Sun kissed
Meaning
To have skin that is lightly tanned or warmed by the sun, suggesting a healthy, natural glow.
Origin
The term 'sun kissed' is a poetic anthropomorphism, giving the sun the gentle touch of a kiss, which imparts a warm, golden glow rather than a harsh burn. While the idea of a sun-warmed complexion has always existed, the phrase itself gained significant traction in the 20th century, especially as sunbathing became a popular leisure activity and a tanned appearance grew into a coveted beauty standard. It emerged from a desire to romanticize the effects of solar exposure, used widely in advertising and popular culture to evoke a sense of health, vitality, and natural allure, transforming the sun's touch into a desirable aesthetic blessing.
Examples
- Her skin was beautifully sun kissed after her week-long vacation to the tropics.
- The golden highlights in her hair looked wonderfully sun kissed, as if she had spent the whole summer outdoors.