Developed by Italian skincare chemist Raffaella Gregoris of the University of Milan, the Bakel range comprises six fluid serums containing no preservatives, fragrance or petroleum-based ingredients, and composed exclusively of active ingredients, including star anti-aging ingredient hyaluronic acid. “In technological terms, [Bakel] has made a huge leap. Because the products are fluid, they're absorbed much more easily by the skin, and Bakel has eliminated unnecessary ingredients that don't provide any benefits,” Schapera claims. “We're makeup experts and not skincare experts, so we need to bring in this expertise from outside,” he continues. “It makes for a good marriage, [combining] their scientific orientation with our creative [one].”

The Bakel line will be exclusively available at Becca's points-of-sale in the markets where the latter brand is distributed. In markets outside Becca's distribution network, including Italy, Germany and Russia, the Italian brand will be available in other retail doors. Becca will initially launch the skincare range in the UK market next month, at its flagship store in London and at high-end department store Harvey Nichols, before rolling it out to doors in Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and Asia later this year. The brand will be introduced to Becca's North American doors either by the end of this year or in early 2009, Schapera says.

Becca and Bakel will be merchandised alongside each other in-store, with skincare specialists slated to join Becca's makeup artists in points-of-sale to advise customers. The tie-up should also result in Becca launching a series of reformulated and new products in collaboration with Bakel, Schapera reveals. “We’ve been trying to find skincare technology that we can use in our products, and now that we have access to [Bakel's] expertise we're looking to work with them on our products.”