Hard Candy Bath + Body Coconut Love Collection

Hard Candy has always been known for their affordable makeup and fun packaging so when they branched out into skincare I was intrigued. I expected colorful bottles and fruity fragrances geared towards beauty crazed adolescents and I was right. The Coconut Love Collection infused with peony and sandalwood is available in large, appealing tubes that satisfy your sweet tooth without the calories.

I’m not crazy about the fragrance. It smells good (I can definitely pick up hints of coconut) but there is something a tad artificial about it and I don’t actually see coconut listed on any of the bottles. That being said, the Hydrating Body Wash is only $5.97 and gets the job done. The formula is creamy, lathers well and cleanses thoroughly without leaving skin excessively dry - it's everything you'd expect from an average shower gel. The only thing I recognize in the ingredient list is sulfate and aloe but you do get a lot of soap. 

While I’m in the shower I also use the Hydrating Sugar Body Scrub ($6.97) to exfoliate dry flaky patches. The granules are large and coarse so they do a great job at buffing away rough skin to leave you smooth and supple. It works wonders on elbows, knees, legs and hands plus the formula contains sunflower oil for a bit more moisture.

The Mud to Foam Face & Body Cleanser ($6.97) was a good idea in theory but in actuality it turned out to be an odd combination that doesn’t quite work. My skin is not overly sensitive but it does react to certain ingredients so I would never put this on my face. I also find the formula a tad confusing. It looks and feels like a thin clay mask (hence the kaolin) but it doesn’t foam or lather like a cleanser. The milky emulsion removes some makeup, dirt and oil but I don’t know how effective it would be on the entire body since it isn’t very hydrating and I can't see myself standing in the shower slathered head-to-toe in white clay. A body butter or lotion would have been a better option for consumers.

I expected the Fragrance Mist ($6.97) to smell like the other products – sweet and coconut-y but it smells like alcohol or very strong hairspray. Not sure why you’d use a “hydrating” collection and finish your beauty routine with a skin drying mist but it seems counterproductive. The ingredient list for this product is underwhelming. It contains alcohol (no surprise there), fragrance, red and blue...that’s it. I guess teens wouldn’t mind dousing themselves in this before school but I don’t think adults would reach for it any time soon.

I can see where they were going with this line - fun, sweet, cheap and youthful - mission accomplished but the quality is mediocre.

Hard Candy is available at Walmart

Hard Candy Fall 2018 Collection | NEW Makeup Palettes

When experimenting with color and creating fun new looks, drugstore makeup is great. The products are affordable so you can stock-up on bold pigments and test new trends for the fall/winter season. This year Hard Candy has released a beautiful collection of palettes and highlighters that range from neutral to dramatic. The cute compacts make great stocking stuffers for all the ladies on your holiday list.

The Earthy Vixen Eye Shadow Palette ($10.00) contains warm browns, shimmery gold, vibrant green, deep red, scintillating pink and rich berry hues that transition from day to night. The pigmentation is buildable so you can layer and intensify to create a wide variety of stylish looks. Some of the mattes are a tad dry but they blend well and for the price you get a great selection of wearable shades.

With Christmas fast approaching you will definitely need some glitter in your life and I couldn’t wait to swatch the Glitteratzi Palette ($6.00). These pigments are perfect for the holiday season and you can just dip your finger in and pat the particles onto your eyelids (no brush required). Achieving consistent coverage is a bit challenging but with a little patience the effect is quite glamorous! Be warned, the formula will transfer if you rub your eyes so refrain from touching it and everything should stay put for a few hours.

The Neutral Eye Shadow Palette ($8.00) is perfect for quick everyday looks. The contrast of deep mattes and silky shimmer is great for sculpting and the color payoff is decent.

I had high hopes for the 3-In-One Powder Highlight Trio ($6.00) but the texture is rough and the shimmer applies patchy with sparse coverage. Since the particles tend to get lost in my makeup brush I use my finger to maintain concentration.

The Rose Gold Palette comes in handy for travel and what girl wouldn't be happy to find one in her stocking!? The sparkling garnet, brilliant coral and soft champagne are luminous and trendy.

The Just Glow Bronzer & Highlight Palettes ($9.00) perform much better than the 3-In-One Compact and they include unique shades. Kissed by the Sun is more traditional, with shimmery bronze, coral and golden tones. The powders are velvety smooth and the creams are radiant with consistent coverage. Glowing by Night is unusual but intriguing. I’ve never used blue highlighter before but the frosty sheen could be fun on a snowy winter day.

Hard Candy is available at Walmart

Hard Candy 2017 Holiday Collection & Gifts Under $5.00

By now most of us have finished our holiday shopping and are getting ready to spend time with family and friends, relaxing by the fire and sipping eggnog (or in my case peach bellinis). If you still need some small gifts to fill the stockings just pop over to Walmart and pick up a few last minute makeup goodies from Hard Candy. This year’s selection is cute and super affordable with a little something for everyone.

What girl doesn’t love eye shadow (rhetorical question, we all do!) and for just $1.47 the 6 shade palettes create quick, simple looks. For a little holiday glam glitter makes the eyes sparkle and since the pigmentation is sheer you can layer the colors over other shadows or just use them for a little highlight.

Birthday Suit contains matte neutrals that are better for crease definition and blending. There isn’t a lot of intensity but for soft looks they get the job done and the palettes are good for younger girls who want to start experimenting with makeup.

The Neutral Eyes Palette ($3.00) includes all your basics - beige, gold and champagne hues for day wear. You may need a good primer and a few layers but the shades are flattering.

For just $1.47 the Glow All The Way Baked Bronzer is pretty! The color payoff is mild yet buildable and the lightweight golden frost illuminates beautifully. The texture is also soft and silky so it blends well for a radiant finish.

The Bath Oil Trio ($3.00) is packaged in cute little hearts with sweet, delicious scents. Open them under running water to create fragrant bubbles.

The Lip Gloss Set ($3.00) looks and smells like candy! These translucent shades are fun for kids and adults with a hint of shine and moisture for dryness relief.

The Look Pro Lip Artist Collection ($4.97) comes with 6 creamy shades, the Lip Contouring Highlight Wand, a lip liner, application brush and Plumping Serum. The texture and finish looks like sheer, hydrating gloss with a yummy aroma and you can keep the box on your desk for a boost of tinted moisture throughout the day.

Shimmery pink nail polish is always stylish and it is one of my favorite pedicure shades. Putting nail files around the cap is ingenious and handy for travel.  

Globular lip balms are very trendy right now and I love this sweet vanilla scent. For just $1.47 you can pop one in everyone’s stocking.

As mentioned Hard Candy is available at Walmart.
Happy holidays!