Loving Your Not-So-Natural Spots
Freckles’ evolution has been radically transformative. In early nineties movies, the average middle-school nerd was rarely depicted without their typical square-rimmed glasses and countless freckles spread across their face. Post movie binges, the question always lingered: why did freckles equate to a lower social status in pre-modern popular culture? One explanation could be the uniqueness of the freckle look. The stereotypical childhood bully loved to pick on anyone that stood out from the mainstream i.e. red hair, glasses, and freckles. Even if freckles enhanced one’s look, “freckle face” in popular culture continued to be represented in ridicule.
Throughout time, a stigma arose surrounding freckles. Freckled adolescents would spend hours before the mirror submerging their face with clumps of foundation to conceal their freckles; a day at the beach was a nightmare-and-a-half as it was a foolproof formula to double one’s freckles. Fashion magazines rarely flaunted these beautiful marks if they were not advertising ways to downplay freckles. With all this bad juju surrounding these fabulous spots, many freckled youths would consider their freckles imperfections, treating them as their greatest insecurity.
Yet over time, beauty standards defied this misconception about freckles. We entered the “love-your-differences” era where distinctions in looks were placed high on a pedestal. While top Google searches on freckles continue to advertise freckle laser removal and prevention methods, freckles transformed into a look not just to live with—but to love.
With today’s headlines trending non-conformity, freckles are HOT on the market. Believe it or not but “freckling,” the process of semi-permanent tattooing freckles on one’s face, is one of the latest beauty fads. This procedure costs around $250 for a freckling session, and these au-natural looking freckles last around three years. Tattoos, however, may not be everyone’s forte; thus, a less intrusive response to this freckle craze has emerged.
Jamie Sutton, a makeup artist in Manhattan, is a true master of the freckle trend. While studying at Barnard College at Columbia University, Sutton spends her free time as a hired makeup artist with an array of clients throughout New York’s five boroughs. Sutton uses either eyeliner or a brow pencil to create the faux freckles, and this process for both clients and herself takes about ten minutes to perfect.
According to Sutton, “the sudden rise of freckle popularity stems from the revival of cute, girly trends. At this point, sexy is boring. Freckles create a soft, young look that cosmetic procedures like botox cannot fake. It’s also a great way to make the makeup you’re wearing appear more natural because it looks like your freckles are subtly peeking through. In the summertime, I always love how my skin looks bronzed and glowy, so to keep that sun-kissed look year-round, I love to draw freckles on my face!”
Whether one decides to get inked up or make a visit to @jamiesuttonmakeup, the hype behind freckling is pretty self-evident. Freckling gives face character; these small spots generate a big statement that screams unconventional. Beyond their uniqueness, freckles are a fountain of youth. And the best part? Freckles are truly the best natural concealer for a bad breakout. Thanks to this freckle trend, hopefully more people will stop shying away from their differences and embrace their individuality.
