March 24, 2014

Hard Candy Shine-Free Sheer Envy Primer Review & Swatches

PR Sample
This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

Hard Candy Shine-Free Sheer Envy Primer

Hard Candy Shine-Free Sheer Envy Primer is one of six new facial primers that launched with the Hard Candy Spring 2014 Collection. This version as you can probably tell from the name is the mattifying formulation that controls shine for a matte finish.

Here are some thoughts on it.

I’ve already reviewed Hard Candy Sheer Envy Color Correcting Primer for you in a prior post and I had pretty much the same experience with this Shine Free version as well.

This is kinda sorta a dupe of Smashbox Photo Finish but with a far thicker formula. It’s a translucent silicone primer that’s very thick in texture. I think the thickness is part of the problem I have with it as it tends to pill a good deal when applied (aka rolls off your face in little patches or flakes).

Hard Candy Shine-Free Sheer Envy Primer swatches

It does have a velvet-y almost powdery dry down that’s a little less slippery that the Color Correcting formula which makes it ideal for soaking up access oil. However, the fact that it pills so much makes it feel like I’m shedding a layer of skin as I apply it. It would likely be an excellent silicone facial primer if it wasn’t for the pilling situation as it’s a great formula for not only blurring pores but also filling them along with a good velvety texture to tame oil and mattify skin.

Unfortunately, it refuses to stay on my face so as I apply it just rolls off. I think this will likely be an issue for anyone that uses it which means it’s a skip for me!

Hard Candy Shine-Free Sheer Envy Primer is available now exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com for $8.

Tried it?

Do share your thoughts on it!

PR Sample
This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed 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

  • Andrea

    Hmm… I’m a walking oil bucket (true story one of my friends once used my forehead as a mirror to check her lipstick in the summer, I couldn’t make this up!), especially in the summer, and I’ve never experienced pilling with any foundation or primers. Do you think it’d be worth a shot to try out? I know it’s one of the products that we’ve actually got here in Canada, so.

    • Jen

      I just noticed this primer about a month ago at Walmart here in Canada and it is now my HG primer. I have super oily skin and it is the only primer that manages to keep me relatively shine free and does not break me out. After a bit of practice at applying it, I found the key is to apply it with my fingers using extremely light strokes with minimal blending. Another really important point is to let it dry completely – it may feel powdery and you think it’s dry, but if I don’t let it sit for about 5 min it doesn’t seem to work nearly as well. I just do my eye makeup while I’m waiting. I haven’t experienced the primer or my foundation rolling off my face so far. FYI, I use it with Revlon Colourstay Whipped foundation applied with a Real Techniques buffing brush and set with powder. I’d say go ahead and try it, especially given its super affordable price 🙂

      • Andrea

        Awesome, thank you! Hah, I love how Hard Candy is one of those precious few brands that remains pretty cheap in Canada XD

  • Melanie

    Did you try taking a small amount at a time and quickly patting it in instead of rubbing it, then continuing to the next part of your face? I have the same problem with the Boots No. 7 Beautifully Matte primer and that’s how I get it to work for me. 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      yeah but when I apply my foundation it begins to roll away regardless 🙁

  • Candice

    I found this primer so weird when I swatched it on my hand. As you described, half of it pilled and fell off… But enough product stayed for me to see that the finish is nice. I wondered if I got a defective batch though!

    I tried it on my face for the first time this morning. Did the same thing. Maybe I need to put it on in smaller quantities more gradually. I liked the way it felt once applied and excess fell off lol

  • Cera

    I’ve went through a wholw tube of this primer already and I find it to be a decent drugstore primer, definitely comparable to SmashBox Photo Finish as stated above. I normally rub it between my fingers or on the back of my hand for a few seconds before I apply to sort of warm it up and that seems to help with the peeling which I don’t notice too much.

  • Monica

    I CANNOT imagine anything better than Smashbox but I might have to give this a try.

    • Isabella Muse

      def doesn’t perform like smashbox, just has a texture that’s slightly similar imho!

  • Jordan Hudgins

    I stumbled upon this primer last night in Wal-Mart while I was looking for a cheap brand of the sephora primer for oily skin. I put it on about two hours ago and my skin has yet to feel oily. I am not much of a makeup girl as I have only been really interested I’m wearing makeup the last year or so, but since I have SUCH an oily face that I can dampen a papertowel by wiping it on my face I am really impressed with this product. I did not experience any pilling with this primer and will definitely buy it again.

  • Diana

    I have to say – I didn’t experience any pilling with this primer. For me, it’s cheap and does the job pretty well. My nose is the oiliest nose ever, and usually my makeup shifts throughout the day. Not the case after using this product. I am no longer horrified when I look in the mirror at the end of the night. I just apply gently with my finger tips.

  • erika

    A coworker of mine gave me this primer because she said it made her skin turn red. I love it. It does pill or flake on my skin and I use an acne serum and moisturizer beforehand. Maybe it doesn’t like your moisturizer.

  • Sarah

    I have this and it isn’t thick at all, it glides on super smooth! Check the expiry on your or apply less…. Way less.