Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush and Luxury Face Brush Review

Now that some Edward Bess cosmetics are available at Sephora, I thought I would do a long overdue blog post on some of his products.  I don't know why, but his makeup brushes aren't available on Sephora just yet.  Instead, visit Nieman Marcus.

Last year, several beauty blogs were buzzing about Edward Bess and I found myself drawn to his cosmetics with their elegant, neutral colors packaged in sleek black packaging.

Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush (L) Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush (R)

I purchased Edward Bess Ultra-Luminous Eye Shadow, Defining Lip Liner and Ultra Slick Lipstick, but I held off on the brushes.  Not because I wasn't interested, but because I already have so many face and eye brushes that I wasn't ready to spend nearly $100 on two more brushes.  

Edward Bess is a luxury cosmetics brand, and it's certainly not for everyone.  His Sheer Satin Cream Compact Foundation alone is $60.  If you want a basic Edward Bess face, foundation, concealer, blush, lipstick, mascara and an eye shadow palette will cost you $262.  Not for the faint of heart.

Add the two brushes featured here, and say goodbye to $358.

After my initial cosmetics purchase (I'll review those later), I was so pleased with the products that I just knew I wouldn't be able to rest until I tried out the brushes.

Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush bristles

The first brush I bought was the Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush ($40).  It has a weighted metal handle and densely packed natural bristles.

The design of this brush reminded me a little of  Urban Decay's 24/7 Shadow Pencil Blending Brush, which also has a metal handle - although the comparisons end there.

The bristles on this brush are dense enough to pick up a good amount of eye shadow, but best of all, it blends the eye shadow better than any brush in my collection.

As it turns out, it's good for a wash of color all over the lid, and for depositing color in the crease.  

If you are on a budget but wish to own a small selection of only good quality, multi-use brushes, it's worth the investment.

If you want a high quality blending brush, it doesn't get much better than this one.  

The Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush

I was so pleased with my Luxury Eye Brush, that I promptly ordered the Luxury Face Brush ($56)! And for the past five months I have been alternating using this brush and my Hakuhodo angled face powder S100 Finishing Brush, mainly for applying beauty powders.  The Hakuhodo S100 is my favorite face brush of all time (my HG), but the Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush comes a close second.

The Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush is not the softest brush I have (quite unlike the Hakuhodo brush which is super soft), but the bristles aren't rough, either.  Instead, they are densely packed in a well designed weighted handle which fits easily between your fingers for a good application.

It did surprise me, but the weight and length of the handle truly makes a difference.  I wasn't sure how I would like it when I first received this brush, but after a few swift strokes, application of the powder was evenly distributed and my face had a dewy glow!  Now, it's just easy to reach for this brush.

As it is a multi-use brush, I tried it with with my Stila bronzer (I only use bronzer when filming videos), and MAC blush with equally pleasing results.  

(L) Burberry Beauty Brush (R) Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush

Edward Bess and Burberry size comparison

Edward Bess bristles compared with the Burberry Beauty Brush Bristles

You can see how densely packed the bristles are in comparison with the Burberry Beauty Brush  ($52) (which I will review later).

Bottom line, I would definitely repurchase these brushes if (horror!) something ever happened to them.  You certainly pay more for this kind of quality, but if you are serious about makeup and want to invest in brushes that should last you years and years with good care, take a look at what Edward Bess has to offer.

- The Sassi Wench

p.s. I liked the brush so much I included it as part of my October Favorites (video below - it was the Halloween edition so don't be shocked when you see me in this video!)

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!

Chanel Holiday 2011 Makeup Brush Set Les Minis de Chanel

Chanel Makeup Brush Gift Set

Chanel Makeup Brushes: COLLECTION OF 6 ESSENTIAL MINI BRUSHES Limited Edition

What Chanel says about this set:

This set of six essential mini brushes for a complete makeup look includes: smudge brush, angled lip brush, angled eyeshadow brush, lash/eyebrow brush, foundation/concealer brush and angled powder brush. Encased in a spacious signature cosmetics bag, adorned with the Chanel logo in festive red.

Chanel Signature Cosmetic Bag

The Chanel intertwined "C's" in bold red are simply stunning!

The makeup bag has the Chanel logo in red

Les Minis de Chanel holiday brush set

The one thing that I do no like in this set is the spoolie brush.  It's flimsy and unnecessary.  I would have preferred another brush.

Chanel Angled Powder Brush, Foundation and Concealer Brush, Lash and Eyebrow Brush

Chanel Angled Eyeshadow Brush, Smudge Brush and Angled Lip Brush

The makeup bag is nice really nice - very practical with a zipper pocket with room enough to store a Chanel eyeshadow quad palette and some other makeup items.

Chanel mini brushes inside a signature Chanel makeup bag

I compared the mini foundation brush with the new Chanel Foundation Brush #6 to give some perspective. 

Chanel Foundation Brush #6 versus the Les Minis foundation brush.

The Chanel logo in red on the brush handles

Because I travel so much, hauling around my favorite makeup brushes has always been a source of stress for me.  I worry about scratching the handles or losing some (or all) of them.  I've known for quite some time that I need to find a compact and efficient travel makeup brush set.


I bought two MAC LE Nordstrom brush sets a few years ago, but the quality of some of those brushes is so bad that they are my least favorite.  In fact, I haven't used them in years.  It was a complete waste of money.  The blush brush in one of these sets has some some thick, scratchy and hard synthetic fibers that I simply cannot use on my face.  


It didn't help that I've been lusting after the 2009 Chanel holiday brush set for years.  But alas, that set is long gone and of course today is nowhere to be found.  When the 2010 holiday season rolled around, I didn't care for the 2010 Chanel brush set.  But when I saw the 2011 set online, I knew that this was the travel brush set that I had been waiting for!


Upon arrival, my first impression was the red Chanel logo is stunning! The second - these brushes are tiny!  While they fit in my medium size hands comfortably, I think that it might be a bit awkward for women with larger hands to deal with some of the smaller brushes in this set.


I haven't had the opportunity to really use these brushes, because I just got the set this week.  Once I use them I'll post a review on each brush.


I ordered this set online from the Chanel website for $125.


- The Sassi Wench

What's in My Travel Makeup Bag?

Paul & Joe Makeup Bag and Furla Makeup Bag

The last time I did a "What's in my Travel Makeup Bag" video or blog post was in January, and I've travelled so much this year, so this video and blog post is long overdue!

Inside my Paul & Joe Makeup Bag

Like so many women, I do tend to take too many products with me.  I know that I have never ever used absolutely everything I've ever brought with me while on vacation. 


I also use travel time to test out new products and play with samples that I may have forgotten about , or just never got around to using.  Often I find that I have more time in the morning to apply makeup and style my hair than I do in my regular day to day life.  


I did splurge a little and I bought a new foundation brush (Louise Young), a new eye brush (Edward Bess), and a new eyeshadow palette just before I left to go on this vacation.  It was the perfect opportunity to experiment with the new shadows and brushes.


And all of these products fit comfortably into the Paul & Joe makeup bag!

All of this makeup fits inside the Paul & Joe Cosmetic Bag!

On this road trip we traveled to Washington, D.C., Manassas and Leesburg in Virginia, and to Gettysburg Pennsylvania for a vacation seeped in American Civil War history.

The Hakuhodo makeup brushes (on the left) are my all time favorite!

We saw The White House, took bus tours, auto tours, visited museums and monuments, shopped in Tysons Corner Mall and The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, ate cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes, saw $64 million in cash money at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and sat down to a Witches Brew Tea at a plantation in Virginia!

Furla Makeup Bag filled with Chanel Particulière Nail Polish and nail tools.

I found that I used everything that I brought with me, except for two makeup brushes, the nail polish remover wipes, my backup mascara (explained in my video) and the NARS highlighter.  I just wasn't in the mood to use the highlighter.  So all in all, I feel that I did pretty well and didn't overpack too much this time around.


I took all of my nail tools with me because I gave myself a mani-pedi in my hotel room.  I don't use lip gloss and I rarely use a primer or concealer, so I didn't bring those products with me.


2009 Paul & Joe Waterproof Cosmetic Pouch:

• Lipsticks MAC Creme d' Nude, NARS Bangkok
• Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
• MAC Blush Dame
• MAC Beauty Powder in Light Sunshine
• Anna Sui Beauty Mirror Rose
• Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Stone
• Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara (this might just be my favorite mascara of all time!)
• Laura Mercier Mascara (backup)
• NARS Highlighter in Luxor
• Too Faced Eye Love Sephora Eyeshadow Palette
• Stila In the Light Palette
• Mbeze Sweet Sanura Natural Perfume 
• Boots No7 Beautiful Brows Pencil
• Makeup Brushes:
• Hakuhodo
• MAC
• Louise Young
• Edward Bess

Furla Makeup Bag:

• Chanel Particulière Nail Polish
• OPI Base Coat
• Essie Super Duper Top Coat
• Nail Clippers
• Cuticle pushers
• Bloom Nail File
• All Season Sanding Stick
• Polish Off Nail Polish Remover Pads
• Nail Buffer

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

- The Sassi Wench

MAC Brushes, Eyeshadows and Mickey Contractor Haul

I've been hauling some MAC lately from the Cosmetic Company Stores (CCO's) and from Nordstrom, so I thought I'd share. 

MAC Haul - including Mickey Contractor and Cham-Pale Paint Pots.

 I bought all of this over the course of a few weeks.  I really need to avoid the MAC counter - it's too tempting!

MAC Mickey Contractor Blush Sur, Blush Dame, Cream Color Base Hush.
Superslick Liquid Eyeliners Nocturnal, Smoky Heir, Eyeshadows Hypnotizing, Patina. 

I'm busy building a beautiful makeup brush collection - including MAC brushes.

MAC Baby Goth Girl nail polish, MAC brushes.

I had a problem with the MAC 179 Body Buffer Brush.  After washing it, it began to reek like a dead animal.  I thought I'd have to return it, and I was very upset about it.  I washed it about 10 times alternately using MAC Brush Cleaner, facial cleansers, shampoos and finally Neutrogena Rainbath.  That seemed to do the trick.  I left the brush to dry for several days, and now it only has a faint scent of the Rainbath.  Phew!

Top to Bottom, MAC 179,  134, 189, 109, 165 Brushes.

Cham-Pale collection lipstick in Quiet Please, and a new pair of MAC false eyelashes to complete the multitude of looks I can create from my haul!


Click here for a link to their my January 2011 Birchbox: January 2011 Birchbox
Click here for a link to TestTube: TestTube
Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

- The Sassi Wench

The Body Shop Sale Haul

If you haven't visited The Body Shop online for a while, it's worth taking a look.  They have been having huge sales with incredible savings!

I picked up a few goodies at unbeatable prices:

I have owned The Body Shop Kabuki Bronzing Brush for about a year now, and I love it!  It is a soft, dense, synthetic fiber brush that can be used for bronzing powders, face powders and even blush.  I always wanted to try out other Body Shop brushes, and I couldn't pass up this great deal.  The Body Shop Brush Roll was originally $90, and I got it on sale for $15!!  The brush roll itself is black and pretty, with a black glittery ribbon bow.

The Body Shop Brush Roll was only $15!

 Inside, are five useful make-up tools.

The Body Shop Brush Roll brushes.

The Body Shop blush brush, brow/lash comb, smudger, eye shadow brush, lip/concealer brush.

The blush brush reminds me a little of the MAC 189 Face Brush with regards to the size and shape, although the Body Shop brush is slightly smaller and not as dense.


The Body Shop Smudger alone costs $10.50.  It has a non-latex foam tip that is rather large, but I can see myself using it for blending anywhere on the face.

Close-up of the blush brush, brow/lash comb and smudger.

Close-up of the eye shadow brush and the lip brush.

At the time of this posting, I have not yet had the chance to use the tools and brushes in this set.  I'll do an update at a later date.


Next up, the Spiced Vanilla Shower Scrub & Soften Gift Set. - it was only $12.95... and bear in mind, I got free shipping!

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Shower Scrub & Soften Gift Set.

I know that some of the balms and creams from The Body Shop can be quite overpowering, so I thought I'd try out a mini Strawberry Body Butter ($5).  I'm glad I bought the mini because it really has a very strong strawberry scent, and even though I do love it, I'll use it sparingly.  I couldn't imagine wearing with this body butter and any kind of perfume together - it just wouldn't work.

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Lip Balm and Mini Strawberry Body Butter.

The Spiced Vanilla Lip Balm is lovely, but it is also very a very strong scent.  It got it for $3.

I also bought 5 Vanilla Spice Two-Tone Bath Lily's at $1 each!


All of these lovely items are fair trade and cruelty free, and considering the fact that I paid a total of $40.95 (before tax) for everything that would normally cost around $146, I consider that it's one of the best bargains out there!


- The Sassi Wench

  

MAC Makeup and Makeup Brush Mall Mini Haul!

If you read my post "Tis the Season... Not to be Shopping" , you'll know that I had a less than stellar shopping experience at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York this past weekend.

It was freezing cold with blustery winds, flurries, and jostling customers!  Not to mention, I just didn't find anything that really wowed me.  So we headed off to a Mall or two.  Of course, the MAC counter, and Sephora were on my hit list.


First up, my continuing quest to get the best makeup brush selection that I can find.  My all time favorite are my Hakuhodo makeup brushes, but other companies do make incredibly good brushes too!  I doubt there are many companies (unless they are exceptional artisans dedicated to that single craft, Hakuhodo) that make a complete range of truly great brushes.  Even MAC, which many people seem to prefer, have produced some awful brushes.


Ever since I saw GossMakeupArtist on YouTube use and rave about the Makeup Forever #55N Powder Brush, I have been dying to get my hands on one.  This particular one is goat hair and nylon.  GossMakeupArtist used it to stipple a liquid foundation on, and the effect was stunning.


I found it at Sephora, and here it is:

Make Up For Ever 55N Brush

The tips of the bristles have wispy ends.

Just a word of warning about this brush, when I opened it up it had an incredibly strong odor!  Like strong glue, or some kind of chemical smell.  I did wash it thoroughly last night and it is drying out now, so I'll update you in a later post on whether I was able to vanquish that strange smell.

Next up, at Nordstroms I purchased the MAC 219 Pencil Brush:

MAC 219 Pencil Brush

The MAC 219 Pencil Brush has a pencil shaped tip for blending.

I have a travel size version of this brush and I like using it, so I went ahead and got the full size brush.  Buying travel size sets allows you to test which brushes you really like to use first.  When you finally buy the full size brush, you have a back-up and a convenient travel size set to take with you.  I am always paranoid about my luggage being stolen, and I'd rather carry around my travel brushes in case my luggage gets lost for all eternity...

MAC Eye Shadow in Quarry.

This shadow might just be the perfect pink matte color!

If you are looking for a dusky matte pink to dust your eyelids with, or to deepen the shadows in your crease, this might just be what you are looking for!  It's just a beautiful, beautiful color.  

Next up, fragrance!  I bought duo his and hers set of Prada Infusion D'Iris for only $10 at Sephora!  This is a great stocking stuffer!  One for him, one for me...

And last but not least...

The Original TURBIE TWIST!

I got my eager little hands on a Turbie Twist!  If you watch my November Haul video on YouTube you'll know that I love to use hair treatments, and this is perfect (when warm and damp) to wrap around your head, while you have a hair treatment going on!  And of course, you can use it to help dry your hair too (Turbie Twists original purpose). So it has a dual purpose for me, and I can't wait to try it out this weekend!


Ta!
The Sassi Wench.