Bourjois Bronzing Primer


Let me begin by saying that no I don't think that Bourjois Bronzing Primer is a dupe for Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel but it is a great alternative and a pretty decent product, dupe or not!


Much like Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, the Bourjois Bronzing Primer comes presented within a screw top jar but only on a smaller scale which I oddly prefer. As much as I enjoy the Chanel version the size of the huge pot is a nightmare to travel with , where as the Bourjois small pot slips into any bag and is lightweight - winner!

Bourjois Bronzing Primer
Bourjois Bronzing Primer

The reason I have stated that I don't find the the Chanel and Bourjois bronzing cream products all that similar is based not only on colour, texture but also ease of use. Firstly the two differ greatly in shade - Chanel is a lighter olive based tone and Bourjois is slightly darker with a strong golden undertone. Next the texture are in no way similar - Soleil Tan de Chanel is a firm mousse like product and the bronzing primer has a soft jelly like texture. Lastly despite a huge price difference the Bourjois offering is far easier to apply - it glides onto the skin and can be easily buffed to a sheer finish, the same can not be said for Madam Coco's offering.

Bourjois Bronzing Primer
Bourjois Bronzing Primer
Bourjois Bronzing Primer

How you use the Bronzing Primer is entirely up you yourself, you can use it all over the face to tint the skin instead of a base product or you can use it as bronze based primer to help prolong make-up wear. As it is a bronzing product you can of course use it like its powder counterpart and blend into the skin anywhere the sun naturally hits to warm the complexion. Due to the primer being matte should you wish this can also double up as a contour product. As mentioned above the Bourjois shade is a medium based matte bronze with a strong yellow undertone which allows it to lean neutral, it is almost identical in tone to the Bronzing BB Cream by the same name. Is it a suit all shade as it claims to be? No but most light to medium complexions should be able to use the product. The same applies for the scent - it reminds me of sun lotion crossed with chocolate. It is mild, pleasant and fades quickly.

Bourjois Bronzing Primer
Bourjois Bronzing Primer

The Bourjois Bronzing Primer is a bronzing product but with a difference, unlike the Bourjois Bronze BB Cream this doesn't just add a hint of colour to the skin but actually primes the skin too should you want to apply foundation and/or powder on top. Bourjois also claim that this little bronze pot mattifies the skin and evens out the skin tone. I agree with the evening out part, it does leave the skin looking far more even and rids the appearance of redness and in my case helped to disguise a few old acne scars. However I don't agree with the mattifying claim - on the contrary I found it leave my skin with a dewy natural glow in terms of finish which is very fitting for the summer. If you are hoping for a product to bronze all the while leaving the skin matte and hopefully aiding oil control this is not the one but to add a natural bronze tinge to the skin and helping to prolong any make-up place on top of such product this is well worth the investment. 

If you are swaying between cream based bronzers and don't know which one to pick I say go for the Bourjois Bronzing Primer - it is far easier to use, gives a natural hint of colour and gives the user far more bang for their buck in terms of uses.

Bourjois Bronzing Primer £9.99/18ml via Superdrug - link

Random Fact - Every bit of the coconut is used. As a result, coconuts are called the “Tree of Life” and can produce drink, fiber, food, fuel, utensils, musical instruments, and much more.