The term describes the application of blush, inspired by the flushed look of teenage boys and men in general after exercise. A natural red or pinkish hue on the cheeks tends to be associated with health, vitality and a youthful appearance.
With a natural flush evenly distributed across your cheeks, your skin will look smooth and hydrated. The flush on your cheeks will be more noticeable but not too intense – this is due to increased blood flow to the skin’s surface from time spent outdoors engaging in physical activity.
If I tell you that the poster children for this blush style are Prince William and Prince Harry circa 2000, you’ll understand exactly the look we’re going for here. The trick is to apply blush in a way that replicates the natural flush of the face, caused by blood flow, specifically under the cheekbones and in the area at the bottom of the cheek between the cheek and jawline.
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The effect is youthful, playing off the typical image of a teenage boy – a nervous, flushed boy – and it’s endearing, aiming to plump up the natural color of the skin rather than playing up the angles with contouring.
That’s cute. How do you do it?
The best thing about this technique is that it doesn’t take much skill to master; all you really need to do is think about where you naturally blush and use a complimentary blush that matches your skin tone. Soft pinks tend to look best on all skin tones, so opt for rose or mauve tones rather than bright reds or oranges.
Achieving the “boy blush” look doesn’t require precision; it’s important to blend the product well into the skin so that the colour is evenly distributed and there are no seams. Powder blushes are great for a light flush, but for a fresh, youthful finish, a cream blush applied with your fingers is the way to go.
The TikTok trend may have been inspired specifically by teenage boys, but we all blush, whether we’re naturally full of energy or not.
What does it really mean to blush, and how does it happen?
Facial redness occurs when blood vessels in the face expand, increasing blood flow to the skin and making the skin red.
This physiological response is primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system. Embarrassment, shyness, and stress activate the sympathetic nervous system, causing facial flushing, but flushing during exercise is also a natural response.
When muscles are working hard, heat is generated, and to prevent overheating, the body releases excess heat by increasing blood flow to the skin, moving heat from the body’s core to the surface and releasing it to the outside.
From an evolutionary perspective, some have suggested that blushing may have evolved as a social signal indicating submission or admitting social faux pas, helping to maintain social bonds and cohesion.
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But whatever the cause of the redness, having a slightly pinker hue on your skin is universally appealing, and “Boy Blush” is a good entry-level tip for boosting this natural bodily reaction at home.
A color product that matches the Boy Blush series, giving you a natural complexion
As mentioned above, look for soft, rosy shades that complement your natural skin tone and flush. If you have oily skin, a powder blush is a good choice, but for drier skin types or those who prefer a slightly dewy finish, cream blushes are the best choice.
Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush Puff $41
Revlon Powder Blush Oh Baby! Pink $31
MCoBeauty Baby Face Multi-Use Cream Stick $26
Lucy Slaight is the New Zealand Herald’s beauty and lifestyle columnist. For the past 17 years she has worked across print and digital publications in New Zealand and Australia for a variety of popular magazines covering fashion, beauty, entertainment, food and home. Recently she’s covered how to look after your hands this winter, whether all kids should use gentle bath salts, what skincare pros use and more.
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