Nyx Makeup Case

February 20, 2011

I'd previously posted this on my blog and thought i'd post an amended version here for some of you who might be interested. This is a black NYX nylon make-up case that i got on ebay for $13/-USD + shipping. and it is now part of my Everyday Carry.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RGpQ7vN0TlU/TUl0zjEh_8I/AAAAAAAAA9I/NYtEkJ5Ke-s/mu01a6.jpg?imgmax=800

What I like about this case is that it’s got a decent capacity where individual pen/pencil slots is concerned, and, unlike the Twilight case, it comes with a zip-up compartment which comes in handy for storing loose bits and ends like mechanical-pencil lead, tortillons, sharpeners and erasers. If you are minded to, you could probably, in the alternative, fit in about 24 watercolour pencils in the zip-up compartment and then fit your waterbrushes into the 5 elastic slots on the outside of the zip-up compartment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_RGpQ7vN0TlU/TUl02E9WhfI/AAAAAAAAA9M/4x6GsTyP9Uo/mu027.jpg?imgmax=800

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_RGpQ7vN0TlU/TUl05OvrkVI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/PedvmqTZkc4/mu0311.jpg?imgmax=800

This is half of my current EDC. My watercolor pencils currently reside in my Dr. Ion case, which is heaps bigger. I am a walking stationery department :embarrassed_smile: . From left to right, the contents of the pencil slots are as follows:

1. Pentel Tradio Wood-Grain 0.5 Mech Pencil

2. Pilot GraphGear 1000 0.5 Mech Pencil

3. Pilot GraphGear 1000 0.3 Mech Pencil

4. Mabie Todd Swan Black flex-nib Fountain Pen

5. Mabie Todd Swan Black celluloid flex-nib Fountain Pen

6. Pentel Tradio Custom-Ground semi-flex Fountain Pen

7. Noodlers Flex Clear flex-nib Fountain Pen

8. Pilot Plumix stub-nib Fountain Pen

9. Pilot Penmanship EF nib Fountain Pen

10. Stick Eraser

11. Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Pen (Copper)

12. Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Pen (Gold)

13. Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Pen (Blue)

14. Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Pen (Silver)

15. Pentel Slicci Metallic Gel Pen (Green)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RGpQ7vN0TlU/TUl07XXY8DI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/sJT71aUNjOU/mu04_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800

As for the Zip-up compartment, I currently have some pens and some mechanical pencils that I was intending to field test. Right now, I have 2 x Uni-Ball Signo UM-201 0.28 Blue gel pens and a 0.18 black gel pen for writing, a Pentel Ergonomix and Pentel Sharp mini-pencil for testing, a Uni Premium-Malt wooden mechanical pencil also for testing and some tortillons and lead. I have since done my field tests on the mechanical pencils and intend to take them out and put my Derwent watercolour pencils and some wood-case pencils in. As far as waterbrushes are concerned, the fat-bodied species of waterbrushes will probably not fit in the slots, so i will probably carry some mini-Niji waterbrushes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_RGpQ7vN0TlU/TUl07yx9BYI/AAAAAAAAA9c/psgWw-Ysokg/mu016.jpg?imgmax=800

So! This is the NYX make-up case which has been converted to serve as a pencil case. At $13/-USD + shipping, it’s a pretty good deal and functions pretty well in its service as a pencil case. I’m pretty pleased with it and it’s a decent alternative to other conventional pencil-cases which don’t seem as well thought out in terms of design, construction and aesthetics. I particularly like the roll-out design which lets me lay out all my implements before me. If you’re looking for a decent pencil case and haven’t found one to your liking, perhaps you might want to try the make-up case route. You never know what you might come across when you think out of the box.

NB: It's occurred to me since writing the original post that this case might not be suited for those seeking to carry higher priced pens, since the pen-slots do not offer coverage all the way to the top of the pen-cap. So this might be a deal-breaker for those concerned about scratches and maintaining their pens in pristine condition. This is not an issue for me since I'm not too bothered and have another (more traditional) 4-pen-case with slots that cover the pen-body all the way to the top for a Mitaka, Esterbrook and 2 Merlinas.

February 20, 2011

Great idea! I'm also thinking of the "free with purchase" and other makeup special thingies that appear from time to time. I'm also thinking that my teenage daughter may have some such soon-to-be-discarded item in her vast collection of lotions and potions. Thanks for posting this.

Brenda

February 20, 2011

I have used on sale makeup cases for my pens for years, albeit a simpler system than yours. The Body Shop staff are gracious when I try to fit my drawing tools into their pouches.