Fox In a Box

Hard Candy Fox In a Box in Smooth Talker (left) and Truth Or Dare (right)

Hard Candy Fox In a Box in Smooth Talker (left) and Truth Or Dare (right)

Being a huge fan of Benefit Cosmetics boxes of powder, I just had to try these Hard Candy Fox In a Box blushes.  Foremost, the packaging is so cute and very much like Benefit's packaging.  I actually like that the Hard Candy boxes have a magnetic closure; the Benefit boxes have lids that must be removed.  As far as the actual product goes, I don't think that the colors or pigmentation are stellar with either of the blushes I sampled, but they are decent.  The blush and bronzer combo would be a good purchase for someone who is just starting to build a makeup collection or for those looking for a two-in-one product.  I'll stick with my Benefit boxes of powder for their overall better quality, but Fox In a Box is a cheap alternative.

At face value, Benefit Sugarbomb and Hard Candy Smooth Talker look pretty much the same, but they are definitely different.  You can see in my swatches below that Sugarbomb is more of a shimmery pink, while Smooth Talker is less shimmery and more of a peach shade.  Smooth Talker is also less densely packed and more powdery than Sugarbomb.  I think that Smooth Talker is an okay product, but I would not repurchase it.  I was hoping that at $8 the Hard Candy Fox In a Box would be a dupe for my beloved Benefit Sugarbomb which retails for $28.  But, no such luck!

Left to right: Hard Candy Truth Or Dare, Benefit Sugarbomb, Hard Candy Smooth Talker

Have you tried a Fox In a Box?  What are your thoughts on these blushes?

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Skin Perfecting Primer

I have been experimenting with several of the new Hard Candy products lately and have found some great products, but this is not one of them.  Hard Candy Sheer Envy Skin Perfecting Primer is anything but perfect.  It has the feel of a silicone primer like Smashbox Photo Finish primer, but it doesn't blend into your skin leaving it smooth, rather it tends to clump up as you blend.  I tried using a very small amount of this product, and it still balled up on my skin forcing me to wash my face and start all over with a different primer.  I did not have this problem with Hard Candy's original Sheer Envy Primer; in fact I really liked that one which led me to try the Skin Perfecting Primer. 

Here's the description from the container: "Perfecting primer evens out skin tone and creates a flawless, smooth finish to skin.  Fills in fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.  Can be worn alone or under makeup."

As you might guess, I completely disagree with all of that!  Steer clear of this product ladies, and go for the original Hardy Candy Sheer Envy Primer instead! 

For the Glossaholics!

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Gorgeous

Top: Regular doe foot applicator; Bottom: Glossaholic applicator

I had to check out this Hard Candy lip gloss for myself after seeing it in a haul video on the Beauty Broadcast.  This lip gloss is huuuuge and definitely for glossaholics only!  So of course, I love it!  I bought it in the shade Gorgeous which is a medium pink color with glitter in it.  The gloss has a very sweet candy scent and flavor.  One swipe of the giant applicator across your lips and you are done.  Overall, I really like this lip gloss; it's fun to whip out the giant wand, and the gloss looks and feels nice on my lips.

If you want to check out this gloss for yourself, Hard Candy is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart.

What is your favorite lip gloss or other lip product?  I'm always on the look out for a great gloss or balm.

Swatch of Hard Candy Glossaholic lip gloss in Gorgeous

Hard Candy Haul

Hardy Candy First Blush minis

I tried a few Hard Candy products for the first time this week.  So far, I am quite impressed with this line of inexpensive products.  I grabbed the First Blush minis set for $8 at Wal-Mart.  I figured this would be a good way to try the Living Doll blush, which I have heard good things about, and sample a few other products.  The set includes a mini Living Doll blush, mini Sheer Envy face primer, mini Glow All the Way Face & Body Luminizer, and mini Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in the shade Pink.

• The blush is a nice, shimmery, rosy pink that would like pretty on anyone.
• The primer is similar to Smashbox Photo Finish primer in how it made my skin feel silky smooth.  And, the full-size primer only costs $8 for 1.6 oz.!
• The luminizer is a very frosty, sheer pink; I found that I had to use this lightly on my face as a little goes a long way.  I really liked the shimmer it gave my cheekbones; this will be a great product to experiment with this winter when I tend to feel like my skin looks dull.
• The Volumizing Lip Gloss felt nice on my lips, slightly tingly and not too sticky.  I noticed my lips looked a little plumper.  The color is a pretty, sparkly, pale pink.

This was a surprisingly good buy.  I look forward to experimenting with more Hard Candy products.

Hardy Candy nail polish in Beetle.

I am in love with this nail polish.  It looks green or purple or pink depending on how the light hits it.  And, it lasted five days without chipping!  Can't wait to try more colors!