Hard Candy Plumping Serum Fat Pout Lip Gloss review
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Looking for Budget Beauty? Look no further, this gloss will only set you back $6!
photos: we heart this
I’m a lip product fiend. FIEND, I tell you… I have an everyday gloss and a back-up gloss in my purse, an assortment of glosses on my counter, a lip balm near the computer, one on my nightstand and one downstairs in the kitchen in case there is a lip emergency.
I may not know lipstick, but balm and gloss? I can tell you a few things. And one of those things is that, Hard Candy’s Plumping Serum – Fat Pout Lip Gloss – it’s a great little product to have in your beauty arsenal.
I mean, LOOK at it!
I was able to try the Plumping Serum in Cake Walk (a gentle pink with blue-purple micro-glitter) and Nude Beach (a pink-beige with gold micro-glitter) and I can say that I love them both equally. Balm and lipstick lovers, be aware; this is a Gloss with a capital “G”.
It’s got a thick consistency that is a tiny bit sticky. There’s a sugary vanilla scent that I love, but it’s very light and fades quickly. The micro-glitter is tiny and you can’t feel it at all if you rub your lips together (a pet peeve of mine.) The color is subtle; I used both Cake Walk and Nude Beach it over my berry, dark coral AND wine lip stains and it worked with them all.
Pink Lady, Jellyfish, Dune
Life Preserver, Nude Beach, Cake Walk
“But what about the plumping part?” you ask (and rightly so). Well, that part is not so great. There is a nice little warming sensation when you apply it that lasts for quite a bit. But I cannot say that I noticed any plumping effect that couldn’t be attributed to the fact that pretty much all thick glosses make your lips look a little bit fuller. However, I have fairly full lips as it is, so I’d love to hear how my thinner-lipped review ladies thought of the Plumping Serum.
Pink Lady, Jellyfish, Dune, Life Preserver, Nude Beach, Cake Walk
Pros:
• Color – Very wearable and suitable for all skin tones.
• Glitter – It’s loaded, but it’s micro-fine so it’s not gritty.
• Packaging – Large size and doe-foot applicator. Everything I love in a gloss.
• Price – Retails for $6 at Wal-Mart.
Cons:
• Texture – This gloss does not play around. It’s thick, which may not be for everyone, plus the warming sensation may be a turn off for some.
• Promised outcome – I did not notice a change in the fullness of my lips at all.
I give Hard Candy’s Plumping Serum – Fat Pout Lip Gloss 4 out of 5 stars. I’d give it 5 just based on my experience, but if you have a plumping gloss that you claim gives “the biggest, sexiest lips possible without a doctor’s visit,” then you better deliver. A solid, affordable gloss that I’m glad to have, but if you’re looking for serious plumping, look elsewhere.
we heartsters and Review team, what about you – did this gloss find a place in your heart and stash?
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
Jeez, Alyssa! I had no idea any lipgloss was sold for only $6! I am also surprised that Hard Candy is also sold at Wal-Mart! (I think Nordstom used to sell the line, right?)
Either way, for $6, everyone should give these a try. They do seem a bit glittery/shimmery for me, but the colors, (hello Nude Beach!) size and the price may sway me to give them a go…great post!
I think you definitely should check them out! Nude Beach is just plain PRETTY, and the size makes the price even more attractive! And honestly, a light coating makes them only about as shimmery as your average gloss. It’s when you pile it on a little thicker that the shimmer comes through.
But then you have to avoid high winds, so you don’t get the “hair stuck in your gloss” problem! :-)
I remember when Hard Candy first appeared on the scene with tiny, expensive bottles of nail polish, each featuring a little jelly ring on the top. Yep @glamazon56 , you had to go to Nordstrom to get them. I’m so happy to learn that Hard Candy is now more accessible and affordable. Like you, @lyssachelle , I am a gloss fiend! I’m not a huge fan of glitter in my gloss, but these colors look beautiful, and I am going to Wal-Mart to check them out. Great post!
I remember that too! And they were SO COOL, because they had colors that weren’t readily available elsewhere…
Definitely check them out, Melissa, I think you’ll love it!
I used to be so jealous of the girls in my class who had Hard Candy rings! I find myself wanting to collect them all even now despite the fact I totally can’t get away with wearing them, LOL!
I used to love those little jelly rings too! I always hoped my aunt would buy me a bottle of Hard Candy polish when we went to Nordstroms…
I like that Hard Candy is now carried by Walmart, and that their products are so affordable now! Unfortunately, while the nailpolishes still come with color coordinated rings, they’re hard plastic, instead of the gummy style ones.
I’m also a gloss fiend, and was super excited when I received a Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in “Pink Lady.” I was super excited, because it’s just gorgeous in the tube. It’s a beautiful glittery pink, but fairly sheer on the lips. It’s nearly a dupe of MAC’s Dazzleglass in “Like Venus” in terms of color.
PROS: I love Hard Candy’s sturdy tube, the pricetag, and that it isn’t painfully tingly (I don’t like plumping lip glosses that feel like they’re burning/freezing my lips!)
CONS: Not a lot of color. Just sheer with super tiny glitter. The doe-foot applicator doesn’t pick up enough gloss, the tube doesn’t have very much product in it (0.10oz) compared to your standard tube especially given the size of the tube, it doesn’t volumize or plump (which is okay with me, but it claims that it will).
Lastly, there is a faint vanilla/bubblegum scent that fades, but smells fairly artificial. It isn’t terrible, but it isn’t my favorite either. It’s also a bit sticky, which I personally like, because it helps it last a little longer on your lips. Decent in terms of moisturizing ability.
Overall, I’d give this product 3 of 5 stars. It’s an okay product, but I’m not sure I’d purchase it.
I received Hard Candy Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in Dune #336. A super sheer-light pink with flecks of aqua marine blue, pink when the light hits it. It’s shimmery in the bottle and once on your lips you feel the cool sensation of the plumping serum. Whether it really plumps is anther question. I don’t’ see a difference but they feel good and yeah, my lips look great.. Shinny is an understatement this is serous gloss. The price of this product is great. I saw it was available at Wal-Mart for $6.00. That’s a steal! It is a little sticky- well a lot sticky and that can be a bit of a pain but really, I don’t know how they could make this without that aspect. It has a pleasant taste – a bit like vanilla. I like the packaging. The silver cap with black circular artsy whips on it along with the nice clear tube. It’s really clean and has litigable writing describing what it is.
I didn’t like this product, I loved it. You’ll be surprised by the Outrageous shine it puts out. I give this four stars.
You’re definitely right about the packaging; it’s pretty and I love that it’s a clear tube so you know when you run low. I’m glad you like it!
I got to test Jellyfish and I loooooooove it. LOVE.
I’ve had a long love affair with Hard Candy products so I got super excited when I received one of these gorgeous lip glosses.
And @lyssachelle described this to a T! The packaging, the shine, the shimmer…gorgeous! Jellyfish is a pretty light pink/lavender color with blue/purple flecks of glitter and really makes my lips POP! That said, the pop seems to only come from shine and color, not from actual plumping. The tingle was quite nice actually but like others I can’t actually see any difference in lip fullness. Honestly though, I don’t even care that it doesn’t plump. I think this is a fantastic lip gloss and so affordable! Kind of makes me think I should get the rest of the shades now too!
I’ll give it 4 stars for awesomeness minus 1 for the lack of plump.
Jellyfish looks so beautiful, but I worry it might be a little too cool for me. I’m pretty neutral on the warm/cool scale. Do you think it might work for my skin? $6 makes it super tempting!
Amanda, I think these in general are a little too sheer for it to matter whether you’re warm or cool. But I’d definitely recommend Nude Beach is you’re looking for a warm color.
I think I might have to get Jellyfish too, though, it’s just pretty and unusual!
I constantly hear about hard candy and what a great brand it is. I think I definitely have to check it out now, at the very least.
@mandaleem, I have warm skin tone too and cooler tones usually don’t work for me either, but this one is sheer enough that it’s not noticeably cool and looks really good on!
I got Nude Beach to try. For me it gives a little shimmer,not much overall color. I like the consistency, but it does not plump like it says. I like the little tingle that plumping lipglosses give, so that is a plus for me.
I think I would like Jellyfish, which looks like it has more pop to it. Overall I would give this 4 stars.I have been wearing it often as a nice soft spring color.
They sent me one of these babies for a review I while back, and I had pretty much the same reaction :) Even thought I felt that it didn’t really “plump” my lips, I felt that the microglitter added some dimension, which wasn’t bad. These are a nice, cheap, and MUCH larger dupe for Too Faced’s Girl Dig Pearls gloss. I ordered it during their vintage sale, and besides smelling of peppermint, there’s really no other difference (besides the size of the tubes!)
*”a while back”, not “I while back”
Love that shimmer. Nude Beach and Life Preserver both look fantastic!
Ooh I love Hard Candy and glittery lip gloss! I just hate Wal-mart but am sure I will be going there soon to pick up the Jellyfish color.
I have always wondered about the quality of Hard Candy’s products. Thanks for the great review @lyssachelle! I think that I will give these a try regardless of the lack of plumping. They sound pretty nice. And Jellyfish sure is pretty!!
Great review, @lyssachelle!
I received the shade Life Preserver for review, and it’s a very pretty sheer hot pink with pink glitter. On the lips, it comes across pretty sheer, but with some layering I can see the shade a bit more.
The “sting” of this one didn’t happen instantly for me, but when it did kick in, I found it MUCH more pleasant (and far less painful) than other plumping glosses I have tried. The only bummer was that I didn’t quite see any results, so my experience was much like @lyssachelle.
Regardless, it’s a lovely shade and I ADORE the packaging, so it gets a solid three stars for me.