I wouldn’t consider myself the most freckled gal out there, but after I’ve laid out in the sun once or twice in the summertime, my nose becomes freckle central -- and I love it. Freckles have long been a source of insecurity among women, but more and more often we’re seeing freckle-faced queens embrace their spots.
Once my own freckles have popped, putting on my makeup results in a different finish than it would in the winter. Not quite covered, not quite on show, applying foundation over my freckles results in a muted look. It’s not bad, per se, but there must be a way to show off the freckles while still putting on a full, fresh face of makeup.
And there is! The following tips go for anyone with speckled skin, from summertime spots to year-round beauty marks.
Keep your skin exfoliated and moisturized.
The better prepped your skin is for make-up application, the smoother your foundation will go on, which will make it all the easier for your freckles to pop!
Match the right tone.
The easiest way to lose your freckles in your makeup is to match your foundation to their shade instead of your skin’s undertone. If you’re having a hard time figuring out which tone is which, match your foundation to your neck instead of, say, a cheek.
Try a cream blush.
Cream-based blushes tend to give you more of a seamless look; the makeup goes on as if it’s blended into your skin instead of sitting on top of it, which better allows your freckles to shine!
Put down the matte foundation.
I know, I know -- it sounds sacrilegious. But matte foundations are designed to create a blurred base to hide pores and such, which, while we’re appreciative, will also blur your fine little freckles. Instead, opt for a sheer, buildable formula that will allow you to add more coverage as needed without hiding away your sunny spots. You’ll also want to stay away from powders and opt for creamy foundations.
Or try tinted primers!
If you tend to avoid heavy, full-coverage make-up in the summertime anyway, maybe it’s time to make the full switch to a tinted moisturizer or primer as your “foundation.”
Mix in the moisturizer.
Just can’t part with your full-coverage make-up? Let’s compromise: If you mix some moisturizer into your trusty foundation, it can thin it just enough to go on slightly more sheer than usual without sacrificing your coverage.
Add a cream highlighter, but go light on bronzer.
A creamy brush of sheer, luminous highlighter will brighten the skin, but too much bronzer could mute you all over. When you do bronze, use a big, fluffy brush for wider, less concentrated application. A generous dose of highlight plus the lightest touch of bronzer (liquid will be less likely to shade than a powder, if you have it!) will let your freckles pop, pop, pop!
To highlight, try: Beautycounter Illuminating Cream Highlighter, it Cosmetics Hello Light Crème™ Anti-Aging Radiance Crème Luminizer
To bronze, try: BareMinerals barePro Glow Bronzer, FLOWER Beauty Heatwave Bronzing Essence
Ditch the foundation altogether.
Scary, I know, but what if you don’t need it? Find a sheer but buildable concealer that works with your skin tone and spot correct only. If you blend well enough, you’ll keep your freckles on show and be able to feel totally comfy in your skin as it is.
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