Max Factor Fantasy Fire New Version & Old Version Comparison

by Lisa Heath

Press Sample

Back when I started blogging this blog was primarily suppose to be more about lipstick and shadows than nail polish (which is why it has the word Cosmetic in the name and not more of a polish themed name).  My stash of makeup was HUGE and my boyfriend said “You need to blog and do more with all of this!” and of course I’m stubborn and didn’t listen.  He pushed for 2 years before I FINALLY gave in in December of 2011.

I didn’t realize back then how much work went into blogging makeup and at the end of a long work day, the last thing I wanted to do was remove all of my work makeup and put on more makeup for photos.  I already looked wrecked, my hair a mess and my eyes tired… so the outcome wouldn’t have been good anyways.

Then I found a photo of Max Factor Fantasy Fire (see my rambling kind of led to the post…) and I became polish obsessed.  At this point I literally owned maybe 5 bottles of polish.  I had acrylic nails right before the blog started and hadn’t painted my nails in about 15 years.  Then I started looking at other polishes and buying buying buying.

I did get a bottle of Max Factor Fantasy Fire though, thanks to Kelly at Set In Lacquer about 6 months later and it was everything I had hoped and more.

Well, there is now a new version of Max Factor Fantasy Fire.

Yes, you read that right… a new version.  Color4Nails sent me both a new version as well as the old version to compare on my blog.  You can still purchase the old version in her shop, but you can also pick up the new one.

Bottle Comparison

Bottles

The new version is on the left and old version is on the right.  From the bottle you can see a noticeable difference.  The old version bottle has a lot more color shiftiness and honestly looks prettier.  The new version looks more purple with an added shimmer.  Still pretty, but it looks like a whole new polish.

Max Factor Fantasy Fire Old Version

FF old

Here is the old version.  These can be layered over other shades and be used as a shade shifter, but for this comparison I did then on their own.

The old version is a stunning purple shade with a brilliant red shimmer that shines through and at some angles you get the shifting shimmery shades of green and gold.  I used 2 coats for these photos.

FF old macro

Max Factor Fantasy Fire New Version

FF new

The new version is still pretty, but for me it’s still like an entirely new polish.  It has a lighter purple base and the red isn’t as brilliant shining through and it no longer has the shifting shimmer in it that the old version had.  I used 3 thin coats for these photos.

FF new macro

Side by Side Comparison

The next series of photos are side by side, closeup nail shots of the new and old version.  For these photos the new is on the left and the old is on the right.

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And a shot straight down, old is now on the left and new is on the right

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My Thoughts

I’m a little sad they reformulated Fantasy Fire.  I’m not sure the reason after so many years, so it could very well be that the glorious pigments or shimmer in the old version were no longer available.  The new version is still pretty but it almost takes on the appearance of a whole new creation and not a recreation of an old favorite.

EDIT: I was given a little more clarification by a Color4Nails fan, Mariah.  Here was the info: That beautiful pigment that is the sparkle in the old version was discontinued by the manufacturer and is only available in a liquid form that you cannot used for nail polish (whereas the old pigment was powder form). Thus, the change. There is a pigment out there by a different manufacturer that is supposed to be a replacement for the old… but it just isn’t the same.

You can still purchase the old version through the Color4Nails site, and you can also pick up the new version.

Prices:

Old Version – $11.00

New Version – $10.00

Where To Buy – Color4Nails Website

Coupon Code: Use the code CSant10 at checkout for 10% off!

Color4Nails Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

Will you be picking up the new Max Factor Fantasy Fire?  Will you be stocking up on the old version?  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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17 comments

victoria May 1, 2015 - 4:21 pm

Yep, you’re right! You can really see a difference. They should have given it a new name. Great comparison. :)

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Lisa Heath May 2, 2015 - 10:11 am

Thanks Victoria!

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Kelly May 1, 2015 - 4:50 pm

I prefer the old version. Great comparison!

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Lisa Heath May 2, 2015 - 10:13 am

I do as well!

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Arathael May 2, 2015 - 3:07 am

I think the new one is pretty in its own way in the bottle, but agree it should be renamed….I have the old version so will probably throw it on my next color4nails order

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Lisa Heath May 2, 2015 - 10:12 am

I agree. The new one is pretty, but it’s difficult to put it up against an old favorite and say “Well this is it now!”

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Liz May 2, 2015 - 4:04 am

This reminds me of when big brands reformulate perfumes. Oh the disappointment!

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Lisa Heath May 2, 2015 - 10:13 am

Yeah :( And I’m picky with my perfumes too!

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Sarah Lynn May 2, 2015 - 4:30 am

Such a difference between the two of them. :( New one seems to have less shimmer too.

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Lisa Heath May 2, 2015 - 10:13 am

It has less shimmer and the color shift is gone. It’s pretty, but not in the same way the original was

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KarenD May 2, 2015 - 3:30 pm

Thanks for adding the side by sides–very helpful!

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Lisa Heath September 17, 2015 - 5:54 pm

I’m so sorry I just saw this! You are welcome!

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Carina September 9, 2015 - 4:28 pm

Thanks so much for this side by side comparison, it was really helpful. I’m so peeved about that, I was hoping I could get it because of the colour shift, as I live in Germany and they sell them here. I just started getting into polishes again after being “abstinent” for years, too! But it doesn’t look as nice.
That problem of discontinued beautiful pigments is why Clarins’ 230 is called “Unicorn Pee”, it was discontinued years ago and had that nice colour shift, too. Than there were a few dupes, e.g. Nfu Oh’s #51, but can’t find that one either… I guess I’ll just check my local drugstores and department stores and see if I can find an old Fantasy Fire bottle.

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Lisa Heath September 17, 2015 - 5:53 pm

It’s always disappointing! I would much prefer if they just discontinued and made a whole new color with a whole new name!

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Anne November 11, 2015 - 4:24 am

Thank you, i don’t know for the 2 Version of Fantasy Fire and so i must quick look for my Bottle. It’s the older nicer polish. bied two years ago on Amazon Germany ( 2 Bottles. Theire are so mini and i have a backup)

The pictures are very good, so i can see the different to the new Version.
Thank you and Greets from Heidelberg

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Zsofi December 3, 2015 - 7:20 am

Nice post, thank you. After the comparison i don’t even bother to try to get my hands on this. The new version is really boring and disappointing.

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Christine Hale November 26, 2019 - 11:33 am

I bought FF from color4nails in 2013, I’m guessing it is the original since this post is from 2013. My bottle looks very brownish now, but still added a beautiful red shimmer & sparkle to my current mani. Has your original changes in appearance?

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