Last week I attended an event where I was introduced to a brand I had not really been too familiar with before: Becca Cosmetics. This drugstore brand looks extremely high end, and as I entered Duane Reade on Wall Street New York, I was blown away by the set up of the Look Boutique, which is like the makeup version of the Apple Store.

Becca Cosmetics’ introduced the Fall 2011 Makeup Collection, and the highlight in this was the Lost Weekend Palette, with its extremely dusky tones perfect for that cashmere sweater weather. It wears beautifully on darker skin tones too. Above is the promo picture for the Lost Weekend collection, and as you can see, it’s very understated. This is not a collection with colors that remind you of M.A.C.’s intense Cindy Sherman get up; it’s so much more reminiscent of Charlotte Ronson, at least for me.

Being a die hard packaging junkie, I was impressed by Becca Cosmetic’s colors: a rich chocolate brown that’s like a cup of cocoa from Sarabeth’s.

I love the packaging: this is a chic makeup bag to put all your Becca essentials

Becca Cosmetics Lost Weekend Palette

Becca Cosmetics Lost Weekend Palette (from left to right, MOLESKIN, CHINO, MOIRE) $49.

Becca Cosmetics Lost Weekend Palette Swatches (Dry). As you can see, the pigments are light, but if you apply it with a wet brush you can get more definition. I especially love MOIRE which has little flecks of glitter on it — a very glam evening look. While I am impressed with the quality of the palette, which actually will be one of my go to palettes during the fall, I will look for just a hint of deeper hues to contrast — just to make my eyes pop .

Becca Cosmetics Outer Packaging for Mineral Powder Foundation, Blush. This “medallion” like cover reminds me of an antique coin. I love the embossed letters.

Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Cherish. For $38, this delivers a really good finish that’s not too strong — on my skin, it comes of as a semi-sheer foundation, so I use a liquid foundation (you can also use one of Becca’s many stick foundations that are creamy and cover beautifully) and dust this over my skin. This is actually the darkest shade in the Mineral Powder Foundation line, suitable for chocolate skin tones, more so than Enchant (below).

Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Enchant.

Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Ravish. This is excellent for Indian skin tones and wears well on my skin.

Becca Mineral Bronzing Highlighter Duo ($43). What I love about this duo is the subtle champagne-esque glow that you can add to your cheekbones by using the lighter portion of the duo. The Bronzer is clearly good for darker skin tones, so if you’re fair, just go for a veil, and add a highlighter afterwards.

Becca Mineral Blush in Wild Honey. I find this fantastic on darker skin tones, and it’s not too “in your face” as a lot of blush can be. For $32, this is a good find because of its versatility.

Becca Mineral Blush in Sweetpea

Becca Nail Base and Top Coat

Becca Nail Lacquer in Toasted Marshmallow. One of the three new nail lacquers available in the Fall 2011 collection (the others are SADDLE UP and BILLY TEA), this one is my favorite and reminds me a tad bit of the CND Jason Wucollection (although those colors are not exact dupes).

Becca Clear Lip Plumping Moisture Gloss, $23. This is a clear gloss and it does give your lips some volume (nothing that makes you look as though you got cosmetic surgery, which is what you really want in a gloss, right?)

Becca Beach Tint, $25. This is one of my favorite products in the line because it’s SO subtle and gorgeous! Use it on your lips or cheeks.

Becca Beach Tint swatch.

Becca Butter Balm Spf 20. This lid feels super gorgeous and high-end to me.

Becca Butter Balm Spf 20. What a sleek packaging for a lip balm, eh?

So far, my exposure to Becca Cosmetics has been extraordinary. A drug store brand that seriously looks NOTHING like a drug store brand, plus has what I think is the most number of foundations and options for darker skin tones pretty much makes my day.

What are your thoughts on the Lost Weekend Palette and Fall 2011 colors? Leave us a comment below!

– Charu Suri

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