May 18, 2011

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Bronze Tint SPF 20 Review, Swatches, Photos

Ok, I admit that I don’t get the point of a tinted primer, particularly one that works as a bronzer of sorts.

Too Faced now offers its Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Primer in a Bronze Tint SPF 20 version for multitasking joy all around. A face primer, a SPF, and a facial primer all in one?

Interesting, very interesting….!


A tinted facial primer with SPF 20 that gives a sun kissed glow to cheeks and face.


I had my doubts about a facial primer that had a bronze tint considering we apply facial primer all over our face and bronzer only on parts of our face…..dig my reservations about such a product?

Well, it works to some extent and in other ways it proves somewhat pointless.

This is basically the same formulation as Too Faced Primer & Poreless the only difference being they tinted it bronze and included SPF 20. The included SPF 20 is a very nice bag particularly because the formula isn’t weighted down nor does it change with the added SPF included. I thought this was very interesting as you’re looking at a traditional silicone primer with an SPF 20 that doesn’t smell funky, feel heavy or greasy, and applies as any good primer would.

The bronze tint is a brown, orange-y shade but don’t worry there aren’t any Snooki finishes here it blends surprisingly subtly and gives a warmer, sun kissed glow. The bronzer finish is a very nice effect and dare I say pretty, since I’m not a bronzer type of gal that’s saying something…

However…


You actually have to be really careful about application. Seeing as it’s a primer I’m sure your first reaction is to smooth it all over your face in the hopes it’ll fill pores and set the path for your foundation….

Not the case with this. You’ll really look funky in my opinion if you attempt all over application. First off you’re going to end up with a bronzed face but your neck and chest won’t match the shade…secondly, the color applies patchy and unevenly when applied all over your face so it is kinda defeating the purpose of a facial primer all in one wonder here.

I don’t have large pores however I do worry that the tint will look odd when it’s filling pores….it might accentuate these areas rather than compliment them.

I do find that the best possible use is to apply in areas the sun naturally hits such as cheeks and forehead. If I apply on my cheeks I get a very nice sun-kissed finish however as an all over facial primer/bronzer…well, it just doesn’t look as pretty even though the color is very, very subtle it still comes across uneven and unflattering.

Too Faces suggests using it on its own or under your favorite foundation….you’ll probably wash the shade out if you apply foundation on top in my opinion since the tint is so sheer.

  • Anyone who wants an all in one product that offers a bronze finish with SPF 20 and acts as a facial primer.
  • Anyone wanting a sun kissed finish.

  • Those wanting pigmented bronzer (this is sheer and subtle).
  • Those who aren’t keen on silicone based products (this has a traditional silicone formula).
  • Those who want to apply this all over their face (I personally don’t recommend it and believe it’s best suited to certain areas).


I think the overall idea is rather interesting particularly for those with larger pores who like the bronzing experience plus want added sun protection. It has alot of tricks up its sleeve but it doesn’t actually master any of them sadly….the overall finish of the product is pretty however using it all over your face can prove rather unflattering. I’m not sure if we actually need a facial primer that acts as a bronzer as well…maybe the makeup world is just not ready for that much tanning joy. You can actually see below the difference in my arm when the product is blended out in regards to the finish.

Personally I’d have liked it better if they simply made Primed & Poreless with SPF 20 and drop the bronze tint.

P.S. Why yes, those swatches do look like I smeared poop on my arm! Yup, I went there…ha!

Tried it yet?

What did you love or hate about it?

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Luna

    Okay. I live in Jersey. This product makes me shudder because honestly? This is just going to make it easier for the oompa loompas that have overrun my state to make their faces even more ridiculously unnatural-looking than ever. Major sigh.

    • the Muse

      hey luna the finish is sheer, subtle hun but not good for all over the face imho ;-D def not an oompa loompa look or a snooki one ;D!

  • tina

    i feel they should’ve just made this a liquid bronzer instead of it also being a primer…i basically only need primer at my t-zone and putting bronzer there will look odd lol

    • the Muse

      agreed tina…it just doesn’t quite work out correctly…! Either a liquid bronzer or maybe a primer with spf sans bronzer…not all three :-/

  • Stephanie

    As someone who doesn’t typically love bronzers either, I actually kind of liked this! I’m sorry you didn’t though! :/

    • the Muse

      hey Stephanie quickie ? large pores or not? Curious how it performs with larger pores…:)

  • JoleneAL

    My first thoughts when looking at the picture of it on the back of your hand?

    My dog had an accident.

    Thanks for the review, scratch this one off my list. Although I still may try the other version.

  • *telle*

    interesting!
    my brother was looking over my shoulder as i was reading that particular post and thought it was dookie…ha ha!
    the concept reminds me of coverfx’s skintint, which i like and use on occassion. that said, i have never had a problem using a primer and adding bronzer post facto, so i won’t be picking this up.
    thanks for test run, Muse! 🙂

    • the Muse

      ha ;-D he and I think alike telle ;D! my pleasure telle!