Natural freckles are beautiful, so it's no wonder so many people who don't have their own are trying to recreate the look with makeup, freckle pens, and sometimes even henna.
While the idea of faux freckles seems harmless in practice, a recent Reddit post has sparked debate around whether they are fair game, or if beauty lovers should be treading more carefully when it comes to the trend.
The post, shared by u/Moths2Flamez, asked the Reddit audience if she was in the wrong for testing out faux freckles for herself, only to be told by her friend that it was "cultural appropriation."
The user, who works in a beauty supply store and purchased a freckle pen, explained, "When I was younger I would always get a few freckles in the summer from playing outside in the sun all day. Now that I am older, I try to take better care of my skin. I use sunscreen and try to limit my exposure.
I miss my freckles, so I decided to try the pen. I picked out the lightest shade so they would look natural. It worked wonderfully and now I use it almost every day."
It was when their friend made a surprising comment that the user even considered she was doing something wrong by trying faux freckles, as they continued:
"I met up with one of my friends for lunch yesterday and she looked at me funny and asked, 'have you always had freckles?' I told her about the freckle pen and she told me that 'it doesn't sit right with her soul,' that she was bullied as a child for having freckles and now people wear them as a fashion statement. I told her that I just thought they were cute, and she said that it felt like 'cultural appropriation.'
"I don't think I'm in the wrong here. Obviously, it sucks that she was bullied, but I don't think using a freckle pen is the same thing as cultural appropriation."
Reddit's View
The post generated more than 1,600 comments as users shared their opinions on the situation, with one user commenting, "NTA [Not The A******]. You HAD freckles as a kid. How can you culturally appropriate your own childhood?"
A second stood in support of the poster, writing, "NTA. Freckles are not a culture. It's like dying your hair blonde if you're not a natural blonde. I'm a redhead and I have freckles mostly all over my body, and more so in the summer.
"For some reason, though, I rarely get freckles on my face anymore and I wish I had them there! I'd love to know what pen you use and if you know any waterproof options!"
Another backed the friend, and added, "I will say as someone who has natural freckles, it makes me upset that the faux freckles are trendy with makeup for the same reason your friend is upset.
"I got made fun of so much as a kid for having them, and they're only trendy now because you can draw on perfect freckles in all the places you want them that looks cute, like top of the nose and cheeks, but they're not all over your face. People with real freckles all over the face are still not considered cute because they're not the perfect little spattering of freckles where it's convenient for them."
Expert Opinion
It seems the issue with faux freckles goes beyond the freckles themselves, and the only actual risk of cultural appropriation comes with improper use of one product in particular: henna.
To find out more, Newsweek spoke to award- winning makeup artist, educator, and founder of the South Asian Beauty Collective, Aarti Pal.
The UK-based artist, who specializes in South Asian bridal makeup, explained, "Henna holds significant cultural importance in South Asian cultures, symbolizing celebration, beauty, and tradition. It's most used for Indian weddings and especially during celebrations like Diwali, Eid and Karva Chauth, serving as a form of self-expression and cultural identity.
"During weddings, intricate henna designs are applied to the hands and feet of brides and hands of family members and guests as a symbol of joy, beauty, and auspiciousness. It's considered a form of adornment and a way to honor traditions and customs."
When it comes to using the product for freckles, Pal continued, "This trend gained popularity as an unconventional beauty hack, especially among those who desire a sun-kissed, natural look. However, it's important to note that henna should be used cautiously on the face, as it may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
"Additionally, the results may vary depending on individual skin types and the quality of the henna used. It's advisable to test a small patch of skin first and consult with a professional before trying henna freckles."
As for if she views it as cultural appropriation, Pal pushes us to enjoy being creative with beauty providing it's with respect, as she said, "As long as it's done with appreciation for its origins and meanings, exploring unconventional applications can be a way to honor and celebrate cultural diversity."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Lollie is Newsweek's Beauty and Self Care Reporter based in London, U.K. In her role, she covers a range of ... Read more
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