Why Freckle Pens are TikTok’s Latest Beauty Obsession — And How to Get the Look on a Budget (2024)

Kicking off our list is TikTok’s favorite freckle pen. Available in three sizes and two colors, this freckle pen is well-worth incorporating into everyone’s daily beauty rotation.

We’re confident naming it our top pick because it hits the big three freckle pen attributes our experts previously highlighted: a fine applicator tip, it’s available in multiple hues, and reviewers say it lasts from sunrise to sunset.

In addition, it's an oil-free formula that won't congest oily and acne-prone skin types. Plus, it earned a Clean at Sephora seal of approval, indicating it's free of ingredients the beauty retailer doesn't appreciate.

One Sephora reviewer admits they weren't prudent about wearing sunscreen while living in Hawaii, so their natural freckles and dark spots are uneven and in random clusters. “Freck is my holy grail. I stamp a few clusters to even out the gaps where I don’t have any. It makes me feel more confident,” says their review.

As for application, be patient and start with just a few freckle clusters. In just 5 seconds, the color will deepen and hit its richest shade after 5 minutes.

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Not everyone wants to commit to a higher-end freckle pen, and that's totally fine. Costing just under $14, this affordable pick can help beginners and pros create beautiful faux freckles without breaking the bank.

Gomila says Jason Wu, one of Michelle Obama's favorite American fashion designers, created a must-have freckle pen that she keeps in her professional kit.

“I use Faux Freckles by Jason Wu to create a very subtle, natural freckle over foundation. When shopping for a freckle pen, a great thing to consider is the size of the tip of the pen. I don’t like the pen to be too sharp because I like the ease of the applicator being the actual size of real freckles,” she says.

And Wu Beauty delivers just that, plus more. Jason Wu Beauty's freckle pen is also infused with soothing rose water and helps create non-irritating, long-lasting freckles.

Urban Decay's product is the only dual-sided option on this list. A slim marker tip is on one end, and the other features a soft pencil to create natural eyebrow hairs.

“The ink stain on the brush tip side absorbs into the skin mimicking real freckles within the skin. It comes in 9 different light to medium to dark shades for the most realistic freckle shades,” Guerra says.

Saunders notes that she’s only used Brow Blade on her eyebrows but loves the natural look it creates. “Whenever I want a flawless brow, I love reaching for this product because the petite market is flexible and easy to maneuver. Knowing that it earned high praise Guerra is reason enough for me to restock my vanity to jump on the TikTok trend,” she says.

Sephora reviewers are also obsessed with using this brow pen to create beautiful fake freckles on their skin.

“They actually look so natural/good compared to the pen I used before. I’ve never done my eyebrows with a pencil, and I love the clean look. Plus, it’s so quick and easy. I’m obsessed. This is my new go-to,” says one reviewer.

Guerra also appreciates that this hybrid brow and freckle pen is a sulfate-, paraben-, phthalate-, and cruelty-free, indicating it's not made with potentially skin-irritating ingredients.

Eyebrow queen Anastasia Soare knocks it out of the park with her lineup of eyebrow products, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that her Brow Pen earned snaps from Guerra.

“This superfine-tipped pen is waterproof, making it ideal for creating natural-looking faux freckles that last all day. The formula applies effortlessly with a lightweight look and feel,” he says.

Notably, Guerra highlights the nine shades as undoubtedly perfect. “The attention to color is so precise. The opacity of these markers are sheerer than eyeliners, so painted freckles will appear beautifully subtle and natural,” he adds.

Like other options on this list, ABH’s Micro-Stroking Detailing Brow Pen is free of parabens and phthalates. It’s also free of mineral oil, so it won’t congest pores and cause blackheads and acne.

Online reviewers also gush over the calligraphy pen-like feel of the marker. “The strokes make it look very natural, and it lasted all day,” says one reviewer who uses it to create faux freckles and mimic eyebrow hairs.

Rounding off our list is one final recommendation from Guerra. “This formula is long-wearing and waterproof, which is vital to creating freckles under or over makeup that last all day,” he says.

The New York-based celeb makeup artist likes that it is infused with conditioning ingredients like honey, aloe leaf, and chamomile extracts, “which is a plus when using this product to paint over the skin.”

Guerra also appreciates that top makeup artist Jeanine Lobell created Stila. Since Stay All Day was created by a pro, he adds it has always been a staple in his pro artist kit.

Stila promises this sweat-resistant, and smudge- and transfer-proof makeup product will last throughout the day, so for anyone looking to add freckles that will actually last this one is for them. It’s also waterproof, so if it starts to lightly rain, the faux freckles should still remain in tact.

➥ Youthful Appearance

“Freckles are often associated with youthfulness and give the skin a natural, sun-kissed look. Adding freckles to your makeup can add charming character and a touch of uniqueness to your makeup look,” says Guerra.

➥ Doesn't Compromise Full Coverage Foundation

Guerra and Gomila agree that freckle pens are a fun and fast way to spice up everyday summer makeup looks. Gomila says, “This has become such a trend because a lot of my clients with freckles want to show theirs off, but also want the coverage of a fuller foundation.”

Guerra adds this method brings back elements of the skin onto the makeup, allowing it to appear more natural. “It’s kind of the opposite of underpainting [applying cream contour and highlight under foundation], but still giving a similar result,” he says.

➥ Great for Acne-Prone Skin

Guerra uses freckle pens to turn pimples into freckles. “In a way, they aren’t as noticeable as they are camouflaged as freckles. You can create freckles in various sizes, shapes, and densities, allowing you to customize your freckle pattern,” he says.

➥ They Look More Realistic Than Other Formulations

Speaking of the skin, Guerra praises freckle pens over creating faux freckles with traditional eyeliner pencils because pens look more realistic.

“Although they may be similar in color, the two products are very different in formulation and the result they will each give. Freckle pens are made as sheer liquids or gels so the pigments absorb into the skin, allowing the painted dots to look more realistic, like they exist within the skin. Eyeliner pencils are a heavier texture and made from wax which will only sit on top of the skin,” he explains.

➥ They're Low-Commitment

Lastly, Guerra is a fan of freckle pens because the faux freckles are temporary, making them great to experiment with over makeup or bare skin.

“They can be easily removed with makeup remover or a gentle cleanser, giving you the freedom to change or remove freckles, or adjust the intensity of the freckles to create different patterns,” he says.

Lastly, Saunders asked Guerra to share his no-fail freckle pen application tips and tricks — and they’re creative yet simple to follow.

• Be sure to test the color first on the back of your hand to ensure it doesn’t appear too green or red for your skin tone.
• Don’t over-apply skincare that’s too rich or oily, as it could affect the application and wear of the freckle pen.
• Some setting sprays can also affect the color. Watch out for oxidizing throughout the day, which may also turn your freckles a different shade.
• If applying the freckles under makeup, choose a lightweight sheer foundation or just use concealer on any skin imperfections.
• Make sure the freckles are fully dry before applying any makeup over them.
• Don't use cream blush or highlighters: When paired with faux freckles, this may break down the pigment and shorten the longevity of your freckles.
• Set faux freckles with a tinted powder to make them appear like they’re under the skin.
• Look at reference photos of natural freckles on someone with a similar skin tone and hair color to help recreate a realistic freckle pattern and color.
• Alternate between softer and darker shades with varying intensities to create the most natural-looking freckles.
• If the formula of a freckle pen is too wet, try applying it over a thin ply of tissue on top of the skin or immediately dab it with a sponge or cotton swab.
• Apply dots to the finger or a makeup sponge in a varying pattern and then press them onto areas of the face like a stamp.