/ 14 June 2018

12 Make-Up Buys For The Ultimate Summer Glow

When it comes to gorgeous glowy skin, no brand does it better than BECCA. A cult hit in the US – stocked in the likes of Sephora – it’s now more accessible than ever here in Blighty, having just launched at John Lewis. Here’s what you need to know about the beauty brand, including SL’s favourite products…

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CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN LEWIS

What’s the story?

Founded on the principles of inclusivity and natural beauty 16 years ago by Australian make-up artist Rebecca Morrice Williams, BECCA Cosmetics remained a beauty-lover's cult secret until 2015 – when a collaboration with YouTube and Instagram megastar Jaclyn Hill on a highlighter (the now iconic Champagne Pop shade – which initially sold out at Sephora within 20 minutes of launching) catapulted the brand to must-have status.

The following year, BECCA was purchased by Estée Lauder Companies (Morrice Williams has since stepped down from her role), which was a huge deal: the corporation hadn’t acquired a make-up company since its purchase of Smashbox back in 2010.

Today, the prestige brand is synonymous with glowing skin and luminosity – from its bestselling highlighters to beauty editor-approved primers and a whole range of iridescent, pearl-like colour cosmetics. In a nutshell, its focus is all about attaining a natural, effortless-looking complexion – rather than acting like a mask, think of their products like real life Insta-filters for your face. You, but better (and glowier).

Anything else to know?

BECCA has a huge global audience – more than half of its huge social media following (2.5m on Instagram alone) is from outside the US, hence why the brand’s been snapped up by the likes of John Lewis in the UK. Around 55% of BECCA’s customers also identify as non-white – magazines, bloggers, and YouTubers have long hailed the brand’s shade selections for women of colour.

Following the success of the Jaclyn Hill highlighter, it’s also continuing to branch out with big-name collaborations – Chrissy Teigen’s Glow Face Palette was a big hit in 2017 – so expect to see more in the future (including a brand new one with Teigen later this year). Although not an official collaboration, we have to mention the limited edition Royal Glow highlighter too: described as a 'glow fit for royalty' and released in the lead-up to this year's royal wedding.

Alongside Teigen, fans of the brand include Kim Kardashian (she swears by adding a pale shade of BECCA's powder highlighter over her under-eye concealer for a brightening finish) alongside countless beauty influencers, editors and celebrity make-up artists.

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Which products are must-buys?

Naturally, we’d have to say the brand’s legendary Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter: available in ten shades – from luminescent white to rich chocolate brown – and boasting a buttery-soft formula that melts into skin (you won’t find any tell-tale glitter pigments here). SL’s go-to shade right now is the universally flattering Rose Quartz, a pale neutral pale pink with soft gold pearl, perfect for the ethereal ‘halo’ blush technique favoured by the likes of Gigi Hadid. For summer, we also love the Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter (available in seven shades) – simply tap onto cheekbones, brow bones, your cupid’s bow and down the centre of your nose for a fresh, dewy glow.

BECCA’s Backlight Priming Filter is another industry favourite – a pearlescent primer that blurs imperfections and gives a soft-focus, back-lit effect to the skin. Wear alone on good skin days, or apply before foundation for a luminous, long-lasting finish (if your base tends to sit in your pores and fine lines, this one’s a must-buy). For oilier complexions, or those with uneven skin tones, the First Light Priming Filter will be your bag – packed with cool violet pigments to brighten and even out the skin, along with energising ginger and reviving prickly pear flower.

To finish off, the Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder is ideal for sticky summer days – a setting powder-meets-facial spray, this innovative translucent setting powder sets make-up in place and creates a revitalising, mist-like sensation on the skin (apply throughout the day for a refreshing boost). Those with deep skin tones should also make a bee line for the Soft Light Blurring Powder – the shade Golden Hour acts as a veil to blur imperfections, eliminate shine and set make-up, whilst giving your complexion a warm-yet-subtle all-over-glow.

And if you buy one thing? Make it the just-launched Be A Light Face Palette – an all-over complexion-enhancing palette featuring BECCA’s new Sheer Glow Filter Powder in four finishes: Brighten, Blur, Contour and Blush. Simply mix and match the blendable, illuminating shades to customise your level of glow.

Where can I try it?

If you're keen to test out the range in person, John Lewis has teamed up with BECCA to launch the brand's first ever series of 'glow bars' in selected stores across the UK. Shoppers can discover which products best suit their complexions in the following stores: