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Ever see a brand pop up all over your Instagram feed and feel like you’re out of the loop? That’s how I felt about Freck Beauty. After noticing the cult-favorite cosmetics brand had won over the hearts and makeup bags of basically everyone I follow on social media, I decided it was time to see what the hype was all about.
Founded by Remi Brixton in 2015, Freck Beauty delivers convenient, high-performing products that are made using quality, good-for-you ingredients. But unlike other brands, Freck’s mission is to promote “creatives” rather than “clones.” Freck gives beauty lovers the tools to leave the rules behind and express themselves whenever inspiration strikes, whether it be with a stroke of blue eyeliner or really over-the-top blush. Not only does Freck support self-expression through vibrant hues and punchy product names, but it does so with accessible and easy-to-use products priced between $16 and $40 and made for on-the-go style application.
I’d be remiss to talk about Freck Beauty and not mention Freck OG, the beauty industry’s first-ever freckle pen that basically started the faux freckle trend that influencers, celebrities and makeup artists have all embraced. Created so everyone can sport freckles, this cult-favorite product offers a buildable, natural-looking and long-lasting formula so you can DIY your own freckle constellation. Its pigment was designed with all skin tones in mind, ensuring that everyone can play.
Getting Freck Faced
Like Brixton, I’ve always lusted over freckles but could never achieve them unless I’d spent an ~unhealthy~ amount of time in the sun or used a Snapchat filter. Freck OG was my long-awaited ticket to freckle town. But before I could hop onto the freckle train, I needed to prep my skin with the Freck Beauty essentials. Following the success of Freck OG, the brand has evolved into multiple makeup categories and has even expanded into skincare so fans can enjoy the full Freck experience at every stage of their beauty routine.
Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner
One of their best-sellers is the Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner ($28), which perfects your skin using lactic acid. As a skincare junkie, I’m very familiar with the skin-perfecting benefits of lactic acid but had never really found a product that made me want to make it a staple in my routine, so I was eager to try this toner. Lactic acid is great for brightening, smoothing and evening out the skin and it’s gentler than other AHAs. In Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner, this skin superhero is combined with superfood ingredients like kelp, carrot and quinoa so it’s super nourishing. Unlike other toners, especially those anchored with an exfoliating acid, it’s very hydrating, which is the result of its cactus flower extract-based formula.
I’ve never really been wowed by a toner before, but this one is definitely wow-worthy. Its water-like formula absorbs really quickly into the skin, instantly making it feel refreshed and hydrated like you’ve splashed some water on your face. I’ve noticed that my skin’s moisture levels have definitely improved since implementing the Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner into both my morning and nighttime routines. Its gentle exfoliating properties also means it plays nice with my acne-prone skin, and I think it might be keeping my hormonal breakouts at bay — more on this when Aunt Flo comes to visit. Overall, this toner has found its forever home on my vanity, and I understand why it’s regularly sold-out.
Rich Bitch Cactus + Vitamin C Moisturizer
Next up is the Rich Bitch Cactus + Vitamin C Moisturizer ($32). Great name aside, the product is described as the “moisturizer of your dreams” by the brand thanks to its ultra-rich formula, which is comprised of Freck’s signature cactus extract, a brightening dose of vitamin C and other skin-healthy ingredients like prickly pear, coconut oil, jojoba oil and more. First, let me start off by saying that this is the biggest tube of moisturizer I’ve ever seen. It’s so big that I had to check several times to make sure that it was, in fact, intended for your face and not your body –. It’s not uncommon for skincare brands to skimp in the size department, especially once you enter the moderately-priced range, so I was impressed with this bad boy.
Now that its size is out of the way, let’s talk about the good stuff a.k.a. the texture, which is on another level. It’s thick and creamy in all of the right ways but it doesn’t feel heavy on your skin, which my acne-prone skin loves. Instead of weighing you down or leaving a slick, greasy sheen, it melts into your skin and absorbs perfectly, softening away any trace of winter dryness and texture, instead imparting a dewy glow that’s daytime and evening appropriate. It’s so hydrating that I don’t need to use facial oil anymore, even with all of these dreadfully cold and snowy days we’ve been getting in New York. A little goes a long way with this moisturizer and I’ve found that one good dollop can perfectly cover my face, neck, décolletage and even my hands. This moisturizer is definitely what dreams are made of, especially if you’re someone that’s balling on a skincare budget or has dry skin.
Cheekslime Lip + Cheek Tint
Moving over to makeup – say hello to Cheekslime, Freck’s collagen-infused two-in-one lip tint and liquid blush. Offering a buildable formula, the Cheekslime Lip + Cheek Tint ($22) is designed to deliver a wash of color to your complexion and is available in two universally flattering shades: Fielding (an orangey-red) and Cuffed (a rosy nude). They’re formulated with liquid plant collagen to infuse your skin with some vitamins and minerals, setting them apart from their liquid blush counterparts.
If I may be so bold: tint is an understatement. Cheekslime is very, very pigmented and I quickly realized that a little goes a long way—like, whatever you think you’ll need, cut that in half. Unlike its name would suggest, the texture isn’t slimy at all and resembles a traditional liquid blush formula, which melts into your skin and can be applied with your fingers or a brush depending on your preference. This is a product that you have to work fast with; you can’t dab it and come back and fix it later. It dries relatively quickly and once it’s lost its slip, don’t expect it to budge. But this gives it an almost soft-focus effect that really refined the look of my pores. That being said, the formula is super buildable and you can easily boost up its intensity for a more high-impact blush. Regardless of which color you choose, Cheekslime will definitely become a staple in your makeup bag.
Freck OG
Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Does Freck OG live up to the hype? Yes! I’ve always been intimidated by freckle makeup products out of fear that it wouldn’t look natural and everyone would be able to tell that I drew them on myself, but with Freck OG there was nothing to be afraid of. First of all, it comes in the tiniest little tube I’ve ever encountered; it’s about half the size of my pinky and has a super fine-tipped felt applicator. The applicator was more flexible than I expected, which created some pretty lob-sided freckles the first couple of times. But no matter how wobbly or squiggly or misshapen your faux-freckles are, Freck OG has a way of making them look super natural. Once they’re applied, take your finger to dab away the intensity of the product with your finger and keep moving it around as sort of a copy-and-paste approach. This not only helps you achieve more freckles faster but also gives them a more natural look. Whether you’re a makeup pro or just starting out, this is a product that everyone can use and I’m so impressed with it.
Final Thoughts
If you think about it, Freck’s products are basically like Instagram filters for your face. Starting on a skincare level, the Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner smooths away texture and blurs imperfections while the Rich Bitch Moisturizer gives your complexion a boost in brightness. Then, Cheekslime gives you a sun-kissed glow that improves your cheekbones in the same way that the glowy, butterfly-adorned filters do. And, of course, you get the freckles of your dreams with Freck OG. Overall, these are products that won’t let you down, whether your jam is makeup or skincare. Plus, they keep you on-trend, too!
Five More Reasons To Love Freck Beauty
- Every Freck Beauty product is cruelty-free, vegan and formulated without known irritants and chemicals like phthalates, parabens, gluten and alcohol.
- You can stay up-to-date on the latest Freck Beauty newness with its blog The Ooze, which also features product tutorials and interviews with beauty experts.
- Freck Beauty is always shining the spotlight on fellow creatives and uses its platform to promote small brands and inspiring content creators.
- One of the main sources of inspiration for the brand comes from East L.A., where Brixton resides.
- Freck Beauty donates 20% of profits to charities that support Black Lives Matter organizations. You can learn more about the brand’s initiative here.
