Farsali Beauty Review: Are the Viral Elixirs and Serums Worth the Hype?
In recent years, Farsali has taken the beauty world by storm with its innovative hybrid formulas that blur the lines between skincare and makeup. Founded by entrepreneur Sal Ali and his influencer wife Farah Dhukhai, this Toronto-based indie brand has achieved cult status thanks to products like the Rose Gold Elixir and Unicorn Essence that have gone viral on Instagram. But beyond the pretty packaging and magical names, do Farsali products really live up to the hype? I tried out the brand‘s bestsellers to find out.
The Story Behind Farsali
Before we dive into the product reviews, let‘s take a look at Farsali‘s origin story. Founders Sal Ali and Farah Dhukhai were inspired to start the brand in 2015 after Sal quit his corporate marketing job to pursue his dream of entrepreneurship. A self-professed "beauty junkie", Farah would often mix facial oils with her foundations and concealers to achieve a more natural, glowy look. This gave Sal the idea to create hybrid products that combined the skincare benefits of oils and serums with the cosmetic appeal of primers and illuminators.
With Farah as his muse, Sal worked with a team of chemists to develop Farsali‘s debut product: the Rose Gold Elixir. A 24k gold-infused beauty oil, this luxurious multitasker quickly earned rave reviews from makeup artists and skinfluencers for its ability to hydrate and illuminate skin. The gorgeous pink bottle didn‘t hurt either, making the Rose Gold Elixir instantly screenshot-worthy.
Building on the success of the Rose Gold Elixir, Farsali expanded its line with other hybrid treatments like the Unicorn Essence skin enhancing antioxidant serum and Volcanic Elixir, which utilizes clarifying tamanu oil from Polynesia. With each launch, the brand continued to gain traction on social media, cementing its status as one of the buzziest indie beauty brands.
Today, Farsali has amassed over 2.4 million followers on Instagram and counts numerous celebrities as fans, including Khloe Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, and Hailey Bieber. The brand has also landed major retail partnerships with Sephora, Cult Beauty, and more. However, Farsali remains cruelty-free and committed to using high-performance, ethically-sourced ingredients.
Farsali Product Reviews
Now for the moment of truth: do Farsali products actually work? I‘ll admit, I was initially skeptical that an oil or serum could make that big of a difference in my makeup application and longevity. However, after testing out the brand‘s core collection, I‘m officially a convert. Read on for my in-depth review of the most popular Farsali products and what they did for my skin.
Rose Gold Elixir 24k Gold Infused Beauty Oil
The one that started it all, this award-winning oil is a true multitasker that can be used to moisturize, prime, and highlight skin. Infused with 24k gold flakes, it has a subtle shimmer that reflects light for a lit-from-within glow. Other key ingredients include moisturizing rosehip and pumpkin seed oils, which are rich in vitamins A and C to brighten and even skin tone.
I have normal-to-dry skin, so I was excited to try the Rose Gold Elixir as the weather got colder and my complexion became more parched. After cleansing and toning, I applied 2-3 drops of the oil and gently patted it into my skin. The lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbed quickly, leaving my face soft, supple, and primed for makeup.
When mixed with my foundation (I use Nars Natural Radiant Longwear), the Rose Gold Elixir helped sheer out the coverage for a more natural skin-like finish while still keeping my base intact all day. I also loved tapping it on the high points of my face as a luminous highlighter. The warm rose gold tint complemented my light-medium skin tone and didn‘t emphasize texture like some metallic powder highlighters can.
After a few weeks of using the Rose Gold Elixir, I definitely noticed an improvement in my skin‘s hydration levels and radiance. Those with oilier complexions may find it too emollient, but for dry and normal skin types, this is a beautiful hydrating primer and mixing medium. I rate it 4.5/5 stars.
Unicorn Essence Skin Enhancing Antioxidant Serum
Don‘t be fooled by the cutesy name and holographic packaging – this water-based serum is packed with antioxidant-rich superfoods like açaí, goji, and blueberry to defend against environmental stressors. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, it layers perfectly under makeup as a gripping primer that blurs pores and fine lines.
As someone who struggles with dullness and uneven texture, the Unicorn Essence appealed to me as a step that could make my skin look glassy and filtered. The semi-sheer lavender fluid has a refreshing slip that feels cooling and soothing, especially when kept in the fridge during summer.
Immediately after applying the Unicorn Essence, my skin looked brighter, smoother, and more hydrated without any greasiness or heaviness. The serum created a slightly tacky base for foundation and concealer to adhere to, extending the wear time of my makeup.
With continued use, I‘ve seen a noticeable difference in the health and clarity of my skin. The potent blend of antioxidants and humectants leaves my complexion plump, bouncy, and more resilient against environmental aggressors. If you‘re looking for a one-and-done primer serum hybrid that protects and perfects, the Unicorn Essence is a must-try. 5/5 stars.
Liquid Glass Radiance Make-Skin Serum
Inspired by the popular Korean glass skin trend, this revolutionary serum combines the benefits of a serum, essence, and primer in one to leave skin impossibly dewy and luminous. Hero ingredients include hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich watermelon extract, and smoothing apple fruit extract.
The texture of the Liquid Glass serum is incredibly lightweight and fast-absorbing, with a subtle iridescent sheen that makes skin look wet and reflective. I was impressed by how well it layered under my sunscreen and foundation without pilling or making my face look overly shiny.
When mixed with foundation, the Liquid Glass serum yielded a beautiful natural satin skin finish that still felt like real skin. I could definitely see a difference in the appearance of my pores and smile lines, which looked softened and diffused. The serum also worked well as a liquid highlighter on the cheekbones, Cupid‘s bow, and inner corners of the eyes.
I couldn‘t stop touching my face after applying this serum because it made my skin feel so smooth and silky. Even on no-makeup days, the Liquid Glass serum is a great way to achieve that covetable glass skin effect in seconds. The only downside is the price point, which is steep at $54 for 1 oz. But a little goes a long way, so it‘s worth the splurge in my opinion. 4.7/5 stars.
Farsali Skincare Dupes
As much as I enjoy Farsali‘s products, there‘s no denying that they‘re quite pricey for the average consumer. If you‘re not ready to shell out $50+ on a serum or elixir, fear not. I‘ve rounded up some more affordable alternatives that deliver similar results:
For the Rose Gold Elixir, try Physicians Formula 24-Karat Gold Collagen Oil. This gold-flecked dry oil contains many of the same moisturizing ingredients as Farsali‘s version at a quarter of the price.
If you‘re interested in the Unicorn Essence, consider the Bliss Ex-glow-sion Super Rich Face Moisturizer. Loaded with antioxidants and illuminating pearl pigments, it gives skin an otherworldly glow and keeps makeup looking fresh for hours.
As a Liquid Glass dupe, I recommend the e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Water Essence. This K-beauty inspired essence plumps and hydrates with hyaluronic acid and purslane extract for a glassy, mirror-like sheen.
The Final Verdict
So is Farsali worth the hype? In my experience, the answer is a resounding yes. While the products are undoubtedly splurge-worthy, the innovative textures and versatile formulas make them stand out from other skincare-makeup hybrids on the market. I appreciate that Farsali uses high-quality, ethically-sourced ingredients and never tests on animals. The sleek, Instagrammable packaging is just the icing on the cake.
If you have the budget and are looking to streamline your beauty routine with multipurpose products, I highly recommend giving Farsali a try. The bestselling Rose Gold Elixir, Unicorn Essence, and Liquid Glass are a great place to start and work for a wide range of skin types.
For those on a budget, you can still achieve similar results with the more affordable product dupes I mentioned above. At the end of the day, skincare is highly personal and what works for one person may not work for another.
I hope you found this Farsali review helpful and informative. Have you tried any products from the brand? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
