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

Like most Gen Yers, I initially downloaded TikTok 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 its many trends entertaining and often educational. I recently learned of a new and popular makeup trend, 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 damaging 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.

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 packaging, 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 color 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 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, my French hero, uses the same method for her everyday makeup routine.) As far as colors 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.