With sunnier days comes the arrival of freckles, the little brown spots that decorate faces in the summer months. Some of us love them, others hide them with foundation and a whole load of people – who aren’t genetically-blessed in that department – are creating them with makeup. We’re firmly in the love-them camp (ok, and the drawing-them-on camp). Here’s how to embrace and highlight your freckles.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 Wear SPF
I’ll say it again for the people at the back – WEAR SPF. Sure, spending time in the sun unprotected will darken freckles but it will also lead to sun damage, which is decidedly less cute. Sunspots will actually cloud the appearance of your freckles (see, counterproductive). If your skin is properly protected your freckles should remain pale.
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2 Exfoliate your skin
Dead skin cells contain excess pigment which can make freckles look ‘muddy’. By removing the surface layer of skin with an exfoliator, freckles will look more defined. Chemical exfoliators are best for brightening the skin but they will make your skin more susceptible to sun damage so make sure you wear a high factor sunscreen.
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3 Keep up with your skincare routine
Freckles stand out most when the skin is healthy (and there are no blemishes to distract from them). You know the drill with this one, double-cleanse, use a good moisturiser, drink lots of water. Wearing less make-up will help you brighten your complexion too.
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4 Avoid heavy makeup
Freckles easily get lost as soon as you apply makeup. Switch to a lighter coverage foundation, BB or CC cream so that the skin (and the freckles, of course) can show through. Add more coverage only in areas you might want it – under-eyes, blemishes – using a medium-coverage concealer. That way your freckles aren’t clouded.
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5 Add colour to your face
Adding a little bronzer and blusher won’t accentuate the freckles per se, but it will add to that whole sun-kissed, I-just-got-back-from-two-weeks-in-the-Maldives look, which is just as important if you ask me. Hit all the places you naturally tan – forehead, nose, cheeks – with a sheer cream bronzer and add blusher to the apples of the cheeks.
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6 Add some faux freckles
You might want to darken your existing freckles, add a few more (or any all together). The best way to get natural-looking faux freckles is to use a couple of different products and shades – eyebrow pencils are the easiest but eyeshadow and a thin brush works too. Dab over them with your finger to soften them and remember, natural freckles are never uniform.
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