When Makeovers Go Viral: TikTok’s “Boyfriend Glow-Up” Trend

12 September 2025

TikTok has spun up a new fascination called the “boyfriend glow-up” trend where partners stage dramatic transformations and share them with their followers. These glow-ups begin with someone slouching through life in hoodies with messy hair and scruffy facial hair then cut to a sleek version complete with a fresh haircut, clean shave and even a fit physique. Some of the videos are so striking they remind viewers of Beauty and the Beast moments where the rough facade melts away and the polished character emerges.

One clip that blew up across the app shows a man in dishevelled clothes, sporting a man bun and an unkempt beard. In the flip-side of the edit he’s clean-shaven, noticeably slimmer and styled like he stepped out of a fashion shoot. That post got over 5 million views. Viewers gushed. Comments ranged from playful praise like “You are a visionary” to amused delight that someone could go from hoodie-lounging to looking magazine-ready.

Not every attempt is a home run. Some glow-ups spark laughter or mild criticism. In one video someone transitions from a rugged beard and goatee into a clean look that includes a bowl cut. It did not land well. Trolls fired off jokes, some viewers wondered whether the clip was in reverse and others simply gasped at the haircut choice. The mismatch between expectation and result is part of the genre’s tension.

The trend is not just about appearance it also reflects creativity, intention and sometimes a critique of casual neglect. People are investing in grooming, fitness, style and overall self-presentation. One influencer, Anastasia Eastin, went viral for using ChatGPT as part of her glow-up planning. She credits the AI-assisted approach with saving money while helping her craft a more polished image.

The appeal of the “boyfriend glow-up” trend is multi-layered. On one level it taps into transformation fantasy the idea of metamorphosis from rough to refined. On another level it plays with standards of masculinity grooming, care, style all of which were once more rigid or limited. The trend allows participants and watchers alike to explore what it means to look good not just for others but for self confidence. When a person takes groomed appearance seriously it suggests something about their self-worth or mood or priorities.

Yet the glow-ups also expose anxieties. What if someone looks better after, does that mean their past look was unlovable. What if the transformation is superficial and temporary. Some criticisms centre on whether the pressure to “look better” contributes to insecurity. Others question whether changing appearances in the name of virality undermines authenticity.

Stylists, barbers, grooming experts are seeing this trend as both opportunity and challenge. Opportunity in that people are more willing to invest in style, skin care haircuts fitness. Challenge because expectations can shift quickly and transformations are broadcast in short clips that demand immediacy and dramatic contrast. A messy or low-budget grooming job might look charming in real life but look subpar in the trimmed timeline of social-media comparison.

What makes the “boyfriend glow-up” trend significant is how it reflects larger patterns in social media culture. It shows how appearance, aesthetic and identity are intertwined in internet spaces. It underscores how people curate their image not just for themselves but for audiences that will respond, reward or critique. It also signals how transformation narratives remain strong hooks for content engagement. Before-and-after reveals have always drawn attention but the gendered reversal here adds fresh dimension. Instead of only women being transformed in these stories men are subject to the same makeover spotlight. That shift itself is part of what makes the trend resonate.

The glow-ups that succeed tend to combine subtlety and surprise. The best ones do not feel like someone merely followed a template rather they reflect personality: a haircut that suits the person’s face, grooming choices that enhance rather than obscure, fitness tweaks that feel sustainable. The ones that jar tend to overreach or mismatch, for example trading a messy beard for a haircut that does not flatter or investing in style without comfort or coherence. It is in the balance of change and self that the trend finds its sweet spot.

In the end the “boyfriend glow-up” trend says as much about what people value today as it does about aesthetics. It reveals that grooming, confidence, presentation are part of the modern identity performance. It also underlines how social media continues to shape norms, expectations and desires around appearance. For those involved the glow-up is not just about looking good. It is about being seen being admired and sometimes being surprised by what transformation might bring.