OK, here comes the snob in me, but I don’t typically frequent Walmart. There. I said it. Costco and Target are my jam, but Walmart? Not so much. Well that may soon change. Why? I recently made a rather shocking discovery. Hard Candy Cosmetics sorta rocks and it’s only available at Walmart.
Truth: I’m not being paid to say any of this (although I wish I were) nor is it a sponsored post so this is just me being honest and excited about my recent discovery. I love a beauty steal that not only works but is a fraction of the price of what I pay at Sephora for basically the same thing. Since I found so much from this line I like and I have a big mouth…I had to share. And guess what? Nothing in the Hard Candy line is over $9! Hey if you can save some money on makeup why not use it on something else…like a new bag or (like I want) a new kitchen.
I didn’t take the line very seriously and had mistakenly just written it off for millennials – because there is so much sparkle (which is not your friend when you are over 40). Granted, if you simply look at the Hard Candy display in its entirety your eyes will instantly go to the glitter (mine did), but look beyond that and you will find a trove of buried treasure. Besides if you peek in most women’s makeup bags you will probably find products that run the gamut from super expensive to downright cheap. My closet is high-low and frankly so is my makeup these days.
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I was surprised to learn 5 of the top 10 best selling Hard Candy products are for the face which a more sophisticated demographic loves. They are; Fast & Fabulous Makeup Setting Spray, Fast & Fabulous Long Wear Primer, Sheer Envy Perfecting Primer, Sheer Envy Primer Mist and Sheer Envy Primer Serum Pore Defense. Crazy right? That means some of your friends are buying their primers for $6 and you are buying yours for $40+. Hits you where it hurts right?
Last week I attended a Hard Candy event for the launch of their new new Fall/Winter Hard Candy cosmetic, cosmetic bag, holiday and optical collections and was treated to a makeover. I warned my makeup artist Gabriel Almodovar @Gabealmodovar I was over 40 and did not want to look like a hooker because let’s face it…that would be sad (and it was only 10am). I asked him to take it easy on the metallics.
Gabe picked out a slew of products and worked his magic and I was amazed at the results. I not only fell in love with the products he used, but I’m continuing to use them and the tricks he taught me today. In fact, I have had some of my friends comment I look refreshed. I think it’s due in great part to the Hard Candy Glamoflauge and Cheeky Tints Sheer Blush Gel I have been using.
Here’s what Gabe used on me (pictured above):
Hard Candy Brows Now! Fiberized Brow Gel & Brow Highlighter, $6
Now you can instantly shape your brows like a pro! Simply apply the volumizing fiber gel using the precision-tip for buildable coverage and natural-looking brows. Swipe a touch of the highlighter under your brows to open up your eyes. Your eyebrows frame your face and are extremely important to maintain, especially as you age.
Hard Candy Bold & Gorgeous Fat and Fine Felt Tip Liner, Blackest Black, $5
I have paid 4 times this amount for liners I don’t like half as much as this one! Hard Candy Bold & Gorgeous Fat and Fine Felt Tip Liner lasts up to 12 hours for smudge-proof, budge-proof all-day wear. The 2-in-1 design allows you to create a thin or thick line using the same tip by just turning the pen at a different angle. Totally simple.
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Mix-in Pigment Makeup Drops, $7
Have a favorite foundation that is a little too pale or too dark since the weather has changed? Hard Candy Glamoflauge Mix-in Pigment Makeup Drops are highly concentrated liquid pigments that allow you to customize any face product for coverage or shade. Try to add a few drops to your favorite daily moisturizer to create a custom foundation. The more drops you add, the higher the coverage.
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer with Concealer Pencil, $6
Gabe used Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer under my eyes because it blends beautifully with your natural skin tone. He patted the smallest amount over my under eye area until it melted in and made my eyes look refreshed and it didn’t highlight any of the fine wrinkles around my eyes. I LOVE this stuff. Take the pencil with you to hide any blemishes that might pop up during the day.
Hard Candy Cheeky Tints Sheer Blush Gel, $6
I never thought I would like a liquid blush. Ever. But this gel one is so sheer and easy to blend it’s hard to mess up. A little goes a long way and lasts all day. It’s sorta love actually.
Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer, $9
Initially I thought this bronzer might have too much shimmer, but it doesn’t. It adds just the right amount of color for a slightly sun-kissed face.
Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Translucent Finishing Powder, $6
This Fast & Fabulous Translucent Finishing Powder is the bomb and sets your makeup and erases shine all day long! It also seamlessly blends the undereye concealer, blush and bronzer together for a natural finish.
Hard Candy Blooming Lip Oil, $6
This hydrating oil-gel lip treatment quenches dry, chapped lips for up to 8 hours and is a must before applying any longwear liquid lipstick. A little of this formula packed with 10+ essential oils penetrates beneath the surface to repair and heal. The doe-foot applicator is a nice luxurious touch and Gabe taught me to use a bit of this UNDER my liquid lipstick instead of on top as I had been doing. Wrong.
Hard Candy Metallic Mousse Lip Color, $6
One sweep is all it takes for all day lip color. If the metallic is too much for you, there is also a matte version. Or try the lip stain I mention next.
Hard Candy All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain, $5
This little crayon packs a lot of punch…and shine. I am continually amazed how long the color lasts and that I adore it as much as some of my more expensive lipsticks.
Hard Candy Sassy Eyes Sultry Eye Shadow Palette, $8
The Hard Candy Sassy Eyes Sultry Eye Shadow Palette contains everything you need for multiple eye looks. The tin includes nine professionally coordinated eye shadows, Eyes the Limit Long Wear Eye Shadow Primer, a mini Take Me Out Liner and a dual-ended eye shadow applicator. It also includes an instructional card with three start-to-finish looks – for those of us who are eyeshadow challenged.
Oh and check this out…so I recently did a post on my favorite must-have can’t live without daily beauty/makeup items. One was my Jane Iredale Smokey Eye Kit which was available only for the holidays last year and is discontinued. It comes with instructions and sells for $50 – there are still some for sale on their website (I was about a hot minute away from throwing down my Visa and buying every last one), but then I found a Hard Candy version! It literally made my day! This one also has easy to follow instructions and it’s $8! Yes, you read that correctly.
Please watch this video of Gabriel Almodovar explaining some quick and simple makeup tips for women over 40 (and surprise, lip liner should be your BFF)
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Disclosure: Sample were given, but I was not paid for this post. Opinions are expressly my own.
