Boyfriend Effect
Changes experienced since getting a boyfriend
Example
OMG, I've been hit hard by the boyfriend effect
AYKM? You look great!
Related Slang
Boyfriend air | Proximity to your boyfriend |
School air | Air that messes with your appearance |
Relationship weight | Weight gained from a romantic relationship |
bf | Boyfriend |
Beat | To apply makeup |
Mascara | Boyfriend |
DTR | Define the relationship |
Shipping | Hoping for two people to get into a relationship |
Relationship goals | An admirable relationship |
Selfie | A picture a person takes of themself |
Gen Zer | A person born between 1997 and 2012 |
OMG | Oh my gosh |
AYKM | Are you kidding me? |
The "boyfriend effect" is the change a person has experienced (mostly in their appearance) since starting a relationship with their boyfriend. The term started trending in March 2023 on TikTok (as an extension of boyfriend air), predominantly among female Gen Zers sharing before and after photos of themselves since they started dating.
The photos people share in boyfriend effect posts typically consist of two photos. The first includes a refined selfie with make-up, well-kept hair, and nice clothes. In contrast, their second photo consists of no make-up, unkempt hair, and comfortable clothes, like sweats and a t-shirt.
Many boyfriend effect posts are self-deprecating since they primarily describe how their appearance has "degraded." However, many of these posts elicit supportive comments focusing on how happy, comfortable, and natural the person looks.