If you were anywhere near a Sephora in 2015, you remember the chaos. People weren't just buying makeup; they were hunting it. The target? A specific gold-and-peach-toned pressed powder that promised to make you look like you were permanently standing in the center of a sunset. Becca Cosmetics Champagne Pop didn't just trend. It basically rewrote the rules for what a highlighter should be.
Before this, highlighters were often chunky, glittery, or so icy they looked like white streaks on anyone with a tan. Then came the collaboration between Becca and YouTuber Jaclyn Hill. It sold 25,000 units in the first 20 minutes. Think about that for a second. That's a lot of glow for a world that was still figuring out how to use a fan brush.
But here is the weird thing: Becca Cosmetics actually went out of business in 2021. You'd think the story ends there, but Champagne Pop was too big to die. Smashbox eventually stepped in to rescue the formula, and honestly, we should all be a little thankful they did.
What Actually Is Becca Cosmetics Champagne Pop?
At its core, it's a "Shimmering Skin Perfector." That’s a fancy way of saying it’s a pressed powder highlighter with a very specific texture. Most cheap highlighters use large mica particles that sit on top of the skin like craft glitter. Becca did something different. They used ultra-fine, multidimensional pearls that are actually "liquid" in their initial state before being pressed.
This is why it feels buttery. Like, genuinely soft.
The color is described as a soft gold with pinky-peach undertones. Because of that peach base, it doesn't turn "ashy" on deeper skin tones, but it’s light enough that it doesn't look like a bronze streak on pale skin. It hit the "Goldilocks" zone of makeup shades.
Why the Hype Never Really Died
Usually, makeup trends have the shelf life of an open yogurt. Remember the "squiggle brow"? Exactly. But Champagne Pop stayed.
Part of it was the timing. In the mid-2010s, we were moving away from the heavy, matte, "Instagram face" and toward "glass skin" and "dewy" finishes. Becca gave people a tool to look luminous without looking oily. Plus, the pigment is intense. You've probably heard the phrase "seen from space." That was practically the marketing slogan for this product.
Another reason? It’s versatile.
- As an eyeshadow: Tap it on the center of your lid over a matte brown. Boom. Instant dimension.
- On the body: Mix a bit with lotion and rub it on your collarbones.
- Subtle vs. Blinding: You can use a fluffy brush for a light wash, or a damp sponge to make it look like literal metal on your cheekbones.
The Elephant in the Room: The "Broken" Problem
We have to be real here. If you've ever owned a compact of Becca Cosmetics Champagne Pop, you've probably experienced the heartbreak of opening your makeup bag to find a pile of shimmering dust.
The formula is fragile. Because it’s so buttery and contains less "binder" (the stuff that holds powder together) than a standard matte blush, it shatters if you even look at it wrong. Makeup artists used to carry rubbing alcohol in their kits specifically to press Becca highlighters back together after flights.
It's a high-maintenance relationship. You love the glow, but you have to treat it like a delicate heirloom.
How to Wear It in 2026
Makeup styles have changed. We aren't really doing the "strobe light" look on the tip of the nose as much as we used to. In 2026, the trend is more about "seamless illumination."
To make Champagne Pop work today, try applying it under your foundation or mixing a tiny bit with your primer. This gives that "lit from within" look that doesn't scream "I applied three layers of powder today."
If you have texture—like acne scarring or large pores—be careful. Highlighters are basically flashlights for skin texture. To minimize this, keep the product on the very highest point of your cheekbone and avoid the "apples" of your cheeks where pores tend to be larger.
The Smashbox Transition
When Becca announced its closure in September 2021, the beauty community panicked. People were literally hoarding backups of Champagne Pop in their freezers (don't do that, by the way).
Thankfully, the Estée Lauder Companies (which owned both Becca and Smashbox) realized they couldn't just let the most popular highlighter in history vanish. They moved the "hero" products—the highlighter and the Under Eye Brightening Corrector—over to the Smashbox brand.
Is it the same? Honestly, yes. The Smashbox x Becca version uses the same pearl pigments. It still has that iconic, slightly metallic shine. The only real difference is the logo on the packaging.
Final Advice for Getting the Most Glow
If you’re looking to pick this up, don't just buy the full size immediately. Highlighters take forever to finish. The "mini" size is actually plenty for most people and fits better in a travel bag without shattering into a million pieces.
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- Prep is key. If your skin is dry, the powder will look like powder. Use a good moisturizer first.
- Tools matter. A fan brush gives a "whisper" of light. A dense, tapered brush gives a "shout."
- Blend, then blend again. Use a clean sponge to tap over the edges of where you applied the highlighter. This melts the powder into the skin so there isn't a visible line where the glow starts.
Becca Cosmetics Champagne Pop might be a "vintage" 2015 product by internet standards, but some things are classics for a reason. It’s the white T-shirt of the makeup world. It just works.
If you already have a broken one sitting in your drawer, don't toss it. Add a few drops of 70% isopropyl alcohol, mush it into a paste, and press it flat with a paper towel. Let it dry overnight. It’ll be as good as new, and you won’t have to spend another $40 to get your glow back.