Can You Tell Real Freckles From Fake Ones?

In keeping with the no-makeup look that's so popular these days, freckles are having a moment. Specifically fake freckles drawn on to give the appearance of a fresh, makeup-free face. Don't you wish they'd been cool back when middle school you piled on the cover-up to try and hide your naturally occurring spots?

According to Elle, makeup artists employ the faux-freckle technique rather often, especially in recent seasons. Sarah Lucero, Stila's Global Executive Director of Creative Artistry, explained the freckle's intrigue:

Freckles instantly make the complexion look fresh, as if you have no foundation on. It's a beauty trick I use more often than you may think. If your foundation or powder looks cake-y, pop a few freckles on top. It will fool everyone into thinking you just have gorgeous, perfect skin, and that you're not wearing much makeup.

Lucero also told Elle that, contrary to popular belief, freckles can actually make you look younger, not older. While most makeup artists use brow pencils to achieve a be-spotted complexion, Topshop has begun to offer a Freckle Pencil for the express purpose of illustrating your face. Call me conservative, but dabbing fake freckles onto your face in the name of appearing sans makeup seems kind of excessive to me.

That said, it got me thinking — how convincing are these false dots anyway? In the spirit of journalism, here's a short quiz. Can you tell the fake freckles from the real ones?

1. Backstage at Skingraft

And the freckles are... FAKE! The models at Skingraft's last runway show all had faux dots added to their faces for a dewy, makeup-free appearance.

2. Kate Moss

And the freckles are... REAL! Moss is famous for her naturally adorable smattering of freckles.

3. Olivia Wilde

And the freckles are... FAKE! Wilde admitted to Nylon in 2013 that her makeup artist, Gucci Westman, employs the technique.

4. Paul Smith Spring 2014 Runway

And the freckles are... FAKE! Paul Smith went for a natural, freckled look on the models for his Spring 2014 runway.

5. Emma Watson

And the freckles are... REAL! Emma Watson is au naturale when it comes to her skin.

Images: Getty (4), katem0ss/Instagram