Beauty Trends

Why freckles are the statement-making beauty look du jour

With full-coverage make up beginning to make way for featherweight bases that celebrate skin, freckles are earning some well-deserved envy from those who’re less-blessed on the beauty spot front. As the ‘soft focus’ filters give way to more honest, un-photoshopped images, freckles are the breakout star of this new, long-awaited wave of beauty realism (hallelujah!). 

Nothing spells ‘summer’ like checking the mirror and seeing your face now resembles a pointillist masterpiece (cute!). However, although people’s pigment behaves differently (some will have freckles whatever the weather), for many – these beautiful markings are signs of sun damage and therefore, a dermatological ‘no-no’. 

With sunscreen a daily essential (who else’s alarm reads “Apply SPF!”?), freckles are becoming scarce – which only makes them all the more desirable. They hint at a life enjoyed somewhere that sandals and floaty sundresses are par for the course, suggesting a carefree existence spent sipping iced lattes (or sinking sangrias) in faraway lands where the light’s always right for a freckle-faced #selfie. Which means, as with everything – tanned skin, Angelina-esque lips and a full set of doe-worthy lashes – the beauty world’s opting to fake it…

All the pretty pros without the DNA-mutating impact of exposure to UV? We’ll raise our eyeliner pencils to that! Whether your skin’s nearly-bare or you love your foundation full-coverage, this technique helps to convince everyone that you #wokeuplikethis (make up GOALS).

So, why not pepper your complexion with a smattering of speckles? We advocate Anastasia Beverly Hills’ best-loved (ultra-fine) {Brow Wiz}, which comes in a spectrum of shades to facilitate ‘born this way’ beauty dots. Choose two, or even three colours depending on your skin tone – those who’re fair or red-headed can opt for the ‘Auburn’ and ‘Caramel’ shades, while those with darker skin can try the deeper shades of ‘Soft Brown’, ‘Dark Brown’ and ‘Chocolate’ – then make sure you fix everything with a mist (we rate {Resting Boss Face}).

Or, snap up Lime Crime’s purpose-made {Freckle Pen} – a flattering, long-wearing ‘ink’ that ensures you look beautifully sunkissed. Use a haphazard hand (it doesn’t pay to be too careful) to achieve the most believable, ‘just back from holiday’ effect, and use a delicate touch to decide where you want them, before going over a few here and there to achieve an array of shades, sizes and shapes. Remember, a freckle is rarely a circle, so don’t stress yourself about symmetry.

Et voila! Who needs sun? We’ve got freckles on tap!



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Verity is our Content Editor and a Cult Beauty veteran. Currently on maternity leave, raising Cult Beauty’s honorary ‘word nerd’, Tabitha, she speaks fluent ‘beauty’ and loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm (and cleanser and candles… ad infinitum). Nothing can stop her from quoting Nancy Mitford, treating herself to yet another Bella Freud candle for her desk or buying that pilgrim-esque collared or heavily fringed outfit she’s been eyeing. You can trust her to debunk widespread beauty myths and dispense invaluable advice with ease…