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One of our favorite beauty hacks of late is using the best freckle pens (and their tone-mimicking pigments) to fake real spots and add a dash of playfulness to any look. By definition, natural freckles are well-defined brown spots that show up in sun-exposed areas of skin, most commonly on the face, arms, chest, and neck. Genetics play a key role in whether your skin is predisposed to developing them, but freckles can also be a sign of sun damage, which is why you shouldn’t sunbathe outside to achieve the look.
Since not everyone naturally has freckles (and isn’t willing to undergo UV damage), give the fake freckle trend a try with these easy-to-use, smudge-proof pens that our editors (and a few professional makeup artists, and celebs like Billie Eilish, Hailey Bieber, and Taylor Swift) swear by for natural-looking beauty marks. Below, read about our go-to faux freckle pens, plus MUA tips on how to apply them for the longest-lasting, most natural-looking freckle makeup.
Our Top Freckle Pens
- Best Overall: Freck OG Freckle Pen, $22
- Best for Beginners: Tarte Faux Freckle Stamp, $26
- Best Long-Wearing: Fazit Glitter Freckle Makeup Patches, $16
- Best Multipurpose: Sacheu Long Wear Brow & Freckle Tint Stay-N, $14
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How should I apply a freckle pen?
- How can I make my faux freckles last longer?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Freck OG Freckle Pen
Freck Beauty
OG Freckle Pen
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai applying the Freck OG
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: Freck’s OG Freckle Pen started the entire TikTok faux freckle craze during 2020, and after all these years, our editors and makeup artists like Natalie Dresher (who is based in New York City) still swear by this subtle tint to draw constellations of believable faux freckles. The ultra-fine applicator creates smaller, less pigmented freckles than your average pen, lending a more realistic look. If you have a deeper skin tone, reach for the darker, espresso-hued Freck Noir for a more prominent look.
Pai before applying the the Freck OG
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Freck OG
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I don't have a ton of freckles—just a single one on the tip of my nose that several dermatologists have offered to laser off. (Um, I'm good.) But I've always wanted a smattering of freckles across the bridge of my nose. The Freck OG has a learning curve—the brush is precise, but it bends if you press it too hard—and after a few tries, I learned that I got a softer, more natural effect if I used my fingers to ‘press’ my freckles into skin before they set.”—Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Available shades: 2 (Freck OG, Freck Noir)
Best for Beginners: Tarte Faux Freckle Stamp
Tarte
Go With the Faux Freckle Stamp
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Revolve
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tarte Go With The Faux Freckle Stamp
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Not sure where to start your freckles? Try a freckle stamp, which dispenses a cluster of freckle-like spots with one press for a more natural look. The Tarte Faux Freckle Stamp in particular is an Allure editor fave, thanks to five slender points that create teensy dots with its buildable brown tint. Simply push the top so the points dip into the pigment, dot onto your skin, and repeat. As with all freckle pens, you can lightly blot with your finger for a more diffused look. “I love this freckle stamp because it’s so easy to use and beginner-friendly,” says Dresher.
Han before applying the Tarte Go With The Faux Freckle Stamp
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Tarte Go With The Faux Freckle Stamp
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I've been known to go overboard with faux freckles (not that I care!), but Tarte's freckle pen hits the right balance and doesn’t look too bold, lending a more natural look when it comes to the individual freckles. However, because the pigment is on the subtle side, I have to refill the applicator pretty frequently. I don’t mind, because a multi-point freckle pen is pretty genius and saves some time!”—Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Available shades: 4
Best Long-Wearing: Fazit Glitter Freckle Makeup Patches
Fazit
Glitter Freckle Makeup Patches
Amazon
Revolve
Han wearing Fazit Makeup Patches in Rose Gold Speckles
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Like a temporary tattoo, but make it freckles. Fazit’s Glitter Freckle Makeup Patches are as easy as press, pat, and peel. Instead of dotting on faux freckles by hand, these water-activated patches reveal a scatter of realistic spots that last up to 72 hours—or wash away sooner with a cleansing oil or balm. Choose from subtly natural specks to more playful options like gold and silver accents, or even strawberries for when you’re feeling festive. They blend seamlessly over bare skin or makeup, so they complement every look from natural to full glam. If you need more convincing, Taylor Swift is a fan of the gold freckles and has been spotted wearing them while cheering on now-fiancé Travis Kelce.
Tester feedback from Han
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“I will always stand by my Tarte for ‘traditional’ faux freckles, if you want something with a WOW factor, it's gotta be these Fazit freckle patches. Sure, they're not for everyday office looks, but anytime I have something fun planned (a sports game, friend's birthday, etc.), I can't wait to whip these out compliment-attracting patches out. For the most part, they're just as easy to apply as the temporary tattoos you'd slap on during your childhood years—you'll need to press down with both hands, given how long the entire tattoo is. Oh, and your nose freckles might not look perfect because of the contours, but that's not a bother because the look as a whole is more important and just chef's kiss.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Available shades: 10+
Best Multipurpose: Sacheu Long Wear Brow & Freckle Tint Stay-N
Sacheu
Long Wear Brow & Freckle Tint Stay-N
Ulta Beauty
Sacheu
Why it’s worth it: Get full, feathered brows and believable freckles with one product, the Sacheu Long Wear Brow & Freckle Tint Stay-N. The dual-ended pen features a precise tip for tapping on freckles, plus a tinted brush to shape and set your brows in place. Similar to the viral Peel Off Lip Liner Stay-N, the formula is smudge-proof, sweat-resistant, and built to last all day, whether you use it on brow hairs or skin. For the most natural-looking freckles, lightly tap them out with your fingertips while the formula’s still wet—they’ll blend in so seamlessly, you’ll swear they’re real.
More to know
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- Available shades: 4
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I apply a freckle pen?
Before applying a freckle pen or stamp, New York City-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard notes that most of your makeup (if you’re wearing any) should already be done in order for your design to look more prominent and have a layer of base makeup to cling onto. “You're going to want to have your entire complexion done and finish with the freckle pen,” he says.
Once you’re ready to apply, Dresher says to dot the freckle pen along half the area you’d like to freckle—not the entirety!—and then “stamp” the freshly-dotted freckles with your finger. This allows you to disperse the pigment around the area to create a blended, natural-looking appearance, “since natural freckles differ in darkness, shape, and distance between them,” she says.
How can I make my faux freckles last longer?
For budge-proof faux freckles, both Dresher and Spickard swear by two items: setting powder and setting spray, both of which you apply after creating your freckled look. If you want pro-level hold, Spickard recommends combining your freckle product with Inglot’s Duraline, a transparent eyeliner sealant, before applying. “Tap the freckle pen into some Duraline and then apply; this will lock in the freckles and keep them on the face for an extremely long amount of time,” he says.
Meet the experts
- Kasey Spickard, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Natalie Dresher, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best freckle pens, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
