Frugal Haul: Jordana and NYX

Jordana and NYX Haul

I recently went to my local mall to check out a store called Fresa.  I was looking for a local source for NYX cosmetics, because I kept hearing how this brand compares well to MAC brand of cosmetics.  As a frugal addict, there is NO WAY I would pay the prices for MAC, but I wanted to see the NYX eyeshadows and blushes in person.

So anyway, I found out that Fresa carries NYX brand, and I found my local mall has a Fresa store, so I went to check it out.  Fresa was filled with frugal brands of cosmetics, along with a bit of costume jewelry, cosmetic brushes, and hair toys.

They definitely seem to cater to teens, but it was really great because they had testers for almost everything!  Woo hoo!  Yay for testers!  If only drugstores had testers too!  The cosmetic brands I found there included NYX, e.l.f., Nabi, Jordana, Kleancolor, and a few other brands I can’t remember.

I had the MOST FUN testing all the products!  I wish I had brought some wet wipes to clean off once in awhile, because I had swatches of just about everything going up and down my arms.  :D  But I asked for tissue, which they had.  The only other thing I wish I brought was a pair of earplugs because the techno/rappy music (or whatever kind it was) was somewhat loud and just about drove me nuts!  LOL! ;P

I am glad I had a chance to test the NYX eyeshadows in person.  I had been wanting to order some online, but I found that some of the colors look totally different than how they look online, which I figured would be the case.  And it is so hard to visualize the glittery shadows - they look VERY different from what I imagined.  Now that I have a place to test them in person, I can have more confidence ordering them online the next time they go on sale at places like Cherry Culture for $3.50 each or less.  :)

Though I really liked many of the NYX eyeshadows, I actually did not get any NYX after all, and instead got some Jordana eyeshadows, lipstick, and nail polish.  My dd got an NYX lip liner, though.

I do believe Jordana is my new favorite brand!  I decided on Jordana because it was cheaper than NYX (I only had $20 to spend) and because most Jordana products are made in the USA.  I believe we all should try to support our own countries as much as we can.  It is so hard to find anything made in the USA anymore, especially when you need to be frugal.  So when I can afford it, I buy items made in my own country to try to support the economy, as little as it may be.  

So here is my frugal haul!

Jordana Eyeshadows: Natural Taupe, Pretty Peach & Creamy Vanilla

I got Jordana ‘Color Effects Powder Eyeshadow Singles’ in Creamy Vanilla and my dd got Pretty Peach.  They were $1.99 each for 0.058 oz. pots.  I also got a ‘Brow & Eyeshadow Powder Single’ in Natural Taupe, also $1.99 for a 0.083 oz.  I have been very happy with the Jordana eyeshadows.  They are quite pigmented and do not have an offensive scent.  (I am very sensitive to smell, and I recently bought a Nabi eyeshadow that I just cannot wear because of the smell!  Bleah!)  The Pretty Peach has a slight pearly shimmer, and it works great as a blush too.  The Creamy Vanilla and Natural Taupe are both a matte finish.

I've been experimenting with the eyeshadows, and will post pictures of swatches and eye looks shortly.

Jordana Powder Blush in Blushing Rose

I also got a Jordana Powder Blush in Blushing Rose which was $2.99 for an 0.08 oz size.  I find the blush to be quite pigmented too, so I have to be careful with application.  This color has a bit of shimmer to it.  I am happy with the color on me, though I would like to try a few more shades.  I have been using it as an eyeshadow too, as I have been looking for a pink eyeshadow, and it works great.

Jordana lipstick in Coco Malt

I got a Jordana lipstick in Coco Malt.  So far, I am not super happy with the lipstick so far, but mainly because the color doesn’t look the same on my lips as it did when I tested it on my hand!  It made such a pretty color swatch on my hand, but just looks rather blah on my lips.  And it isn’t as creamy as I prefer.  But that may improve its staying power.  I am going to experiment with it more, because it smells very nice.  I do like it with a bit of my Wet n Wild 769B (from the Precious Metals collection a few years ago) or my Milani Crystal Gloss lipgloss on top of it.  I do not know what color it is, but it is a pale coffee color w/ shimmer and smells like chocolate.  :)



My dd got a NYX Auto Lip Liner in Coffee which was $3.50.  She is very happy with it.  I will try to post swatches later.


I got 2 Jordana nail polishes in Powder Puff and Beige Frost, each $1.99 for .5 fl oz.  I bought the nail polishes with the intention of mixing them, so I am happy with them so far.  Though I have noticed that Jordana polishes have a thinner and runnier consistency compared to the other brands of nail polish I have, such as Sally Hansen, Wet n Wild, and Love My Nails.  This may be a good thing though, if I mix them with a polish that has gotten thick.

All in all, I am quite happy with my frugal haul, and I am looking forward to trying more Jordana products.

Frugal Nail Care Ideas

Is your nail care routine frugal and beautiful enough for you and your lifestyle? Luckily, nail care products are not too expensive, except for acrylic nails which fell out of my budget and lifestyle long ago. 

My current frugal nail care regimen consists of these 2 principles:

1. I don't polish my fingernails except for special occasions

2. I keep my toenails polished pretty much all the time

This regimen proves to be frugal and beautiful enough for me and my lifestyle.  While I really do love the look of nicely polished fingernails (especially since there are SO many scrumptious nail colors out there!) the hassle and time of keeping polished fingernails looking good just isn't worth it to me.  I hate how polished nails look when the color starts to wear off the tips, and I just don't have the time to be fixing it and waiting for it to dry on a daily basis.

I wash dishes (without a dishwasher - poor me!), scrub toilets, have a garden and plants, scrape chicken poo from nesting boxes, put oil in my car (I was doing this WEEKLY until we finally got the car fixed)...you get the picture.  My lifestyle is rough on my fingernails, so NO polish most of the time is the best frugal option for me.

However, toenails are different - for me, anyway.  I don't know if it is because they are further from my eyes, but I don't notice the polish on my toes starting to wear off on the edges nearly as much as I notice it on my hands.  It seems my toes can stay looking pretty good without constant polish maintenance.  So I happily keep only my toenails polished and am happy with how cute they make me feel.  Call me silly, but polished toenails just make me feel feminine and pretty.

If I had to have a nicer look for my hands than my ‘a la naturel’ look, MY choice would be to use a clear, sheer, very light color or French manicure look, and remove it only once a week.  In fact, I would even give my fingers a break over the weekend if possible.  And I say ‘light’ color because it would be less noticeable if it wears away or chips on the ends of my nail tips.

I heard recently that Dr. Oz (LOVE that guy!) considers nail polish remover to be very toxic (even non-acetone types) and he recommends using remover no more than once a week, AND to do it outside because of the fumes.  Apparently he recommends that you repair your chips all week so that you only have to use the remover once a week.

I used polish remover a few days in a row recently, due to taking off the polish that I put on my daughter’s toes and fingers for a wedding we went to recently.  And then I used some on myself the following day.  The skin on my fingers that were holding the remover soaked cotton pads were dried to a flaky crunchy yuckiness by the day following, and stayed that way for days and days.  Lotion did not help the damage to my skin very much at all.

So, I believe Dr. Oz.  I will try to keep from using the remover more than once a week.

I haven’t been in the polish wearing market for my hands in quite awhile, so I haven’t been keeping up with the top coats that are available now, and how well they work.  Perhaps there have been great improvements in past few years.  I mean, look what mascaras can do with our lashes now!  :D  So, I am going to experiment with a few frugal brands of top coats (especially the fast-drying ones), and report how they work out for me.

Frugal and Fast Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe

We all want beautifully clean laundry, don't we?  But have you noticed how expensive laundry detergent can be?  Sheesh!  Well, I have been using my own homemade laundry detergent for several months now, and my family has been quite happy with it.  And it is VERY cheap.

I had been wanting to make my own laundry detergent for some time, but I kept procrastinating.  There are many recipes out there, and I was rather put off by the ones that sounded very time consuming and complicated - like the liquid detergents that you have to cook.  Who wants to do all that?

Well, I got a homemade laundry recipe from my friend Sandie (who teaches online cooking classes for kids BTW - check out her website if that sounds interesting).  Anyway, her recipe sounded SO EASY to make, so I tried it.

The Ingredients:

1. Borax - I just pick up a box (4 lbs 12 oz) of 20 Mule Team Borax at Walmart for $3 (though not all Walmart locations carry it) or at Albertsons for closer to $5.

2. Washing Soda - The only company I know of at this moment that makes this is Arm & Hammer, and it is called Super Washing Soda.  (This is not the same as baking soda.) My local Albertsons grocery store used to carry it, but alas, they have discontinued it!  I picked up several of the last boxes (3 lb 7 oz) of it for $1.50 each, though the regular price was about $3.  UPDATE: I just found a local supplier!  Ace Hardware stores in my area carries this for $3.99 a 3 lb 7 oz box.  Yay!

3. Laundry Soap - The brand I am currently using is called Zote, and can be found at Walmart, as well as Save-a-Lot, and some other local markets in my area, generally for about $1.  It is manufactured in Mexico.  I have a Mexican market locally that carries Zote in several scents and formulations, which is kind of nice, though I've only tried the regular pink flavor so far.

I have also used Fels Naptha soap, but I really want to try it some more to test how effective it is because I keep reading how great it is.  However, I cannot find a local source for this brand. UPDATE!: I just found that my local Ace Hardware store carries Fels Naptha for $1.40 per bar.  This is just a tad cheaper than the current SALE price at the online store Soaps Gone Buy that was the only place I knew that carried this brand.  But now I have a local supplier!  Yay!  So if you have any Ace Hardware Stores in your area, give them a call!

Directions: 

1. Grate or shred the soap, using a cheese grater with small holes. I do this in a big bowl, as it can get messy.  My friend's recipe calls for 1/2 bar of soap per batch, but the smell of the Zote is so overpowering to me that I only use 1/3 of a bar.

2. Measure out 1 cup of the Super Washing Soda

3. Measure out 1 cup of the Borax

4. Mix all together in a frugally snazzy container.  See how my Skippy Peanut Butter jar looks so lovely as my re-purposed laundry detergent container?  (When I use the pink Zote soap, it reminds me of those Hostess coconut pie thingies...)

5. YOU ONLY NEED 2 TBSP PER LOAD!  (Sorry for yelling, but this is rather exciting, don't you think?)  I keep a scoop inside the container for convenience (1/8 cup scoop = 2 TBSP).  I will often use 2 scoops (4 TBSP) for my larger loads.  It will not be sudsy, like commercial brands.  But don't worry, your laundry is getting clean.

So - How Much Money am I Actually Spending?

I spent:
Borax - $3
Washing Soda - $4 (I spent $1.50, but I will use the price that Ace quoted me)
Soap - $1
TOTAL COST: $8

Yield of each item:
Borax - 4 lb 12 oz box = 10 cups/batches
Washing Soda - 3 lb 7 oz box = 7 cups/batches
Soap - since I use 1/3 each, = 3 batches

To determine the cost of one batch of detergent:
Borax - $3 divided by 10 = 30 cents
Washing Soda - $4 divided by 7 = 58 cents
Soap - $1 divided by 3 = 34 cents
TOTAL COST FOR ONE BATCH:  $1.22

I scooped through my one batch of detergent to see how many loads of laundry I could wash with it - this will vary from person to person depending on how 'heaping' you fill your 1/8 cup measuring spoon - but mine came out to:  approximately 22 medium size loads, or 11 large loads

So, that would cost me:

$1.22 for 22 medium loads or 11 large loads:
about 11 cents for each large size load,  
and about 6 cents for each medium size load!

Not bad, huh?  I am quite happy with the price, and also quite happy with the cleaning job it does on our laundry.

Some Tips and Observations:

~ If your grater makes rather large shreds of soap, you may find the powders and soap separating a bit.  Be sure to shake up your container or scoop up even amounts of both when putting the detergent into the laundry.

~ The inside of your washing machine may develop a ring of scum after washing with this detergent for a bit.  I do buy commercial detergent once in awhile, and washing one load with commercial detergent removes the scum for me.

~ I have heard that using homemade laundry detergent will eventually turn your whites a dingy color.  Apparently the remedy to this is to use a product called 'bluing'.  I have yet to buy and try bluing, but I do plan to.  However, in the meantime I plan to keep some commercial detergent on hand (bought on sale of course!) JUST for my whites.

~ I have not yet done a lot of experimenting to see how clean everything actually gets, especially stains from my very messy children.  So, I still use Shout (my favorite stain treatment) for stains I notice before laundering.

Until next time, stay beautiful and frugal, my frugalicious beauties!

Do you have a frugal "Quickie" everyday look?

I have an 'everyday look' that takes only minutes to achieve.  We all should have one or two make up looks that we can do FAST.  And of course, it is possible to do it with frugal products and look good.

Keeping the routine short helps it to be fast, but it will depend upon your lifestyle on how minimal you could go.  Those of us with a job that requires a polished look may need to have some extra steps that those of us with more flexibility to be casual may not need.  But even polished make up jobs can be a achieved quickly with some thought and practice.

Idea for a 'Quickie' Very Basic and Frugal Make up Routine:

1. moisturizer (if you need it)
2. sunscreen
3. concealer (optional)
4. powder
5. eyeliner
6. mascara
7. lip balm or gloss
And ta-da!  That's it!

I'll share with you the frugal products I use for each step.

1. Moisturizer - I honestly don't use moisturizer except once in awhile when I get dry patches, and I have been trying to get into the habit of at least moisturizing in eye area (since I'm getting older...).  My sunscreen generally hydrates my face well enough.  However, I do have two moisturizers for the times I use them.

I have a lightweight moisturizer for the summer:  Alba Botanica Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer (I got this at Vitacost.com for about $10 for 3 oz. - smells super yummy with a slight floral scent.)

I have a slightly heavier moisturizer for the winter or for very dry weather: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Jasmine & Vitamin E Moisture Cream (also at Vitacost for about $10 for 3 oz. - also smells wonderful if you love the floral jasmine scent)

2. Sunscreen - I have 3 that I use, whichever is closest:

Alba Botanica Sun 20 SPF Facial Sunscreen (I like this ok to pretty good.  Ok scent, about $5 for 4 fl oz. at vitacost)

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea SPF 30 Sunscreen (not formulates specifically for the face, but it has a very pleasant scent that I like - try smelling it at a local store - about $5 for 4 fl oz. at Vitacost)

Kiss My Face Face Factor SPF 30 - This is what my daughters use, and I borrow it sometimes.  Smells like sunscreen, I like it ok to pretty good.  (Was about $7 for 2 fl oz.  I prefer to use the other two because they are less expensive.)

3. Concealer - This is a hard one for me.  I have yet to find a perfect concealer.  For the most part, I only use it for blemishes and a dark spot on my forehead.  Lately I've been using one of my lighter colored liquid foundations.  And I apply it with a lip brush ('Pink Oval Taklon Lip Brush' I ordered for $1.99 from coastalscents.com) The brush really helps me to only get it on the spots I am trying to conceal.

4. Powder - I've given up using foundation for the time being.  I am having a hard time finding one that matches my skin tone.  That is a challenge when wanting to purchase an inexpensive foundation because most frugally priced brands do not have testers.  The brands that have those little plastic testing strips to lay across your wrist are helpful, but they certainly aren't foolproof.  Since I am not a model or a make up artist, I decided I don't need flawless looking skin!

So instead, I only use powder.  I have much better luck finding powders that match my skin tone.  I am currently using L'oreal True Match Powder (got it 'Buy One Get One 50% Off' at Walgreens.  I am noticing they don't seem to have the 'Buy One Get One Free' very often anymore.  Darn!)

The powder lays nicely on top of my sunscreen, with just enough coverage for my tastes, and it doesn't make my face look like it is a totally different color from my neck & upper chest areas.

5. Eye Liner - Most days I choose eyeliner, in the form of eyeshadow.  I have heard of some eye pencils that really do have staying power, but until I have time to check them out, my tried and true routine of using my eyeshadow for eyeliner is what I'll be doing.  Any eyeshadow brand could work for this, in any dark color of your preference, like black, grey, brown, taupe, blue, green or purple.

I am using brushes more and more for applying my make up, but I have an applicator inside my eyeshadow compact that has a narrow end as well as a regular end.  The narrow end is perfect for applying eyeshadow as liner.  It takes mere seconds to apply.  The ones I have are made by Essence of Beauty and are available at CVS for about $1.99.  I've looked around, and though there are many applicators out there, most of the double ended ones I have found are rather fat on the narrow end and don't appear narrow enough.  I did see another brand at Walgreen's that also looked good, I believe the brand is Studio 35.

6. Mascara - I personally prefer mascaras that lengthen over those that thicken.  Amazing what modern technology can do, huh?  One of my favorite mascaras is the L'oreal Lash Out Mascara. (always on sale, of course, usually at CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens).

Currently though, I am having satisfactory results with Wet n Wild Mega Lash Mascara.  I have to wipe the excess product from the wand with a tissue before I apply, though.  They seem to have recently taken them off the Wet n Wild shelf so it's no longer a current formula (but I see there are many for sale on ebay from $1 and up).  Rite Aid will put this brand on sale once in awhile.  I am sure I bought this 'Buy One Get One Free' or 50% off, and probably spent $2 - $3 for it.)

7. Lip Balm or Gloss - I always, always have lip balm nearby.  In my purse and on my nightstand.  My favorites currently:

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Pineapple Quench Lip Balm (I got these for about 75 cents at my local Grocery Outlet store.  It is kind of 'chunky' with bits of pineapple I assume, and I wish there was an SPF, but I love the fruity smell and it works great.  I prefer my lip balms to be more thick and slightly waxy rather than thin and oily-like, and this one is thick how I like them.)

Desert Essense Lip Rescue with Shea Butter (was just over $1 at vitacost - also no spf, but nice mild somewhat fruity smell, and a nice thick consistency)


I do have a few variations of my 'Quickie' look, and am considering trying a few new things like tinted lip balm, eyeshadow primer, bronzer (after I find the darn thing!) and testing some concealers, but until then, this is my 'go-to' 'Quickie' look when I need to look casually decent (um, I mean 'cute') in a pinch.

One last thing - I keep all of these items in my purse at all times, which makes it easy to apply no matter what time of day, or where I am.

Some Local Stores to Check for Frugal Deals on Beauty Products

It could be worth your while to check out some extra stores to find the beauty products you use and love, especially if you wouldn't mind finding them cheaper.  If you don't have to drive out of your way too far, try to stick a short shopping trip in your days once in awhile to see what these stores carry.

Here is a list of stores that I have found beauty and health products for really great prices in my area:

99 Cent Stores 

Cosmetic section at 99 Cent Store

There are a ton of different 99 cent stores out there, and I have yet to venture into some of them.  However, I try to stop by the chain 99 Cent Store in my area once in awhile.  The assortment varies each time I go, but I have found some great finds!  Some great hair toys (elastic bands, scrunchies, claw clips) as well as great cosmetics.  I find an old brand of make up that I used to see all the time called Aziza and also another brand called Ten.  I have an Aziza eyeshadow palette w/ 6 neutral colors (and a mirror in the compact) that I LOVE and have used like crazy.  I also found some L'oreal HIP Cream Shadow Paints that I'm still experimenting with.

Big Lots

Health Products at Big Lots

My recent stop at Big Lots have found that they are re-arranging things and seem to have gotten rid of a lot of merchandise, most likely with clearance sales.  However, they still had lots of beauty products, including Tom's of Maine toothpaste, which is what we like.  They carry the non-flouride version, which we prefer, in both regular (adult) and children's versions.

Save-a-Lot
This is my 'go-to' store for emergencies mostly, as they carry Suave hair care and also things like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and they also carry the soap I use to make my own laundry detergent (Zote).

Grocery Outlet (only in 6 Western States)

Products at Grocery Outlet

A friend of mine, Luz, told me about this little gem of a store.  They carry mostly food items (lots of gourmet type stuff!), butalso  have a long beauty & health aisle with lots of natural brands.  They also carry Tom's of Maine products, but didn't have the non-flouride toothpaste or deodorant the last time I went.  (Boo hoo.)  But they usually have some Alba Botanica Hawaiian Lip Balm (for 99 cents or less) which makes me happy!

Ross
This store is really hit or miss, and I don't usually go looking for beauty products here, but my daughters do.  My dd found Juice Organics Serum for about $4.  I mostly love to look through the books, stationery, mugs (for something pretty), and bras and undies.  They do have a pretty big selection of bras & undies with very pretty ones included, and we are able to find bras for my one dd who has a more unusual bra size.

Marshalls
Just like Ross, it is my daughters who look here for the beauty products, like the time my oldest found a huge bottle of Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner, and EO Everyday Conditioner for a really great prices.  But also like at Ross, and I love to peruse the books, stationery, and mugs for a pretty one.  I found a very pretty mug here that I use for my pencil cup on my nightstand.  Now I need another one to hold my make up brushes!  We do look at the bras and undies, as some very pretty ones can be found for pretty good prices.

Any good stores I missed?  I'll be adding to this list as I discover more frugal sources for beauty products.

There is Nothing Wrong with Using Suave (or other inexpensive) Shampoos and Conditioners

My hairdresser told me that I shouldn’t use Suave shampoos and conditioners, but she didn’t tell me why.  And I didn’t ask.  Darn, I should have!

I thought maybe Suave (inexpensive brands) contained ingredients that were perhaps harsh or somehow damaging to hair.  Or maybe that the expensive brands contain special ingredients that are super conditioning. 

But I still wasn’t sure.  Either way, I didn’t like telling my hairdresser that I use Suave (inexpensive brands), because I feel like she is reprimanding me by telling me I shouldn‘t use it.  And I don’t like being reprimanded.  Especially for trying to stay within a budget.

Well, let me tell you about a neat place I came across that helped me with this dilemma about Suave (inexpensive) products.  It is ‘The Long Hair Community’ (or  LHC) which is a place where people (mostly ladies) talk about every facet you can think of about growing their hair long.  At the time, my hair was waist-length and I thought it was really cool to find a community all about hair!

Anyway, these ladies really know their stuff!  There are lots of conversations and articles about hair care products of all kinds, including cheap shampoos and conditioners like Suave (that are inexpensive).  I did some searches about Suave, and found out that there are many ladies who like and use Suave (and other inexpensive products)!  Finally, some kind of confirmation that Suave (an inexpensive product) is OK!

That was the first time I didn’t feel embarrassed to be using an inexpensive product, and I haven’t looked back since!  In fact, if you are trying to save $, get on a budget, cut down costs, trying inexpensive products should be your first strategy.  Then, if that particular inexpensive item doesn’t work for you, then try the next expensive one.

Actually, some ladies at the LHC liked the Suave 'Naturals' line in particular, because they do not contain any silicone-based ingredients.  (Not familiar with silicone and how it affects hair?  I will cover this in another post.  I’ll just say that in some types of hair silicone causes breakage!  But some ladies actually like silicones {or ‘cones‘ as they are called at LHC}and the way it makes their hair feel - and others do not.  If you want to learn more about silicones and how it affects our hair, you can try doing some searches at The Long Hair Community.  You will learn a lot!)  I do plan to cover this topic in the future.

But the #1 thing you need to know is this: NO shampoo and conditioner will work great for everyone.  Even the super dooper crazy expensive products.  Some people have really great results with inexpensive products, and other people need other types of products to get their hair to feel and behave in ways that they want, and sometimes that means more expensive.  It takes experimentation though.

And #2: Do NOT feel guilty or ashamed for using inexpensive product!  Believe me, if they work for you, there are ladies out there who will be jealous of you for being able to have great hair with cheap products!  Not everyone is that lucky!

Be willing to try inexpensive products.  If you find one that works great for you, that will be money in the bank for you. And if you end up with a shampoo that doesn’t work for you, you will only be out a small amount of money. 

If you end up with shampoo you can't use:

*** Use it to clean your bath tub or shower and sink.  Really!  I do this all the time.  (Got the idea from Flylady.  Do you know her?)  Anyway, it is much more pleasant smelling than using scouring powders, and it does work really well to clean the greasy scum.  You’ll have a year’s supply of inexpensive yet effective tub cleaner in no time!

*** Wash your dog with the shampoo & conditioner, provided he/she can tolerate it well.  (Some dogs have sensitive skin too.)

*** Let your kids use it.  Kids seem to be able to use practically any shampoo and their hair comes out nicely, the same as always.  (Aren’t I right?  Little kids seem to have perfect hair.  Why does that change when we get older?)

*** Give your products to a family that is in financial difficulties, telling them it just didn’t work for your hair.  I am sure there are families out there who would appreciate it immensely.