“Boyfriend Glow-Ups” Are Taking Over TikTok

If your man has gone from “dud” to “stud” during your relationship, it might be time to jump on TikTok’s latest trend.

“Boyfriend glow-ups” are booming on social media, and the trend is exactly what it sounds like – women posting then-and-now comparisons of their partners before and after they got their hands on them.

The “before” shots usually show guys looking like they just rolled out of a college dorm room. Then cut to present day: tailored haircuts, upgraded fits, and a vibe straight out of “Esquire.”

Does your man qualify?

The transformations we’ve seen range from full-blown rebrands to subtle tweaks to “wait, what changed?” (The “Is this a glow-down?” videos are also fun.) But the best of the best are less “fixer-upper” and more “HGTV-level renovation.” Common upgrades include cooler wardrobes, trimmed facial hair, and the kind of confidence that comes with being loved and styled by someone who knows what they’re doing.

Why girlfriends love it?

Because they’ve been working on you for years, and they finally get to brag. Sure, it’s about growth, partnership, love. But more than that, it’s about the joy of watching them go from “graphic tee and flip-flops” to “knows how to layer.” If your boyfriend used to dress like a background character in a 2005 sitcom and now turns heads at brunch, go ahead and flex.

Choose the right soundtrack

If your guy has gone from “not” to “hot” during your tenure and you’ve got the receipts, then“When Did You Get Hot?” by Sabrina Carpenter is everyone’s song of choice. It’s become the unofficial soundtrack of the glow-up movement. (Like, if you’re not using it, are you even doing the trend right?)