Pretty easy pretty skin

One of the biggest beauty trends these days is having a flawless complexion that does not look like there's anything on it at all. But I can assure you that achieving an effortless airbrushed look is a lot easier said than done, especially since many people tend to go overboard with products and over apply thick layers of foundation and powder.

So, I was chuffed to find out that make-up brand Becca is now available at Escentials, a real treasure trove of cult beauty labels. This Aussie brand, which is created by make-up artist Rebecca Williams, is known for its natural beauty aesthetic, which appeals to my regular fuss-free approach to daily make-up.

I remember Becca launching at Sephora a few years ago, but before I knew it, the line was discontinued. Now, it is back at a cosier location, which I think will better suit the brand because its understated products probably got a bit lost in the huge array of brands at Sephora, especially since it is not necessarily as well known as some of the other brands there.

It is best known for its seriously wide array of base make-up products. According to CEO Steven Schapera, the brand has 15 shades of Luminous Skin Colour tinted moisturiser, 30 shades of cream foundation and 34 shades of concealer. All 15 tinted moisturiser shades and most of the foundation and concealer shades are available here.

The moisturiser costs $75, which works out to be a few dollars cheaper than its online price of 48 Euros, so I expect the other products would be similarly competitively-priced.

I was particularly interested in the tinted moisturiser, which comes with SPF25 protection, because that means this single product can be used in place of a separate moisturiser, sunscreen and foundation. It has a more liquid consistency compared to most other creamy tinted moisturisers and gives a dewy finish which will perk up dull skin. It gives light coverage, so it's suitable for those who just want to even out their skin tone, but you'll have to apply an additional layer of foundation over targeted areas if you want more coverage.

I know BB creams are all the rage now, but sometimes I still have to moisturise my skin before I use it. Also, as most BB creams come in two to three shades at most, it can be a hit or miss as to whether or not it matches your skin tone.

Still, I can almost hear many people wail: With so many shades, how do you choose the right one?

Basically, the colours are further grouped according to ranges of skintone shades. For example, if you were pale, milky white, you would check out the three or four shades in group 1 which have different undertones. Then, swatch about three of the closest matches on your jawline to see which blends in the most invisibly.

Besides, an advantage of shopping in a smaller boutique like Escentials is that you can always get a personal session with a beauty adviser :)

Steven also shared an interesting nugget of info on how the shades are blended for darker skin tones. Apparently, many cosmetics brands simply add dark pigment to their light foundations but this tends to look grey or ashy when applied. For the Becca formulations, each shade is individually blended to get a better match on skin.

Here's a photoshop-free mugshot of the model that Lisa Pemberton, Becca's international make-up artist made-up. Gorgeous, glowing, youthful looking skin that looks like there's nothing on right? Loves!

And yes, there is also a good range of colours for the finishing touch. I spied cream eyeshadows, lipsticks, lipglosses amongst the goodies on display.

The press bag included a full-sized tube of its award winning Beach Tint in Watermelon (a cheery pink which the model is wearing on her lips and cheeks) which is said to be completely waterproof. I'm gonna try this out in Bikram yoga one of these days and report on my findings ;)

Escentials boutiques are at Tangs Orchard, 03-02 Paragon and B1-142 Marina Bay Sands