REVIEW: Hard Candy CC Correction Creme + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there beauty! Back with another product review again!  Today's review is about my “new-favourite” HARD CANDY CC CORRECTION CREME.  I got these babies 2 weeks ago from Suzanne’s Emporium or @suzannesemporium at Instagram. They have all the amazing and affordable authentic makeup stuff from USA so if you want to check them out please follow @suzannesemporium.  

As you all know, (if you’re following me) I just had a workshop last weekend (July 25, 2015 at Hotel Celeste, Manila) and Ms. Suzanne Roxas of Suzanne Emporium was too kind and generous to giveaway some of their products for my students including this amazing CC cream from Hard Candy.

I have known Hard Candy Makeup products ever since I started out being a makeup junkie, and to tell you honestly they have great products at the best price. Remember the most raved concealer from the brand? Yes, it was also my favourite, the Hard Candy Glamoflauge concealer and I also love their blush boxes before which reminds me of the Benefit blush boxes.  

So when I received these CC creams at my door steps I know it’s going to be a good one. 

I have never really tried any CC creams before so I have nothing to compare it with. I’m a foundation girl you know! LOL! But kidding aside, I have never really tried CC creams because most of them are really expensive and they have sheer coverage because it is meant to “color correct” your skin tone that’s why it is called CC cream.  Some people use them as a primer; some people use them as a treatment for the skin. They are lighter than BB creams and are aimed at evening out skin tones or skin color, lightening the redness on your face and illuminating the skin complexion.

From Hard Candy:  CC creams are the next generation of BB creams that are an all-in-one product designed to moisturize, prime, color correct, brighten, and even skins complexion.  The point of difference in the CC cream is that they have additional coverage properties and color correcting benefits.  Essentially, they are a merge of skin care and cosmetics.  

The multi-functional CC crème aims to provide better skin coverage to treat and cover uneven skin tones more effectively than a BB Cream - plus the benefit of daily skin protection of broad spectrum SPF 15.  

5 Flawless Results in 1?

Hard Candy’s CC Crème provides five flawless functions:

1. Color corrects skintone by blurring blemishes, discolorations and dark spots. 

2. Neutralizes undertone with unique light reflecting optical pearls. 

3. Brightens complexions with glowing air brushed finish.

4. Evens skins texture for a smooth flawless appearance.

5. Oil free crème moisturizes skin all day without clogging pores.

I'v used this Hard Candy CC crème a couple of times, I actually wore it for 1 week straight to try its longevity and how it will look on my combination skin. I love that fact that it is oil-free and it has a slight warm undertone. I am in the shade light and it fits me perfectly (I’m NC20 at MAC and 120 at MUFE HD).  This product comes in a wide range of shades of FAIR, ULTRA LIGHT, LIGHT, LIGHT MEDIUM, MEDIUM, MEDIUM DARK AND DARK SHADES. Packaging comes in a small squeeze tube which is very adorable but not ideal for cream type formulas as it may get very messy after several use. You will get 1.5 oz/ 42.5 g of product in each tube. 

TEXTURE and CONSISTENCY: The texture is quite mousse-y type when you start to rubbed it into your skin but it has a thin consistency that's why it doesn't feel heavy or sticky compared to some liquid or cream foundation. It starts to set after a couple of minutes pretty quick because it is in water based formula. 

COVERAGE and LONGEVITY: Coverage wise obviously it will not cover any major blemishes or dark spots because it is sheer but you can build the coverage and layer the cream if you want. It can cover some minor spots and discolorations. I suggest try a setting powder that has coverage in it so you don’t have to build the cream and it will also help the product to stay longer. It last pretty much well on my combination skin I think for 4 hours or so which is acceptable for a CC cream with a sheer coverage. I did not notice any oxidation from this product which is a plus point for me. The product description says it has a light reflecting optical pearl that somehow scares me but I did not notice any shimmer or sparkles in the product. It has a very pretty natural finish, not matte but not dewy or luminous as well. If you have different skin-type, your results could be dramatically different of course.

 FRAGRANCE: Fragrance of this product has a standard “foundation” smell nothing heavy, floral or fruity smell in it so I would say that it may also work for sensitive skin. 

Let me show you some photos using this CC cream and let’s see how it looks on my skin.

(L) Before Photo (R) After Photo using Hard Candy CC Cream

(L) Before Photo (R) After Photo using Hard Candy CC Cream

As you can see on my before photo, I have some minor spots and a little redness around my nose and cheek area. After putting the CC cream it neutralizes my skin and made it look perfect but you can still see some of my spots peeking through. I actually use a setting powder on my after photo but it doesn't made a huge difference when it comes to the coverage because I use a sheer setting powder.

VERDICT:  Over all, I like this product, I love it, and it’s perfect for everyday use. Perfect whenever I’m in a rush, need to pick up my son at school or I have an urgent client meeting and I don’t have time to prep myself, I just use this set it powder and use a lip and cheek stain and  I’m ready to go. It has a natural finish that’s why I like it and it has a sunscreen protection which is perfect for day wear.

GIVEAWAY TIMEEEEE!! Woohooo! 

As a way of giving thanks to everyone supporting me, we will be giving out these HARD CANDY CC CRÈMES and a Jordana Lip pencil PLUS a surprise gift all from SUZANNES EMPORIUM. 1 lucky winner ONLY. Read below for the entry guidelines:

1.)    Follow me on Instagram @annebismonte_mua

2.)    Follow Suzanne’s Emporium at Instagram @suzanne’semporium

3.)    Like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/makeupbyannebismonte

4.)    Like Suzanne’s Emporium facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SuzannesEmporium

5.)    Repost The picture above to your instagram or facebook and tag 3 of your friends. (including us)
6.) Use the hashtag #suzannebgiveaway (so we can easily check your entry)

Please remember to follow the instructions so that your entries are valid. We verify all entries to ensure we have a valid winner! 

Best of Luck to each of you and thank you again for dropping by!

Much Love,

Anne

Disclaimer: This blog post was sponsored by Suzanne's Emporium all content are my own and honest opinion about the product and how it worked on my skin.

REVIEW: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Hey there beauty! Finally, my first product review for the year 2015 is up. (Laughs)  I have been into my makeup gigs and workshops recently so it took me sometime to just sit down and talk about makeup and write you guys my own honest opinion about this product.

Today we’re gonna talk about my very own ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CONTOUR KIT (powder). Alright so I know this product is a popular one, I’ve seen great and bad reviews about it. I had this contour kit for almost 5 months and it’s my first contour kit actually because I’m using individual shades or products from MAC and NARS for my contour shades and highlighting shades before.

When I got this kit it is pretty small and I wasn’t really expecting that. The packaging is the usual cardboard magnetic type.  Each pan has 3g of product for each shade inside the kit. You can actually create your own kit and choose the shades you wanted at Anastasia’s website. I regret getting the original kit because I seldom reach for HAVANA and SAND. 

TOP (L-F) VANILLA, BANANA, SAND
BOTTOM (L-F) JAVA, FAWN, HAVANA

As you see, you have 3 highlighting shades (VANILLA, BANANA & SAND) and 3 contour shades (JAVA, FAWN & HAVANA).  All these shades are matte except SAND, which is actually a beautiful shimmery highlighter. 

Let’s take a closer look to all contour shades first.

(L-F) JAVA, FAWN, HAVANA

Fawn is a medium taupe; and it’s the best contour shade in my opinion.

Java is more warm than fawn. It has a little reddish kind of tone to it compare to fawn. I like to use Java as a bronzing powder.

Havana is the warmest contour shade of all three. This is the only shade I don't like and I seldom use, because it appears to be too orange when applied to the skin. 

(L-F) VANILLA, BANANA, SAND

Vanilla is a pink under-toned matte highlighter. You can use it to set and brighten your under eye, forehead, chin, and your nose bridge (commonly know as T-zone).

Banana is a yellow under-toned matte highlighter. You may also use this to set your under eye concealer and brighten the areas you'd like to be highlighted.

Sand is a shimmery highlighter with a very light pinky shimmer and as you can see it barely show off to my medium fair skin. You can use this to give you the "glowing" look by placing it on the high points of your face such as the cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of the nose, and your cupids bow.

Overall I think the palette is worth the money and really perfect for a Professional Makeup Artist, just replace the Havana shade with another taupe-y contour shade and the palette is good to go. 

(L-R) SAND, BANANA, VANILLA, HAVANA, FAWN, JAVA

I’m recently looking for another contour kit and I’m torn between KVD shade and light palette or the NEW LORAC PRO contour kit? Help me decide at the comment section below! 

I hope you find this post helpful (which I know there’s a ton of reviews out there) tell me what do you think about ABH products? What are your faves from ABH?

Hope you had a very wonderful day!

Much Love,

Anne