Becca

The Christmas lights are blinking, the neighborhood cats are slinking, and the Dark Choclate Stars are twinkling in their dish. The decorations have been hung by the makeup counter with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

And he will…but he has to stop by the Petco first to pose for pics with a long line of eager pets and their parents (more on that in a minute).

It’s that time of year! — although you’d never know it by looking at BECCA. The beachy Australian makeup brand always seems to have one foot in the sand.

Designed for normal, combination and oily skin types, BECCA’s new Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation ($42 and available in 18 shades) showcases the brand’s trademark endless summer vibe with an almost weightless formula and a dressed-down eggshell finish that practically tiptoes on the skin.

With coverage about halfway between a tinted moisturizer and a full-coverage foundation, it’s made for guys and gals who like flexibility. Going to the beach (maybe you live in the Southern Hemisphere)? Wear it sheer by rubbing in a few dots. Or for heavier coverage, work in a pea-sized dollop all over your face, and then pat and blend a little extra wherever you need it.

What makes Radiant so rad?

• It handles combo skin like a champ! It’s easily one of the best foundations I’ve ever used on my combination skin. Not only does it take care of any slick, oily spots on my face, but it does so without drawing attention to any flakes and dry areas.
• It goes the distance. Lasts the day and looks just as fresh at 8 p.m. as it does at 8 in the morning.
• Looks like it’s been applied with an airbrush. You hear that airbrushed finish thing a lot, but I gotta say — I really do think my pores look smaller, and my fine lines look smoother, when I wear this stuff. It’s as close to a flawless finish I ever get, and yet I think skin still looks real with it on, not like it’s been plastered with product.
• The extras. Did I mention that it’s moisturizing and water resistant? It contains Ejitsu Rose and vitamin E to help skin retain moisture, to improve elasticity and to protect against damage from free radicals. Yup, and it’s alcohol-, paraben- and fragrance-free.

Dear Universe,

If you could help me find that iTunes gift card I got for my birthday last June, that would be great, because I have this sudden, uncontrollable urge to don a black leotard and dance like a maniac, a maniac on the floor.

Why this sudden urge to dance like I’ve never danced before? I dunno (Flashdance). I have no idea (I watched Flashdance for the first time last night).

Life is a mystery, but I do know this: when I’m pointing and twirling in my leg warmers and the sweat’s streaming down my face, the makeup on my cheeks and lips will tough it out just fine.

You see, I’ve been wearing BECCA’s new hot pink Beach Tint in Lychee ($25) during our monsoon-like weather this week (over it!), and basically, it’s the ish.

I just shake the tube, and dot and blend a minuscule amount of this multitasking water-resistant cream on my lips and the apples of my cheeks with a finger. The resulting matte pink flush looks natural, but resists water unnaturally well, even when the rain is coming down sideways.

Special offer from BECCA: This Monday, December 10, BECCA’s offering “Unconditional Complimentary Shipping” on their US website. Free standard shipping on every order, any size, at beccacosmetics.com for one day only. No promo code required. Offer expires on Monday at 11:59 p.m. PST.

If you’re a complete blush klutz, creamy Lychee will make you look like an expert. My skin just laps it up (works on both bare skin and atop foundation), and it’s a cinch to buff out any edges.

I’m amazed by how evenly it applies.