In the oversaturated world of beauty, few brands make products as obsessively beloved as Farsali. Launched in 2014 by husband and wife duo Sal Ali and Farah Dhukai, this self-funded label fused skincare and makeup into one. Their novel "hybrid beauty" concept instantly attracted notice, amassing over 2 million Instagram followers within two years.
So what exactly makes this indie company so hot? As a dedicated Farsali fan for over two years now, I‘ve tried all 11 of their products so you don‘t have to. Consider this your insider guide to everything there is to know — from honest reviews to controversies and dupes. Grab a snack, settle in, and let‘s get googling!
An Overview: The Farsali Brand and Products
Farsali keeps their product line concise at just 11 items separated into 4 collections:
The Elixirs – Antioxidant and hydration boosting facial oils
The Essentials – Multitasking primers and complexion perfectors
The Fairy Dusts – Fun highlighters, luminizers and setting sprays
Value Sets – Travel sizes and minis
While small in quantity, their formulations use high-impact ingredients like hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract, 24k gold flakes and Acquacell (a nature-derived alternative to silicone). Everything comes cruelty-free, gluten-free and without icky stuff like sulfates or parabens.
Catering to makeup maximalists and skincare minimalists alike, Farsali‘s #1 goal is condensing steps. Most products pull double duty, like the Unicorn Essence which works as both a serum and primer.
Now let‘s get into what really matters: how these babies actually perform. Keep reading for my full authentic reviews!
Rose Gold Elixir: The Gateway Drug
The whispers started years ago: "Have you tried….the Farsali Rose Gold Elixir?"
Upon first application, I realized the hype held weight. This oil makes skin glow hard, blessing me with a glass skin makeover fast.
The Good
My complexion drinks up the antioxidant-rich formula — a blend of 24k gold flakes, rosehip seed oil and safflower oil. It gives mad hydration while refining texture. I use it under makeup daily for a filtering effect or mix with foundations too.
The shimmer flakes sound gimmicky but actually work to impart subtle radiance. Think less disco ball, more natural luminosity.
The Bad
At $54 for 1oz, I burn through bottles monthly. Despite looking like a facial oil, it doesn‘t moisturize much on its own either.
I once made the mistake of using this on a active breakout which worsened inflammation. Not ideal for acne-prone babes.
The Price
- 1oz for $54
- The 0.33oz mini sells for $22
The Verdict
Yes, absolutely worth every hard-earned penny and mainstay in my routine for the ethereal glow. No clown makeup necessary! Just pat this over moisturizer as the last step or mix into complexion products.
Those with dry or reactive skin should use sparingly and buffer with a richer cream. For oily queens like me, slather it on!
Liquid Powder: Mattifying Marvel
Raise your hand if you‘ve ever blotted oil off your face halfway through the day! hand shoots up volatility
As a professional beauty advisor for over 15 years, I constantly sought the matte Holy Grail. Primer potions disappointed me endless until discovering….the Liquid Powder Hybrid Serum.
This magic in a bottle keeps sebum at bay for a full 12 hours on my oily skin. How does it work? Let me spill the tea…
The Good
French pink clay soaks up grease while prebiotics rebalance and smooth. My makeup applies like a dream atop the primer-like base too.
I finally stopped needing blotting papers and touch-ups thanks to this serum! Even during 95 degree summer weather, it controls oil impressively.
The Bad
Like all Farsali skintuations, that price ain‘t cute at $54 per oz. The formula also has a faint medicinal scent.
Liquid Powder can emphasize flaky dry patches if you overdo application. Start with a single pump first before layering to prevent this.
The Price
- 1oz for $54
- 0.33oz mini for $22
The Verdict
I suggest all my oiliest clients invest in the full size. A little goes a long way and results impress people constantly. Don‘t just take my word for it…
"This is the ONLY product that keeps the oil away and makes my makeup last," says Sephora reviewer beautyboss_324.
Unicorn Essence: Priming Perfection
Unicorns and glitter had their moment back in 2017. But the Farsali Unicorn Essence Serum endures as a mainstay in my routine for its primer/skincare hybrid abilities.
Infused with antioxidant-rich acai and goji berries, this formula hydrates while prepping skin for flawless makeup laydown. The result? Filtered AF perfection.
The Good
Silicone gives most primers a icky slippery feel. But the Essence uses a natural alternative called Acquacell for a velvet finish instead.
It noticeably brightens my complexion while minimizing pores and fine lines. Products glide over the smooth base without grabbing or caking too.
I like using a pump under my foundation to perfect the canvas, or mixing it together for a liquid luminizer effect.
The Bad
The six month shelf life means I must replace it more often, especially since Vitamin C can oxidize.
Frequent use on sensitive areas like my undereyes has caused mild irritation before. I try to avoid putting it too close.
The Price
- 1oz for $54
- 0.33oz mini for $22
The Verdict
While pricey, a little Unicorn Essence goes far in upgrading overall makeup looks. This holy grail primer gets my highest recommendation for flawless wear!
Skintune Blur: Brightening Silkiness
Similar to the Unicorn primer, Skintone Blur serves a multipurpose role as complexion perfector and makeup mixer. The lightweight serum instantly mattifies while color correcting redness or dark spots.
Licorice root extract and vitamin C team up to tackle uneven pigment for a brighter finish. Meanwhile, Poria cocos mushroom extract and cucumber smooth away pores.
The Good
I slightly prefer this serum over the Unicorn Essence actually. The blurring and perfecting effects make skin look professionally retouched.
Mixing a pump of Skintone Blur with liquid foundation makes it undetectable on my face. It sheers out coverage beautifully while boosting radiance.
Unlike some Farsali products, this absorbs fully without leaving an oily residue. The formula plays well under other serums and creams too.
The Bad
The small bottle means repurchasing again soon. I easily breeze through this in just a few months.
While the blur effect appears instant, brightening dark spots and acne scars takes time and consistent use. Patience is key.
The Price
- 1 oz for $54
- 0.33oz mini for $22
The Verdict
Yes to the full size! I suggest incorporating Skintone Blur into makeup routines 2-3x a week for a gradual improved base. Mixing it with foundations and concealers makes them more lightweight too.
covers all 11 Farsali products…
Now that we‘ve unpacked the lineup, let‘s get into what buyers and non-buyers think…
Farsali Reviews: The Good, Bad and Controversies
With a cult following comes inevitable backlash. As a Farsali loyalist since the beginning, I‘ve seen the brand face growing pains head-on.
Yet most negative talk traces back to their social media success in my opinion. Petty beauty gurus called it scam prep from the jump for scoring influencer collabs.
Let‘s assess what impartial reviewers say first:
Farsali By the Numbers
- 4.6 average rating on Sephora across 1,200+ reviews
- 4.3 average on Influenster across 2,500+ reviews
- Featured as a "Best Beauty Splurge" by Elle, Refinery29 and PopSugar editors
Those numbers indicate predominantly favorable experiences overall. Even so, some criticisms carry more weight.
The Good
No one perfectly executes complexion enhancing hybrids quite like Farsali. Happy customers praise the instant smoothing, blurring and brightening results across all serums.
Many mention looking "photoshopped" and getting asked if they got work done (!). Now that‘s some black magic cream right there.
The Bad
Negative reviewers argue tiny bottles don‘t justify costly prices. And sensitive types sometimes report breakouts, clogged pores or irritation.
Changes in formula also caused controversy, although Farsali insists stability testing occurs on all batches before sale.
The Controversy
Back in 2020, a customer named Ebonie Champion accused Farsali of selling her a used, expired Rose Gold Elixir. The brand denied claims and required signed legal agreements about posting libel.
Other confused consumers submitted complaints to the Better Business Bureau for incorrect charges. Farsali resolved most problems, maintaining all criticism stemmed from high order volumes.
The consensus among journalists seems to be that no definitive proof confirms artificialfollower bots or fake promotions. However the meteoric rise still raises eyebrows.
At the end of the day, fans focus on Farsali‘s novel concepts versus business gossip. When products work superbly, people happily ignore hearsay.
The Price
The majority of negative marks come from sticker shock. With tiny bottles running $54 apiece, Farsali sits on the very high end.
Those adhering to a strict budget can still achieve similar results through more affordable dupes. But fanatics argue nothing gives Farsali‘s proprietary glow. For us devotees, their beastly price tags stay worth it for the makeup melting magic.
How Farsali Compares to Similar Brands
As a professional beauty advisor, clients often ask how Farsali stacks up amongst the competition. When comparing ingredients and performance, a few brands edge the closest:
Milk Makeup
Like Farsali, this vegan label mixes skincare actives into color makeup. Their prices run cheaper overall though. The same amount of Milk Hydro Grip Primer is nearly $20 less!
Glossier
Known for effortless, fresh faced products, Glossier features imaginative hybrids too. Yet their Futuredew illuminator contains less actual oils than the Rose Gold Elixir. And it‘s half the price at just $24!
The Ordinary
For a budget friendly facial oil, try their organic cold pressed rosehip seed formula. At only $10 for double the product compared to Farsali‘s $54 elixir.
Price comparison chart…
When it comes to smaller indie brands with clean formulas, no one quite delivers Farsali‘s sensorial experience and standout results. Using alternatives might save money, but the effects don‘t compare for devoted beauty junkies in my experience.
Still waiting on more reviews before deciding? Here‘s what bloggers, YouTubers and real people think…
In-Depth Farsali Review From Bloggers and Influencers
Digging beyond the razzle dazzle to find substantive opinions, I combed through details reviews:
Kristen of She Lives Luxe Blog gave the Unicorn Essence serum a 9/10:
"When I want to look like I spent hours on my skin even if I only have five minutes, the Farsali Unicorn Essence is my product…it‘s worth every penny for me."
YouTuber AnchalMUA calls the Rose Gold Elixir "the perfect hybrid" that works for all skin types. Her only complaint? Wishing the bottle was bigger!
Allure Magazine featured the Volcanic Elixir in their 2020 Best of Beauty Awards for its smoothing and nourishing abilities:
"This elixir is first aid for inflamed complexions thanks to antioxidant-rich tamanu oil."
Bustle, Refinery29 and various beauty vloggers all echo similar shining reviews. Some even argue no dupe compares to Farsali‘s proprietary ingredients and formulas.
After reading through dozens of bloggers gushing over the luminizing effects, I know one thing‘s certain:
This cagey brand won‘t lose steam anytime soon!
Are Farsali Products Ultimately Worth The Investment?
If you‘re someone struggling with a 12-step routine who wants to condense products, Farsali offers a dream. Despite the steep costs, their formulations replace serums and primers in one fell swoop.
Whenever I pump out those iridescent elixirs, my skin soaks up nourishment as pores and fine lines blur away.
In today‘s economy I realize $54 sits outside many budgets. Yet quality makeup and skincare amounts to self-care too for your mental health.
My advice?
Save up for special treats or ask for Farsali as birthday gifts. A little goes far, especially when considering how much you may spend on multiple steps that these hybrids consolidate.
If luxury beauty stays out of reach, try dupes from The Inkey List, Good Molecules or The Ordinary. Just know results don‘t quite compare to Farsali‘s glowimony!
No matter your budget or preferences though, taking care of your skin and self matters most.
The Final Takeaway: Farsali Shines Through Controversy
While no brand operates perfectly, Farsali continues thriving after nearly a decade of glowing reviews. Any manufactured scandals about fake followers never destroyed their commercial success.
Why? Because at the heart of it, their products speak for themselves through radiant, smoothed results. No shady promotional tactics can replicate millions of people buying again and again.
After trying every essence, elixir and serum myself the past two years, I stand firmly on Team Farsali. No lineup makes my makeup melt into skin so seamlessly with an ethereal finish.
Yet newbie buyers deserve transparency about controversies and criticisms too. Now armed with insider intel, deciding which (if any) Farsali products belong in your routine gets easier.
For me? These babies stay in my staples arsenal without doubt. Because when your highlight glows brighter than the haters, you know you‘ve found winners.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
XOXO,
Ariel 💄👄
