Ooh, girl, we’ve all got our weaknesses, don’t we? Tabs? He’s a ho for turkey. Sliced, minced, diced, with gravy or without — he loves it all.
Me? I’m a sucker for products with clean, simple designs.
And Nutella.
I guess that’s why I went nuts over the Fred Farrugia makeup line.
All that gorgeous white space, those rounded edges, the simple shapes and solid colors… If Apple made makeup, this would be what it looked like (and then they’d sell a bunch of overpriced accessories for it, ha!).
The line’s not the easiest to find here in the U.S., but it is available at select Sephora stores in Europe. I found it at a store in Milan, but it’s also listed online at Sephora France and Italy, among other places I’m sure.
So, who is this Fred Farrugia chap anyway? Well, he’s not new to the scene. He’s been around the beauty block a few times, having worked for Lancome back in the day as their artistic makeup director. Get this: Homeboy invented Juicy Tubes!
After breaking out on his own, he spent five years perfecting his line, eventually launching back in September of 2009.
It’s an extensive collection with more than 100 pieces for eyes, lips, face and cheeks, and the little cases snap together a like Legos, which is kinda fun.
A good place to start? How about the First Kit (15 €)? It comes with two modules, one top and one bottom, and a cute little sock cozy. It’s really a great deal, too, because the modules regularly cost 20 € each (about $27).
The three-piece First Kit
Clockwise from bottom: Powder Blush in 07, Semi Matte Lipstick/Matte Lip Powder Duo in 04, Pearlized Creme Eyeshadow/TWinkle Cream Eyeshadow Duo in 02, First Kit, Semi Matte Lipstick/Matte Lip Powder Duo in 06
From left: top from the First Ki top, Semi Matte Lipstick/Matte Lip Powder Duo in 04, Semi Matte Lipstick/Matte Lip Powder Duo in 06, Pearlized Creme Eyeshadow/Twinkle Cream Eyeshadow Duo in 02, Powder Blush in 07, bottom from the First Kit
Isn’t the sock cozy cute? I think I might knit myself another one…because that’s how I roll! 🙂
As for the makeup itself, these are top-notch textures (both the creams and powders) and vibrant, high-impact colors.
Some of the modules house combinations like the Semi Matte Lipstick/Matte Lip Powder Duo. One side houses a creamy, semi-matte lipstick, and the other a lip powder. The lipstick goes on first, applied with either a brush or finger, followed by the setting matte powder patted right on top.
Swatches on NC35 skin: 1. Powder Blush in 07, 2. Pearlized Creme Eyeshadow from 02 eye duo, 3. Twinkle Cream Eyeshadow from 02 eye duo, 4. Semi Matte Lipstick from the 06 duo, 5. Matte Lip Powder from the 06 lip duo, 4+5. Matte Lip Powder from the 06 lip duo layered on top of the Semi Matte Lipstick from 06, 6. Semi Matte Lipstick from the 04 lip duo, 7. Matte Lip Powder from the 04 lip duo, 6+7. Matte Lip Powder from the 04 lip duo layered on top of the Semi Matte Lipstick from 04 duo
Love, LOVE 
the packaging, and the makeup’s great too. Now Fred’s gotta bring some of this sexy over to our side of the pond.
Use Your Words
I made a run for the Borders yesterday and picked up some new teen fiction, yea! Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. He’s a Native American writer with a rich, raw style. Dude’s one of my favorite authors. If you’re interested, check out his book of short stories, The Toughest Indian in the World. Seriously, beautiful stuff.
Are you reading anything good these days?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
So cute! I wish they sold that in the US 🙁
And I LOOOOVE Sherman Alexie. Believe it or not, my dad was a fan, and bought “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-TIme Indian” for me, I love it! Have you seen Smoke Signals? It’s based on one of the stories in Alexie’s “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven”.
He did a reading of excerpts of his work in SF a few years ago and I’m STILL kicking myself for not going (had to work, sigh). I think that’s very cool that your dad bought you that book, btw. 🙂
As for Smoke Signals, nope, haven’t seen it yet. I’ll put it in my Netflix queue!
What are you reading these days? Anything good?
I’m so lovin the tubesock idea. Cute!
I like anything that involves a knitted cozy, LOL!
LOVE this! would be perfect for traveling. i hope sephora decides to stock it in their north american stores.
Me too! *crosses fingers*
Maybe we should start a petition or something, LOL!
That would be perfect to keep in my purse! Plus I love the cute clip together aspect.
It’s totally purse-friendly makeup. Ya gotta love that protective sock…
Love the Apple-like packaging….sighhhh..will have to just stare the pics here..no chance of me ever seeing it in real life :-((
Hey, you never know! Maybe the line will go global someday. 🙂
I read The Toughest Indian in the World last year 🙂 I really like Alexie’s work.
aaah *goes crazy over makeup* the sock just takes it to a whole new level of awesome (and it was already pretty awesome to begin with)
Ha ha, a girl after my own knitted cozy loving heart!! 🙂
They didn’t have this line when I was in Italy!! =( Did ALL of that come in the First Kit?? That’s REALLY good.
I wish! You gotta buy the First Kit, um, first, and then buy the other items separately.
When were you in Italy? What parts of the country did you visit?
Thanks for answering! I was there in January and was in Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome, and a few other places but I totally can’t remember. I also had 2 layovers in Paris so was there for a bit too. =)
What an awesome trip! Which places were your faves? I’d love to go back again, but I figure if/when I do I’m going to have to choose my destinations carefully.
P.S. Are the lip products drying?
Hi Kali,
Nope, they’re not!
The clean lines are my fave too, I’m a sucker for anything sleek (I almost typed “sleep” lol). Happy Monday!
Hi Vanessa,
Me too! Gimme clean design any ol’ day of the week!
Awesome.. cute… pretty…sweet… i liked the packaging a lot… i am :hypnotized:
🙁 🙁 🙁 but its not available in India…. :crying: :crying: :crying: 🙁
Aww, well you never know! Maybe the line will reach India in a few years!
Heya hows it going?
This looks totally perfect 2 carry around all day and have all the basic essentials 🙂
Quick question off topic lol…how do u get away with taking pics of the makeup displays? here if u try take a pic of something in a shop they tell u 2 get out lol
I think its really good however u do it that ur able 2 show us the whole range display 4 lots of stuff!
Hi Lee,
I just roll up and take a pic! That’s really all there is to it. If they get cranky I just smile and say sorry… and then I take another snapshot when nobody’s looking, LOL!
I love the packaging because it reminds me of a package of paint swatches, only that it has really “paints” for me to play with.
Totally! 🙂 The line makes me feel so artsy.
I thought “Apple!!” too the first time I saw Farrugia’s items (I’m an Apple sucker since 1985… sigh).
Love the idea, but wouldn’t want to add more addictive knick-knacks to my already too extensive makeup collection. But perhaps, the next time Sephora sends me a discount… those powder lipsticks look great! And the sock!! OK, I’m sold. 😉
I thought I picked up a Mad Men orange lipstick/powder duo but I guess I was wrong, sigh!
Next time you hit up Sephora you’ve gotta check it out! It’s a gorgeous retro shade. 🙂
hmm, I love orange but I can wear it only when I’m a bit tanned, while during the winter I prefer to wear cooler shades. But I’ll check it out!
Cool! Maybe peep the hot pink one then. It’s cooler and very va-va-voom!
Ahhh! Fred, get your butt t Canada, NOOWWW!
That book sounds interesting! Great, another one to go on my reading list! Tell us how it is, please, love!
I’m about 75% of the way through it, and so far it’s great.
Have you read Sherman Alexie before?
Super-cute! I love the clean, simple aesthetic of the packaging. It’d be so much fun to show-off! How do the textures of the products hold up after being toted around for a bit?
Hi Jessyclaire,
I’ll have to get back to you on that one. I just got these so I haven’t had the chance to tote them around in my bag yet.
that stuff’s been at my sephora for ages, ive always been intruiged but could find ZERO on it on the web, so i passed it up. but this has reminded me i should give it a try!
Lucky you! I’m itching to try more stuff from the line!
That makeup looks like it’d be perfect for traveling, being so compact and all.
As for books, I have never heard of Sherman Alexie but it might be something to look into. I’ve been reading the Millenium trilogy books (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & The Girl who Played with Fire) by Stieg Larson. If you have not read the 1st one yet, it’s a must for sure. I’ll be picking up the final book (something about playing in hornets nests ha ha I can’t think of the exact title) very soon.
Hi Melodi,
I’ve heard that series is excellent. I keep meaning to pick up the first one, but I think I was really traumatized by watching The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie a few months ago. Have you seen it? It’s a good film, but I had no idea what I was getting into when I walked into the theater and wasn’t mentally prepared for the brutal scenes.
Two words about that packaging: Absolutely Brilliant. You make a great point about Apple, but they also remind me of the old style Pantone swatches. Do you remember those? Same fan-out style with all those lovely colors on each “oval”. I really like this packaging a lot!
I’ll have to check out Sherman Alexie. Right now I’m reading a book called The Island by Victoria Hislop. I’m only about 1/3 of the way through it, but I’m giving it like a B- so far.
Hi Kim,
Oh yeah… totally old school Pantone! Good eye, my friend.
Anywho, hopefully your book will pick up soon; maybe stick with it until you get at least half way? I felt “eh” about The Time Traveler’s Wife for the first quarter and then when it picked up it got SO GOOD!
I’ll definitely finish it and hopefully you’ll be right! 🙂
the idea of that packaging is so smart! 🙂 i am liking it for sure!
Hi Nina,
I love it too! I wish I thought of it, LOL!
This is such a novel idea. I love the packaging.
This is such a novel idea. I love the packaging.8
Me too! It’s some of the most interesting packaging I’ve seen in a long time.
Packaging looks cool, but the colors are not speaking to me!
Hi Lisa S.,
There’s lots more colors to choose from… these are just the ones I happened to pick up!
LOVE the packaging! So cute!
Also, I’ve never seen a lip powder before…are there other similar products available?
Hi Debbie,
Hmm, not that I’m aware of. In the 80s my friends and I used to apply translucent face powder to our lips to create a matte texture, but I guess that doesn’t count, LOL!
Ooh that looks like a fun system. How awesome would that be for travel?
Hi Amber,
So awesome! Everything comes in either cream or powder form, which is awesome if you’re traveling by air and don’t want to check in your bag.
holy wow, that is CUTE! i’m a total packaging-hound… i love anything innovative or different. and not to mention portable haha. i’ve never heard of lip powders either, but the effect looks great! do they feel chalky or dry? i don’t know if i’d like feeling like i had eyeshadow on my lips.
Hi Lo,
The powders aren’t meant to be used alone. First you put down a layer of the cream lipstick that comes with the duo, then you pop the lip powder directly on top to set it. 🙂
And nope, it doesn’t feel chalky or dry!
Ooooh! How cool looking! That’s pretty amazing. They look like brand new watercolors.
I also love Sherman Alexie! The Lone Ranger and Tanto was an amazing book. Maybe I’ll have to pick this one!
Hi Katrina,
I stayed up way too late reading it last night. It’s VERY good!
Oooh, how cute and practical! Definitely gonna check those out if I should travel to Europe in the future. The concept of a ‘lip powder’ interests me, how does that work exactly?
Sherman Alexie is amazingggg. ‘Reservation Blues’ is my favourite, but Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is what got me in to him. Great book!
Hi Lucie,
The lip powders are meant to set the creamy lip products that come with the duo. They add color and texture to the lip! 🙂
Oh, and it’s always nice to meet another Sherman Alexie fan. The book I’m reading is really good… but I’m tearing through it way too quickly.
Hope you had a fantastic Tuesday. 🙂
hey karen, thanks to your gushing about the hunger games books, i went and bought all three in two days and am now utterly addicted. thanks a lot for being my pusher! LOL
LOL, you’re welcome! I’m glad you liked them. Are you team Peeta or team Gale?
i don’t know yet because i haven’t finished the first book. we didn’t get to know gale very much in the first book, so i haven’t had time to really get into him. although katniss seems to be more “into” him than into peeta. 🙂
i’m just about done the hunger games (and i am reading like a maniac! lol) and i had no idea how much i would enjoy them!
I usually have issues with sequels but the entire series is solid. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it so far!
Did you know they’re making a movie?
I love the packaging and the pinks look gorgeous!
The packaging rocks. I hope this line comes to the US soon!
How cute and convenient! 🙂
The whole range is available in every Sephora store in France, they even sent me a letter letting me know that if I just go in store and show them my Sephora card, I can get the starter kit (no makeup in it, just the mirror part and both ends of it) offered to me for free, but to be honest, as tempting as it is, I find them all to be too expensive, especially for the little modules that they are, maybe someday if I get a bigger income I’ll give them a try but right now it just wouldn’t be reasonnable.
On the other hand, there are plenty of brands sold in the US that we’re not lucky enough to have over here, like tarte for example. Hopefully someday we’ll all get the best of both countries 🙂
That would be awesome. I would love for more cosmetics companies to go global so makeup fiends around the world could go nuts! 🙂