Review: Sweetie Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer (Too Faced)

If there is anything that Too Faced is really good at, then it’s definitely packaging. They always have this way of making things super cute, almost a little bit childish, but still maintaining their high quality and appealing to their adult audience (because they are a high end brand, they are not children’s make up even if their blusher is shaped like a peach). Even if I haven’t loved every release from them, and haven’t agreed with everything they have done, they consistently impress me with how covetable their products are.

And that is exactly what propelled me to buy this, even though I knew that I hated the scent! This is the Too Faced Sweetie Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer – which is part of their permanent Peaches & Cream Collection (and hence has that signature sweet fig cream scent). Although this is marketed as a bronzer, I have primarily used it as a blush due to the slight pink tones in the pan and also the fact that I don’t really use bronzer all that much.

So, read on and let’s get into the review so you can get a better look at how pretty this is!

Product Description

The description of this product is a bit confusing as it is described as being both matte and radiant – which actually doesn’t make too much sense. Essentially, I would consider this a radiant finish, but perhaps the term ‘matte’ is because it isn’t super shimmery? I’m not too sure.

It is also described as a ‘peachy bronzer’, as the brown bronzer tones generally combine with the pink blush shades. This works really nicely as a natural blush but, if you have cooler pink undertones, this would also be a nice bronzer on your skin tone. On my neutral-warm complexion, it leans a bit too pink.

Used as a blush, this product gives a warm, sun kissed glow that gives a natural radiance on the cheekbones. It doesn’t look too ‘pink’ because of the bronze colours, so it looks very sun kissed. On other parts of the face though (like the forehead), I find that it can look like a sunburn on me.

The Sweetie Pie has two main selling points, taken from the Mecca Maxima website:

• Blending the warmth of a bronzer with the glow of a highlight and a peachy pop of blush, this radiant compact can be built from a subtle glow to bold definition
• Infused with refreshing peach and hydrating fig milk to keep the complexion nourished, this creamy powder offers all day flawless matte wear with the sweet scent of peaches and cream

Packaging

As I said, the packaging of this product is what really drew me in! It comes in a gold plastic compact (which you can see below) – the design is cute but I like that the overall shape is very simple and classic. It makes it easy to store and also helps to balance out the aesthetic. The compact is relatively travel-friendly (as it isn’t too heavy or bulky) and it also comes with a full size mirror.

The print on the front is that type of semi-soft plastic coating, which has an almost nostalgic toy-feel to it (or maybe it’s just me). This style is used throughout the Peaches & Cream Collection and, while it isn’t my favourite, I also don’t mind it too much. I just personally prefer a more sleek material choice.

Opening it up, the pan is what most people are interested in! The shades are arranged in an crosshatch pie design, with the pink in between and rows of two-toned brown shades. The pan also features a gold overspray which is pretty to look at, but thankfully disappears after the first application (see below – application with that gold overspray is ridiculous as it’s so sparse, so it just looks like you have major eyeshadow fall out).

Formula & Personal Experiences

This Sweetie Pie Bronzer is very blendable and has an almost creamy formula. The scent is quite strong and, since I personally can’t stand it, I ended up leaving it open for a few nights to try and minimise it (it didn’t work). That is the only real complaint that I have about this product, to be honest. Thankfully, this dissipates once the product is blended out on skin.

Also, the product is quite sheer and the actual shade is on the lighter side. However, it’s also easy to build up the pigmentation. I feel this this makes it easier to work with. On the (rare) occasions when I do use this as a bronzer, I would prefer something easier to control like this. It picks up easily on the brush and also blends in seamlessly on skin.

It is important to note though – when you swirl your brush in, you will generally be mixing all three colours together. Trying it in store, I would recommend to actually apply it to skin with a brush as finger swatches are difficult to get very accurate. I did try my best with the below image though, and made sure that I was picking up a combination of all three shades.

Personal Experiences

I like this product and I’m glad that I picked it up – even if it is only for the novelty of it. I do get some use out of it as both a blush and a bronzer (usually the former) but – to be honest – I don’t find myself reaching for it as often as I thought I would. I think that this would suit some skintones better than others and, if you have a cooler skintone and can use this as an all over bronzer, then you may really enjoy this!

Wear time wise, I don’t have much to say about this. It wears nicely on my cheeks and I don’t notice any significant fading until afternoon (when my foundation is fading anyway). Overall, I find the wear time quite average.

For me, the formula is nice, the colour is also nice but it just didn’t fit perfectly into my usual make up style or routine. I personally won’t be rushing out to repurchase this (if I ever hit pan), but I would recommend for people to check it out themselves.

So, here’s the verdict!

SO WHAT IS IT?

A peachy undertone bronzer with a radiant glowing finish

THE GOOD

• Cute packaging and pan design
• Full size mirror
• Decent price for a high end product (selling for AUD$44)
• Relatively slim and travel friendly
• Unique shade (bronze colour but with a hint of pink) that could suit cool skin tones well – it isn’t orange at all
• Blendable with a creamy finish
• Sheer but buildable pigmentation; would work well for make up beginners
• Works well on top of foundation

THE BAD

• This fig milk scent won’t go away /sighs
• Puffy, plastic cover material feels like a kids toy
• Only one shade available – won’t suit all skin tones
• Gold overspray

RATINGS

• PACKAGING | 4/5
• PIGMENTATION | 3/5
• BLENDABILITY | 5/5
• SHADE RANGE | 1/5
• FINISH | 5/5

OVERALL RATING? 7.2/10

WOULD I RECOMMEND?

I personally won’t be rushing to recommend this to everyone, just because I know that the shade range of this will be highly limiting – even if I like the formula. This will be best suited for people with pale or fair skin types, with cool, pinkish undertones. If you have a neutral or warmer undertone, then this product will work best as a blush instead of a bronzer.

WHERE TO GET IT FROM

This product is permanent in the Too Faced collection. If you’re from Australia or New Zealand, then you can get this exclusively from Mecca Maxima – if you’re an international reader, then check out the official website to order online or find a stockist.

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