From The Beauty Brains Forum Member: Taiwanese Gurl

MAC has found an iconic worthy star in French graffiti artist, Fafi, to follow up its collaboration with Barbie last year. Fafi is a tremendously talented artist who created her Fafinettes on street paintings in France to represent the girls that she sees around the world. The Fafinettes have come to represent girls who are unapologetic to be girly, sassy, and fun.

MAC does Fafi

MAC interpreted Fafi’s artwork into this beautiful and colorful collection, MAC Fafi. The entire collection is listed on the bottom in a laundry list style for those who are interested. Base on the colors presented, and the packaging of all the products, the line looks like its only intended for young girls to wear. However, while the entire collection contains a lot of bright colors, but they are mostly on the sheer side, so overall you get kicks and punches of girly colors. The sheerness of the collection makes these otherwise bold colors very wearable for those who are no longer in high school.

Gal pal

The entire collection also looks very inspired by a subculture fashion trend in Japan called “Gyaru.” Gyaru is a Japanese play on the word “gal,” and their style is practically identical to the promo shoots for Mac Fafi! I was introduced to the Gyaru style by a friend of mine, and while playing with the eye kohls in Smoldering and Fascinating, as well as the Fluid Line gel eyeliner in Black Track, I subconsciously created something similar to a classic Gyaru look, which are the big anime-looking eyes. At first I was a bit disappointed by the lack of originality from MAC, but as I thought about it, the more the similarities made sense. Gyarus are unashamed and unapologetic to be extremely girly, and many are fun and sassy, just like the Fafinettes! So as a whole, it’s still a great positive message for girls and women.

My faves

As with all collections, there are some items that you must get, and some that you could skip. I recommend both blushes; Fashion Frenzy, a blue-based pink for cool complexions and Hipness, a coral based pink for warm complexions. Out of all the Paint Pots, the most versatile and wearable is Perky, a shimmery nude pink that’s great to use as a base and by itself. Out of the lipsticks, Strawbaby, a coral rosy red, is flattering on a lot of different complexions, and although it looks very glittery and shimmery, it’s definitely day-time appropriate. Hightop is a sleeper hit, with its purple base and giant blue and green glitter, but it’s surprisingly flattering and easy to wear. Of the lip glasses, Cult Fave definitely lives up to its name. It’s a gorgeous sheer pink that could be worn alone or layered on top of any color. Sugar Trance is also great, similar to NARS Greek holiday with its soft nude shimmer, and is best worn layered on top of any color to make your pout extra sexy.

Glitter quitter

Unless you are stuck in the 80s, you’d want to skip Fun ‘N’ Sexy, a bright fuchsia pink with tons of glitter that just reminds me of a bad prom picture from the 80s. That goes for Totally It too, because that bright pink screams nothing but 80s to me. I have nothing against the 80s, but there are some trends that better left in the past. I am also having a really hard time liking Rollickin’ because the green turquoise color is just so hard to wear.

Stick it

The other complaint I’ve been reading on other beauty blogs is the use of stickers on the packages. Many fellow beauty bloggers feel that it cheapens the product, but I myself have nothing against it. Why? If it peels off, I can still stick it on somewhere with glue or tape, and have the image forever, unlike the cute Tokidoki images that have completely rubbed off from my Smashbox lip gloss!

Fan of Fafi

I hope you’ve enjoyed this long review, and please do check out Fafi’s work at her website. Her talent will definitely amaze you. Also, if there are any MAC stores or counters in your area, check to see if they are having any store events. They are always fun and you get all sorts of great make up tips from the talented MAC make up artists. This review would not be possible without consultation from Angelo; the extremely talented and gorgeous make up artist at the MAC Store in Santa Monica on 3rd Street Promenade. *Peace*

What do YOU think about Fafi? Leave a comment and let us know. Or, you can start a thread and talk to Taiwanese Gurl directly in the Beauty Brains Forum. And if you’re interested in getting free goodies of your own, join the Forum now and show us you’ve got what it takes to be a Beauty Brainiac!