Hard Candy has some real gems in their line, and I’ve been playing around with their latest releases to find a few more!  The edgy brand comes up with some pretty creative product names and interesting packaging, but we all want to know the most important question- how do the products perform?  Let’s go through them individually- and expect to see some more Hard Candy goodies popping up over the next few weeks too!

New Hard Candy Products

Take It Off Makeup Remover

I had big hopes for this makeup remover- anything that makes taking off my waterproof and long wearing makeup at the end of a long day easier will win my heart over, and this product claims to all of the above (even glitter too- and we all know how stubborn glitter can be)!

The Hard Candy Take It Off Makeup Remover ($5 USD) unfortunately is not the ultimate one in my books.  I had to massage and rub this thick white cream way too hard and way too long before being able to see it work.  I tried it with many different products, from liquid eyeliner to glitter to the ultimate test- OCC Lip Tar in Vintage.  In the end, it worked, but I felt like I had to work too hard to make it happen.

Rating: C+

Hard Candy Take It Off Makeup Remover

Hard Candy Take It Off Makeup Remover

Hard Candy Take It Off Makeup Remover

Hard Candy Take It Off Makeup Remover

Hard Candy Take It Off Makeup Remover Ingredients

Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo

I love 2-in-1′s because it’s so convient and quick!  This Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer & Highlighter Duo ($6 USD) in Bora Bora features two cream complexion products in one stick- a shimmery bronzer on one side and a marbled highlighter on the other (the highlighters are the same shade in each stick, only the bronzer shades vary).

The bronzer is way too shimmery and warm to use as an actual bronzer, but it looks phenomenal as a cream blush instead, adding a lovely warmth and glow to my cheeks.

The highlighter is a light melange of pearlized pink and purple shades, that create a beautiful glow on the cheekbones.  I wish the highlighter shades varied from stick to stick, because the highlighter looked quite white on the skin, so on anyone with darker skin tones than myself, it might appear a bit ashy.  Both products blended beautifully and were super easy to apply!

Rating: A-

Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo in Bora Bora

Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo in Bora Bora

Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo in Bora Bora (Bronzer End)

Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo in Bora Bora (Bronzer End)

Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo in Bora Bora (Highlighter End)

Hard Candy Glow Away Bronzer + Highlighter Duo in Bora Bora (Highlighter End)

Glossaholic

The Hard Candy Glossaholic ($5 USD) in shade Fabulous reminds me a lot of the packaging seen in the MAC Wonderwoman Collection- super oversized tubes, wands and applicators.  These glosses are meant to cover your lips in one go with super lustrous shine and shimmer.  I actually thought the shimmer was interesting, it looks like the flat, “flakie” nail polish glitter we’ve been seeing a lot of lately in the nail art world.  This shade is a raspberry with greenish-gold flakes of shimmer.  The coverage itself is quite sheer, but the formula is smooth and super glossy.

I have a couple problems with the packaging though- the ginormous tip is so hard to pull out of the tube, I usually end up flinging gloss across my vanity every time.  Also, since the hole in the tube is so large, the lipgloss can actually pour out if it’s tipped over (trust me, I learned from experience)!  I don’t think that the bigger packaging makes it any better, in fact I think it hinders it even more.  The other thing that turned me off this gloss, despite its gorgeous appearance, is that it smells (and tastes) overly sweet… like birthday cake (which may sound good but really, it’s not).  The moment I put it on, it felt like I was eating some artificial cake syrup. Not a fan!

Rating: B-

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Fabulous

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Fabulous

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Fabulous

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Fabulous

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Fabulous

Hard Candy Glossaholic in Fabulous

Eye Def Metallic Eyeshadow

I’ve always been a huge fan of frosty, metallic eyeshadow.  I’m always drawn to light-reflecting shades, so I was super excited to see this Hard Candy Eye Def Metallic Eyeshadow ($6 USD) in Golden Earth, a bronzy beige shade.  It reminds me of a test tube, and the applicator tip is slightly slanted and narrow, similar to the applicator of the Urban Decay Primer Potion (when it came in the genie bottle).

The creamy eyeshadow looked gorgeous, blended smoothly…I had my fingers crossed I wouldn’t see any creases… and I was pleased! This eyeshadow didn’t budge or smudge or crease after it set.  My advice is to put it on thinly and layer as you want, applying it with your finger and blending right away.  Would make a lovely base for other eyeshadows or as a quick go-to for bright eyes when you’re in a rush!

Rating: A

Hard Candy Eye Def Metallic Eyeshadow in Golden Earth

Hard Candy Eye Def Metallic Eyeshadow in Golden Earth

Hard Candy Eye Def Metallic Eyeshadow in Golden Earth

Hard Candy Eye Def Metallic Eyeshadow in Golden Earth

Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner

I’m always on the hunt for a liquid eyeliner that makes applying it a breeze because I just wasn’t born with that skill. The Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner ($5 USD) in In The Navy is a deep navy blue shade that I was totally hoping would be stunning, because I love sporting blue eyeliner in the summer.  This formula also is supposed to promote lash growth as well- bonus!

Unfortunately my experience was bittersweet- I adored the felt tip applicator.  It was so easy to apply and the tip was so precise, I could create razor sharp edges like I love.  The downside was that the formula was just way too thin and transparent.  The pigmentation was just too disappointing for me to fall in love, but if any of you have tried the other shades and can attest to their pigmentation- please let me know!

Rating: B-

Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner in In The Navy

Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner in In The Navy

Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner in In The Navy

Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner in In The Navy

Hard Candy Stroke of Gorgeous Felt Tip Eyeliner in In The Navy

World Balmination

A girl can never have too many lip balms and the Hard Candy World Balmination ($3 USD) combines both sheer color and a glossy finish for soothed, moisturized lips with a chic look.  This shade in Vampire Bite is a gorgeous pink and smells amazing! Almost like a mix of pink lemonade and cotton candy… totally in love! I’m a fan of tinted balms because they look so natural yet really can pull a no-makeup look together and make you look polished.  It’s not the most intensive lip balm in the world, but for $3 it’s sure a nice purse buddy!

The packaging itself felt a little cheap, and I wasn’t a fan of the balm being rolled up so high to start with!  I felt like I had to be really careful every time I was taking the lid off or putting it back on to make sure I didn’t break the stick.

Rating: A-

Hard Candy World Balmination in Vampire Bite

Hard Candy World Balmination in Vampire Bite

Hard Candy World Balmination in Vampire Bite

Hard Candy World Balmination in Vampire Bite

Hard Candy World Balmination in Vampire Bite

Hard Candy World Balmination in Vampire Bite

Stay In Line

Another eyeliner infused with a lash enhancing serum, the Hard Candy Stay In Line Mechanical Eyeliner/Smudger ($5 USD) here in the shade Baby Brown Sparkle is a super fine eyeliner that glides on super smoothly!

My problem with it is that it just didn’t last throughout the day.  The pigmentation was great and it smudged nicely, however it smudges a little too easily if you ask me- half of it was off by noon!  I’ll be passing on this formula… there are just too many great eyeliners out there now that look great and stay that way all day!

Rating: C+

Hard Candy Stay In Line Mechanical Eyeliner/Smudger in Baby Brown Sparkle

Hard Candy Stay In Line Mechanical Eyeliner/Smudger in Baby Brown Sparkle

Hard Candy Stay In Line Mechanical Eyeliner/Smudger in Baby Brown Sparkle (Eyeliner end)

Hard Candy Stay In Line Mechanical Eyeliner/Smudger in Baby Brown Sparkle (Smudger end)

Hard Candy Stay In Line Mechanical Eyeliner/Smudger in Baby Brown Sparkle

That’s How Eye Roll

Another 2-in-1, but this Hard Candy That’s How Eye Roll ($6 USD) shown here in shade Beesting features both a cream eyeshadow stick and a loose shimmer powder.  The products are meant to be worn together or alone.  The cream eyeshadow stick looks and feels similar to the Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow Pencils, gliding on smoothly and really nicely pigmented (however these sticks are a lot more skinny- some of the deeper shades can be used as eyeliners too).  They set nicely and stayed put all day- a total winner for a quick look!

The shimmer power comes with a roller ball applicator- something I’m not very fond of for powder products (it just applies them very unevenly).  The color of the shimmer powder was way too yellow for my liking… I couldn’t use it as a highlighter or eyeshadow or really in anyway, but as a product itself it worked pretty well on top of the cream eyeshadow.  It stood no chance of lasting more than 20 minutes applied directly to the eye, but used as a pigment on top of a sticky base it would be okay. I just can’t get past the color combination of this duo.

Rating: B

Hard Candy That's How Eye Roll in Beesting

Hard Candy That's How Eye Roll in Beesting

Hard Candy That's How Eye Roll in Beesting (Cream eyeshadow end)

Hard Candy That's How Eye Roll in Beesting (Cream eyeshadow end)

Hard Candy That's How Eye Roll in Beesting (Powder eyeshadow end)

Hard Candy That's How Eye Roll in Beesting (Powder eyeshadow end)

Flat To Fab

I seriously could win the award for “straightest eyelashes in the world”. They don’t like to curl, and they don’t like to stay curled (which is why I wear waterproof mascara every day)… so when this Hard Candy Flat To Fab Instant Curling & Volumizing Mascara ($7 USD) was staring me down with its amazing claims, I couldn’t wait to see how it held up to the challenge.  This mascara says to ditch the eyelash curler, because it can do the job on its own.

Well, it sure never met these eyelashes.  Even with curling my lashes pre-application, my lashes quickly returned to their stubborn state.  I must admit, the mascara itself (complete with its funky wand) worked really well to create length and volume- I’m totally envious of those who don’t have to worry about curling lashes.  I wouldn’t dismiss this one entirely, but I’d love to see it work on someone with lashes a bit less stubborn than mine.

Rating: B-

Hard Candy Flat to Fab Mascara

Hard Candy Flat to Fab Mascara

Hard Candy Flat to Fab Mascara

Hard Candy Flat to Fab Mascara

Eye’m Tired

De-puffs. Brightens. Firms. Massages. Calms. Refreshes. Does your dishes. Okay, maybe not quite the last one… but I have to say that I’m head over heels in love with the new Hard Candy Eye’m Tired ($5 USD) de-puffing eye serum.  This squeeze-tube has three metal roller ball applicators at the tip that work amazingly well at massaging its cooling, firming serum into the skin around your eyes. Seriously, my eyes have never felt so.. pampered.  The serum could do nothing at all and I’d still love the product just for that amazing feeling of massaging the orbital area with its cool rollerballs…. but the serum actually helps to hydrate and refresh the area! The perfect morning wake-up tool or a mid-day pick-me-up! And only $5? Favorite out of this entire bunch!

Rating: A+

Hard Candy Eye'm Tired

Hard Candy Eye'm Tired

Hard Candy Eye'm Tired

Hard Candy Eye'm Tired

Hard Candy Eye'm Tired

Hard Candy Eye'm Tired Ingredients

Summary

• Price: $3-6 USD per item
• Availability: Walmart
• Selection: Many products come in various shades; please click through on the product links in their individual reviews to see more.
• Overall: Hard Candy has always been a hit-or-miss brand for me, dishing out products that I either could live without entirely or fall head over heels in love with. These new products are no different- a couple gems in the bunch like Eye’m Tired and Eye Def, and a few that are totally not worth it like Glossaholic and Stay In Line. The brand as a whole is definitely affordable and fun, but I always recommend researching reviews first because they are so hit-or-miss.
• Rating: Products are all rated individually above