e.l.f. Discovery

How to Get Fake Freckles Using Brow Makeup

Quick—what’s a beauty trend you saw all over your TikTok FYP this year that you don’t need to spend money to get ? We’ll go first: fake freckles. Fake freckles had a major moment this year, and it’s easy to see why. They’re fun, playful, easy to achieve, and give a fresh, natural touch to any look. The best part is, Achieving natural-looking faux freckles doesn’t require a special, trendy product. With the right techniques and a few simple tools from your makeup collection, you can create the perfect freckled effect. While lots of dedicated freckle pens went viral this year, our hot take is… you don’t need to buy one. You likely already have a brow pen that works just as well and allows you to create tiny, realistic dots that mimic the look of real freckles effortlessly.

Whether you prefer a subtle, soft look or a more playful, scattered effect, the options are endless, and, most importantly—easy. The fake freckle trend is also fun because it lets you get creative with your makeup. You can layer and build for a bolder look, or keep it light for a fresh, natural appearance. With just a few strategically-placed dots, you’ll have a freckled face that feels fresh and effortless. Here’s how to use what you already have in your makeup bag to nail the fake freckles trend.

Start with Your Base Makeup

The key to realistic fake freckles is a clean base makeup routine to make your freckles look like you were born with them.

Start with a face primer like our viral Power Grip Primer, which grips your makeup fto ensure your fake freckles stay put all day
Next, apply a foundation like our Soft Glam Satin Foundation to even out your skin tone while maintaining a natural, radiant finish. Its lightweight, buildable formula provides just the right amount of coverage while still allowing your fake freckles to shine through.
Follow up with a touch of concealer—our favorite is Hydrating Camo Concealer—to reduce any redness or blemishes, keeping your skin (and freckles!) looking flawless and fresh.

5 Ways to Create Natural-Looking Fake Freckles

1. Fine-Tip Liquid Brow Pen Method

Now for the freckles! Our Holy Strokes Micro-Fine Brow Pen is the ultimate tool for creating cute, natural-looking freckles. With its super micro-fine tip and seven different shade options, you can easily dot freckles exactly where you want them—on your nose, cheeks, and anywhere else you want a little freckled touch—and create a freckled finish that will look natural and authentic.

To get the perfect faux freckles, just grab the pen and lightly dot away! For a more natural finish, gently tap the faux freckles in with your fingers to help them seamlessly blend and give the freckles a more dynamic, genuine look. This waterproof brow pen’s smudge-resistant formula means your freckles stay fresh all day long without fading, smudging, or giving away that your freckles *aren’t* actually real.

2. Brow Cream Technique

Good news: there’s more than one way to fake a freckle! Brow creams and tinted waxes (trusty products you might already have in your makeup kit) are another great wait to create natural-looking, fake freckles.

To get extra tiny ultra-natural freckles, a fine-tip brush like the Small Smudge Brush is essential. Its precision allows you to easily control the placement of each freckle, ensuring a soft, blended finish. Simply dip the brush into your chosen product—whether it’s a cream or tinted wax—and lightly dot onto your skin for a realistic, freckled effect.
For a long-lasting, smudge-proof option, the Lock On Liner & Brow Cream is a must. This cream formula comes in three different true-to-you shades and provides a matte finish that stays put throughout the day. It’s waterproof, sweat-proof, and designed to endure any activity while maintaining a flawless look. Its versatile formula makes it perfect for adding subtle freckles without fading or smudging.
If you prefer something portable, the Bite-Size Eyebrow Palette is a game-changer. With a combination of waxes and powders, this compact palette offers high-pigment shades for building depth and dimension. Whether you want a light, natural freckle effect or a more defined, bold look, this palette gives you the flexibility to create it all with ease.

3. Traditional Brow Pencil Application

Brow pencil die-hards, this one’s for you. Traditional brow pencils are also an equally as effective option for faking your freckles, and the Instant Lift Waterproof Brow Pencil is perfect for this task. This brow pencil comes in six different blendable shades, and the fine tip allows you to precisely dot the product onto your face, mimicking the look of real freckles.

To achieve the most natural effect, start by lightly dabbing the pencil in areas where freckles naturally occur—on your nose, cheeks, and forehead.
Once you’ve dotted the desired areas, gently tap your fingers over the dots to blend them into your skin. This helps create a soft, diffused look that feels effortless and realistic.

4. Tinted Brow Gel Spatter Effect

Yes, you probably saw this all over TikTok, and yes—it works! To achieve this, you’ll need a product like long-lasting, smudge-proof WOW Tinted Brow Gel to get that speckled freckle finish.

Start by holding the end of a makeup brush a few inches away from your skin, creating some distance to control the dispersion of the product.
Next, gently run the end of the brush up and down the brow gel wand to allow the product to naturally disperse and create a light, “splattered” effect onto your skin. This method gives a soft, natural freckled appearance that mimics the look of real freckles.

5. Setting Your Fake Freckles

Finally, set your freckles so your hard work doesn’t fade! Whether you’re creating faux freckles with a brow pencil, tinted gel, or cream products, adding a setting spray ensures they stay fresh and stick. A setting spray helps lock in the product, preventing fading, smudging, or shifting, even through heat, humidity, or activities.

Use a lightweight, breathable setting spray like Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray to provide that final touch and seal your freckled look. Simply spritz lightly over your face after applying your freckles, and let the mist do the rest!