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4 Ways to Get in on the Fake Freckle Trend

Faux freckles are pretty much the cutest trend ever. Here's how to use makeup to create them
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Use Two Products for the Most Realistic Freckles
Once you've perfected your skin, it's time to draw on the freckles. Hughes recommends starting with a liquid eyebrow pen (which will deliver transparent color) in a cool brown tone. Her pick: Make Beauty Brow Pen, in Collected, $20. Holding the pen very loosely (it should feel wobbly in your hand), lightly dot on the color where you'd naturally find freckles, think across your cheeks and nose, as well as on your forehead and temples, says Hughes. Then, pat gently with fingertip to blend ever so slightly. Since natural freckles aren't all one color, add some more spots, this time using an eyeliner pencil in a taupe shade with warm undertones, like Surratt Beauty Expressioniste Brow Pencil, in blonde, $40. "The mix of different products and colors creates dimension and makes the freckles appear natural," Hughes explains. Like you did with the eyebrow pen, add a smattering of spots, keeping the placement random and not overly precise. Finish with blush and bronzer for a youthful flush and glow that pairs perfectly with your new freckles.

Image courtesy Katie Jane Hughes

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Get Ethereal With Glitter Freckles
While not exactly natural, glittery freckles are undoubtedly fun and playful (music festival makeup, anyone?), and an easy way to add a pop to an otherwise simple look. Your skin shouldn't be completely matte, but it also shouldn't be quite as dewy as it is for natural-looking freckles; too much moisture on your skin can prevent the glitter from adhering, notes Hughes. Rather than applying both moisturizer and foundation, opt for a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation with a velvet finish.

Image courtesy Katie Jane Hughes

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Wet Glitter Formulas Work Best
You can create this effect with either powder or wet glitter, says Hughes, but she strongly suggests the latter: "Loose, powder glitters are harder to control and aren't as sticky, so you can easily end up applying too much, or with lots of fallout." For this look, she used Lemonhead Spacepaste in Dirty Penny, $22. Another good liquid option: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, $20.

As far as the color goes, the choice is up to you, though warmer shades (like the one used here) will look more subdued and less dramatic than bright rainbow colors, such as pink or blue. Using your fingertip, scatter the glitter where freckles typically crop up, then flick off any excess with a clean spoolie. Since applying any kind of powder afterwards will tamp down the glittery shine (and you def don't want that), Hughes recommends finishing the look with cream blush or bronzer.

Image courtesy Katie Jane Hughes

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Create Freckles With Self-Tanner
The warmer undertones in a self-tanner make this technique especially flattering for those with a medium or olive complexion, says Hughes. If you're feeling confident in your fake freckle skills and want a more long-lasting option, use a traditional self-tanner, though Hughes prefers temporary, wash-off formulas... just in case. She used the Tarte Maracuja Rainforest Glow Instant Waterproof Body Perfector, $39 for this look.

Image courtesy Katie Jane Hughes

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Build Them Up Gradually
After prepping your complexion, dip the tip of a clean spoolie into a drop or two of the self-tanner. (Insider tip: Squirting some onto the back of your hand and dipping into that --rather than squeezing it straight out of the bottle -- will ensure you don't end up with too much tanner on the brush.) Dot the product across your face; as with the other methods, the more inconsistent and randomly placed the dots are, the more realistic they'll look. Blot (don't rub) with a damp BeautyBlender, then repeat with the spoolie and self-tanner until you reach your desired amount of fake freckles.

Image courtesy Katie Jane Hughes

BY MELANIE RUD CHADWICK | JUL 19, 2017 | SHARES
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