“Becca invites you — ”
Me?
“Excuse me?”
I just want to make sure I understand you correctly.
“Yes, you. Becca invites you to dream of distant — ”
Just me?
“Really now? Come on, we’re talking about everyone. It’s just a marketing thing.”
Oh, okay… Sorry. I get it now. Please, continue.
“Right. Fine. Becca invites you to dream of distant shores and unguarded temptation with — ”
What you do mean, ‘unguarded’?
“What…?”
You said ‘unguarded’.
“Yes. And?”
What do you mean? Do you mean like no lifeguard on duty?
“…”
Do you have a lifeguard?
“You can’t be serious… Is this some kind of joke? Am I on Punk’d right now?”
I can almost feel the sun on my face when I gaze at the promo poster for the Becca Balearic Love Collection… That smokey eye, those rich layers of violet, bronze and plum, and that shimmer in the middle of the lid? Gorgeous! It’s one of the most intriguing collections I’ve seen this season so far.
Named after the Balearic Islands, a Mediterranean archipelago off the Eastern coast of Spain, the eight-piece collection for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails evokes a more grownup beachy vibe to me, a little bit naughty and mysterious, and not the well-trodden beach theme often characterized by lighthearted surfer girls chasing waves.
Balearic Love’s smokey eyes, bronzed, sculpted cheeks and nude pink lips would look right at home on you at that beachside café at sunset, where, instead of reading your Ibiza guidebook and sending your fiancée a text to tell him that you miss him, you’re stealing glances at the handsome stranger sitting across the way.
I just started exploring the collection last weekend, but I’ve already fallen for the dual-ended Line and Define Pencil in Cabrera ($23).
It’s a super soft, smooth liner with a metallic bronze pencil on one end and a deep violet brown on the other, and I love how messy and undone both shades look smudged along my lash lines.
One of the things I love about Becca is their nuanced approach to color. Take Cabrera’s darker tip, for instance. On my skin, it subtly flashes from deep brown to purple, which gives it a little kick that boring old brown liners lack.
And the finish? From some angles, the shimmer’s unmistakable, but from others, I swear it looks like a matte.
Honestly, if it were available as a single liner, I’d stockpile enough sticks to last me through the next few lifetimes. I love the mix of purple, brown and gold, and I think it really pops on brown, hazel and green eyes.
The bronze brown shade opposite the darker tip reminds me a little of a mix of two of my MAC pencil faves, Powersurge and Teddy, and I think it looks especially beautiful along the lower lash and water lines.
Cabrera’s pretty creamy, so the liners do scoot around on me (just a little) as the day wears on, but when I smudge the colors by diffusing the edges with a brush, it (hopefully) looks like I did it on purpose.
I definitely think of Cabrera primarily as a pencil for soft, smokey looks, but it can also create crisp lines with the help of an eyeshadow applied on top to set it and an angled eyeshadow brush.
PRICE: $23
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Becca counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (I love the colors, but it seems a little pricey)
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day. 🙂
I’ve never been much into browns (eyeshadow, eyeliner, etc), though I do have them in my collection/kit. But this pencil is absolutely stunning! The purpley-brown shade is especially gorgeous. I think I may have to track this one down… <3
You must, Dani! It’s a really unique and beautiful color.
Can I be honest? I love these semi-matte looks on you the best!
Thanks, Shiny. 🙂 I love finishes like this one, too. It’s subtle, but still complex. Have you picked up any Becca lately?
I NEED this one! That purplish side is just too interesting!!!
Hi Sunny,
Yes you do! A girl can never have enough purple eyeliners. Have you worn Becca before? They have some really nice pieces.
This is gorgeous. I stared at the swatch for a while and asked myself — “is it brown? or is it purple? or is it both?” Its that kind of interesting product that pops up so rarely! Lovely on you, as well!
Hi Nina,
I did the same thing! 🙂 I love complex colors like this one. I also love that it’s so nuanced too, you know? I just wish Becca was easier to get a hold of. The one place that sold the line near my house no longer carries it. 🙁
Yes! Complex colors are always welcome to my stash! I think the easiest way to get it though is online… 🙂
Yeah. I miss the days when they carried it at Sephora! The Neimans in SF used to have it too, but alas, they don’t carry it anymore. I have a feeling I’m going to wear this pencil down to the stub, and now I’m thinking I need to stock up. You ever have that feeling?
This looks absolutely incredible! I may have to get it. Looks beautiful on you.
Hi Marina,
I had a feeling you would like this shade.
Random, but I know you’re a movie buff — have you heard of a flick called The Cabin in the Woods? It’s a horror film that’s going to be hitting theaters soon. It’s supposed to be really good.
That’s very pretty!
Yes it is!
looks so pretty on your eyes 😀
Thank you! Have you tried any of Becca’s makeup before, Artemis?
Lol I’m tempted to buy it, if only bc it has my last name <3
That’s so funny! Well, you have to get it then. 🙂
You are so funny. And so gorgeous in these photos. Sounds just like an eyeliner I would like, but wished Becca was more accessable. Thanks for such a fun review.
Hi kprice,
I know what you mean. A few years back they used to be in Sephora! I wish they’d bring the line back, le sigh.
Oh how I love purple and brown liners…it’s too bad this one is a tad expensive…and that I’m on an eyeliner ban right now. At least until I use up some of the 20 or so I have right now lol.
Aww, eyeliner bans are no fun, EmmyJean! Might as well add this one to the family…
Karen I’m dream of the sun hitting my face, it makes my skin glow and my eyes are touched by Cabrera as they gaze to the empty wallet I’m going to have after spending my $ on Becca. Oh Becca how do we love thee!
You’re so cute, Rozae! Have you seen the Anniversary multi-use palettes? They’re super cute!
Love the rich hue and the jeweled finish!
Yes! Do you guys get Becca?
Just ordered it from Zuneta….how could I not, after your description??? 🙂
I do have blue eyes, so hopefully it’ll work….if not, my niece will be very happy–her eyes are green.
All your make-up looks are really pretty, but this one… is just perfection! 🙂
I am completely impressed! It looks gorgeous!
Karen, you’d love Sonja Kashuk’s plummy bronze eyeliner then! It’s like both ends of this pencil had a baby! 😀