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Whether you refer to it strobing, highlighting, or merely swiping on a bit of shimmer, Becca Cosmetics has cornered the market on all makeup that's glow-related. The brand earned the unofficial award for “best in glow” (obviously made that up) in 2015 when their Jaclyn Hill-designed Champagne Pop highlighter had more buzz (and sold out far more times) than most products we've ever seen. But there's far more behind Becca Cosmetics than the otherwordly radiance its highlighters (like this limited-edition Rose Quartz iteration did) leave behind. A lot more—and some facts about and secrets behind Becca Cosmetics may just surprise you.
1. The brand was just purchased for some major, major cash—and is expected to make even more next year.
Although Becca Cosmetics has been around for 15 years, it was considered indie by many until Estée Lauder purchased the color cosmetics line for a reported $200 million. And the cash cow continues, with the Business of Fashion projecting the brand to generate a whopping $80 million for 2017. Although Estée Lauder, up until that point, had made other acquisitons of small skin- and personal-care brands like Olio Rodin Lusso and Le Labo, but hadn't invested in a makeup company since its purchase of Smashbox Cosmetics in 2010. (The Estée Lauder Companies own quite a few brands, FYI.)
Need a Becca break? We didn't think so. More good reads:
- Estée Lauder Just Bought Becca Cosmetics for a Ton of Money
- 1 Compact, 4 Ways: The New Becca Multi-Tasking Perfecting Powder
- New Becca Bronzed Amber Shimmering Skin Perfector is a Mix of the Brand's 3 Best-Selling Shades
2. But Becca's particular speciality in the makeup world happens to be its focus on diversity.
When asked for a statement on the purchase, Estée Lauder, cited Becca's impressive complexion products that span a wide range of skin tones—something that’s been part of the indie makeup line's identity since its launch. “Becca is known for complexion products, especially in foundation,” Kerry Cole, style director for Becca, confirms to Allure. “We keep to around 20 shades for foundation with a 50-50 split of light-to-medium and medium- to-dark shades.” (See our review of the Multi-Tasking Perfecting Powder for confirmation.) Those options have earned the brand an impressive following from women of color. According to the Business of Fashion, 55 percent of Becca customers identify as non-Caucasian. Take a look at their Instagram account if you any need further proof—or just some straight-up makeup inspo, of course.
3. The Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed is what birthed the internet-breaking Jaclyn Hill collab.
In 2015, YouTube beauty vlogger Jaclyn Hill (who has amassed an impressive 3.7 million followers by time of publication) used Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed—the creamy powder highlighter than comes in five metallic finishes—in one of her videos. Almost immediately, sales of the compact tripled (in one week, to be exact)—becoming the top-selling item on Sephora.com. Naturally, Cole and company knew they had to act, locking in a collaboration with Hill, launching Champagne Pop highlighter in May of 2015, the first Becca x Jaclyn Hill collaboration, which reportedly sold 25,000 units in 20 minutes on Sephora.com. But the outcry on social media was equally as impressive, TBH. The shortage created enough frenzy there was a devoted hashtag #findingchampagnepop to report sightings, shortages and restockings of the coveted luminizer.
Cole attributes its popularity to its perfect peach hue, which adapts to pretty much every skin tone to add flattering warmth. A second collab between the vlogger and the makeup brand was released earlier this year to much of the same fan frenzy the previous highlighter had drawn.
4. Unlike the Jaclyn Hill shortage, there's no shortage of Becca celebrity fans.
Chrissy Teigen called Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold the “best highlighter on the planet” in the caption of an Instagram post, which, as you can imagine, has a rabid following. And Kourtney Kardashian’s makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic (you know, the makeup artist who has his own palette and cult following, but that's for another day/another story) used the powder to create a “booty highlight” on the set of one of her shoots.
5. Cole and Becca Cosmetics actually patented one of the coolest makeup brushes we've ever tried in 2014.
When Becca launched
, Cole sold beauty editors and customers alike on its genius. The idea? You can use the flat, wide brush to apply everything—think moisturizer, foundation, concealer or highlighter—with just a single brush, and if needed, without a mirror, Cole says. "The shape is designed to cover a large surface area while also being precise enough to contour or apply loose powder,” she explains, noting its small but sizeable 3.5-inch flat handle and tightly packed, dye-free bristles. The design is so special to Cole that she has the patented iteration dipped in bronze and displayed in her office.
6. The understated packaging actually has a hidden meaning.
Unless Becca has launched a limited-edition product (like the rose quartz highlighter, we, um, highlighted above), Becca's packaging remains consistent: matte brown and matte silver, with etched lettering. That lack of flash (or luminosity, you could argue, considering the brand we're talking about), is totally intentional, though. “The slightly masculine packaging makes a sophisticated juxtaposition with what’s inside,” Cole tells Allure. “I like to think of the package as an off-duty model—she’s chic and understated but still gorgeous and feminine.”
7. Water is one of the star ingredients in Becca's products.
Cole says that part of what makes Becca foundations so damn good (we actually said that last part, but still) because of its the high water content. “The high concentration of water allows for a smooth application," Cole explains, and lends itself to seamless buildability, she explains. You can feel it in the lightweight
, which contains a remarkable 32 percent water. We loved this foundation so much here at Allure it actually nabbed a Best of Beauty award for—you guessed it—best base for its extensive coverage and serious breathability. Another skin-perfecting Becca hero products that's high in H20? Its Ultimate Coverage Complexion Crème, a bit of a heavier formula that offers comparable weightlessness but more coverage. Best part? You can apply 'em both with Becca's famous brush—and the rest of your makeup, too.
Watch how highlighter can transform your everyday look: