MAC Venomous Villains Bad Fairy, Formidable and Mean & Green Swatches, Review & Comparisons
The hotly anticipated MAC Venomous Villains Collection is about to hit shelves and I have a feeling that it will be an even bigger hit than any of MAC’s previous collaborations simply because of the worldwide love for Disney. Yes, Barbie and Hello Kitty both have huge fan bases but the mouse trumps them all.
The collection, broken into four parts, is based on famous Disney animated villains; Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Evil Queen from Snow White, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog. Each mini collection reflects the look of that character with Disney providing the actual Pantone shades used in animation to help MAC design the color palettes.
Of course a collection like this must include nail color and three new shades have been included in the Maleficent set. Three foil, duo-chrome glitters named Bad Fairy, Formidable! and Mean & Green.
When asked about creating the color palettes for each character Jennifer Balbier, VP of Product Development, said that Maleficent’s look is “more surreal.” Stating that, “she was pure fantasy for us. That’s where we put in a lot of crazy purples, blackened shades and beautiful pearlized nails.”
Formula & Application: MAC Nail Lacquers are 4-Free (including Formaldehyde Resin) with a thick, stiff, round brush. The MAC brush can be your best friend or worst enemy. It allows for perfect polish placement but if you press too hard you’ll end up with patchiness or drag marks, so polish with a light touch.
All of these lacquers have a semi-sheer base packed with foil glitter that reflects two colors giving a duo-chrome effect. Because of the lack of opacity in the base you need a good three coats to get full coverage. I find that with MAC polishes applying two thin coats and then one medium-thick coat works best.
Bad Fairy is the unique flower in this bunch. You may have heard that the other two polishes in the VV collection have twins in the Orly Cosmic FX collection but Bad Fairy does not. The base color is a rosy magenta with glitter that flashes a warm golden red.
Formidable! has a deep plum base with teal blue sparkle. Like its Orly counterpart it has that glammed out bruise look to it. If any of you remember Urban Decay Bruise, this is a blinged out version.
Orly Galaxy Girl looks a little less shimmery than Formidable! due to the camera angle but trust me, they are indistinguishable in person.
Mean & Green has a murky sea green base filled with multi-faceted shimmer that flashes rose, gold, copper and pink depending on how the light hits it. The base color adds a greenish glow at the edges. As you know, its Orly doppelganger Space Cadet was my fave from that collection so this one gets high praise from me as well even if the pictures don’t do it justice.
Can you see the differences between Mean & Green and Orly Space Cadet? Neither can I. They both apply the same and have the same amount of teal peeking through the glitter particles.
Bottom Line: I really wish MAC has decorated the polish bottles in this collection like they did for Hello Kitty. That would have made these polishes uber-collectible in spite of their Orly dupes. Regardless I doubt these polishes will last long once they go on sale. However, since they didn’t brand the polishes with Maleficent, if you already own the Orly twins there’s no need to buy them from MAC. Bad Fairy, on the other hand, is a total must-have if you’re into the foil nail look.
MAC Venomous Villains Collection launches on September 30th, 2010 at MAC counters nationwide. MACCosmetics.com should have the collection up on Tuesday and I know that the MAC Pro website already has the collection on sale. MAC Nail Lacquers retail for $13/ea for a .34oz bottle.
Thoughts on the Venomous Villains polishes? Are you loving or hating the foil finish polishes? Will you still buy the MAC polishes even if you have the Orly’s simply because they’re part of a Disney themed collection?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by MAC. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
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Bad Fairy reminds me a bit of OPI’s Wing It. What I always wonder is if these companies really copy each other or if it’s just a coincidence that they come out with the same colors around the same time..?
Wing It is a lot brighter with no golden tones to it. They’re quite different actually. I do wonder how these brands all come out with similar colors. Like OPI CMIYN and Zoya Charla and Orly Halley’s Comet. All great colors but identical.
I was at the Villains unveiling at the Pentagon Fashion Centre near D.C and was actually wearing Space Cadet and Galaxy Girl on my nails! I was looking at Bad Fairy when another girl said, “Oh, you already have them!” and I had to tell her I was wearing dupes, but that there was only a $3 difference between them. Didn’t matter, though, since appearently my store…which had a line three stores long outside it for over two hours…only got 12 of each polish. 12! So I didn’t get Bad Fairy after all, which was the whole reason I attended in the first place.
Well, that was a long story and a lot of complaining for one simple question…is it true what we’re hearing about Bad Fairy and The Show Must Go On from the holiday OPI collection being dupes? Because I have a feeling I’m not going to be able to get my hands on Bad Fairy.
(By the way, I would TOTALLY have bought backup for my Orlys from MAC had they been printed with something, anything!)
I will be buying all three myself, even though I have the Orly versions of Mean & Green and Formidable! Mainly because… well, I want to, lol. That and they’ll act as backup for the colors that were my favorites in the Orly collection.
Bad Fairy looks like it may even be back up worthy itself, what do you think? I’m not a Disney freak myself, but I do have a soft spot for those villains, they add all the fun!
I have Galaxy Girl on right now and you are correct, if MAC would have put Maleficent’s image on them like the rest of the packaging for this collection, I would have to have it.
so beautifull !!
The first two are absolutely gorgeous (well, actually, so are the rest, but the first two are by far my fav)
Great swatches! So awesome polishes.
I have heard that Bad Fairy might be a dupe to the new OPI-The Show Must Go On.
Do you know if that’s true?
They aren’t dupes. Bad Fairy is deeper, more rose colored with a golden glow. The Show Must Go On looks much brighter in comparison and more sparkly, if that’s possible. It’s got a gold flash to it but the base color is a lot different. I would show a comparison but I was asked not to post the Burlesque polishes yet. Silly, I know.
Really? That’s so bizarre! I noticed the Burlesque post on Temptalia had been removed due to being contacted by OPI’s lawyers before I’d even had a chance to look at the post. I’ve never heard of polish companies doing this before and honestly I have to question why exactly? Did they give you any indication as to why they didn’t want them posted anywhere yet? By posting the polishes a month or so before release it really builds up the hype and frenzy for everyone to get their hands on all of their favorites and if anything that drastically increases their sales so I guess I just don’t really get why it would be an issue especially when people are already hawking the collection on ebay anyway.
Are you at least allowed to tell us WHEN you’re allowed to post the Burlesque polishes? <3 <3 <3
Holy smokes, your pics are gorgeous! You have some serious camera skills, missy
I hope to score a bottle of Bad Fairy. TY for the comps! Your efforts do not go unnoticed ? 
!!!
@Jadis47
The price difference between the Orly polishes and the MAC polishes is a bit more than $3.00 a piece. The Orly polish bottles hold 0.6 oz. (18ml) while the MAC bottles only hold 0.34 oz. (10ml). For an extra $3.00 you get a little more than half a bottle of the Orly polish. OPI gives you a half ounce of of polish for considerably less money as well, so if the OPI TSMGO is close enough, why bother with the MAC, unless you plan to sell it eventually on Ebay.
Whoops, sorry! I stand corrected. Now you see why my math teachers always despaired of me.
Thank you Bunny, finally someone is talking about the VOLUME! Thank you for reminding that we should consider the price of oz or ml, not just a bottle price when we’re discussing the price difference. One ml of ORLY (even a new $10.00-priced bottle) is $0.56, while one ml of MAC is $1.30 – do your math and see the real price difference!
I went to the launch party at my MAC Pro store on Tuesday and picked up Mean and Green (wearing it now) and Formidable. I am loving the green and pink and gold tones of Mean and Green. Now I want Bad Fairy as well!
Ugh, I wish they’d let you post the comparison, my only chance to get Bad Fairy is last week. I hate ending up having dupes…but it might happen..oh well!
These kind of polishes are very pretty
I went to the opening at Fashion Centre, Pentagon City and they were completely out of Bad Fairy. The one HUGE thing I was lemming besides some of the eyeshadows! I have two more chances though so I am not upset yet. Online and then MAC Georgetown. Still hoping.
I can’t wait to see comparisons of MAC Bad Fairy and The Show Must Go On from OPI Burlesque!
I would totally buy all 3 if they had Maleficent on the bottle, but I’m not sure I even want them without the bottle design. Is that weird? Seriously, though, that’s my favorite part of the MAC special collections. The fun bottles. Sigh. At least I can save some money this way.
I just love Space Cadet/Mean & Green! Disappointed that they’re mostly dupes and not interested in Bad Fairy. Your pics are sooo good.
Thank you so much for the dupes! I was on the edge about the Orly’s but am now going to scoop them up and forgo the MAC ones. You have beyond inspired me in my nails and I am now a full fledged polish addict!
I’m looking really forward to purchasing these! And I was looking so forward to your post on these! Did not disappoint. Thanks.
Thanks for the comparisons!
I already have Space Cadet, and want to get Galaxy Girl, even though I already have bruise.
And I’m disappointed that The Show Must Go On isn’t a dupe for Bad Fairy…I was kind of counting on that. LOL.
Wow, these are pretty! Especially Bad Fairy! And I agree with Ava; thanks so much for comparing! I don’t know if I’ll actually pick any up; I was kind of hoping they’d make more polishes for the Disney Collection, but these three are pretty nice haha.
Formidable looks a lot like OPI – Unripened. I have it on me right now and comparing them. I love Unripened because of its easy application, as for MAC, I’ve always found it to be too runny and streaky, not to mention it doesn’t last more than a week without a streak.
- https://www.edwyse.com/searchitem.php?item_id=623929
Awesome, awesome pics and comps! I have the Orly’s (SC and GG) and have pre-ordered BF so I think I’m all set. Thanks soooo much for this post…
Formidable en galaxy girl erg mooi.
Great swatches as usual! Bad Fairy is gorgeous. Are you able to say when you’re allowed to post the Burlesque swatches?
I’m waiting to find out the exact date. They’re on sale online already but the official launch is supposedly November so we’ll see.
Ah ok, thanks
I really am loving Mean and Green
sadly, they don’t sell orly polishes where i live (or maybe i just don’t know where too look lol). They do have a MAC counter at my macys though. next time i go shopping i have to stop by and see if they have these in yet. thanks for the awsome post!! i loved it 
<3
@Kistenh If you still have a source for Orly’s Cosmic Collection please let me know. All of my local Sally’s sold out weeks ago.
You can find them online at TransDesign.com and Head2ToeBeauty.com
I love the red and pink one but I hesitant to try expensive brands because they always chip after one day for me…
These look awesome! Now, more than ever I want to grab these!!!
Hi, I’ve been always wondering why your pics are soooooooooooooo glamrous. Could you plz tell me what camera you use? A million thanks!
Thank you for the compliment. That’s so sweet of you to say. I use a Canon t1i
How does Bad Fairy compare to OPI’s Diva from Geneva? The description sounds similar, but I can’t tell from the pics.
How many coats did you have to apply?
I on’t have the orly ones so I might just get all 3 of these!
I’m a MAC addict!
I applied three coats of each polish. I mentioned that in the Formula & Application section but you must have missed it.
I was on the fence about buying Bad Fairy but now that I’ve seen your pics, I’ll definately pick it up!
I really love the bad fairy color and had been looking for something similar. I’m sorta glad that mean n green is similar to orly’s space cadet since I love that shade and 1. I can’t find another bottle anywhere 2. maybe the Mac formula will be more long lasting. agree that they should have decorated the bottles more
Thanks for this! I pre-ordered Bad Fairy and Formidable and I was almost going to take Bad Fairy off of my list, but this changed my mind!!
Oh no – I thought I only wanted Formidable!, but now it looks like I really want Mean & Green too!
You know, Mean Green’s not exactly a dupe to it, but it does, to me, how shall I say … invoke? Anne from the RBL Tudor Dynasty collection.
I’m going to be spending so much money on other items from the VV collection that I’m kinda glad these are dupes (and that bad fairy doesn’t interest me). One less thing to buy!
I totally want Bad Fairy
Thanks for the post! How does Bad Fairy compares to “Rent a magenta” from Nicole OPI?
OOooo I like! I like! Tempted to get them all! Thanks for swatching!
Ooh, Bad Fairy is gorgeous!
I want Bad Fairy…the other two, definite pass, because of the Orly dupes.
Is it just me, or are MAC polishes (without topcoat) really dull? Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE MAC products, but I find the polish formula really lousy, especially compared to other, *cheaper* brands, like OPI, Orly, China Glaze…just about any brand! I love the colors; I HAD to have Brown Bag, So Rich So Pretty, ALL of the recently released “trend” colors, Blue India,etc… I keep hoping that I’ll be pleasantly surprised by the formula, but I never am….
I have Bad Fairy and it seems I got a bad one. One of the hairs on my brush is splayed out and the brush itself is kinda… wonky.
Oh no! I would have been so upset! Are you going to exchange it?
D-A-N-G!
These are up on the MAC website now! Use code CS106LIVECHAT to get free shipping.
So excited for this collection I’m a huge Disney fan and I love Mac. I must say whenever I’m trying to decide if I want a color I come to your page. You have the best reviews and pictures. Thanks for all your hard work!
WOOHOO JUST PLACED MY ORDER FOR ALL 3 POLISHES… AND THE BRIAR ROSE BLUSH..HAD TO HAVE THE MALIFICENT COMPACT.. GOT AN E MAIL FROM MAC WITH A CODE FOR FREE SHIPPING
YAHOO YIPEE
These products are now on the regular MAC website! I just ordered all 3 polishes. I have no Orly and couldn’t find the Orly dupes in my area, so I just took the plunge. I also bought a really cute lipglass. Can’t wait for the order to arrive. Thanks All Laquered Up for the fantastic swatches!
I have to say, I’m thoroughly disappointed with the packaging for this collection. I’m a big Disney fan and was thoroughly excited about this collection when I first heard about it, but the packaging design falls far short of the aesthetic standards set by some of MAC’s past collaborative efforts. Rather than looking stylish and fun, everything looks cheap and uninspired. It just looks like normal MAC products were attacked by a child’s sticker set. After the awesome job MAC did with Hello Kitty’s branding, I was expecting a lot more.
Bad Fairy’s gorgeous though. I’m thinking I need that one.
Bad Fairy is sold out at MACcosmetics.com already! Found it at Macy’s though, but I’d hurry up and order if you want it.
I ordered Bad Fairy through the MAC website, and I bought Galaxy Girl instead of Formidable because it was less expensive and it’s the same color. I can’t wait to wear them!
Bad Fairy has my name written all over it and I’m sure they will be out once I get my hands on it. Beautiful nails really make a difference in the appearance of my hands, and none of the colors I have contain glitter. The glitter makes a huge difference.
Are there more swatches & info coming from NYFW?
Thanks.
I reserved a bottle of Mean & Green today at my MAC counter and I’m glad I did. Once the sales girl pulled mine there were only two bottles left and she mentioned still needing to reserve one for herself. I’m not sure how many of the other two were left, but I’m sure they’ll sell out quickly too.
Bad Fairy looks a lot like one of the OPI Burlesque collection colors called The Show Must Go On. Can you do a comparison swatch of those in the same light if you have them both?
Burlesque is available at my local beauty supply about two weeks ago but I didn’t get The Show Must Go On, as it was really close to Milani Hot Flash, although the coloring of one of them had a hint more pink.
WHAM! Those are GORGEOUS colors!!!!!
I love Bad Fairy!
So disappointed that I missed out on these… any word on whether the stores or website will be getting any more?
Thank god for your comparisons! After spending a few days being really depressed about this collection being sold out, checked out your comparisons and sure enough there were some dupes! Ordering Space Cadet right this second…
I can’t find Space Cadet anywhere… do any of the shops still have it? Any word on whether it’ll stick around as a permanent Orly color?
I just got Hard Candy Beetle at WalMart for $5. It’s an exact dupe of Space Cadet.
I ordered all the polishes through MAC UK’s online store and they didn’t give me any special packaging!
Being a MAC packaging collector I am so disappointed. I have just fired off a suitably angry email to customer services!
I can’t believe I actually found it at Macy’s (and they werent sold out) after MAConline cancelled my backorder. yay! I applied it that day. just lovely!
Hiii…
I got all 3.. the colors are sooo beautiful…
Mean & Green and Orly Space Cadet both look like Hard Candy’s Beetle, too. Hard Candy is carried by a few Wal-Marts and they sell for $5 or $6 a bottle. Beetle has that really great metallic color.