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Self-tanners, liquid highlighters, and bronzers have long been the baseline beauty products for a quick glow up. But a new league of options are emerging for a dimensional sun-kissed look: The best freckle pens. While they look like liquid eyeliners, these products deposit translucent, watery pigments that mimic clusters of freckles, resulting in a back-from-the-beach look without sun damage.
“TikTok and app filters are playing a role in the faux freckle popularity,” explains Lisa Aharon, a New York City-based makeup artist. “They are also a fun way of playing with your complexion, enhancing the sun-kissed apples of the cheeks or bronzed finish to the skin.” Freckle pens have become TikTok-famous beauty products due to the youthful look they offer, with over 24.9 million views on the app for the term “freckle pen.” ColourPop and Freck currently taking the cake as the most popular freckle pen brands on TikTok, but emerging brands like Saltyface and Beaubble are also gaining traction.
Along with TikTok creators, beauty tastemakers like Hailey Bieber and Alix Earle have popularized these products by posting “Get Ready With Me” videos that demonstrate how they use the pens — whether stippled on the cheeks, under the eyes, or across the nose to create a youthful look. In a recent video, Earle also showcased how she uses freckles to softly contour her nose.
Unlike a brow pen or eyeliner, freckle pens last longer and provide more subtle results. “There’s a translucent effect that you can achieve with a freckle pen that looks very natural, and they have more longevity than a pencil,” Aharon explains. “Pencils can sometimes seem to sit on top of the skin rather than blending seamlessly the way a pen can.” The pens come in various colors to suit all skin tones, which also help create a natural freckle look. Andrea Tiller, a veteran makeup artist, also confirms that because of a freckle pen’s applicator, “it imitates the true look of natural looking freckles, and in most cases, they will stay put and won’t smudge off.”
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best freckle pens for a year-round glow, with expert tips on how to make freckles last all day, how to properly apply the pen, the tools you need, what to look for when shopping for a freckle pen, and more.
Top Freckle Pens
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Freck Beauty Freck The Original Freckle
Shades available: 3
Applicator type: Dipping brush
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
This pen from Freck Beauty is one of the original faux-freckle formulas that broke the internet. It offers a natural, buildable, and long-lasting way to achieve a freckled look if you’re not blessed with them naturally. And it’s easy to use: Just dabble a cluster of freckles across your desired area and let dry. Many shoppers rave about how tan Freck’s product makes their faces look, and are impressed at how many compliments they get on their newly formed freckles.
What testers say: “I didn’t think I’d love this as much as I do, but wow, it is a game changer. I always wanted freckles growing up, and now I have an easy way to get them! It’s easy to use once you get the hang of it, and it lasts all day. 10/10 will be repurchasing again!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
Lime Crime Freckle Pen
Shades available: 4
Applicator type: Felt tip
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Revolve Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Application is key when achieving natural-looking freckles. That’s why Lime Crime’s pen is a favorite on TikTok among beauty lovers. The formula comes in a lightweight pen with a tip that helps to place the freckles on your skin effortlessly. Not only is the tip crafted with soft felt, but it’s also made in a pointed shape that precisely forms perfect faux freckles. You can snag the pen in four shades, from light to dark brown as well as magenta, to cover an array of skin tones and for statement looks.
What testers say: “Love this product. I have pretty fair skin, so trying to get natural-looking freckles that don’t look too dark and/or fake is kind of a struggle! I’ve tried many of the hacks you find on TikTok, YouTube, etc., and I mean A LOT of the hacks, and none of them worked as well as I would’ve liked. But these pens are amazing. I got two (the shades cocoa and amber) so I could layer them for a better effect. Let me tell you, it makes a world of difference. One pen alone would still look incredible, but getting the two colors and layering them gave the freckles so much depth and made them look really natural.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $15
Tarte Freckle Pen
Shades available: 3
Applicator type: Fiber bristle brush
Tarte Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
If you’ve experimented with Tarte’s high-performance beauty products, here’s another one to add to your list. Boasting a waterproof and vegan formula, this freckle pen makes whipping up DIY freckles a breeze, thanks to the unique angled tip brush — the fiber bristles are made to mimic the shape of natural freckles and help deliver the right amount of product with every application.
Price upon publish date of this article: $22
Saltyface Freckle Paint
Shades available: 1
Applicator type: Dip brush
Much like other makeup products, freckle pens come in various forms. Some have more of a cream base, and others come in liquid form. This faux freckle pen has a serum-like consistency that’s foolproof to apply without melting or transferring. The small yet mighty brush gets those hard-to-reach areas like the bridge of your nose. It also quickly covers larger areas like your cheeks, where the sun enhances freckles. Testers love that the freckle paint is fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types and tones.
Editor testing and review notes: “I naturally have freckles, but they’ve faded with my more frequent use of sunscreen. This product adds them back and looks so natural. You barely need any product, so it’ll last you forever.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22
Jason Wu Beauty The Freckled Boy Faux Freckle Pen
Shades available: 1
Applicator type: Dip brush
Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Tiller recommends Jason Wu’s freckle pen. “The [freckle pens] I prefer have a fine tip applicator almost like a liquid liner that will achieve smaller freckles, but you have the option to create bigger ones too,” Tiller says. “Others have a micro mascara/brow gel applicator that will achieve bigger freckles. Other applicators are bigger felt pens, which, to me, the freckles look very artificial.”
What testers say: “So originally, I wanted to buy Freck brand to try it, but the Jason Wu one was way more readily available, so I grabbed this one. I’m so happy I did! I love this, and not to be dramatic, but adding this one step has completely changed my makeup. I use it on my ‘no makeup’ makeup days and also my days when I do a full face.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $13.99
Colourpop Freckle Pen
Shades available: 2
Applicator type: Felt tip
Colourpop Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Colourpop’s Freckle Pen is the most affordable tool on our list, but that doesn’t mean it comes with less freckle payoff. The pen has a soft texture and buildable formula, which leaves trail clusters of freckles behind that last all day for an effortless look. You can also apply the freckles on top of your favorite cream blush or bronzer.
What testers say: “Amazing product. Absolutely in love with it. Super easy to use and make patterns, and the freckles look super natural. Very good size of the product. Will repurchase it again and probably use all year long.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9
Beaubble Berry Freckle Pen
Shades available: 1
Applicator type: Ball-shaped applicator
Celebrities are jumping on board with the faux freckle trend. Recently, Hailey Bieber was spotted drawing on spots in a TikTok video. The freckle pen in question? This one from Beaubble. It offers a warm blended brown ink that’s not too packed with red and orange hues, which creates a natural cluster of freckles. And it’s tested to appear on all skin tones, not just fair complexions. Some other features worth mentioning: The ink comes in mess-free packaging (like a marker), and it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
What testers say: “This is the only freckle pen you will ever need. Trust. I have tried every freckle maker on the market, and this is hands down the best. Easy applicator, best, most natural color, and stays put all day. Thank god I bought two. I never want to be without this!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22
How to Use a Freckle Pen
Part of the allure of a freckle pen is its easy-to-use application. Aharon notes that a pen is easier to use for freckle novices than attempting to blend other makeup products. But like any flawless application, the key to success lies in prepping the skin. Make sure to have a makeup primer on hand to create a smooth base for your freckles. Now grab your pen.
“My personal preference is to dot the freckles with the applicator brush directly on the skin, sticking to the higher points of the face,” Aharon explains. “Then, with a clean finger, stamp over the dots to lift away the excess product and deposit it on other areas of the skin. This gives a varied color and shape of freckle and looks the most natural.” When you get to your desired look, lock the dots in with a setting powder. “To make them last longer, I would dust a light layer of loose powder after the freckle formula dries and then finish with a setting spray to seal the deal,” says Tiller.
How We Chose the Best Freckle Pens
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To roundup the best freckle pens, we considered many options across top-rated makeup brands to select the best freckle pens. We also noted price points and gathered picks from affordable and luxury categories. Our team also researched each of the pen’s features, including their formulas, staying power, shade range, and applicator type. We even tried a few ourselves. From there, we scoured customer reviews and ratings. Then, to finalize our list of the best freckle pens, we consulted veteran makeup artists who contributed their selections and added value tips and tricks of the trade. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Lisa Aharon is a New York City-based celebrity makeup artist with a clientele that includes Florence Welch, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anna Kendrick, and more. Aharon’s portfolio includes creating natural beauty looks that highlight glowing skin. When she’s not painting on red-carpet-worthy faces, she also serves as a certified health coach.
Andrea Tiller is a makeup artist versed in skin and brows. Tiller has extensive experience creating flawless faces for fashion shows, print advertising, and editorial campaigns. Her portfolio also boasts a list of celebrity clients like Olivia Culpo, Olivia Palermo, Hailey Baldwin, and Amy Schumer, to name a few.
Meet the Author
Taylor Lane is a WWD and Footwear News contributing freelance beauty and fashion shopping writer based in Charleston, South Carolina. The former New Yorker previously held on-staff shopping writer roles at Yahoo Life and Dotdash Meredith. Lane’s bylines have appeared in publications like InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women’s Health, and more. Lane has several years of editorial experience covering beauty and fashion, reporting on everything from stylish and functional sneakers to the latest and greatest beauty products.
