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A portrait of Gabbi Garcia with glam makeup and faux freckles.
Faux freckles are now the hot accessory for almost all makeup styles, including the soft glam look. (Instagram.com/delosreyesjason)

Yes, the “Faux Freckles” Trend Looks Good on Morena Skin

It's 2024 and you can have freckles if you want them. Follow these steps to create faux freckles that look natural on morena skin.

March 13, 2024
Read Time: 4 Minutes

Prep Your Skin First>

Know Thy Tools>

Dot Away!>

Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Things Up>

Dab and Powder>

Bronze It Up>


Faux freckles are making a mark in the makeup industry. Even fashion’s elite (see Hailey Bieber, Candice Swanepoel, and Sydney Sweeney among others) are emulating the look. And if you’re pretty active on BeautyTok, you’ve definitely seen a video or two of people tattooing fake freckles using henna.

Why are many women digging freckle makeup? One obvious reason is it adds a warm glow to fair-skin. But don’t get it twisted – freckles for darker skin tones are equally enchanting. Plus, they bring out some youthfulness in your visage.

While creating these "sun kisses" seems easy, making them look natural takes a skilled hand. Find all the makeup tips and tricks on creating faux freckles below.

Prep Your Skin First

Woman washing her face with facial foam.
A clean and moisturized base is important for creating a soft-looking makeup finish.

Should you smatter your faux freckles before or after completing your base makeup? The clear answer is you should be applying them right after foundation. This way, your freckles can stand out more and maybe even help camouflage blemishes.

As with any other makeup look, skin preparation is the key to a seamless and non-cakey complexion. Nourish your skin with hydrating products, starting with a gentle cleanser like Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Moisture Care. It has 40% Active-Boost serum, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides that leave your skin moisturized for up to 24 hours.

For the last step of your skin prep ritual, apply a generous amount of POND'S UV Hydrate Sunscreen with SPF 50 PA++++. Because looking sun-kissed is cute but getting sunburnt is not. This hyaluron-infused sunscreen leaves a nice, glass skin finish without a white cast – a big plus for morena gals!

Know Thy Tools

Tons of freckle products are widely available, from pens to stamps. But with so many options, choosing the right tool can get confusing, especially for beginners. If you’re unsure what to use, consider what kind of faux freckles you'd like to create.

A freckle pen is still the best tool to create the most natural-looking dots on your face. The tint is soft and buildable over foundation or bare skin. A brow pencil or powder is a close second if you don’t want to add another product to your makeup bag. For a more speckled look, define some of the spots with fine-tipped eyeliner.

Dot Away!

A portrait of smiling woman with freckles on her face.
Not confident in your fake freckles game? Test the look by lightly dotting your freckle pen.

It’s time for the main event, at last! The only rule you have to remember is to take baby steps. Draw a few small spots in one area and check your work in the mirror. It’s crucial to take a step back now and then so you know how many more dots you need to add.

As for the placement, feel free to get creative. Makeup artists usually put these beauty marks around the nose and cheeks since these are the areas where the sun naturally hits. However, don’t limit yourself. Sprinkle some dots on your forehead or chin if you’re into it!

Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Things Up

The beauty of freckles lies in their imperfection. Each spot has a different shape, size, and color. One way to add dimension and a touch of realism to your faux freckles is by mixing different shades and textures. After dotting a freckle pen all over your skin, darken some with liquid eyeliner in a sheer brown shade. You can also try applying a brow powder with a damp (and clean) toothbrush for variety.

Dab and Powder

Woman applying powder on her face.
Use translucent powder, not a two-way cake, to set your makeup.

You might think, “This looks crazy!” but trust the process. Right after creating your faux freckles, tap them down with your fingers or sponge to soften the shape. Then, lock everything with a light layer of translucent powder. This helps ensure the spots stay put all day, through rain or sweat.

Bronze It Up

One of the best perks of having morena skin is you can fake the post-beach vacation glow with a splatter of faux freckles and a light dusting of bronzer. This combo not only helps bring warmth back to the face but also sculpts your features.

The key to selecting the right bronzer shade is all in your undertone. Gold, coppery brown, and caramel beautifully complement morena skin. Once you have your heart set on one product, use a fluffy brush to sweep the bronzer around the perimeter of your face, including your neck and ears. Remember, add a little at a time.

Mastering the faux freckles trend requires practice. However, this guide will increase your rate of success. Just remember to start slow and blend along the way. Also, don’t be so fixed on achieving perfection because, at the end of the day, makeup is all about having fun! 

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