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Freckle pens have made it possible for anyone who wasn't born with freckles to have the natural sun-kissed look. The versatile makeup trend has been around for years, with celebrities like Hailey Bieber incorporating it into both her minimalist and bold looks. Selena Gomez, meanwhile, sported fake freckles in the music video for her 2017 single “Fetish.”
The natural aesthetic has continued to garner a huge following on social media with countless beauty influencers on TikTok providing tutorials on how to achieve the most realistic fake freckles. Makeup brands have also dropped tools ranging from freckle pens to highlighter applicators, so you can use mascara or brow pencils to apply the beauty trend.
Below, Billboard Markets breaks down how to use a freckle pen, including how to create realistic freckles and the best freckle pens to stock up on.
What is a good freckle pen?
A good freckle pen will have a soft, light tip to help you effortlessly apply fake freckles to your face. You'll want to make sure the shade is complementary to your skin tone to create realistic freckles, as the shade can appear too dark or not at all. If you like to wear powder foundation and concealer, the best freckle pens will be buildable, allowing you to layer the formula over your makeup.
How do you get realistic freckles?
The key to making realistic freckles, according to most TikTok beauty creators, is to take the freckle pen and apply the brush randomly on your face for the most natural look. Then use your finger or a beauty blender to lightly blend and spread the formula around your face. Apply another layer to various spots and areas around your face and repeat the process until you get the look you want. Be sure to apply freckles where the sun would hit the most, and avoid sticking to one part or area of your face, as TikToker @peytonliveslife suggests in a video tutorial.
What are the best freckles?
We've rounded up some of the best freckle pens you can buy online, based on our own experience testing them and top user reviews.
editor's choice
Lime Crime Freckle Pen
This freckle pen has been loved by Amazon reviewers for its fine nibs and color options, including a bold magenta for anyone looking to add some color to their makeup. You can apply it on your bare skin or over foundation thanks to its buildable formula, and buyers boast that they “last all day, even without pressing.” The ingredients are also 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
tiktok pick
Freck Beauty The Original Freckle Pen
TikTok can't get enough of Freck Beauty's freckle pen with @peytonliveslife using the makeup tool in the review. You have to shake it before you use it, but once you apply it, it has a waterproof and long-wearing formula that's cruelty-free, gluten-free, and oil-free. TikTokers are particularly obsessed with how it turns out, praising its ability to provide a realistic look.
“It's very, very warm, but once you dab it on it looks so, so natural,” TikToker @cakedbybabyk said in a review video of the freckle pen.
buildable option
ColourPop Freckle Pen
Even after applying a full face of makeup, this freckle pen will still be able to give you a natural look using the formula and marker. It comes in a soft brown shade recommended for fair to medium skin tones and comes out with “subtle marks,” according to reviewers (of course, you can always make them darker by applying more color). For those with freckles, one reviewer likes using the post-makeup pen routine, saying “these help me improve them after makeup.”
budget friendly option
HandAiyan Freckle Pen (2 Pack)
Amazon's Under $10 Freckle Pen is perfect for those who want to try the trend with a quality formula that's affordable. You will receive two pens in either light brown and natural brown or chestnut and dark brown. Both feature a soft felt tip for a simple yet comfortable fit. In addition to being an Amazon best-seller, reviewers note that the shades look soft, which means you don't have to spread freckles with your fingers.
fiber brush option
Tarte Freckle Pen
Tarte's Freckle Pen has a wider range of shades, with three options to choose from: light, medium and dark brown to match your skin tone. What makes it unique from the rest is the flexible fiber brush tip that you can use to splash on your face or gently tap. The formula is made with vegan ingredients and is waterproof for a longer lasting look.
selection of stamps
Maykoo freckle stamp
If using a brush sounds too advanced for you, consider trying a freckle sealer like this one from Maykoo. Instead of using a brush to haphazardly trace your face, you'll dip the stamp into the tub, making sure the applicator is completely covered. Then press it lightly on one part of your face. Blend it, then repeat until you get the look you want.
Amazon reviewers love its easy application and design, praising “how the stamper has different size dots on it” and that the effect “makes full-coverage makeup look more realistic.”
skin soothing option
Jason Wu The Freckled Boy Freckle Pen
What makes Jason Wu's Freckle Pen stand out from the rest is the way it infuses rose water into its formula to soothe the skin with every application. It comes in a light brown shade which is suitable for most skin tones and has critics raving about how it's 'perfect for summer'.
To apply: “Tap the fine tip where you want faux freckles and tap off any excess. Reviewers also say “pigmentation is on point [and] goes great with makeup.”
For more product suggestions, check out our roundups of the best refillable lipsticks, makeup tools for beginners, and press-on nails.
