Influencer is slammed for painting semi-permanent henna 'freckles' on her face - with people saying she is 'mocking people with skin pigment issues'

An influencer has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after she painted semi-permanent henna 'freckles' on her face.

Elle James, 25, from the UK, has racked up 125,000 followers on Instagram by sharing video make-up tutorials and tips.

But her latest video, showing off the 'faux freckle' trend has caused a debate, with people saying her extreme version of the trend is mocking people with facial pigmentation issues.

In a video, uploaded to her account @ellejamesmakeup on May 2, the content creator showcased her on step-by-step method to achieve natural-appearing freckles. 

The trend, which has been gaining popularity over the past year, involves using self-tan or natural henna dye to paint a series of 'freckle' dots across the T-zone area of the face. The idea is for the dots to eventually fade to a more subtle, natural look. 

But Elle's extreme version of the trend was likened to vitiligo and other skin pigment conditions.

Elle captioned the video: 'What do we think?? P.S. I have lots of freckles naturally, just not as dark as this.' 

In the clip, the influencer can be seen with faded henna freckles, before she demonstrates how she "tops up" the look using fresh dye.

Producing a tube of dark-brown henna, she begins drawing clusters of dots over her the bridge of her nose, cheeks, eyelids, forehead and chin.

After becoming satisfied with the final application, Elle allows the dye to sit for five minutes. 

She then wipes off the excess product with a damp cotton pad, leaving behind noticeable dots that are meant to fade over the following days to a more natural look. 

Despite her enthusiasm, over 4,900 comments poured in, with many criticising the method and the concept behind it, while other were left offended, feeling that the trend trivialises natural freckles and the experiences of those who have them.

One person wrote, 'It looks like a bad condition,' while another said, 'This doesn’t look like cute freckles. It looks like the need for a dermatologist's help. Where tf has this trend come from?! Real freckles don’t look like this.'

A third wrote: 'This is insulting to everyone who actually has facial pigmentation Issues. It's not a trend to them. 

'Not to mention, is this young woman willing to take on the increased possibility of SKIN CANCER, that is actually a reality for real freckles. SO SAD.'

One baffled individual commented: 'I will never understand why people do this. I’ve spent my entire life covering mine up!'

Another advised the influencer: 'Why? It looks unrealistic and ridiculous… you don’t need this! Be confident in your own skin.'

One account, that appeared to be an aesthetics company, suggested: 'I think less would give a more natural result.'

It comes after a new test analyses your genetic make-up to tell you exactly which traits you inherited from each parent. 

Family history site Ancestry has launched a kit that can show which parent influenced particular physical and behavioural characteristics, including whether you're an introvert or extrovert, or who you may have got your freckles from.