Farsáli is not a brand that’s particularly known for subtlety. You’ve likely seen their creations all over Instagram, dripping off hot pink Beautyblenders or lending their hypnotic sparkle to macro product shots. When the company famous for launching the aptly named Unicorn Essence came out with something called Liquid Glass serum, I had high expectations.
Liquid Glass is Farsáli’s interpretation of “glass skin”, which refers to the reflective, luminous, almost translucent complexion that’s the end goal of the 10-step Korean beauty routine. Founder Sal Ali used that as his initial inspiration, but wanted a single bottle that could replicate those effects. The result is another of Farsáli’s signature skin care-makeup hybrids—a formula designed to deeply moisturize your face while also imparting a mirror-like glow. The ingredients list reads like a how-to guide for retaining hydration: hyaluronic acid, plus watermelon rind, apple, and lentil fruit extracts.
In the bottle, though, that’s not what you’ll notice first. The $54 serum comes in the brand’s frosted glass vial, which includes a dropper for application. Even before you open it, you’ll see that what’s inside is extremely shimmery. The base is a silvery white hue, shot through with iridescent flecks of blue, pink, and purple. It’s colorful. It’s fun to swirl around. It’s also not exactly glassy, more the kind of thing that makes you think, “I’m going to be a disco ball after I use this.”
I can’t quite explain the mystery that happens between the product leaving the dropper and settling on my face, but somehow, that iridescence transforms as I pat it in. It doesn’t have the noticeably shimmery finish of similar liquid illuminators, nor does it impart the slick sheen of Vaseline or glass highlighter. Instead, it perceptibly plumps and refreshes my skin, giving it the illusion that it’s full of good health and radiating from within. It doesn’t matter if I haven’t slept in two days (which may or may not have happened in the photos below); a few drops later and you can’t even tell.
Ali tells me that that you can layer this on over moisturizer, mix it with your makeup and skin care, or try it as a topcoat on eyelids, lips, and cheekbones. I don’t care to wear foundation on a daily basis, so I simply dispense a tiny amount on my palms after applying my serums and creams and pat it on. If I’m especially sleep-deprived, I’ll apply a thin second coat on the high planes of my face as a highlighter substitute—I say highlighter, but really, it’s much subtler than that. Instead of a sheen or shimmer, it gives the impression that you just emerged from a full-service spa treatment before going to bed early. I rarely do either of those things, but at least now I look like I do.
The one thing Liquid Glass doesn’t quite accomplish is replacing my multistep routine. While I can appreciate the hydrating formula and lightweight feel, a small amount of this isn’t going to do away with my sleep masks, acid peels, toners, serums, essences, day creams, night creams, and SPFs anytime soon. But that’s okay—I like my daily skin care ritual to include 10 different products. Well, I guess now it’s 11.
Farsáli Liquid Glass, $54, farsali.com
