Ask Beaut: how to choose foundation for freckles

Welcome to our weekly ‘Ask Beaut’ where we try to help with all your beauty dilemmas, troubles and concerns. If you have any questions please add them to the comment section here.

This week’s question to our Beauty Editor is all about freckles.

MaireRua asks:

Hi Aisling, I’m wondering if you can give me some tips for choosing foundation. My problem is I have freckles and I find if I choose a paler colour to match my freckle-less neck I look washed out and if I choose a darker colour to match my freckles I have a lovely line!! Also, could you advise on whether powder or liquid foundation works best for this, my skin is combination/sensitive. I’m tired of using fake tan to even out my skin. Please help!!! ????????"

Hi MarieRua,

Thanks for your question. There are a lot of people who are in your position. Personally, I just love freckles, I always have. My sister has them and I don't and it's always something I've been so jealous of. The grass is always greener on the other side though. My gut reaction is to tell you to embrace them. Use a BB cream, or a sheer foundation to give the skin a bit of a glow without hiding them. But if you're anything like my sister, you're not going to want to do this.

If you want to cover your lovely freckles the way to do it is to choose a foundation to match your neck. If you have freckles on your neck also, you are going to have to squint your eyes slightly and your freckles and your skin will mix together, so that is the colour you are matching. The rule of thumb is that you are going one shade darker than your skin tone but slightly lighter than your freckles.

I would start by using a strobe cream as your primer as the light reflection in that product will create the illusion of a more even surface.  A medium but buildable coverage liquid foundation is best for this, and a coloured powder over the top to set. Make sure you are choosing a warm tone foundation, as freckles are warm in tone, and if you use a cool tone over them in a full coverage foundation, it can make your freckles look grey in colour.

If you are covering your skin completely you will need to contour it to bring the colour tone and definition up a little. Like with any full coverage foundation, contouring will help give more shape to the face. Also, adding a bit of colour to the cheeks will help bring the colour back into the skin when you use a full coverage foundation.

I hope that helps. Do let me know how you get on.

Have freckles been the bane of your life or do you let your freckle flag fly?