Review:Hard Candy Sheer Envy Coconut Hydrating Prime and Refresh Mist

I have combination skin (oily in the T-zone, normal everywhere else) that likes to throw me curve balls throughout the year as the seasons change.  Since winter has decided to extend into April (as I write this, the snowflakes are coming down), I need to stay on top of moisturizing my face (which is always somewhat exposed on my commute/walk into work).  Priming my T-zone area is pretty much a given in my case, but I frequently change primers-depending on what I’m doing.  If I have an event, I will often use a silicone based primer (the ones with the jelly-like texture).  For everyday, I tend to use a ‘lighter’ primer, and sometimes I’ll even use 2-one pore minimizer on my T-zone, and a hydrating primer everywhere else.  I have tried the Too Faced Hangover Rx primer which is …..okay.  It’s expensive.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this Hard Candy Sheer Envy Coconut Hydrating Prime and Refresh Mist is their ‘response’ to Too Faced Hangover Rx.  I’ve been using this for several months and have an opinion and some thoughts, which you’re more than welcome to read below.  By the way, don’t write off Hard Candy products because they are sold in Walmart-the brand has some real ‘winners.’

From the website:

Prime, hydrate and refresh your face with Hard Candy Sheer Envy Hydrating Primer Mist, available in a 2.2-fl oz bottle. It can be used after your regular moisturizer to prepare your skin for makeup application. The coconut water infused formula boosts hydration benefits for up to 12 hours. It leaves skin soft, smooth and supple. Hard Candy hydrating mist can also be used after makeup application to help set makeup for extended wear.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Hydrating Primer Mist:

• Hydrates skin up to 12 hours
• Revitalizes radiance
• Hydrating mist infused with coconut water
• Electrolytes energize and hydrate skin
• Oil-free, silicone-free and alcohol-free

My thoughts:

This is definitely a ‘mist’ and a fine mist at that.  I like it.  I tend to go overboard on product if left to my own devices so this makes it easy to just spray & go.  There is a light scent that dissipates quickly.  The product feels light and cool on the face.  It dries but skin is left feeling hydrated.  I’ve used this product with 2 different foundations (Dior Forever Undercover & The Body Shop Matte Clay) as well as a BB cream (Dr. Jung) and didn’t have any ‘balling’ or reactions when I used them together.

Normally, I expect a primer to lengthen the staying power of my makeup but that’s not what this product is for.  It’s a hydration mist meant to revitalize, which is what it does.  Because I have combination skin, would I use this in the summer? Probably not, as I would be more concerned with keeping oil at bay and keeping my makeup on my face.

Would I buy it again? 

TOTALLY. It’s a great price (I believe around $8 CAD) and does what it says.  For people with normal to dry skin I would recommend this (and to combination skin types in the colder months).  It’s a great alternative to the TooFaced product which is priced at $40 CAD.