This Australian-born line has been talked up as amazing for creating natural looking and flawless skin - who wouldn't want to try for that?

The basics of BECCA all revolve around creating the illusion of better looking skin. Each step is recommended for everyone and many of the products give you some options depending on your skin type. To start, a layer of Primer ($29 for 1.7oz; choose Mattifying or Silky Hydrating) is applied all over the skin, just like moisturizer. I was skeptical about the need for this product, but I think I like it because there is a hydrating choice for dry skin, and my skin likes the extra layer of moisture. It also helps the makeup smooth on more easily and last longer throughout the day without fading as much as without it. The Silky Hydrating Primer is a fluid lotion that soaks in quickly into the skin and leaves a natural finish behind. You only need about the size of a nickel for your whole face, so one tube should last at least a few months with daily use.

Next is the first application of skin tone color. From the choices of sheer foundation, tinted moisturizer or foundation stick, I went with the sheer foundation, Luminous Skin Colour SPF 20 ($35 for 1.7oz pump bottle) in Sand. It's lightweight, but as you smooth it on you can tell it does have some coverage. It dries down to a natural "skin" finish - not matte, not dewy, just a real skin look to it. You can add more in areas that need it, but the BECCA system is really designed for you to have a sheer layer of foundation, then spot cover areas that need more attention with either the Compact Concealer or the Stick Foundation. I chose the Compact Concealer ($35) because it gives you more choice: in each compact are two identical shades, one with medium coverage (good for the eye area) and one with full coverage (good for blemishes or areas that need heavy coverage that still looks natural). The shade choices in the Compact Concealer are amazing - 30 shades that cover the entire spectrum of skin tones. I would be surprised if you couldn't find the right shade for you here; my shade is Latte, a fair skintone shade with slightly pink undertones.

BECCA recommends following your foundation and concealer application with a light dusting of her Fine Loose Finishing Powder ($27). I was feeling good about the way my skin looked until this point, and I panicked. As I rule, with my dry and tempermental skin, I completely avoid powder. It always seems that no matter how fine the powder is, it turns my skin into the Sahara Desert. As any good makeup artist salesperson would, the woman at BECCA here in Portland reassured me that this powder is different, and that she herself has dry skin and has never had a problem. I caved and gave it a try (shade Ginger), and now I'm glad I did. I learned that I can apply the slightest dusting with a big, fluffy brush, and it really does make my makeup last longer, and my skin has not been dried out! I imagine I could have similar success with other brands of equally finely milled powder (maybe for less money), but now that I have this I will happily use it. One note about the packaging: the round container looks like most other high-end brands of powder, but there is no sifter inside. When you remove the lid, there is another clear lid inside to keep the powder from flying everywhere. You just lift it off to dip your brush or puff in, then close it and the outer lid when you are done. As long as you are careful about not spilling, I like this packaging better as I feel like the powder is more contained.

Since BECCA's focus is skin, there are some color products for lips, eyes and cheeks, but everything is geared toward creating a natural look. There are no eye liners, and all the eye and cheek colors are creams. At the counter the makeup artist put some of the cream eye shadows and mascara on me, and one of the lipglosses, but the only color product I took home was the Cream Blush ($23) in Turkish Rose. The lightweight cream is really flattering on the skin - sheer and blendable, making it next to impossible to make a mistake. Cream Blush comes in five natural looking shades and is a great alternative to powder blush, especially for summer when you want something light and fresh looking.

I've been using my BECCA cosmetics for a few weeks now and every day I perfect the way I apply everything. I'm glad I tried it, and I think I would consider buying some of the products again. I like the coverage and texture of the compact concealer, and the incredibly natural finish of the Luminous Skin Colour. While I really like the cream blush as well, I'm not sure I would pay $23 again for it as I just found one I like from Wal-Mart brand Rimmel for $2.97 (no joke!).

For more information on BECCA Cosmetics, I encourage you to visit BeccaCosmetics.com. You will find everything you could possibly want to know about the line there, like product ingredients, details on the sunscreen they use, their complete philosophy, where to buy, and on and on. It's very comprehensive and I recommend you check it out if BECCA Cosmetics sounds interesting to you.

review: 6/03

Stick Foundation SPF 30 ($36)
While the Latte shade is a terrific match for my skin, after a wicked bout of breakouts I will be staying with BECCA's Luminous Skin Colour SPF 20 in Sand and Compact Concealer in Latte. The stick seems convenient - you can use it for spot coverage like the compact concealer, or all over for more coverage instead of the lighter Luminous Skin Colour - but my skin was not happy with it. It first turned a bit pastey, then faded completely, leaving behind no makeup coverage and only small pimples that eventually turned into larger cysts. The stick foundation has several different waxes in it, which may have contributed to my skin's unhappiness, but I'm not sure. Needless to say I will not be trying it again.