The latest trend in the beauty industry is a divisive one. Freckle tattooing is something that is slowly but surely creeping up on the world. Freckles are one of those beauty features that divides people, but it hasn’t stopped people from wanting them tattooed on.
Tattooing freckles on your face might sound extreme, yet it fits in with the old adage that “beauty is pain”. For those people who wish they had natural freckles, it’s a welcome relief from dotting them onto their face every morning. Although the tattoos aren’t permanent, it’ll shave a few minutes off your morning makeup routine.
Gabrielle Rainbow, a Toronto based tattooist, is one professional who championed the idea of freckle tattoo. Rainbow decided to do this after watching her friend painstakingly apply freckles to her face every morning. Her friend wanted soft freckles that look like they’ve been there forever, so Rainbow thought of a more permanent solution.
For those of you who are skeptical about getting tattooed, try not to fret. Rainbow explains that the procedure is fairly straightforward.
The “freckles” initially look swollen, “almost like bee stings” but that subsides after a few hours, said Rainbow.
“Over the course of one to two months, the colour will soften dramatically and look more natural. They will fade naturally with time, and if you wish to keep them you can always get the colour boosted.”
Naturally, there are concerns about tattooing your face. If you go to an inexperienced freckle tattooist, the needle go too deeply into your skin which can result in an infection. As with any tattoo, it’s important to make sure you do your research.
The results of the semi permanent freckle tattoos can between one and two years. However, this depends on a number of factors, such as how often you go out in the sun, whether or not you follow the post-tattoo skin care routine, and so on. As with any tattoo, it’s all based on how well you take care of it. Rainbow has rules that she likes to tell her new freckle clients.
“I tell people to not put makeup on for two weeks, and I tell them to use a non-scented cream and soap,” she says. “And obviously, don’t exfoliate your face.”
A recent spike in celebrities posting no filter makeup selfies might be one of the reasons for the interest in freckle tattoos. Freckles immediately give you a sun-kissed and youthful appearance, so it totally makes sense as to why it’s a trend.
Lucky for Aussie freckle fans, it’s becoming more popular in Australia. Research your area to see if your local beautician does freckle tattooing, otherwise a road trip might be in order if you want them done.
