The Best Freckle Pens
These days, it's easy to create looks that you weren’t naturally born with. Want longer lashes? Get some fabulous mascara or lash extensions. Want brown hair but were born blonde? Dye your hair. Weren’t blessed with natural freckles? Don’t worry — that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the sun-kissed look of these beautiful dots. Enter the lauded freckle pen. Freckle pens are a quick, easy, and temporary way to get the freckles you weren’t born with. All you have to do is perfect the art of drawing the dots so that they look realistic, and the odds are high that people won’t even notice that they're drawn on. When researching to find the best freckle pens, we focused on three different factors: the ingredient profile, the longevity of the freckles, and whether the fromulation has weather-resistant properties. Our favorite freckle pen was the one from Marine Forest, as it looks natural and is made of quality ingredients. However, it does not have the reliable sweat resistance that the liquid ink from Maybelline does, which is why that one also won a spot on our list. Read on to learn more about our top picks for freckle pens.
Marine Forest Freckle Makeup Pen
We weren’t all born with freckles to give us that sun-kissed look, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t create it on your own. That possibility can become a reality with the help of this freckle pen from Marine Forest’s makeup pen. It features a thin point that lets you create dots small enough to look realistic. Even when up close and personal, people may not be able to tell that they are fake. This pen creates freckles that last all day, too, so you won’t need to reapply to keep your desired look.
Pros:
- Even if you have oily skin, these freckles should stay on all day.
- If you find the color too dark, you can use your skin to blot the dots so that they aren’t as drastic.
- We appreciate that the ink used in this won’t stain your skin, and it and comes off easily with makeup wipes.
Cons:
- These pens don’t work for all skin tones.
Hemperk Natural Lifelike Freckle Makeup Pen
With some makeup, it’s easy to tell that the person is wearing a lot of it. When it comes to these freckle pens from Hemperk, that is not the case. They provide a realistic look that will make everyone think you were born with them. The pens are available in four different colors, so you can find the one that works best for your skin tone. And using them is easy, too. They feature a fine felt tip to make it easy to draw realistic freckles that blend in perfectly with your skin.
Pros:
- You can vary the shape and the size of the freckles by how you apply them and how heavy of a hand you use.
- We like the fact that these work well even if you have oily skin.
- If you’re working with the lighter shades, the pens are easy to use on top of foundation.
Cons:
- The freckles fade more quickly than we’d like.
Maepeor Freckle Pen
You don’t need to commit to freckle tattoos if you have this freckle pen from Maepeor. It gives you the look for less and without the permanence that you may someday regret. You can choose from three different colors — grey, light brown, and dark brown — so you can find the one that compliments your skin tone the best. This pen is so easy to use that you can create the look of freckles every day without spending much extra time. The ultra-fine tip provides ink that flows continuously and smoothly so that each freckle is consistent with the next.
Pros:
- The unique formula of this pen helps it dry quickly and stay on all day long.
- The ink is easy to build, so if you want to create more dramatic freckles, you can easily do so.
- If you make a mistake when applying, you can quickly and easily wipe it away and try again.
Cons:
- The tip of the pen may be too thin and require more layers of ink than you might expect.
BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Marker
For freckles that stay
Some makeup can be such a pain because it needs to be reapplied so frequently. That is not the case with this temporary tattoo marker from BIC. It is truly what it says it is: a temporary tattoo. And in this case, your temporary tattoo is in the form of freckles. Though it is long-lasting, this marker is safe for most skin types, but make sure you test it on a small part of your skin first. The felt tip is flexible, too, so you can create thin spots or thicker ones — whatever you’re going for.
Pros:
- You may find that the freckles you draw on with this pen last a couple of days.
- Though the freckles are long-lasting, they can easily wash off with soap and water at the end of the day if you want them to.
- The marker dries quickly enough that smudging won’t be a problem.
Cons:
- This product was not tested on sensitive skin, so be careful if your skin is a bit temperamental.
Maybelline TattooStudio Liquid Ink Liner
We love a versatile makeup product just as much (if not more) than the next makeup fan. That’s why we love this liner from Maybelline. It creates the perfect freckle look, but can also be used as an eyeliner to create a complete look that has you feeling fabulous. This liner lasts up to 36 hours, so you can enjoy the look for a long time. However, when it comes time to remove it, you can easily do so with no problem. Then pen is fade-resistant, smudge-resistant, and sweat-resistant, so have all the fun you want with this liner.
Pros:
- It glides on cleanly and easily for you to create an effortless look.
- The small tip on this liner ensures that it doesn’t go on too thick, and it allows you to build if you want.
- This liner rivals high-end brands that have a much higher price tag.
Cons:
- The consistency of the liner may be more watery than you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a freckle pen stay on?
This varies depending on the quality of the freckle pen that you buy, but you can expect your freckle pen look to stay on for a full day, meaning around eight hours. That may change if you are sweating a lot or if you get your face wet.
How do you draw on freckles with a pen?
The best way to draw on freckles with a freckle pen is to hold the brush vertically and then apply the ink to your face in small groups of 3-5 dots. You may want to blot the dots with your fingertips to make them look softer. Then consider setting with powder to help them last longer.
Are freckles genetic?
Yes. Freckles exist naturally in people due to the genes they were born with. They are an extra patch of pigment under the skin that shows up in the form of small dots on the face.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.