Beauty Masterclass: How To Do Freckles

Is there anything more playful and youthful than a light dusting of freckles? We think not.

Freckles
Freckles
(Image credit: imaxtree)

Is there anything more playful and youthful than a light dusting of freckles? We think not.

As children we were desperate to out-grow them but who would have imagined that freckles would end up featuring on the catwalk at Paul Smith. It was with a young, sun-kissed Jane Birkin in mind that make-up artist Petros Petrohilos offset loose undone waves with a playful smattering of girly freckles over the high points of the face. They speak of outdoorsy fun and lazy days on the beach and, as Petrohilos accurately decreed, 'everyone looks younger with freckles.'

Petrohilos’ backstage freckles came after a light base; he hand-stippled flirty specks onto skin using MAC Eye Brows in Lingering, £13, for a sheer freckle, and MAC Eye Pencil in Coffee, £14, for the odd darker, more precise freckle. The backstage collective were in awe; how could we not love them?

Important points to remember:

1. Pencil-in your freckles over the bridge of your nose and the tops of your cheeks, basically where the sun would naturally leave its mark (we’re all for fakes – real ones are a sign of sun damage).

2. Don’t get carried away, less is more and a full face of hand-drawn tawny dots is not the look we’re going for. Lightly pat over your faux-freckle with a warm fingertip to make it look more natural and less drawn-on and, just like the girls at Paul Smith, team your newly plotted freckles with a touch of peachy-pink blush over the apples of your cheeks for the ultimate youthful finish.

3. Lastly, to give your freckles longevity, give them a light mist with a make-up setting spray.

What to Use

Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer SPF15, £28

MAC Eye Brows in Lingering, £13

Freckle Pencil in Dark Brown, £7, & Other Stories

Giorgio Armani Beauty Cheek Fabric Sheer Blush in Ecstasy, £32

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