The complete guide to "fake" freckles

Freckles: some love them, some hate them, some have them and hide them, and some don't have them and draw them on. Imitating a natural phenomenon, especially a mysterious one, is not easy. Reproducing them requires skill, and there are many methods that go viral on social networks. Not all of them are recommended, but let's start from the beginning.

What are freckles?

Even though we all know them and probably have them ourselves, we still don't know much about how exactly they form. We know they are caused by an increase in melanin, the pigment that gives color to our skin, but why does this happen only in certain areas? And why do some people have more freckles than others?

There are two main types of freckles:

• Ephelides: These are flat, small spots, typically red-brown in color, that appear mainly on the face, arms, and shoulders. They are more common in people with fair skin and red hair and tend to darken with sun exposure. They are due to genetic predisposition and sun exposure.
• Solar Lentigines: These are larger and darker spots that can appear on any part of the body exposed to the sun. They are more common in people with already highly pigmented skin and can be a sign of sun damage.

Fake freckles are the trend of summer 2024

We know how freckles form in general, but there are still many things we don't understand. For example: why do only some people have ephelides? How exactly do ephelides and solar lentigines form at the cellular level? Why do solar lentigines tend to remain even in winter, while ephelides tend to lighten? While science works to find answers to these questions, let's focus on how this phenomenon has influenced the beauty world. Ever since we saw the charismatic Pippi Longstocking proudly flaunting them, not to mention Emma Watson, Vanessa Incontrada, Christina Aguilera, and Matilda De Angelis. It seems that this detail makes everyone irresistible, but what should those who don't have natural freckles do? The hashtag #fakefreckles boasts over 17,000 videos on TikTok and the methods to create them are truly numerous.

How to make fake freckles: self-tanner

The latest viral technique involves self-tanner. Tanning drops for the face can be our allies for achieving a light, natural, and super effective look. To apply it in the best way, we recommend mixing the product with your daily face cream and applying it with a toothbrush or a very fine-tipped brush.

Eyebrow pens and freckle makers

A classic method is to use very fine eyebrow pencils. Examples include the Makeup Lift And Snatch by Nyx professional makeup or the Eyebrow Pen by MULAC. There are also specific products like Freckle Makers, which are tints designed to create freckles. To apply them best, once the dots are drawn, we recommend blending them by tapping with your fingertips.

Henna for the face

The favorite technique of the online community is certainly henna, a powder derived from the dried and ground leaves of Lawsonia inermis, a shrub native to Northern Asia and Africa. It has been known and used for millennia as a natural dye for hair and skin, appreciated for its dyeing and cosmetic properties. Users love applying it to the face with a cone for a long-lasting effect, but public opinion seems divided because this compound can, in some cases, as recent studies show, be harmful to our skin.

• Allergic reactions: Even natural henna can cause allergic reactions, such as redness, swelling, itching, and even blisters. Facial skin is particularly sensitive and prone to these types of reactions.
• Harmful chemical compounds: Some types of henna, especially black or intensely colored ones, may contain harmful chemical additives like para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can cause various health problems.
• Infections: Improper preparation and application of henna can increase the risk of bacterial infections.

Spray products

Let's be honest, we've all at least once wanted to try hair spray on our face to get a stunning freckle effect, especially after seeing it done on social media. However, as we know, the product is designed for the scalp and not for the face; therefore, it is not recommended to use it for other purposes. A perfect alternative? We recommend using a foundation or concealer spray in a darker shade than yours or a brown eyeshadow diluted with water and placed in a clean spray bottle.

Broccoli and eyeshadow

If you think you've seen it all, well, you're very wrong. TikTok, in its quest for the perfect freckles, has given birth to the strangest trend of the year. We're talking about fake freckles made with broccoli. That's right: this vegetable is characterized by a dotted head, ideal for quickly recreating the scattered and random effect of freckles. Simply dip it in a brown eyeshadow or your favorite bronzer, dab it on your cheeks, and you're done. It seems that to get freckles on our faces, we would do anything, some even choose to tattoo them. This element indeed enhances our summer makeup, giving us a playful, fresh, and natural aura, just like the true clean girls know how to do.