REFY Onyx Cream Bronzer Review & Swatches

Onyx

REFY Onyx Cream Bronzer ($26.00 for 0.29 oz.) is a deeper, red-toned brown with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation, so it was higher coverage than marketed and needed to be used with a lighter-hand to achieve a sheerer effect, which was definitely possible.

The texture was moderately emollient, lightly tacky but very quick to dry down; I had to work speedily to apply and spread out the product, but it was a challenge to get a really even, smooth application of product, especially on top of foundation as it was more prone to lifting up base products than ideal. I’d recommend using a brush to diffuse/spread the product out and just using as little as possible and adding more as one spread out the product as it was harder to blend than just apply in smaller areas overall. This shade stayed on well for seven hours before fading visibly.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Jouer Sungaze (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
Becca Maui Nights (P, $38.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Gucci Beauty Dark (05) (P, $62.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Fenty Beauty Mocha Mami (P, $30.00) is darker (90% similar).
ColourPop Bits and Pieces (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Iconic London Spiced Tan (P, $27.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Giorgio Armani Deep Brown (22) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Kosas Deep (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
ColourPop Pacific Beach (P, $10.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
NARS Cyprus (LE, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).

View Swatches

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.