There is something so youthful and fresh about a face full of freckles. It’s funny, because I feel like freckles are one of those things I never wanted when I was younger. In fact, I opted fo full coverage bases just cover them up. But after making a splash on the runways for the past few seasons, the notion of a sun-speckled face is very on trend. And the good news is: if you weren’t blessed with a face full of freckles, of if you’re like me, you only have about 8, it’s really easy to fake it. With the right products and a good technique, you can pull off faux freckles for summer, or any time of the year. Here’s how to do it.
Tips to Consider When Applying Faux Freckles
What are freckles anyway? They’re totally natural. Freckles are simply a concentrated overproduction of melanin and generally harmless from a health perspective. They’re also typically intensified with sun exposure, and potential UV damage. And on this blog, we know the motto: Sun-kissed, good. Sunburnt (sun damage,) bad. And that’s why a faux freckle technique is desirable.
No. 1 | Placement matters
I suggest studying freckle patterns before applying your own, especially if you don’t already have any freckles to work with. Because while natural freckles aren’t symmetrical, the placement does matter. Natural freckles appear in the places hit by the sun — cheeks, cheekbones, nose, and forehead, predominately. When applying faux freckles, a lot of people don’t go past the cheeks. But this won’t look natural. So make sure you are applying product across the bridge of your nose, up onto your cheekbones and forehead, and even lower on the cheek as well.
You also don’t want to create a pattern that is too symmetrical. No one controls where their freckles land, so your placement should be pretty random, aside from hitting those key areas of the face.
No. 2 | Color matters
Just like the placement, the color of the product you use is also important. You don’t want to use a dark brown product if you have a fair complexion. And if you have a deep complexion, a light brown pencil won’t do much for you. Freckles usually have a warm, ashy tone. And a general rule of thumb is use a shade that is 3-4 shades darker than your skin tone.
No. 3 | Pat to blend
You definitely want to blend these freckles into your skin so they look natural. However, you want to make sure you’re blending them in a patting motion, as opposed to a smearing motion. Patting to blend with ensure they blend into the skin right where you placed them. Smearing will … well … smear them, and they’ll look unnatural and messy.
No. 4 | Pair with a sun-kissed blush situation.
I love the look of freckles with a radiant, sun-kissed glow on the face. It’s the ultimate, perennial summer look, and I am here for it. If you want to know how to create that sun-kissed, almost sunburnt blush look, click here to read my post on how to achieve that sunburnt blush look.
No. 4 | Set, like really well.
How to Apply Faux Freckles
Step No. 1 | Study the patterns you like.
If you don’t already have freckles and are looking to create a faux freckle makeup look, I suggest studying a few photos for reference. Do you like a heavier freckle look or something extremely subtle? Pay attention to the model’s complexion coloring and the freckle coloring. You’ll also note that freckles are typically complementary but not symmetrical. They also aren’t exclusive to the cheekbone. Oftentimes, freckles cover the nose and work their way onto the forehead and lower cheeks.
Step No. 2 | Order of Operations
- First start by applying your base – your foundation and concealer. I don’t always set my face, but when trying to pull off a faux freckle situation, I like to set the areas of my face where the freckle product will go. This powder serves as a base for the cream or product to adhere to and will help keep it from moving throughout the day.
- Next it’s time to actually apply your freckles. Start by taking your product and lightly dotting it across the bridge of your nose and cheeks, reaching up to your cheekbones. These are the areas that first get touched by the sun. After you’ve touched the main areas of the face, apply a few stray freckles here and there to make the whole look seem more natural and less methodic.
Once you’ve placed your product, gently pat each spot in with your finger or a beauty sponge. This will help them look more authentic. You don’t want to blend with a smearing motion, because that will smear the freckles and make them look messy. Not the look we’re trying to achieve here. - Finish off the face with your desired blushes, bronzers, and highlights. I like to apply these products after applying my freckles to make the whole face seem more natural and the freckles most authentic. Think about it. If you have natural freckles, you’d be applying every product over top of them as opposed to them sitting on top of the rest of your makeup. Applying you makeup in this order will ensure they look most natural.
Step No. 3 | Seriously, make sure you set well.
I’m not someone who typically sets my face at the end of my makeup routine. However, when dealing with faux freckles, I do. And I do this because the last thing I want is for my freckles to smear over my face throughout the day. Best case scenario they smear and fade away. Worst case scenario they smear and look dirty on my cheeks.
Take a setting powder and apply over the areas where you’ve created freckles. Personally, I prefer a loose powder for this as opposed to a pressed setting powder. But you do you.
Products You May Like to Create Faux Freckles
There are few routes you can go here. I like to choose a waxier pencil or a liquid. Eyebrow pencils work great, because the consistency is generally a little more wax like, and the colors are a little more ashy in tone. But there are products specifically designed to create faux freckles, like the Freck OG*.
One trick that I have tried, but am very intrigued by is applying your color product to a toothbrush. And then flicking the product onto the face. Freckles are random, and this is definitely a way to get a random pattern!
And there you have it, kids, my tips and tricks on creating that youthful, summer inspired faux freckle look. What’s your opinion of faux freckles?
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