Finally, a Cheap Hack to That Sun-Kissed Glow All Over TikTok

Like most Gen Yers, I initially downloaded TikTok [1] as a joke never expecting to stick around. Here I am a few months later doing the "Renegade" dance in my bathroom at 2 a.m.

Truth be told, I find the app and it's many trends entertaining and often educational. I recently learned of a new and popular makeup trend [2], one that seemingly mimics the singed stain of a sunburn on your face. This sounds a little absurd, I know, but haven't you ever wanted to be a little sun-kissed but without the damageing affects from a real sunburn? Of course, I felt compelled to copy the look, but almost all of the blushes I owned didn't do it justice. Every powder looked too matte or fake, while the liquid formulas were too messy. Then, I met the one product that got the job done: Maybelline Cheek Heat [3].

If you're thinking it looks eerily similar to one other cream blush made by a particularly millennial brand, you're right — it does. Despite the twinning packageing, the product inside is unmatched. The formula is water-based and oil-free, so it glides onto skin with ease without leaving behind a saturated stain. Instead, it creates a sheer wash of colour that is buildable without ever being overdone.

While most people say to use your fingers to apply the product, I use a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush [4] to line two to three dots of the blush onto the apples of my cheeks. After patting that out, I add another two dots to the bridge of my nose and swipe it down the sides to really create the impression that I spent all weekend basking in the sunlight. (If you still think this looks bizarre, know that Camille Rowe [5], my French hero, uses the same method for her everyday makeup routine.) As far as colours go, there are six to choose from, but my go-to is a cocktail of Coral Ember and Nude Burn (fitting, no?).

So, I found the best-kept secret to a just-off-the-beach flush. Now, TikTok, go do your thing and give it the hype it deserves.