Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Review: Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer

Product Description: Sheer Envy Primer helps to even out the skin while reducing shine. Improves foundation application while minimizing skin imperfections. Make-up lasts longer and skin is left velvety smooth. (Source: http://www.hardcandy.com)

The back of the tube reads "A lightweight formula that enhances the skin's texture and primes the skin for makeup application".

Instructions for use: Apply a small amount for an even layer all over your face to create a skin-smoothing finish. Once dry, follow with foundation.

The tube is 1.6 oz or 45g and can be purchased at Wal-mart for $8.
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer is silicone based and shares a lot of the same ingredients as Smashbox Photo Finish, ELF Mineral Face Primer, Etc. The product itself is white and a little chunky (sounds lovely, right?).. but once applied to the skin, it blends in very easily and seamlessly. The outcome is skin that is soft to the touch and slightly more matte complexion.

You can see from the photo at the end that it does mattify the skin and fill in the small cracks.

My thoughts: Although I'm not very "big" on silicone primers - or primers in general for that matter.. I actually do enjoy using this one. I reviewed ELF's Mineral Primer maybe a month or so ago (click here for reference) and although they are very similar, I prefer Hard Candy Sheer Envy. I think it has something to do with the texture. Hard Candy's primer is a little more lightweight and has less of a thick "silicone" feel to it. I really like the way it makes my skin feel velvety soft and creates a great, even canvas for my foundation. What I especially noticed is when using my Cinema Secrets (cream/cake) foundation, this primer really allowed me to use less product - as it helped the product move around my face better. I also think the end result of my foundation looked much better and even. I will make sure to use this primer on days where I'll be wearing Cinema Secrets. As for my liquid foundations, I was again able to use less product & my outcome would be a very good, even foundation application. I didn't notice though, that it pro-longed the wear of my foundation, kept shine away or camouflaged my pores like other silicone primers may do. I find it a little difficult to rate primers on their performance because I change my products all of the time (moisturizers, foundations, etc) Otherwise, I'd probably be able to rate it better. But I do overall like this product and will continue using it for certain foundations. I also think it would work fabulous with powder foundation. So, if you like silicone primers, this is a great one to look into. :)

Have you tried this product? Post your thoughts below!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Hard Candy.

14 comments:

  1. I havent tired any Hard Candy products...but I'm getting tempted with your reviews.

    Great review.

    Dhalia

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  2. argh makes me wanna move to the usa when you have good products out there! we dont have hard candy in the uk :( but the primer does sound good! xx

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  3. Thank you for doing this review, I bought this product with their tinted moisturizer because they are right next to each other and was pleasantly surprised by how much I really liked it. They didn't have any bronzer or blush but I hear that those products are really good as well.

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  4. sounds good I've been using the Rimmel lasting finish foundation the new 25hr one it supposedley has a primer built in, Im more into eye primers though i think theyre more important than face ones really x

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  5. Perfect timing on this review, I just picked this up TODAY at walmart after hearing Emilynoel83 review it on Youtube. The price is right and hopefully it will be a great everyday primer for me...

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  6. Yeah, I'll definitely be trying this out.. even though it's clumpy hahah


    good post
    http://i-nikkol.blogspot.com

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  7. i liked this at first - or at least i thought i did. i wore it for a few weeks straight, but at the same time i was getting annoyed with my foundations because they were making my face so greasy. right, well i then realized it was the primer, not the foundation! i have combo/oily skin to start with and this primer enhanced the oily aspect of my skin. so far, smashbox photo finish primer is my fave.

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  8. Im trying this out next! Thanks for this review. :)

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  9. Hard Candy has adorable packeging

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  10. It looks delightful. I don't use or need primers with my current beauty products, but if I was still using a mineral power I'd give Hard candy a try.

    www.louloubarbie.blogspot.com

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  11. I've been interested in this primer for quite some time, thanks for this review! x

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  12. Love the packaging! Cute! x

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  13. Just put up a post of Nars products I bought today. I got a sample of their face primer to try out. I have never tried primer before. Hoping it will help my face appear less wrinkled and dry after I apply my foundation:) Nice to see this review on Hard Candy's Primer at 1/4 of the cost. Thank you!

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  14. I loved mine util it started to separate!
    Love your blog btw :) Youre in my faves!

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