Hailey Bieber's boy blush is about to be the Internet’s summer craze

Fair warning: boy blush has nothing to do with making your beau go pink. The trend is actually summer's favourite make-up trend. Boy blush is inspired by the ruddy faces of teenage boys, hence the name. Prince Harry and Prince William are serving as the poster kids for this look, as it is heavily inspired by the similarly flushed skin during their teenage years.

Its essence is to give your cheeks a bright red flush that is meant to look natural and flattering. This trend has big shoes to fill after 2024's blush blindness phenomenon birthed boyfriend blush, glazed blush, tomato girl and many such internet crazes.

WHAT IS 'BOY BLUSH'? 

The word refers to the blush-like appearance that occurs after exercise and is influenced by the rosy faces of guys in general. This natural redness or pinkish tint is usually associated with good health, vitality and youthful appearance. It gives cheeks a naturally-tinted appearance, with a flush of colour across the cheeks. While the colour on the cheeks is noticeable, it is not meant to be too intense; something that is reminiscent of the 1990s and early 2000s blush looks.

IS IT SAME AS BOYFRIEND BLUSH? 

While they may sound similar, ‘boy blush’ and ‘boyfriend blush’ are two separate techniques of blush application. Boyfriend blush usually creates a richer flush on the skin; wherein blush is applied to lower cheeks and near the nose. It can feature both rosy and berry tones.

Boy blush is a more subtle take on this as it is generally applied to the contours of the cheeks, usually featuring peach, coral and soft pink tones to get a natural flush-like finish.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK? 

Instead of focusing on the cheekbones or the apples of your cheeks, the ‘boy blush’ trend focuses much further down the cheek. Pick your favourite tone of peach, coral or soft pink that works well for your skin tone, apply it beneath your cheekbones and on the lower parts of the cheeks for a natural flush. Blend it into the apples of the cheeks and slightly lower into the contours to get the best effect.

Make sure to choose a shade similar to your natural blush; soft pinks generally work well for most. Blending is the key; you want the blush to look as natural as it can be, so blend the blush well enough to give it a soft finish. You want to get the flushed look that is created out of shyness, so keep it as natural as you can. 

WHAT BLUSH SHOULD YOU PICK TO GET THE LOOK? 

Powder blushers work well to create a flush-like appearance, but if you are a fan of dewy make-up, liquid blush is the one to go for. Luckily for us, the Indian market is full of options to choose from.

NARS blush in the shades Orgasm and Sex Appeal are a great option to get the look if you are looking for powder blushes. Other ones that fit this bracket are Kay Beauty’s matte blush in the shade Sugar Candy, Etude House’s pressed powder blush in the shades grapefruit, sweet coral and apricot pea, and Too Faced’s blurring blush in the shade candy clouds. Some coveted options to choose from when it comes to liquid blushes include Rare Beauty’s soft pinch in the shades Hope, Bliss, and Encourage; Huda Beauty’s liquid blush in the shades strawberry cream and cotton candy; and She Glam’s liquid blush in the shade Love Cake.