not necessarily new, but after TikTok creator and makeup artist Mallory Osses took to TikTok to bring it back into the zeitgeist, a viral trend has taken over how we are applying our favorite blushes.
But what is it exactly and— more importantly— how does one recreate this look on their own? That’s where we turn to the pros. Consider this your crash course to boyfriend blush. See what the experts had to say below.
What is boyfriend blush?
According to Brooke Barker, a junior resident trainer at Trinny London, blush is typically applied high on the cheekbones to lift the face. Boyfriend blush is a more natural approach.
“Instead of applying it higher, this technique places the blush closer to the apples of the cheeks and blends it downwards,” says Barker. “This will create a fresh, rosy flush that imitates the ruddy cheek that naturally appears.” With a focus on a natural looking flush, she adds that it gives you that effortless glow and can help soften your facial features.
How to do boyfriend blush
Boyfriend blush is fairly easy to do. Barker says to warm up your blush with your fingertips and apply. Beau Nelson, celebrity makeup artist and director of Lashify Pro, gives this pro trick: apply blush in a loose upside down triangle shape, with the brightest part being just slightly below the apple of your cheek and then blend downwards.
When you blend, Barker says to use a fluffy angled brush to gently press product into the skin. Move the brush downward and focus on blending the edges (while maintaining the triangular placement) for a more seamless finish. If you need to add more color, she says to dip your brush with product and press color back into the middle part of the triangle; this will intensify the shade. As a nice added touch, she says to lightly dust some color onto the bridge of your nose and temples to pull it all together.
The type of blush you should use
Nelson likes to use a cream blush, but says you can use powder if you prefer. His picks are the Lashify Flush as it changes color depending on your pH level to get you that natural flush look, the Makeup by Mario Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil, or the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick.
Barker also likes a cream-based blush, the Trinny London Lip2Cheek, as creams will blend in seamlessly into the skin. “They will effortlessly meld into your skin, leaving you with a natural finish, whether your skin type is oily or dry,” she says. “Their ability to blend into the skin will ensure a flawless appearance from day to night.”
Both her and Nelson are also fans of liquid blushes, with Nelson loving Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush or the classic Benefit Benetint. We especially love the new Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush that will give you vibrant color and is packed with nourishing skin ingredients. It’s a win-win all around.
