Custom Makeup Brush Holders and Ring Holders

I have included my favorite Etsy pottery and jewelry Artist Kristina Chadwick's ring holders in my YouTube giveaways, but I think she outdid herself this holiday season with all of her new pretty custom creations!

Makeup Brush Holder with pink beads

I ordered this custom makeup brush holder from her in the color purple, to match my bedroom decor. You can see it on my makeup vanity in my Makeup Vanity Tour video.  

Makeup brush holder sets with a matching ring holder

I searched for a cute and practical makeup brush holder for a long time, but I was never able to find a decent one that wasn't mass produced in China, or made from plastic like my Paul and Joe Brush Holder or some kind of composite wood material (like the now discontinued black Sephora brand brush holders, which I also have).

Then Kristina Chadwick started to create makeup brush holders in different styles, sizes and colors, and pairing them up with matching ring holders.   

Ring Holder

My favorite ring holder has a mirrored finish. Individually or paired with a matching makeup brush holder, they make a perfect addition to any makeup vanity table, or as a gift.

Custom Ring Holders 

For more information on designer Kristina Chadwick and ordering her custom ring holders and other handmade jewelry and ceramics.  She also does bulk orders, and makes custom pottery.   Click here:

Kristina is offering a coupon code of 10% off! Use code "Sassi"

Kristina's Handmade Ceramics and Jewelry

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

Until next time, 

The Sassi Wench!

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow Review

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow

About two months ago I was looking for a pretty green eyeshadow, and I discovered this one by reading some beauty blogs.  Encouraged by favorable reviews, I ordered Mousson online and eagerly awaited its arrival.

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow

I find that some NARS eyeshadows tend to be a disappointing failure.  For example, NARS Night Rider looks stunning in the pan, but I found it to be frustrating to apply - you absolutely have to use a primer, and chunks of silver shimmer flake off.  And it never looks quite as good as it does in the pan.

I didn't anticipate having that kind of problem with Mousson though, because it is a cream eyeshadow.

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow

When it arrived, I was thrilled - it was even prettier than it looked online!  It is a simply stunning sage green/silver eyeshadow.  

I wore this color every day for almost a week, trying every kind of application I could think of - layering it over eyeshadow, under eyeshadow, on naked skin, with primer, without primer - and the results were always the same.  This eyeshadow faded on me within 2 - 4 hours.  And it would crease - badly.

I have dry eyelids and I honestly haven't had an eyeshadow fade on me like this since I used (and returned) some of the colors in the awful Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Palette (2010).  

Eventually, all that was left on my eyelids of Mousson was a sheen of silver shimmer with virtually no color.  

But maybe I should have paid more attention to what is written on the NARS website:

"Can be worn alone or paired with a NARS powder eyeshadow for longer-lasting wear and added dimension."

For "Longer-lasting" wear you have to use a powder eyeshadow? What exactly is that supposed to mean?  Clearly even NARS is aware that this eyeshadow doesn't have staying power.

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow

As stunning as this eyeshadow looks, it just didn't work for me.  This eyeshadow is a resounding fail, and I would never repurchase it.  Nor would I purchase any other NARS Cream Eyeshadow, based on my experience with this one.

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow - sage, silver green

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow sparkles in the sun

The NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow was originally part of the 2009 Holiday Collection.  

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow is available at NARS online for $23.

- The Sassi Wench

❧❦ Eco-Emi Box December 2011 ❦

Eco Emi Box December 2011

 I was thrilled with my December Eco-Emi Box, although it appears that there were supposed to be candy canes in here and they are missing.

Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Botanical Lip Gloss in Winterberry

 This month's box included a good selection of household products and body products.

Wyk candle - Whispering Pine

Hip Apotheca provided the John Masters Organics samples

Maggie's Functional Organics Cotton Socks

Green Shield Organic Free & Clear Laundry Detergent

Genesis Today Vitamin C with Zinc Super Chews

Artisana Raw Chocolate Coconut Butter

Zambeezi Organic Beeswax Lip Balm

The only problem I have with this box is that we got lip balm YET AGAIN!  They really need to stop including lip balms. Otherwise, it was a great box for winter - socks, vitamin C chews, a candle...


The December 2011 Eco Emi Box includes:


Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Botanical Lip Gloss in Winterberry
Wyk candle - Whispering Pine
Hip Apotheca provided the John Masters Organics samples
Maggie's Functional Organics Cotton Socks
Artisana Raw Chocolate Coconut Butter
Green Shield Organic Fee & Clear Laundry Detergent
Genesis Today Vitamin C with Zinc Super Chews
Zambeezi Organic Beeswax Lip Balm

The Eco-Emi box is $15 per month.

Click here for a link to the: 

July Eco Emi Box

August Eco Emi Box

September Eco Emi Box

October Eco Emi Box

Sign up for New Beauty Magazine's TestTube here: 

New Beauty TestTube

Click here for a link to the: 
January 2011 Birchbox
February 2011 Birchbox
March 2011 Birchbox
April 2011 Birchbox
May 2011 Birchbox
June 2011 Birchbox
July 2011 Birchbox
August 2011 Birchbox

September 2011 Birchbox

October 2011 Birchbox

November 2011 Birchbox

Click here for a link to the website: Birchbox

Click here for a link to Beauty Fix: Beauty Fix

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

- The Sassi Wench

❧❦ Birchbox December 2011 - Jouer Birchbox Pink Lipgloss ❦❧

The December 2011 Birchbox arrived with more of a whimper than a bang.  I honestly don't have anything to say about it except that in 2011 my Birchboxes started off being very interesting and having awesome products like Nars, Stila and Nuxe and since then it's pretty much been downhill.

December 2011 Birchbox - Jouer Lipgloss

Birchbox Pink Jouer Lipgloss

Benefit The POREfessional

I've used Benefit's POREfessional for a long time, and I love this product.  A little goes a long way and it really covers any large pores completely.  I use it prior to applying foundation.

Blinc Eyeliner

The prior Blinc mascara I received was sub-par, so I don't have much hope for this eyeliner.

Show Stoppers and EBoost Dietary Supplement

Harvey Prince -  Ageless perfume

The Harvey Prince Ageless perfume is touted as being "The scent of youth."  Really?  Seriously.  This is not a particularly pleasant scent.  It just smells like sour grapefruit.


I had an overwhelming negative response to the products I received with my YouTube video, with many ladies saying that they are happy they canceled their Birchbox subscriptions last month - they are now certain it was the right decision.


I'm still on the fence, and I still have hope.  I think I'm going to change my beauty profile and hopefully January will see an improvement.

Click here for a link to the: 

January 2011 Birchbox
February 2011 Birchbox
March 2011 Birchbox
April 2011 Birchbox
May 2011 Birchbox
June 2011 Birchbox
July 2011 Birchbox
August 2011 Birchbox

September 2011 Birchbox

October 2011 Birchbox

December 2011 Birchbox

Click here for a link to the website: Birchbox

Click here for a link to Beauty Fix: Beauty Fix

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

- The Sassi Wench

❧❦ My Makeup Vanity - Storage and Organization ❦❧

My Makeup Vanity Table

In my fantasy there is nothing I would love more than to inhabit a large, elaborate bedroom decorated with pale green damask fabrics and filled with pricey antiques.  I have always yearned for a makeup vanity table like Rebecca's in the Alfred Hitchcock classic Rebecca (1940).  As grandiose as my dreams are, the reality is that I don't live on a massive estate in the English countryside called Manderley and my bedroom is not very big.  


Also, at heart I'm a much more modern girl and I needed a narrow table in a dark chocolate finish that matched my existing bedroom furniture.  Like many others, I found the perfect vanity table by watching YouTube videos.  Almost everyone has one of two versions of the Malm vanity (in various colors).  I got the smaller version (now only available in white), and it's perfect for my needs.


The two table lamps are the Smart Twig Table Lamps and the mirror is the Stave Mirror in Black-Brown also from Ikea. The lamps are hand-blown, and therefore no two lamps are exactly alike.

Makeup Vanity Lighting

I like my vanity to be immaculate and organized.  I'll put anything on there or in there that pleases me.  Most often I'm busy painting my nails or experimenting with new products, and so the top of the vanity is cluttered with whatever products I'm in the mood to play with.


The glass top is easy to clean and I never have to worry about spilling anything on it because it won't stain. 


Nothing horrifies me more than makeup residue/powder/eyeshadow all over makeup bags and stuck on makeup packaging. If you are wondering how I keep my makeup containers/packaging looking brand, spanking new, I use Beauty So Clean cosmetic sanitizer products. These products are designed to sanitize makeup without the use of chemicals.  Their Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipes remove makeup residue from even the most (cool-looking but) dreaded NARS rubber packaging!  

Zadro Cosmetic Lipstick Holders (Acrylic)

I chose two Zadro lipstick holders (they hold 9 lipsticks each) for some MAC lipsticks and for a variety of other brands.  I like the fact that I can store the lipsticks upright, and if I want to see what color the MAC lipsticks are, I can lift pick up the whole thing in one hand and read the names underneath with ease.

I didn't want one long lipstick holder - instead, I can move the two around and I find this much more versatile.  Each lipstick holder has 4 slots for lipstick liner (or eyeliner) pencils, although I'm not using that feature here.

They are very good quality and inexpensive.  They can usually be found for around $12 here.

Mirrored Vanity Tray for perfumes and body sprays

I found this silver mirrored vanity tray at TJ Max for around $17.  My latest perfume/fragrance discoveries/obsessions are kept here. 

The Urban Decay 15th Anniversary tray & acrylic makeup drawers

I did a video and a blog post about these clear acrylic makeup drawers.  I stacked two sets of three drawers for a pretty and convenient way for me to store my most used eyeshadows.


I use the purple velvet tray that came with the 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette by Urban Decay for face and body brushes.  

Anna Sui nail polish

Nail polish is one of my obsessions and I have nail polish bottles all over the place!  Anna Sui nail polish in these adorable rose shaped glass bottles can be purchased from Urban Outfitters for $15 each.


The white kitty cat with blue eyes reminds me of the other man in my life - my kitty cat Coco!  It looks just like him!  I introduce him in the video.

Lisbeth Dahl makeup bag, Venetian Mask and Chanel Le Coton

The Chanel Le Coton was a spur of the moment purchase.  This is what Chanel has to say about it:

CHANEL brings the highest-quality cosmetic cotton pads to the U.S., lending pure luxury to a woman’s daily cleansing and toning ritual. LE COTON is an exquisitely soft tri-layer pad developed in Japan: its outer lining, made from delicate, handpicked Egyptian cotton, and its inner filling, comprised of lightly entwined, elastic Australian fibers. Combined, this ultra-absorbent, lint-free composition increases the effectiveness of CHANEL Cleansers and Toners, treating even the most sensitive skin to unparalleled gentleness. Each LE COTON pad is generously sized and delicately embossed with the world-renowned CHANEL logo.

Who writes this stuff?!!

The Venetian mask is left over from Halloween.  I want to hang it on the wall but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Lisbeth Dahl cosmetic pouch

I love Lisbeth Dahl products but they are virtually impossible to find in the USA so I had to order all of my LD items from Instant Vintage in the UK.  I was enthralled by this makeup bag!  It's like a large coin purse with a jewel-like clasp.  I have two - this one and an even larger one in gray satin.

Paul & Joe brush holder used for eyeliners, lip pencils and lipstick

This is a makeup brush holder from Paul & Joe.  I reviewed it here.  I have a matching Paul & Joe beauty mirror (featured in my video above).


I like to use one side for eye pencils, and the other side for lip pencils and lipsticks.

Pirates of the Caribbean OPI mini nail polish collection and Paul & Joe Butterfly Tin.

I reviewed the Paul & Joe Butterfly Tin here.  Now I use this tin to store makeup samples.


I'm obsessed with pirates, nail polish and the Caribbean and so I had to get this set the moment I laid eyes on it! The Pirates of the Caribbean OPI Mini Nail Polish Collection includes:

1. Skull and Glossbones
2. Planks a Lot
3. Sparrow Me the Drama
4. Stranger Tides

I'm giving away one of these OPI mini sets (not this one!) in my Favorite Things of 2011 Giveaway here. The giveaway ends December 27th, 2011.

Kristina Chadwick makeup brush holders

Artist Kristina Chadwick makes makeup brush holders of all shapes and sizes (and she does custom orders/colors, etc.)  I ordered a custom purple brush holder (right) and I was given the black textured brush holder (left) as a birthday gift this week.  I love the fact that each one of these is hand-made and unique.  Kristina sells makeup brush holders with matching ring holders for $30 on Etsy.


Kristina is offering a coupon code of 10% off! Use code "Sassi"

This decorative glass vanity box is from the Valerie Bertinelli home goods collection

This decorative glass vanity box is a part of the Valerie Bertinelli line for Home Goods and I picked it up at TJ Max for around $20!

Inside the vanity box 

I usually keep lipsticks (i.e. lipsticks that are packaged in square tubes that will not fit in the acrylic Zadro lipstick holders) in here, along with brand new products that I need to photograph for my blog.  Sometimes I have photographed the makeup (I keep an archive of photos for every makeup item I buy so that I can use them in blog posts) and I haven't had a chance to use the items yet.  

The rest of the items are just things that I'm busy with or have plans to use in the near future.  Whatever takes my fancy, whatever interests me now.

(L) Sephora stackable vanity trays (discontinued) (R) an Ikea Anordna tray 

Inside the vanity drawer I use the long discontinued Sephora stackable trays.  These are easily removed from the draw and the two small trays can stack on top of the single large tray.  I have more white Ikea Anordna trays (I think they are also discontinued), but right now I'm only using two Anordna trays inside the vanity drawer.  These trays are far more practical than the Sephora trays, because products are easier to see against the white of the tray, and because they can be washed with soap and water.  The Sephora trays are lined with fabric, so it's more of a mission to keep them clean.  Lint rollers and a keyboard vacuum cleaner does the trick.

Ikea Anordna pull-out tray

The Ikea Anordna trays are the perfect size to store MAC and the old style Stila eyeshadows on their sides.

Nail polishes, a Kristina Chadwick ring holder and Lisbeth Dahl coin purse

I don't know how many nail polishes I have.  I have a fairly decent OPI collection too, but I like to keep my favorite polishes close by on the Ikea Malm chest next to my vanity table.  Some favorites include Chanel, Deborah Lippmann, Zoya, Rescue Beauty Lounge and Paul & Joe.  This particular nail polish rack holds up to 36 bottles and it can be purchased here for $24.99.  Other sizes are available.


Additional makeup, makeup bags, nail products and other paraphernalia are stored in the Malm 6-Drawer Chest. 


The roses were given to me by my husband for my birthday :-)

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

- The Sassi Wench