Why faux freckles are kind of annoying for naturally freckly people

I am covered in freckles. I can’t remember a time I didn’t have at least a spattering across my nose, and they have spread further throughout my life; sprinkling along my knees and knuckles, right down to my toes. They fade a little in the winter but resurface at the first sight of warm summer sunlight.

Some are small, light, delicate. Others are darker and blotch a few millimeters wide. The common thing in each of my freckles (and most people’s) is that they are totally random. Which is why the faux freckle trend is kind of annoying.

Natural freckles are caused by exposure to UV-B radiation which increases the production of melanin in the skin. As pale skin is more sensitive to sun, freckles are often (but not always) more prevalent. That’s why red headed people with pale skin (hiya!) usually have freckles.

The faux freckle trend really took off this year. People started dotting them on with eyeliner, or henna for a semi-permanent effect. Some brands even brought out freckle pens to create a sun-kissed look. And to be fair, they do look amazing.

So, my problem isn’t that faux freckles are a thing, I’m buzzing that people think they look cool. I can understand why other freckly people disagree with (or get offended by) them though: It’s like someone getting an A (or 1000 Instagram likes) for handing in the same piece of homework that you got a D for. It’s that people at school called you ginge and laughed at your pale legs and now they’re faking the look they had a go at you for. The same magazines that wrote articles about lightening your skin to get rid of blemishes and discolouration now draw freckles on their covergirls. I get it.

Here’s my problem with it: They always look too perfect. Freckles don’t appear in a cute little patch just on your nose (soz, hun) and they aren’t all tiny, perfect circles. It’s not the faux freckles that annoy me, its that they don’t really represent freckles at all. If you’re gonna draw them on, at least get it right. Make them asymmetrical, different sizes and colours. Chuck a few on an eyelid, or above your lip, somewhere a little less convenient. Respect the natural freckle – the thing that gave you your #inspo in the first place.

DIY trend: battered denim

Nineties grunge is back in all its greasy, baggy and unwashed glory (http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2014-spring-summer/rhapsody-in-blue). Combine the authenticity of Kurt Cobain with the attitude of Pixie Geldof and a touch of Alice Dellal chic to wear this trend for Spring/Summer 2014. Oversized t-shirts, bleached locks with daringly dark roots, shirts tied around the waist, and, my personal favourite, ripped jeans. But there’s no need to go out and purchase a pair of jeans and pay extra for someone else to have all the fun of tearing them to shreds. Do it yourself!

You will need: a serrated knife, a nail file, a cheese grater.

1. Find an old pair of jeans. In my case this loyal Primark pair have now found themselves somewhere between skinny and boyfriend as they have been worn and stretched to within an inch of their life. I thought the cheap, denim imitation material would be easy to tear and as they are already half battered, they would be worth a fashion reincarnation.

 

2. Run a serrated knife along all of the seams and hems of the jeans, Gently brush the knife across any pocket, belt loop or hemline. This will give a subtle fraying and worn effect. Be careful not to press too hard, as you don’t want your jeans to fall apart as you bend over to tie a shoelace or settle down in the grass for a summer picnic.

3. Rip holes at the knees. Use your cheese grater to create holes by rubbing it left to right rather than up and down where your knees would be. Don’t try and cut the holes as these always end up looking too try-hard. The key to creating battered denim is subtlety. So once the cheese grater has created a decently damaged area, carefully stab a hole in the centre point of the knee and use your hands to rip a hole.

4. File extra faded areas. Usually at the upper thighs and bum, jeans tend to get a little more worn. Use your nail file to amplify this effect. Focus on pocket areas too.

 

 

Tips:
– If your knee holes end up too large, or you get a tad over-enthusiastic with the cheese grater or nail file, simply sew up any unwanted rips! This will only add to the battered denim effect and can even make it more authentic, as it will look as if you intended to save your precious jeans instead of tear the shit out of them.

– If you’re nervous, stop halfway through and try on the jeans. If you feel they have taken enough, leave them as they are and let time finish the process.

– For a full on nineties look, carefully splash some bleach on the faded areas.

 

neoprene dream

A surf inspired textile that exudes both sportswear serenity and a futuristic, other-wordly poise – what could be cooler? Originally used for scuba diving kit and wetsuits, neoprene can be worn for land as well as seafairing this season.Seen in collections from Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang, the fabric has a smooth, luxurious texture with a practical edge. Easy to print on, easy to mould, lightweight and defiantly durable, neoprene is a dream for designers and, luckily for us, looks great too.

Phillip Lim neoprene coat // Photo: http://www.forwardforward.com

Try a skater skirt or a crop top in this unlikely winning fabric that keeps hemlines stiff and ensures that the shape of your crop won’t cling. Knock-out neons look sci-fi without the trekky threat and pastels or neutral colours contrast to bring a touch of femininity to a structured silhouette. For daytime a sleveless neoprene tee looks chic with patterned trousers, and for night time utilise neoprenes’ effortless formability and bring in an on trend tulip skirt. Whether its pleated, printed or polished, don’t miss out on this treat of a trend.