If you are a frequent Wal-Mart shopper (I’m there at least twice a week – mostly for groceries, mind you), you’ll no doubt have seen the brand Hard Candy.  Hard Candy has been around for a while; it actually started off as a prestige brand and then went the mass market route a few years back, where it’s now available exclusively at Wal-Mart.

I used to be a huge fan of their foundation primer, because if you’ve browsed the products in store, you’ll know that they are quite affordable, and – I’ll be honest – I’m such a sucker for cute packaging. Anyways, this brings me to this post.  I got the chance recently to try out a variety of different products from the brand, and for me, this was the first time I’ve ever really forayed into it.  Everything is pretty reasonably priced, and to be honest, I’m not sure why I’ve never actually took the time in store to try the stuff out.  I have to admit that once I actually sat down and used everything, I was pleasantly surprised.

I was sent two of the Top Ten Classics eyeshadow palettes (a nude one and a blue-toned one), which contains 10 shadows to give you everything from a soft, natural look to a more bold, fun one.  The palette has a soft lace cover and includes a mirror and two applicators (I very rarely use the applicators, but the mirror was super handy).  I was instantly drawn to the Naturally Gorgeous palette, which reminded me of the Urban Decay Naked one palette, although it lacks a proper highlight and there are no mattes.  Regardless, for C$5.98, this thing is worth the money.

Since I love rocking a brown smoky eye, I didn’t venture too far from my comfort zone, but keep reading to see how everything performs.

1. Lay down an eyeshadow primer (I used NYC City Proof Eye Primer), then with a fluffy crease brush, I lightly applied the shimmery tan colour (three in from the left) in my crease.

2. With the copper colour right next to the tan and a flat shader brush, apply this all over the lid area.

3. With a crease brush and the dark-brownish/purple (three from the right) apply this in the crease.

4. Line your upper lash line with a gel liner, winging it out (I used Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner), then apply a couple coats of mascara (I used CoverGirl Bombshell mascara).

5. Using that same dark shade we used in the crease, apply this along your lower lash line and then apply a coat of mascara to your bottom lashes. For the inner corner highlight and the brow bone I used the light shade, two in from the left.

6. Apply your foundation (I used NARS Sheer Glow), then with Hard Candy’s Glamoflauge Lite Blendable Concealer Duo, apply this under your eyes and everywhere else you want to brighten up.  I blended everything with a Beauty Blender (well actually the Real Techniques sponge).

7. With the Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tropics, apply this to the hollows of your cheeks and on your temples to contour.  To finish up, apply a pink blush, like Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in Living Doll.

As I mentioned before, I was pleasantly surprised by everything I used.  I don’t think I can even mention a product in particular that stood out as my favourite.  I’ve been using the Glamoflauge Lite Concealer Duo (C$5.98) non-stop since I got it, and the first time I used the blush and bronzer was for this post, but I was so pleased with the consistency of both of these.  They weren’t too dark and not too light – just perfect. In fact, the bronzer (C$8.98) really reminded me of Hourglass’ Radiant Light powder, which is one of my favourite bronzers for contouring since it’s so natural looking.  Both of these will be so perfect for summer (whenever it gets here, that is).

I have a few more Hard Candy products to play around with, and I definitely want to create a look using the blue palette.  If you are in Wal-Mart soon, take a good look at the Hard Candy aisle, cause seriously, these products do not disappoint.

Have you tried Hard Candy?

Please note, these products were sent by PR.  All opinions are my own.

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