Comparing Faber-Castell Gel Crayons and Recollections Watercolor Crayons

There are so many watercolor products out there right now- gel crayons, gel sticks, watercolor crayons- it’s hard to know which is which. Today I’m taking a closer look at Faber-Castell Gel Crayons and the Recollections Watercolor Crayons in the Color Splash line.

Disclosure: The Faber-Castell Gel Crayons were given to me to review last year. I purchased the Recollections product with my own funds. I make videos for Just Add Imagination (a division of Faber-Castell) but I’m not required to use their products nor am I a spokesperson for them.

So first things first- this will frustrate some of you- especially the non-US folks- because the Recollections Watercolor crayons are only available from Michael’s stores, and as of this writing are not even available online. However, the Faber-Castell Gel Crayons are available internationally.

When I picked up the Recollections Watercrayons, I thought to myself– “WOW THESE LOOK FAMILIAR.” (Yes, sometimes I think in capital letters.) They look EXACTLY like the Faber-Castell Gel Crayons I used last year!! (Click the links to read the individual reviews.)

I felt compelled to try them out side-by-side to see if there was any real difference.

Everything you need to know:

Pigment load is the same
Opacity is the same
Packaging is the same
Retail cost is the same

DISCERNABLE DIFFERENCES:

Silver is less pigmented
Recollections only available at Michael’s Stores (not online yet) in the US.
Faber-Castell available internationally
Recollections is SHIMMERY
Faber-Castell has neon colors

So… if you can find the Recollections, they are a nice option to have- but if not, your Faber-Castell is a comparable product. Next up- more comparisons with Gel Sticks!