Review of the M.A.C. Fafi Collection

So, I've finally gotten the chance to sit down and write a review of the entire Fafi collection by M.A.C.  I have been able to test all of the Paint Pots, both blushes, one of the eye shadow palettes, one Iridescent Pressed Powder, all the Lipsticks and Lipglasses, the Fluidline, Eye Kohls, Mascara and Nail Lacquers.  Whew!  So, here we go, complete with my own pictures (which will explain why they look crazy - I'm still working on my picture skills, please bear with me ... I'll get better, I promise!).

Okay, so, going clockwise, starting at the top: High Top (grey purple with blue pearl - Glaze), Fun 'n' Sexy (blue pink with blue pearl - Glaze), Strawbaby (coral rose with rainbow pearl - Lustre), Flash-n-Dash (intense tangerine red with pink pearl - Glaze), Utterly Frivolous (rosy coral with pink pearl - Lustre) and Not So Innocent (sheer tan with pink and peach pearl - Lustre).  Of the lipsticks, my hands-down favorite is Not So Innocent.  It is incredibly close to 1N from the N Collection, which is my favorite lipstick lately.  However, I like all the lipsticks in this collection, which is the first time in a long time.  Keep in mind that each lipstick is shimmery, so if you don't like shimmery lips, you may be tempted to pass on these.  I would try them, though.  Since they are Glaze or Lustre formulations, they go on surprisingly sheer and may not be as shimmery on your lips as you'd think.  The only one that has over-the-top shimmer, in my mind, is High Top.

From left: Squeeze It (brassy plum - Frost), Cult Fave (blue mid-tone pink with white pearl - Frost), Totally It (sheer bright pink with intense pink pearl - Frost), Sugar Trance (creamy soft pink with white and rainbow pearl - Frost).  Of the Lipglasses, my favorite is Sugar Trance.  I love it so much that I ordered a back-up.  It looks fabulous layered over any of the lipsticks in the collection or on its own.

In the eyeshadow palette, Fafi Eyes 1 are two new shades: Howzat (deep grey with silver sparkle - Frost), Hey (neutral tan with white pearl - Veluxe Pearl) and two re-promoted shades: Pink Venus (washed pink - Lustre) and Vanilla (soft pale-peachy-ivory flecked with shimmer - Velvet).  I like this palette - it has one of my favorite highlight shades, Vanilla, and the two new shades are easy neutrals which can be used for a soft daytime look or made smokier for nighttime.  When I layered over one of the collection's neutral Paint Pots, I was looking quite glam for a night out with my hubby.

In order in the Paint Pot pic and on the swatch pic: Nice Vice (dirty purple with purple pearl - Frost), Rollickin (aqua blue green with white pearl - Frost), Girl Friendly (creamy grey pink - Cream), Perky (creamy coral with white pearl - Satin), Layin' Low (creamy beige - Cream), Cash Flow (green gold with gold pearl - Frost).  I actually love all of these.  The only one I could probably do without is Rollickin' and that's because I already have the Delft Paint Pot.  I love that so many of these are soft neutrals, which I like to layer underneath my powder shadows.  These are all worthwhile purchases.

From the top: Iridescent Pressed Powder in Belightful (gilded peach bronze), Blush in Fashion Frenzy (mid-tone blue pink), Hipness (intense coral with soft white pearl).  I LOVE the Belightful powder.  It is a great, great soft shimmer product.  It can work for highlighting and, when layered over a blush, adds a beautifully iridescent glow.  I am into Hipness which I think is a great new color for M.A.C., but Fashion Frenzy doesn't do anything for me.  When given my options of bright pink blushes, I'd much sooner reach for my M.A.C. blush in Dollymix or my CARGO blush in Panama.  I think Fashion Frenzy is too cool a shade for my taste.

The collection also includes Blacktrack Fluidline, Eye Kohl in Smolder and Fascinating, Zoomblack Zoomlash, two nail lacquers, bags, brushes and Fafinette dolls.

Bottom line: Great new collection.  Bright, fun colors and plenty of great neutrals as well.  Sheer, shimmery lipsticks and glosses.  Cool bags.  My only downside: the stick-on art on the palettes, lipsticks and glosses.  Only the Iridescent Pressed Powder is packaged well.  And I need M.A.C. to do something about the Paint Pots - you have to be the Incredible Hulk to get those open!  I had to warm them up with water before I could unscrew them!

Comments

[Eurodivas]

Is the line more for 20 somethings? The packaging looks very young.

[Toya]

To be honest, I do think the Fafi collection is more suited for, or at least marketed to, a younger audience - definitely under 40. All the colors, save the Fashion Frenzy blush and a couple of the Paint Pots, are infused with shimmer, which aren't the most appropriate for older women. Also, with the illustrations, the packaging looks more youth-oriented. So, people should definitely keep that in mind as they're making purchasing decisions.

[Lilan]

Love your review, Toya!

I told myself I was only going to get the Paint Pots from this collection, but I was so surprised at how pretty the lippies were I caved and bought a bunch!

I find that the colors work well for neutral lovers (like me!) and those who like bolder colors since the shades are really buildable. :)

[Annie]

I love the mac fafi collection! its so original! I saw it in on maccosmetics.com like 2 months ago so as soon as it came out here (UK) I bought the lot! (minus the collectable dolls)
But yea awesome stuff, great review, well done :)
Annie

[Toya]

Thanks, Annie! Great to hear from you!