March 12, 2015

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick

Oh lord where does one start with Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick ($2.99)? Jordana introduced Modern Matte Lipstick to their permanent color cosmetics collection for Spring 2015 in 12 shade selections. They market these as a “kiss your dry matte lipstick goodbye and say hello to modern matte” which implies to me they are hydrating. They also call them an all day wear formula without the typical dry lip finish that feathers and cracks.

Something got terribly lost in translation here!

I should start by saying that I’ve never met a Jordana lip product I didn’t like. They have a cheap, affordable collection of products that end up being surprisingly good. I dunno, sometimes when you pay two bucks for a lipgloss you automatically assume it’ll stink! Not the case with Jordana! They have a lot of sleeper hit products that I enjoy using.

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick36

Jordana Modern Matte Lipsticks

I think Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick is one of the first product I’ve been truly disappointed in.

These in an array of gorgeous shades! Many of the shades are ones I’d personally pick out for myself and likely wear often. There are a good deal of MLBB (my lips but better) colors which I absolutely adore. The colors are quite pigmented as well.

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick swatches

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick Swatches (Matte Adorable, Matte Pretty, Matte Caliente, Matte Style)

Jordana Modern Matte Lipsticks swatches

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick Swatches (Matte Bare, Matte Blush, Matte Frappuccino, Matte Tease)

swatches Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick Swatches (Matte It Girl, Matte Classy, Matte Dare, Mate Popular)

But…

I feel like I should hum the imperial march now.

WTF….

These are SO DENSE! I expected a creamy matte lipstick but what I got was a dense, HARD lipstick formula that was literally painful as I applied them. They drag horribly! I think it would be more comfortable dragging a razor blade across my lips than this lipstick. After testing and swatching 12 shades my lips felt so raw, abused, and chapped. Ugh. Funny they swatch ok…not great, not fantastic but nothing led me to believe while swatching them on my arm that they texture would be so dense during application. Initially I thought this was an isolated issue but all twelve shades prove to have the same formula. I tried warming them up by swatching back and fourth across my arm as I thought maybe it was just the first layer that was hard but nope! Seems the density runs right through the lipstick.

jordana matte caliente

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte caliente

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Caliente)

Jordana matte adorable Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte adorable

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Adorable)

Jordana matte bare Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte bare

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Modern Matte)

Jordana matte blush Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte blush

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Blush)

Jordana matte classy Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte classy

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Classy)

Jordana matte dare Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte dare

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Dare)

Jordana matte frappuccino Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick Matte frappuccino

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Frappuccino)

Jordana matte it girl Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte it girl

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte It Girl)

Jordana matte popular Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte popular

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Popular)

Jordana matte pretty Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte pretty

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Pretty)

Jordana matte style Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte style

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Style)

Jordana matte tease Modern Matte Lipstick

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick matte tease

Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (Matte Tease)

Once I have them on, which is a chore, they actually look really nice. They provide nice color, a smooth, soft matte finish that isn’t patchy or dry looking in the least. They wear for a good five hours but I find at around hour three they do tend to crack a good deal however, in this time frame I don’t feel like they are sucking TOO much moisture from my lips. This isn’t to say they are hydrating but they aren’t nearly as dry as I thought they’d be either.

However, I have to say I’d avoid these. At $2.99 they are a steal yes but the application process is one holy mess! I was kind of hoping that my initial press samples might not have the formula that they will market to stores so if anyone tried these and had a better experience please share as I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

As of now they get a big thumbs down from me.

Love you Jordana but these new Modern Matte Lipsticks just aren’t doing it for me.

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Danadoo

    Omg, right? I’ve been wearing lipstick for 30 years or so, and this is the WORST lippie i have EVER come across!! I can’t even begin to fathom how you managed to swatch them all..your lips must be bleeding! How did these even make it to stores, was there no testing whatsoever?? I mean, tthese are UNACCEPTABLE! Luckily I only bought one, which went straight in the garbage. They really need to pull these off the market.

    • Isabella Muse

      lol yes! My lips completely got wrecked after using them. you know what’s ironic? THEY ACTUALLY LOOK SO NICE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha! But applying them? Holy hell! It’s like makeup torture.

  • It’s Gamayun

    Muse lah – you’re the only reviewer I’ve seen have trouble with all the colors dragging on their lips. Is there a possibility that your shipment (I assume you ordered from their web, since I don’t think all 12 colors are in store at Wiggity Wags) got frozen in transit? That could permanently alter the formula… maybe contact Jordana and see if they are willing to replace?

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m not sure hun! I got these directly from Jordana’s PR team. Danadoo also experienced the same issue (see her comment above) so I think it’s perhaps it might just be the formula. If I see them at walgreens I’ll purchase a few and see what sort of results I get 🙂 but as of now they are not a user friendly formula! Have you tried them? What was your experience?

  • Christina D.

    I saw these and was tempted momentarily because I refuse to buy anything but drugstore lipsticks (I have ADD when it comes to lipsticks so I don’t invest too much in them) — but I am so glad I passed! I did opt instead for Jordana’s sister label, Milani, and their new line of matte lipsticks for the spring which you also loved!

    • Isabella Muse

      I just didn’t didn’t dig ’em! They were harsh on my lips like nobody’s business :-/ I did love the milani ones 😀

      • Molly

        I know I’m a little late but I bought 2 of these and they don’t drag like you experienced. I think maybe it was a bad batch? Maybe since then they’ve been reformulated?
        Also I read the Milani matte lipsticks were drying, just the opposite to these… is I avoided them & bought these.

        • Isabella Muse

          Could def me a fluke Molly 🙂 a lot of other commentors said they had a good experience with them but sadly, the dragged horribly on me 🙁 I’m glad they worked out for you!

          • Carla Norris

            I have only one of these lipsticks, Matte Dahlia, and I quite like it. It isn’t the best formula in the world, but applied over a non-greasy balm (100% Pure makes a great one), it goes on nicely, and stays put rather well.
            I think it’s a decent buy for <$5.00, from a cruelty-free brand that's readily available. I may well add Matte It Girl and/or Matte Dare to my collection soon.

            Matte Dahlia is a beautiful deep pinky-red that reminds me some of MAC's long-gone "Glam."
            Here's a really poor quality but color-true photo:
            https://tinyurl.com/y9rfp2h8

  • Heidi

    I have some of these. They’re OK. I don’t find them torture to apply, but they are a touch too dry for my tastes. I like the bare — which applies really well — and the classy ones, which work well for me, and the deep red is pretty, but the others are kind of meh, like its matte texture and dryness settle into liplines, etc. I got them for $2.49 so it was a bit of cheap amusement, but I do find myself returning to other stuff in my collection more often!

    • Ann

      I’m a bit late to the party, as I just purchased the matte classy shade. I didn’t have a problem with application at all, and it feels very comfortable on my lips. Any update as to what you think of them now?

      • Isabella Muse

        Hi Ann! Glad to hear it! I haven’t tried any since this batch so sadly I still feel the same about them as I originally did!

  • Renu

    Oh no! I have the driest lips in the universe and they look bad without any help so I’ll pass these. Pity – I did love the colour of Matte Bare and Matte Pretty.

  • Rebecca

    I kind of disagree. I own matte bare and matte pretty, and for me, they go on slightly creamy. They are a bit thick though, but not hard like you described them to be. Maybe there’s just some inconsistency amongst the batches, they must of changed something in the formula halfway through.

    • Nikki

      I agree with you Hun! Mine wee fine, easy to apply. Not hard at all. Love it. I bought frappucinno shade. Is like to try the rest.

  • Adrienne

    I purchased 3 of the colors from Jordana (It Girl/Popular/Frappuccino) and 3 Milani Moisture Matte( Diva/Orchid/Naked).Surprisingly enough I found the Milani ($7.99) to be more drying and with a worse application. The Jordana was difficult the first time I attempted to use it like there was a wax sealant on the top of it to hold its shape but after that I didn’t have any issues except with the color Popular. It Girl and Frappuccino applied with no problems. What I have been doing is applying Aquaphor Lip Repair and then blot it before applying the Jordana colors, so maybe that changes things a bit.

    • Quinctia

      Hmm…I’m really liking the Milani natte formula, so now I’m a bit extra curious to try these. If they might work even better than Milani’s…score.

      Milani’s Matte Naked goes on so well and lasts for so long, especially for a neutral, I keep reaching for it about every other day.

  • Kimmwc03

    I bought Matte Popular from Walgreens about a month ago and I did not have any problems applying it. It was drying over time as most mattes are on me. It’s not my fav lippy but I like it.

  • Julie

    I’ve seen TONS of people post reviews raving about these and I hated the one I bought so much that I threw it out after trying it three separate times. 🙁 What a waste… at least it wasn’t an expensive waste!

    • Isabella Muse

      i havent yet read any reviews on them Julie, I tend to like trying it myself, review, and then read other reviews so Im curious what everyone is raving about! Maybe we got a bad batch!

  • Grace

    Oh wow! I was about to purchase these, but will pass ’em up after reading your review! I really thought Matte Adorable was the perfect cool pink.

  • Christine

    I agree these aren’t as creamy but for me they work quite well, they aren’t as dry or.dragging as say the city color matte lippies. I guess everyone’s experience is different. While I love the Milani matte formula, I find the color selection drab! (with the exception of matte glam), I hope they come out with some new shades =D

  • Melissa

    Yeah, I didn’t like these either. I really wanted to, but I couldn’t deal with the overly velvet-like texture which then went on to dry out my lips — and I have oily skin. Not good.

  • Fancie

    Ouch! I recently picked up a few of these and now I’m scared to try them. So sorry these were so painful on your lips :/

    • Isabella Muse

      try them out fancie curious if you like! 🙂 quite a few people commented they love them so I think maybe I’m the majority here 🙂 maybe you’ll adore!

  • Xero

    I have three of these (Tease, Style and Blush) and I like them, except Tease because of the way it stains. They are kind of thick but it doesn’t really inconvenience me. I find them pleasant to wear once they’re on and they don’t crack or get super dry either, they just…fade. The climate is hot and humid where I live so that may have something to do with it.

  • eunice

    ah! such a diss.. and the colors were beautiful IMHO.. i love jordana because they have affordable products and i have high hopes for this one.. bummer.

  • Hanna

    I bought Matte blush. It wasn’t hard like yours but it did feel SUPER drying. Luckily I didn’t keep it on long enough to destroy my lips, the color gave me serious corpse mouth!
    Not for me for sure….

    • Danadoo

      Haha, I was reading through the comments and “serious corpse mouth” cracked me up! Thanks, I really needed a chuckle today!

  • Myra

    I really like these – they are a bit drying, and I do have to put it a little effort to get them on, but they are matte. I get great color and they wear long…I just have to moisturize after wear, which what I usually do with most matte lippies. If the price point were any higher than $3, I would’ve not caved…but they really are beautiful on 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      I agree they look gorgeous on, it’s the application that pains me! :-/

  • Miranda

    This is so bizarro! These are like my new fave mattes because they’re so creamy on me and don’t dry down to reveal chapped lips! Sorry they didn’t work for ya 🙁

    • Isabella Muse

      must be the batch I got! They were rough rough rough on my lips 🙁 I like the way they look on just not the application!

  • SusieQ1970

    I snatched up 6 of these a while back when I first saw the display. I love the colors and they all look beautiful on but they are probably the driest lipsticks I’ve ever owned but that hasn’t stopped me from wearing them, lol! They make a great base color for a beautiful gloss to cling to.

  • Katherine T.

    Muse, I think there’s inconsistency in the batches. Another blogger said she swiped the top layer off and it was creamy and easy to apply. I bought Bare and Classy, and thought it was dry and dense – it did improve after I took the top layer off, but still didn’t go on that easily. I would rather spend a little more and get a better lippie

    • Isabella Muse

      katherine, I tried swiping across my arm a few times to warm the formula up but no luck, still quite dense. You might be right as loads of people expressed how amazing they are in this post so I guess my batch were just off. Kinda makes me want to buy another batch because I REALLY like the way they look on, such nice colors!

  • jessica

    greetings from here in the philippines! stumbled on your blog here since i was looking for jordana modern matte reviews. i finally got a hold of one yesterday and so far, its pretty amazing! long lasting and great colors. i didnt have the issue you had during application and i applied it on bare lips.. 😉 anyway, you look great on all the shades! 😊

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m happy to hear you like these Jessica 🙂 glad they worked out for you!

  • Bianca Monique Bargas

    Wow! You look extremely wonderful with them especially the purple-ish color. I am considering to buy Jordana lipstick and thank you for this review. It really helped a lot. ELF, Jordana and WetnWild are my favorite lip brands!

    • Isabella Muse

      thank you Bianca 🙂 my pleasure dear! I really enjoy WetnWild, Jordana, and ELF too! they do great stuff 😀

  • Stephanie

    I loved these! I feel like they last so long on me, don’t settle into the lines in my lips, and they swipe so pigmented on my lips (which is hard to find bc mine are so deep.) I own them in style and dare, I wonder why ours are so different!

  • lala

    This is weird. I know im super late lol but i just purchased matte blush and i like it. Yeah its drier than other lippies i have but not that bad at all. Its creamy-ish. And has good staying power. Considering getting bright colors. Srry u had a bad experience. This is my first jordana product ever bought as well. Application wasnt too bad. Maybe becuz my lips live in lanolin cream (ik ik its for breastfeeding nipples LOL) (but it works great on lips) when not in lipstick??..

  • Jazmin

    ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THESE MODERN MATTE LIPSTICKS ARE THE BEST I HAVE EVER BOUGHT YET!!!
    YASS!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!!!

  • Nikki

    Would you be willing to give these away as-is. I’d be more than happy to take them off your hands!!( the pink/nude shades) I read your disclaimer and i take full responsibility and no liability on you . Please contact me.

    Thank You

  • Suzellis

    This is the first time buying her brand and they are awesome! Went on very easily and lasted long time and I usually wear like Mac or revlon first time spending this low price and I’m in love not including I have extra cash in my wallet lol

    • Carla_N.

      I have Matte Dahlia, and I really like it.
      The color is a deep-to-medium matte pinkish red that reminds me pleasantly of MAC’s discontinued “GLAM.”
      Before applying Matte Dahlia, I put on a generous coat of Hurraw lip balm, let it sink in, blotted, and applied the lipstick.
      Matte Dahlia went on smoothly, felt comfortable (though NOT moist!) and lasted admirably, even through a light meal.
      I’m thinking of trying Matte Style next.

  • Bela T

    I like these, although when I saw Modern Matte I was scared sh*tless to try them, I already have dry lips, so I only bought 4 colors. Frappucino (my fave), Dare (yes!) Style (another YES!) and Bare ( nope went to the trash bin) With the exception of Bare these were real creamy, then again I apply them twice, they last all day on me never have to re-apply. BUT…since I am a moisture lipstick addict due to the fact that I HAVE dry lips, what I ALSO do is….I apply this once then apply another shade on top of it either from Jordana or Wet N Wild and as the matte underneath “dries” it literally fuses with whatever color I put on top and BAM awesome color lasts all damn day, I get compliments all the time when I do it this way. To the point they don’t believe it is NOT a high end lipstick, ha ha.

    • Carla_N.

      What a cool idea, Bela T – I’m going to try it!
      Even though I’m fortunate enough to not have chronically dry lips, I wouldn’t mind more staying power.
      Thanks!

      • Bela T

        Awesome! I hope it works for you as it did for me. I also try it with other moisturizing lipsticks, and yup it does not matter what brand it is, it still works. I had some sample Estee Lauder lipsticks and it also works, although not as long as wet n wild or another Jordana lipstick (Milani too since it’s a Jordana Co.) I work long hours so Milani Teddy Bare works wonders on top of Frappucino! It’s my go to “nude” look, (because of work 🙂 otherwise, I would be rockin the red lips! haha)

  • nhgranny

    Omg, I finally found my perfect nude shade, the one mlbb I search for anytime I see a photo of famous “natural” perfect lips…it’s 01 matte bare, 1 shade above beige (ick) with golden natural healthy warm lip color. It doesn’t hurt at all to apply. I do use a concealer or bit of blur cream or blur makeup under to keep edges defined and help it go on easily. I often will dot bit of gloss on bottom center over a dab of pearl highlight eyeshadow to emphasize full lips. It does require touch ups after couple hrs of water bottle drinking etc. Jordana has gorgeous colors. Also,their eye pencil has cap with brow brush and is a great pencil in every way!

  • Carla_N.

    I really like Matte Dahlia, and was thinking of trying Matte Style, in my never-ending search for the perfect red.
    However, it just doesn’t look like my ideal red after all, so I think I’ll try something else.

  • Carla Norris

    I actually really like the Jordana Modern Mattes.
    In fact, Matte Dahlia, an intense rose red, is my “go-to” lipstick these days.I find that it applies smoothly, wears well(leaves a pretty stain behind), and feels comfortable. I do wear a bit of non-greasy balm(I love Hurraw Black Cherry) underneath; maybe that’s the key.
    I also own Matte Dare -it’s a less versatile color for me, so I don’t wear it often. However, I find that it performs much like Dahlia. I’d definitely buy more of these Modern Mattes.