So the Chris Benz lipstick is pretty much sold out (although I did hear the NYC boutique might be getting the last few pieces...) so it's time to say farewell to the project. I wanted to thank everyone who made this so much fun over the past several months, including Chris and his team, makeup artist Daniel Martin, Gracemarie and Mollie on the marketing and product development teams, and all of you who cheered us on. Maybe it's crazy to get so excited over a lipstick, but there's something nice about wearing a product and knowing the whole story behind it.
Speaking of which, a few facts about the lipstick. Chris & Tell was almost a nude shade. It took our labs four tries to get the shade to match the exact color and texture Chris wanted. And the name came about through a Facebook contest we did last summer. The winner was a lovely woman from the Philippines named Kessa Thea, who is now an honorary member of the Chris lipstick team. "It is so heartwarming to know that I have in my own little way contributed to the beauty world," Kessa told us. We sent her a few questions because I thought it would be nice to know more about Kessa and officially recognize her.
How did you come up with the name Chris & Tell? It was a play on the phrase "Kiss and Tell." I just thought anyone who wears the shade would be telling everyone about it if not being asked upfront by people who would admire/like/adore the shade. It is a very catchy name that I felt would readily register into any beauty junkie's mind. I suggested nine other names (Chris and Tell, Sweep Me Over, Benz-aholic, Lip Crave, Insatiable Desire, Divine Hue, Stolen Kiss, Hello Rouge, and Le Benz Affair).
Did you ever think you would win?I never thought I would win this contest. It still feels surreal right now.
What did you think when you found out that Chris picked your name?I was ecstatic, a bit in shock. My mouth was open for quite a long time, not knowing if I should scream or not. I stood there in front of my work computer, staring at my name and the name of the lipstick shade. I thought it was awesome and yes, I blogged about it as soon as I got home. [Click here for
Kessa's blog post.]
How much of a beauty junkie are you?I am a late bloomer when it comes to makeup and stuff. I grew up just using the essentials and going to the salon and having someone do my makeup on special occasions. I had the basics in my makeup kit, nothing special, nothing expensive not until June of last year when I started reading fashion and beauty blogs and getting hooked on tutorials. I decided that I needed to up the ante in terms of me taking care of myself and enhancing my features and learning the basics of "painting" my own face. I joined theme contests in the blogging world and never once won but that didn't dampen my spirits.
I now have a treasure trove of makeup, high end to local brands, and I am now a go-to person in my circle of friends when it comes to makeup. My friends now come to me and ask me what product to buy that will suit their complexion and the like. It feels good to be able to help other ladies/women like me. I don't think I consider myself a beauty junkie though, I think I am still starting to be one.
What is your favorite Lancome product?My super favorite Lancome product is the
Bi-Facil makeup remover. I swear by it and it is my HG among makeup removers. It thoroughly removes makeup in the littlest amount of time. I say it's worth what I've paid for.
What is your favorite piece of beauty advice that you can share with us?It's not something that I only know, it is something that everyone knows already. This advice is for everyone to always smile. Smiling makes you feel happier and when you are happy everyone around you is happy. But then again, if you didn't have a good night's sleep, it sure will be a hard task to smile let alone plaster it on your face the whole day. So the best beauty secret is to not deprive yourself of beauty rest and before you rest remove that makeup!
Tell us about your new workout blog. What's that all about?My new workout blog is dedicated to the burning motivation that drives me to attain the healthiest and fittest me ever. Just last October, I decided that I need to change my lifestyle and start a healthy one. The blog aims to chronicle my exercise regime and the food I eat (I sometimes cook) and the results. I thought it would be fun and a little challenging if other people read my thoughts and the things I have done to attain my goal. I told myself that I am accountable to my reading public. Sure it was, as I have started to influence other people and in fact because of this blog, I am not running alone anymore. I have organized a running club at work and we are starting to grow in numbers. I am now running with at least 10 other people who have embraced the call to start a healthy and fit lifestyle. I will continue to update my blog as often as I can in attempt to win and inspire other people and at the same time lose some little extra pounds.
Please join me in congratulating Kessa! Thank you again for such a great name. I hope you enjoy your prize as soon as it arrives and that you wear your Chris & Tell lipstick with much health and happiness.
