It starts the second you crack open the palette. That scent. It’s not just a faint chemical whiff of "cocoa-flavored" marketing; it’s a heavy, nostalgic hit of actual chocolate that makes you want to take a bite out of your own face. Honestly, the Too Faced chocolate collection shouldn’t work as well as it does. In a world of "clean girl" aesthetics and minimalist white packaging, a bulky tin case that smells like a Hershey’s factory feels like a relic from 2014.
Yet, it persists.
Jerrod Blandino, the co-founder of Too Faced, reportedly got the idea for the line while getting a chocolate facial at a Hawaiian spa. He realized that cocoa powder isn't just a gimmick for the nose—it’s actually a powerhouse ingredient for the skin. Cocoa is packed with antioxidants. It’s soothing. And, as it turns out, it makes for a damn good pigment binder.
The Science of the Scent: More Than Just a Gimmick
Most people think the chocolate smell is just some synthetic fragrance tossed in at the end of the manufacturing process. It isn't. Too Faced actually uses real cocoa powder in the formulation of the Too Faced chocolate collection.
Why does this matter? Well, for one, cocoa powder has natural polyphenols. When you're blending out a transition shade in the crease of your eye, you aren't just applying color; you’re technically applying a layer of antioxidant-rich botanical powder. Now, is a swipe of "Salted Caramel" going to reverse five years of sun damage? Probably not. But the texture is undeniably different because of it.
The infusion of cocoa powder gives the shadows a specific "slip." They feel buttery. They aren't as chalky as some of the high-pigment competitors because the natural oils in the cocoa help the powder adhere to the lid without needing a massive amount of synthetic silicone. It’s a weird marriage of food science and cosmetic chemistry that somehow resulted in some of the best-selling palettes in history.
The Heavy Hitters: Which Chocolate Products Actually Matter?
If we're being real, not every product in the Too Faced chocolate collection is a 10 out of 10. Some of the spin-offs over the years felt a bit like they were grasping at straws (looking at you, Chocolate Gold—though that palette actually had some of the best shimmers the brand ever produced).
But the core lineup? That’s where the magic is.
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The Original Chocolate Bar Palette
This is the one that started the frenzy. It looks like a giant candy bar. It contains 16 shades, ranging from deep mattes to shimmering bronzes. What people often forget is that this palette survived the transition from the "heavy glam" era of the mid-2010s to the "natural look" of the 2020s. The shades like "Milk Chocolate" and "Semi-Sweet" are the ultimate workhorse browns.
The Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
This might be the most famous bronzer in the world. Seriously. It comes in three shades: Milk Chocolate (for the fair-skinned crowd), Chocolate (the OG), and Dark Chocolate. It’s completely matte. In a market flooded with shimmery bronzers that make you look like a disco ball, the Chocolate Soleil remains a staple because it mimics an actual tan. It’s not orange. It’s not gray. It’s just... brown. Like a tan should be.
Better Than Sex Chocolate Mascara
This was a later addition to the family. For years, the original Better Than Sex (the pink tube) was the undisputed king of Sephora. But black mascara can be harsh. It can look "heavy" on people with lighter lashes or those going for a softer, "no-makeup" makeup look. The chocolate version of this mascara changed the game by offering a deep, rich brown that still provides the volume but looks significantly more natural.
Why the Beauty Community Can't Let Go
Trends move fast. One day we’re all about "dewy" and the next we’re "cloud skin." The Too Faced chocolate collection has outlasted almost every major trend cycle of the last decade.
Part of it is the sensory experience. We spend so much time looking at screens and dealing with sterile environments; having a makeup routine that engages your sense of smell is a tiny, four-second luxury every morning. It's comforting.
But beyond the smell, there's the reliability factor. Makeup artists often talk about "user-friendly" palettes. Some high-end brands require a PhD in blending because the pigment is so compressed. If you tap your brush too hard, you end up with a black eye. Too Faced mastered the middle ground. The chocolate shadows are pigmented enough to show up on a wide range of skin tones but forgiving enough that a beginner can blend them out with a cheap brush and still look decent.
Addressing the "Too Sweet" Criticism
Of course, not everyone is a fan.
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A common critique of the Too Faced chocolate collection is that it’s "juvenile." The tin packaging, the punny names (like "Strawberry Bon Bon" or "Champagne Truffle"), and the literal scent of candy can feel a bit young for someone who wants to feel like a sophisticated adult while doing their makeup.
There’s also the issue of the "shimmer-to-matte" ratio. Earlier iterations of the palettes were very shimmer-heavy. As the beauty world moved toward more sophisticated, all-matte looks, Too Faced had to pivot. They eventually released the "Chocolate Matte" versions to satisfy the cravings of those who wanted the scent without the sparkle.
And let's talk about the bulk. Those tin cases are indestructible, which is great for travel, but they take up a lot of real estate in a vanity drawer. If you’re a minimalist, this collection is your nightmare. But if you’re a collector? They’re like Pokémon cards. You kind of want them all lined up.
The Ingredient Evolution
Over the years, the brand has had to tweak formulas to keep up with changing regulations and consumer demands. The Too Faced chocolate collection has managed to stay relevant by leaning into the "cleaner" side of traditional makeup.
While they aren't a "clean beauty" brand in the strict, Sephora-standard sense, they have moved away from parabens and certain phthalates. The inclusion of 100% real cocoa powder remains the selling point, but the supporting cast of ingredients has become more sophisticated. They’ve added things like hyaluronic acid to some of the complexion products within the line to ensure that "chocolate" doesn't mean "drying."
The Counterfeit Problem
You know a product is iconic when the black market is flooded with fakes.
Because the Too Faced chocolate collection is so consistently popular, it’s one of the most counterfeited makeup lines in existence. If you see a Chocolate Bar palette on a random discount site for $10, it’s fake. And here’s the scary part: fake palettes don’t use real cocoa powder. They use lead, arsenic, and floor wax.
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Real Too Faced products have a very specific, soft cocoa scent. The fakes usually smell like chemicals or "fake vanilla." The weight of the tin is another giveaway. A real palette feels substantial; a fake feels like a soda can.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Chocolate Palette
If you’re sitting on one of these palettes or thinking about picking one up, there are a few expert-level tricks to make them work better.
First, don't ignore the large pans. Usually, the "highlight" shades in these palettes (the ones in the bigger pans on the ends) are actually great for setting your under-eye concealer or cleaning up the edges of your eyeshadow. They’re finely milled enough that they won't cake.
Second, the matte browns in the Too Faced chocolate collection are secretly the best eyebrow powders you’ll ever find. "Triple Fudge" or "Semi-Sweet" work perfectly for filling in brows because they have a slight ashiness that mimics real hair shadows.
Third, use the "shimmer" shades wet. If you find the glitters are flaking off during the day, spray your brush with a bit of setting spray before dipping into the pan. It turns the powder into a metallic paste that stays put for 12 hours.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Makeup Refresh
Stop treating your palettes like they’re precious museum pieces. Makeup has an expiration date, and while powder products last longer than creams, that cocoa powder will eventually lose its scent and its blendability.
- Check your batch codes: Look at the back of your Too Faced chocolate collection items. If you’ve had that bronzer since 2018, it’s time to toss it. The oils in the cocoa can go rancid over a long enough timeline.
- Identify your undertone: If you’re cool-toned, look for the "Bon Bons" or the newer "Better Than Chocolate" iterations. If you’re warm, stick to the OG Chocolate Bar.
- Multi-task: Use the Chocolate Soleil bronzer as an eyeshadow transition shade. It’s the easiest way to get a cohesive, "expensive" look without trying too hard.
- Smell test: If your product starts to smell like old crayons instead of a candy bar, that’s your sign that the ingredients have oxidized.
The legacy of this collection isn't just about the gimmick. It’s about the fact that, ten years later, you can still walk into a store, buy a palette that smells like a dessert, and know exactly how it’s going to perform. That kind of consistency is rare in an industry that’s constantly trying to sell us the "next big thing." Sometimes, the old thing—the one that smells like a snack—is actually the best thing in the drawer.