Updated: July 14, 2021
By Guest Writer, Makeup Artist, Liz Washer
For many redheads, freckles present a unique challenge in the makeup department. You might have some blemishes, redness or unevenness you’d like to correct, but how can you do that without obscuring your oh-so-sassy spots? I’m a skin junkie. What does that mean? (Hint: it’s not as naughty as it sounds.) As a makeup artist, it means that I am a fan of the colors, variations, and textures present in people’s skin, and I believe that makeup should beautifully enhance our uniqueness, rather than homogeneously masking it.
Here are tips on how to celebrate your freckles with the right makeup:
1. Don’t take the word “foundation” too literally.
You don’t have to plaster your entire face with a base. Once you’ve found a good color match, apply only where you need coverage and let your healthy skin shine through! Conceal only under the eyes, around the nose, and wherever you see a blemish.
Redhead Friendly Picks: Make Up For Ever Invisible Cover HD & Face Atelier Ultra Foundation
2. Sheer it out!
Sometimes we do need a bit more coverage, but we still want our freckles to take center stage. If you already stick to sheer products like tinted moisturizers, you’ve got that “covered” – but if not? Make your own! A full-coverage liquid or cream foundation can be thinned with moisturizer until you achieve the perfect level of coverage. Got a bit of redness under those freckles? Start with a sheer layer of a green or yellow color correcting primer to neutralize the flush, and then apply your skin tone shade on top. Use a translucent powder to set.
Redhead Friendly Picks: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer & Smashbox Photo Finish Reduce Redness Primer
3. Add some sun.
Many freckly faces are also fair, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the pasty pink family for your cheeks! Freckles look beautiful against a soft touch of bronzer. Look for a color that’s a shade or two lighter than your freckles–not too taupe, not too orange, and not too sparkly–and apply it lightly along your cheekbones, forehead and the bridge of your nose – anywhere the sun would naturally hit your face. Dusting a little on your neck is also a good idea if you’re particularly fair there. This will give you dimension, warmth, and the color will complement your freckles beautifully, rather than making them look ashy.
Redhead Friendly Picks: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola & NARS Laguna
To showcase your freckles, start with a very light application and stick to products that can be built up to the amount of coverage you need, where you need it. And if you’ve accidentally covered a few of your precious spots in the process? Just grab a cotton swab and a gentle makeup remover and proceed to lift the veil!
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