My childhood best friend’s face had a constellation of fine freckles that made her look as beautiful as the Milky Way—and I was so jealous! That being said, a lot of our classmates would tease her for it. Ephelides, as dermatologists call them, appear on skin starting at an early age when it’s exposed to the sun, and it’s interesting to see how trendy they are now given their former schoolyard stigma. Thanks to Instagram filters and fabulously freckled celebs like Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid and Jonathan Van Ness, people today can wear these gorgeous melanin clusters as a badge of honour. And although I could get up early every morning and paint my face with freckles, the idea that I could also get semi-permanent tattoos to experience them for almost a year has always been way more intriguing. So, I did it—and here’s how it went.

WHAT IT IS

Semi-permanent freckles are temporary cosmetic tattoos that are applied to the face using an ultra-thin mechanical tattooing needle, and depending on your skin type and environmental factors, the results can last anywhere from eight months to two years. Light and discreet, these faux freckles look totally natural and work well on all skin tones.

HOW IT WORKS

Over the course of an hour, a technician and I talk about my freckle goals (ideal colour, locations and quantity). They ask me questions like “Do you want to see your freckles through your makeup?” and “Just on the nose and cheekbones or all over that sweet little face of yours?” before studying my complexion and hair colour. Next, an anaesthetic cream is applied to my face and freckles are drawn on with a makeup pencil to determine the sizes and locations for my new facial additions. At this point, I’m given the option to make any changes, which helps keep my expectations aligned with reality. Once the anaesthetic kicks in, the pigment is applied with the electric tattoo needle one freckle at a time. Since the pigment doesn’t penetrate below the skin’s surface, the procedure is pretty much painless.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The colour will look more intense right afterwards, and your skin may appear swollen, so don’t panic. Also, you’ll want to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and alcohol prior to your appointment since they act as blood thinners and make skin more sensitive. Your freckles will fade by about 30 to 40 percent in the days following the treatment, and there could also be some light peeling—but please leave your beautiful face alone because if you start removing the dead skin yourself, you may accidentally remove the pigment you just paid for! Your true results will appear about two weeks after your tattooing sesh. Avoid exposure to the sun while you’re healing because it could cause your freckles to take on a shade you didn’t intend on (more grey/red) or even fade excessively.

WHO IT’S FOR

“Faux freckles look good on anyone who has ever dreamed of having a freckly face or a beauty mark as well as people who want a sun-kissed look or want to hide scarring or hyperpigmentation,” says cosmetic-tattoo artist Marie-Audrée Caouette (@dermocontraste on Instagram). 

MY REVIEW

As someone who has also taken two other semi-permanent treatments out for a spin—namely, powder brows and lip blush—I love these freckle tattoos. The effect is so subtle that they complement my natural freckles. I also think they make me look just the right amount of quirky-cute!

PRICE TAG

The cost depends on how many freckles you decide to get. Expect to pay somewhere between $525 and $600 for a procedure. 

Where to go

The Good Geisha, Toronto
Studio Sashiko, Langley, B.C.
Lesage Cosmetic Tattoo, Kelowna, B.C.
Arcane Body Arts, Vancouver
Dermocontraste, Montreal
Alkhemist Studio, Montreal

The temporary technique

Not ready to go all the way, even if it won’t last forever? Here’s how to draw on freckles of your own: Using a fine brow pencil or felt-tip marker—ideally in a neutral or taupe tone for fairer complexions and warm brown for deeper skin tones—apply one freckle at a time, gently tapping with a finger or beauty sponge to blend. Repeat until you’ve achieved freckled-goddess status. 

1-freckles

THE ORIGINAL FRECKLE, FRECK BEAUTY

Price: $37

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2-freckles

FRECKLE PEN, LIME CRIME

Price: $21

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3-freckles

BROW ULTRA SLIM DEFINING EYEBROW PENCIL, MAYBELLINE NEW YORK

Price: $14

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