**UPDATE** About This BECCA Full Coverage Foundation

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As a LONG time BECCA fan (going back to around 2005 when they were at Bergdorf Goodman, The Plaza Hotel, and a handful of Sephoras in the city), I get excited when the brand comes out with a new product. The BECCA team invited me to their offices for a one-on-one to get the scoop on their latest launch Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme (except I wound up having to crash someone else’s one-on-one because when I put their address in the map app on my iPhone, it brought up an address in Brooklyn–no I didn’t go to Brooklyn but I wound up waaaay downtown and I was already late because of traffic on the Van Wyck). SMH #danielleisms

Anyway, so I’m at the BECCA offices to meet with the team and a model is sitting there with no makeup on–I guess waiting for the foundation demo. Except after a few minutes of chatting, we learn that the model is actually wearing just the Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme! I thought she just had nice skin. I started looking under the tables for signs of witchcraft when the rep took a makeup wipe and started to take the makeup off one side of her face. Like many of us she had some dark spots from acne but they were totally undetectable with UCCC. Now that’s what I call foundation!

I went home with shade Sandalwood which is a golden chocolate with red undertones. I also previously received a press sample of shade Mink (chocolate brown with neutral to cool undertones) but I’m still a bit toasty from being in the Caribbean for two weeks back in late February/early March so I’m a bit redder than I normally am. Absence of tan I’d probably be closer to Mink or Mahogany (I’m Mahogany in the BECCA Matte foundation though it is possible to be a different shade across different foundation formulas in the same brand). If you need help figuring out your shade, make sure you check out my How to Buy the Right Foundation shade post.

So back to the review.

I tested this one longer than I’d normally test foundation and even gave it several different scenarios to see how it worked best for me. I found that BECCA UCCC + BECCA Ever Matte Primer + set with powder seemed to be the best combo for me and my oily skin.

Here’s a tip directly from BECCA’s Cynde Watson:

For dry & combination skin definitely let it set on its own then apply powder or primer in T-zone if needed. If the skin is oily I recommend letting it dry down for about 3-5min first, apply your eye makeup etc. then powder or apply Ever Matte primer to absorb oil/shine. Another pro tip if you are extremely oily blot skin first by using 1 ply of a 2 ply tissue. After applying foundation lay the tissue on your face press tissue gently to set and absorb oil from the skin. Apply powder where needed.

(You can tell my skin’s gotten redder from my hairline…lol)

While one could wear UCCC on its own, I personally wouldn’t because my face needs dimension.

And here’s some final full-face makeup looks wearing BECCA UCCC:

Wear

The foundation gives a natural finish (not dewy yet not matte) and after a few hours once my shine started making its debut it looked dewy. A few hours after that I definitely needed to blot like crazy but not bad considering it could be worse with my oily self. Here’s a progression chart:

Application

Because BECCA UCCC contains 21% pigment and 22% water (one of the highest concentrations of pigment in a foundation), you need VERY, VERY, VERY little. I’m talking like a small pea size–maybe even a little smaller than that–smaller than the swatches I pictured above. DO NOT apply too much or you’ll risk that dreaded foundation mask—you can always go in and apply a little more and press it into the skin where you need it but stay within the teeny pea sized dispenses. My favorite way to apply it is with the BECCA One Perfecting Brush–I apply the little dot of foundation to the back of my hand and then I dip the brush into the foundation and gently glide it across my skin in a downward motion making sure I get every little space around my nose and to my hairline. I also tried applying it with a beautyblender and it works well that way, too but the One Perfecting Brush is like a new toy so I prefer that way…lol.

Cynde also recommends using BECCA Ever Matte Primer which can be used before or after you apply UCCC. Here’s her tip for usage:

Apply it to the back of your had then with your finger or the brush warm it up in a circular motion until its clear then apply to face. If you are using the primer after foundation to blot the face, use a small amount on your finger, rub them together until the primer is clear, then apply it to your shine or oily areas.

Transfer-resistance

I made a typo on my IG when I said the foundation was transfer-proof. It’s actually transfer-resistant. When I let UCCC set on its own without powder, I did get some transfer when I dabbed my face with a tissue and when I set it with powder, I got even more (which was expected from the powder). The transfer wasn’t a crazy amount but it’s important to understand that it’s transfer-resistant. Over the years though I’ve mastered the art of angling my face when hugging people and keeping my hands away from my face so as not to get foundation on everything.

Bottom line: This is an AMAZING full coverage foundation. When applied correctly, you’ll be able to cover things like redness, uneven skin tone, and dark spots while still getting a natural look. I do think it’s easy to go overboard and look overly made up if you get carried away with this foundation, so remember to go easy and use very teeny amounts.

I mean, look how my skin still looks like skin with it on!

UPDATE 5/31/18 10:18 PM

BECCA recently repackaged this foundation, but it’s the same formula. Read more about it here.

UPDATE 4/28/14 10:30 A.M.

The brand’s PR also sent me shade Mahogany (bronze chocolate, warm) so I tried it out as well. Mahogany was also a good match—but probably better when I’m less toasty from a tan. If you’re close to my skin tone and looking for a match, my best advice is to swatch in person (having so many undertones is SUCH a good thing…lol) or if you’re buying online, make sure you read the shade descriptions and check out my foundation post.

Also while I LOVE the application I get from the One Perfecting Brush, it does seem to shed some—I thought it was just me but a few people who have it say the same.

Here’s me wearing Mahogany (lighting is different in these pics from the previous ones so no, I’m not several shades lighter than I’m supposed to be…lol)

Price and where to buy: (see widget below)

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