‘They’re so cute’: The rise of freckle tattoos

As spring is in the air, it is the season of blooming flowers, cute lambs, and of course, the appearance of freckles. For many years, freckles were considered a beauty mark that some people actually worked hard to hide. Renowned make-up artist, Nikki Lovrich, who has been in the industry for three decades, recalls a time when women would apply heavy-duty products like Elizabeth Arden’s Flawless Finish foundation to hide these tiny spots. This was reminiscent of the make-up style of the 1950s, which involved masking the entire skin to recreate contours and colors on top.

Interestingly, fashion and beauty standards have evolved over time. A few years ago, Lovrich noticed that her young clients culturally valued the ‘Kardashian-style make-up,’ characterized by its thick application. However, recently, many young individuals are prioritizing skincare over the heavy use of make-up. The trend emerging now leans towards the “clean girl aesthetic,” characterized by dewy, glossy, and glowing skin. People are adopting a more minimalist approach to make-up, choosing to highlight unique features instead of hiding them.

In recent times, freckles have become a symbol of natural beauty, with celebrities like Meghan Markle and Zoë Kravitz proudly showing off their freckles. This has led to an unusual trend where people go to great lengths to get freckles, even tattooing them on their faces. Alex Borrett, a dog groomer, is one such person who got her freckles tattooed on her 31st birthday. For her, freckles add to her beauty statement and reduce her reliance on foundation and make-up, except for a stroke of mascara.

Cosmetic tattoos, where freckles fall under, are usually done by traditional beauticians rather than typical tattoo artists. To ensure safety, it’s recommended to get such tattoos done by trained, experienced beauticians in a sterile environment. Borrett’s freckled tattoos are in addition to other such cosmetic tattoos she has had before, which include lip color and eyebrow filler.

Unlike other regular tattoos, these are intended to give a natural look as if they always existed on the face. Permanent make-up specialists strive to create natural-looking results that blend seamlessly with the facial features.

Dasha Mikhalionak, a Belarus-born permanent make-up specialist, has been offering freckle tattoo services since 2011 and gets around four clients every month at her clinic in Christchurch. The demand for freckle tattoos has been on a steady incline since around 2022, aligning with the rise of minimalistic beauty trends.

The application procedure doesn’t cause much discomfort to most people. Some, like Borrett, find the process so relaxing they even fall asleep during the tattoo session. The freckle tattoos start off very visibly but soon settle down, blending with the skin tone without showing signs of major peeling, which is a common aftereffect of regular tattoos.

These tattoos are not permanent; they fade over time, more quickly with younger and healthy skin, and usually leave no scarring. Application of sunscreen to maintain the tattoo’s visibility also influences how long they last. If correct skin care regimes are followed, the tattoos can stick around for anywhere between six months to three years, depending on the skin type.

At the end of the day, freckle tattoos are getting more popular as they endorse natural beauty and help people embrace their unique features. Borrett herself has had positive feedback on her tattoos, especially from her elderly clients who had freckles as kids but were embarrassed by them.

Creating the illusion of a natural look and feeling good about it is the main aim that freckle tattoos underscore. And it seems like this trend is here to stay, at least for a while, thanks to its growing popularity among the young and old alike.