How To Use Self-Tanner For A Natural Fake Freckle Look

They were once something that was considered a flaw that people would try to lighten or cover with makeup, but now freckles are having their moment. As seen on TikTok and beyond, those who don't naturally have freckles are applying faux freckles to their face and, in some cases, are going so far as to have these little kisses from the sun tattooed across their cheeks and nose.

Associated with youth and natural beauty, faux freckles have become a popular way to embrace simplicity in this ever-increasingly complicated world. "Quarantine both inspired creativity in makeup and embracing natural beauty along with our imperfections," makeup artist, Lisa Aharon, told Women's Health. "Applying fake freckles falls perfectly in the middle of the two, so I'm not surprised of their recent popularity."

While there's a handful of ways to create realistic faux freckles, it's the use of self-tanner that's been getting a lot of traction lately. But as much as this technique is a good idea, there are things to consider before giving it a go. 

When applying fake freckles, first consider where you want them. Although freckles can naturally occur anywhere, if you're going for the sun-kissed look, then the bridge of the nose and cheekbones are good places to start. "You want to concentrate them where the sun naturally tans the skin and intensifies natural freckles," makeup artist, Kasey Spickard, told Makeup. You also want to be aware of the pressure you apply your faux freckles with, as that plays a role in the size and color of each one. "Naturally occurring freckles come in an array of colors so you need to mimic that when you're creating freckles on your own face or you'll end up looking like a cartoon doll," said Spickard.

Once you have an idea of where you're putting your freckles, the next step is choosing your tool. On TikTok, bobby pins are a common way to apply self-tanner freckles, but people also use brushes and even toothpicks. After you do a few freckles, blend them a bit to help them look as real as possible. Then do a few more, blend, a few more, blend, and so on across your face. How long you keep the self-tanner on is determined by your skin tone. TikToker Jana revealed in the comments section of her faux-freckles tutorial that she kept the self-tanner on for over two hours. But that won't be the case for those with fairer skin tones. 

Before you even reach for the self-tanner, the first question you should ask yourself is "How skilled am I in creating faux freckles?" If you can't confidently answer that with "I've mastered the art of faux freckles," then step away from the self-tanner. Unlike eyeliner and freckle pens (which are designed specifically to create freckles), self-tanner isn't something you can just wash off at the end of the day. Although this factor is a big selling point for those who love the look but aren't so invested that they want to tattoo fake freckles on their face, you want to make sure you have a handle on the freckle application. This means you've nailed the sizing, spacing, and placement of your faux freckles. While self-tanner certainly isn't permanent, it does dye the skin and is evident for roughly five to seven days before it starts to fade. Walking around with an array of weird-looking freckles for a week isn't the end of the world, but if you can avoid it, then avoid it. 

However, if you've perfected the creation of faux freckles, then absolutely grab the self-tanner and give it a go. It won't only cut down on how much time you spend on your morning routine, but will give you bragging rights. Not everyone graduates to self-tanner-level faux freckles, so give yourself an overly zealous high-five.