Fara Homidi's Essential Lip Compact & Lip Brush

Fara Homidi has been a makeup artist for 25 years. With countless campaigns, magazine covers, and fashion shows under her (brush) belt, she has spent a lot of time with faces, and has developed something of an obsession with lips. “I see the mouth as a jewel,” says Homidi, “Lipstick is a way to express yourself, to evoke an emotion. It can be very empowering.”

After decades spent mixing different products to achieve the perfect color, undertone, texture, and staying-power, the artist took matters into her own hands and created a long-wearing, creamy matte lip color in carefully considered, precise shades (two nudes and two reds) to complement various complexions, housed in a stunning refillable blue compact. As if that wasn’t enough, Homidi also developed the most user-friendly (and travel-ready) lip brush to accompany it. For VIOLET LAB to test the gorgeous brainchild of one of the members of our own Committee of Industry Experts was a no-brainer.

The first thing that struck our editors about the compact and brush was the covetable packaging; the lip color comes in a luxurious mirrored compact in a downright joyful shade of blue, and the lip brush is petite with a fitted cap (we love a cap on a lip brush) that allows it to easily be thrown in a bag. But, the proof was in the application.

We primed and prepped our lips with the hydrating-yet-imperceptible balm before going in with color, choosing the lighter or darker of the shades based on our respective complexions. With perfect control provided by the slim, soft-but-firm brush, the color smoothed onto our lips like butter, starting out sheer but vibrant, and building to full coverage with a second coat. Somehow, it had a creamy feel but looked like a powdery matte, and lasted for hours without making the lips feel dry or look feathered. The shades, too, were just right, the reds flattering our different skin tones and the nudes enhancing our natural lip colors. Not wanting to sleep on our latest find, we quickly sent these duos to the Committee for their seal of approval.

“The lip compact is ultra-chic and impressively luxurious. The mirrored compact houses a highly pigmented lipstick with major longevity, and a much-needed priming lip balm keeps lips hydrated and smooth and prevents feathering.”
—PORSCHE COOPER, Makeup Artist 

“The perfect powdery matte lip with intense color payoff also comes with a clear balm to keep lips hydrated. I love the packaging—the refillable compact is a bonus for my guilty carbon footprint.”
—MAI QUYNH, Makeup Artist 

“The Lip Brush is a great tool that isn’t just for pros. Blend lip liner, shade in lips with precision, apply a soft wash of color—it can do things your fingers can't. Love that it stays covered with a cap so it’s travel-friendly.”
—ALANA PALAU, Makeup Artist 

With these chic compacts and brushes being pulled out of handbags and makeup kits to be flaunted proudly by testers coast-to-coast, Fara Homidi’s Essential Lip Compact and Lip Brush are officially VIOLET CODE APPROVED and have earned a place on THE SHELVES.