REFY Sand Cream Bronzer ($26.00 for 0.29 oz.) is a light, golden brown with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. In practice, the bronzer had more medium, buildable pigmentation as the formula was designed to (and did!) sheer out considerably when applied to bare skin. It had to be layered in order to achieve higher coverage, if desired.
The texture was moderately emollient, lighter-weight, and thin with some tackiness that disappeared after it dried down to its more matte finish. The drying time was quite quick, so I had to work very quickly to get a fairly even end result, which was harder to achieve when applied over foundation. I found that fingertips with this formula made it even more prone to lifting up and creating patchiness, so a brush was best. The color stayed on well for seven hours before showing signs of fading.
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Salt New York Light/Medium (P, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Chanel Original (P, $50.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Afternoon Delight (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- Anastasia Golden Tan (P, $35.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Vieve Medium (Left) (PiP, ) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Moira Medium (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Macchiato (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Chanel Soleil Tan Bronze (P, $50.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Kaja Shady (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Iconic London Caramel Glow (P, $27.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.29 oz. – $89.66 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a “dewy, velvety finish” with “buildable” coverage. It had a more traditionally cream-like feel; emollient, lightweight, and thin with a lot of slip but didn’t feel tacky. It dried down more than anticipated, so it had more of a natural matte finish than dewy/cream-like overall.
The pigmentation was more semi-opaque in a single layer, but it was prone to sheering out so the end result was truer to the marketing: buildable. I had issues with the product applying evenly, so it wasn’t the most foolproof formula for me to wear. Some of the sheerness made the hyperpigmentation marks I have on my cheeks come through more noticeably, so face swatches may make the product appear patchier than actually was, though there was definitely some unevenness owing solely to the product.
The formula played decently with base products, like foundation, but there were times where it seemed more prone to moving around the base products, so it did take some learning and care to layer the cream bronzers on top of foundation if desired.
They wore between six and seven hours on me before fading noticeably.
Browse all of our REFY Cream Bronzer swatches.
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Titanium Dioxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Polysilicone-11, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alumina, Synthetic Wax, Caprylyl Methicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Microcrystalline Wax, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cera Microcristallina, Paraffin, C10-18 Triglycerides, Tristearin, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris (trimethylsiloxy) silylethyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Phenoxyethanol, Triisostearyl Citrate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Myristate, Fragrance (Parfum), Laureth-12, Octyldodecanol, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyglycerin-3, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Tocopherol.
May Contain: Iron Oxides – Yellow, Iron Oxides – Red, Iron Oxides – Black.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer)
at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable
to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.