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.