March 13, 2014

Hard Candy Cheeks & Balance Highlight & Contour Cheek Duo Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Hard Candy Cheeks & Balance2

Hard Candy Checks & Balance Highlight & Contour Cheek Duo is a new cream blush stick slash highlight all in one that’s just launched with the Hard Candy Spring 2014 Collection.

This cute little blush stick combines the benefits of color as well as a little slice of highlighting all in one to create perfectly blushing and sculpted cheeks.

Have a look!

Hard Candy Cheeks & Balance Stick

Hard Candy Checks & Balance Cheeks & Balances ($7) is a new permanent blush slash highlighter available in three shades. This launches at a great time because it provides beautiful, luminous color just in time for the Spring weather.

These come in a small square plastic case with a little wheel located on the side of the unit to swivel the blusher up and down. The blush is shaped like a square and has a small slight of a lighter shimmer highlighter on one side and a larger blush on the other. The idea of the product quite reminds me of those old L’Oreal The One Sweep Eye Shadows for some reason! You remember you had to swipe all three shades on once to create a contrasting eye look?

The same technique kinda goes into this blush stick as you’re supposed to swipe it along the contour of your cheek and it’ll create a sculpted cheek look. It actually kinda works too (unlike L’Oreal’s eyeshadow, what a disaster!). You can just swipe it gently on and blend it and go! It’s a little tricky to get a completely sculpted look but it does provide beautiful, luminous color.

Hard Candy Cheeks & Balance

Hard Candy Cheeks & Balance swatches

I tried the shade Sweet Cheeks which applies sheer but builds up for better color pay off. I think in my images below you can see the pretty glow it gives to my face as if I applied highlighter at the tops of my cheek bones. It’s a super pretty finish. It does look quite shimmery in sunlight though so be sure to blend out well to avoid a disco-ball finish.

The texture is quite creamy with an easy to blend formula. These are slightly dewy in finish but not sticky, tacky, or heavy. They wear shorter for me but this isn’t a surprise as cream blush just doesn’t agree with my skin. I get about four hours of wear before they slip away.

Overall, at seven bucks I love these! This is what I wanted from Maybelline Master Glaze but unfortunately didn’t see! These are far nicer with a very pretty luminous glow.

Hard Candy Cheeks & Balance fotd

Wearing Sweet Cheeks

Likey!

Available now exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com.

This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Debbie

    Very pretty on you Muse! Thank you kindly for your review. 🙂

  • Jen

    That is great news! I have really wanted something like this. Usually the execution is poor on these time-saving designs. I actually use and love the One Sweeps which amazingly are being sold still for $10 (considering how long ago they were released and how poorly they function). I feel I have no chance of being patient enough to clean and use multiple eyeshadow brushes each day. So I make the brown and the purple one sweeps work with some careful maneuvering. Anyway: I plan to pick up the hard Candy blush in the Sunkissed shade for a bronzer.

  • Gwen O’Brien

    Looks beautiful on you love! I’ll have to try this one. Blush is my latest obsession…looking hard for the Milani Roses…no luck so far. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you. As an O’Brien, it’s my obligatory drink and drop holiday. 🙂

    Happy weekend!

  • amy

    I went to Walmart last weekend, but the store I went to didn’t carry HC. I don’t get a chance to go to Walmart often, so I was really looking forward to picking up a few things to try! This would have definitely made it into my basket.

  • Sara

    I’ve always wondered how well those L’Oreal eyeshadows you mentioned worked! It seems like a cool idea that probably fails miserably in practice. These blushes look super cute tho!

  • kimmyyy

    I had this in my hand when I made a rare stop to Walmart on Saturday, but I ended up putting it back because it sounded too good to be true! I guess I’ll have to go back and get it!

  • Michelle

    I almost got these the other day but the shimmer acaredme away. They looked like they had some glitter to them, though it doesn’t appear glittery in your swatch. What’s the shimmer like in these?

  • Lorna

    Dear Muse, You are such a lovely & attractive woman. I appreciate so much your hard work & sharing with us your reviews & comments on new beauty & sin care products, whether drugstore or luxury products. And you’re cute, too, with a ‘teasing’ smile! Luv yah!

    • Isabella Muse

      Aw Lorna thank you, you’re far too kind! You made my day 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoy the reviews xoxoxoxo! hugs!