You'd be forgiven if you've never considered turning to your refrigerator when reaching for a makeup application tool, but a new trend taking over social media has revealed that the ultimate faux-freckle hack may require the use of one of your five-a-day.
"Broccoli Freckles" are the latest TikTok beauty trend to take over, with users across the globe rushing to the grocery store so they can try it out for themselves. The trend sees products such as cream bronzers and powdered eyeshadows being applied to broccoli florets, before being stamped on to the face, leaving tiny dots that resemble freckles.
One influencer who was keen to try the trend and enjoyed it so much it's now become a staple in his routine, is Zak Heath, who shared a video testing the technique to his 1.1 million TikTok followers.
Heath told Newsweek: "I tried this trend last year using a freckle pen when I saw a rise in availabile freckle creating products. I like the pen - it works well, but thought there must be something easier?
"I thought broccoli, because of its shape, could be a fun alternative. I tried it thinking it will make my face look quite muddy and it will be hard to blend out the eyeshadow I used as the brown pigment, but it really did work!"
As for how easy the hack is, Heath told us: "With most hack videos, they work but there's lots of trial and error. Surprisingly, this was probably the easiest faux freckle hack I've tried, hence why I've used it off camera multiple times afterwards.
"Whether you want to add depth to their full coverage makeup or if you wear natural makeup or no makeup at all, this will look beautiful since the faux freckles look realistic and they look like an extension of yourself.
"I think freckles, faux or real, are beautiful, but only when the added freckles are done correctly because otherwise it can look too much! Start with a light hand and, if you want the freckles to be a bit darker, press harder into the product you're using."
Someone else excited to see the faux freckle trend take off is international pro make-up artist James Mac, who said: "Faux freckles are definitely a trend, and we're going to see a lot more of them over the coming months as we head into summer period."
For those wanting to try the trend for themselves, but hesitant about reaching for fresh broccoli to apply it, Mac shared some tips and tricks for faux freckle application: "If you're going to use food as an applicator, always make sure it's clean and washed. Freckles can be created using a freckle pen, or take a spoolie, comb, or brow blocker brush and flick the product (onto the skin), using a technique called 'stippling' to create the freckles."
What Do the Commentors Say?
Viewers loved the hack, with one user commenting: "It looks good, and I love it."
Another added: "It looks so cute and cool Zak."
Another was keen to put the trend to the test, sharing: "I soooooo wanna try this."
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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