Excuses, excuses...

Okay, I admit it... Between work, schoolwork, fashion week, and my obsession with watching every single sport during the entire duration of the 2010 Winter Olympics... Everything else has kind of fallen by the wayside. I offer you my most profound apologies and sincerest promises that I will try to get my act together.

These promises, however, come with the stipulation that I cannot be held accountable for my actions, or lack there of, during the Olympics. I've been this way since I was a child. The entire event just captivates every last bit of my attention. I find it very difficult to focus on other activities when I know there is a very important hockey game I could be watching, figure skating routine I could be critiquing, downhill skiing run I could be cringing at, or hell, even curling competition I could be trying to figure out.

Never fear though... I have managed to pull myself away long enough to write a little somethin'-somethin' on fashion week. A post about my favorite looks from all the shows will be up soon, but in the mean time I'm going to mention some fab nail polish spotted on the runways of the Chris Benz show.

[photo courtesy of Blogdorf Goodman]

This is "Sweet Nude" by Lancôme and it looks like the perfect companion to their latest Pout-a-Porter shade, Chris & Tell. The shade is a lovely peachy-pink and it will be available later this year.

By the way, I hurried over to Saks Fifth Ave last Sunday to get my very own tube of Chris & Tell and let me tell you - the verdict is undeniable elation. This little baby really lives up to the hype. I'll try to figure out how to make some decent swatches, since I haven't quite mastered that art yet, and post them up as soon as possible. Seriously, the color is gorgeous. It lights up your entire face, makes your teeth look whiter, and just makes me smile. I'm not sure I've ever had such love for a lipstick before.

"I wanted the color to feel really fresh, youthful, and quite sporty. The color very much embodies the spirit of the Spring collection in its cheerfulness." - Chris Benz

That it does, Chris. Two, very enthusiastic, thumbs up for you and Lancôme.

[photo credits: nbc.com, nymag.com, blogdorfgoodman.blogspot.com]

Do You Chris & Tell?

I. Am. So. EXCITED.

Well, way more excited than this girl, at least. Even though her makeup does look fab.

I managed to track down a Lancome counter that hasn't already pre-sold-out of the latest Pout-a-Porter shade - Chris & Tell by Chris Benz! I'm officially on the list, with two tubes reserved (cause I'm an awesome friend like that) and I will be there bright and early on Valentine's Day to pick them up.

You've probably heard about the Pout-a-Porter shades before. Basically, Lancome makes a shade for one designer each season and the models wear it exclusively on the runway for that season. Usually these are impossible to get a hold of, and honestly? I haven't been particularly interested in most of them. I did manage to get my hands on the first one, Behnaz, a beautiful bright red shade made for Behnaz Sarafpour in Fall 2006.

The other shades have been a little...eh, at least for me. I just wasn't inspired by or in love with any of them.

Proenza Schouler's Proenza Pink was a massive hit, and even sold on eBay for a ridiculous $122.50. FOR LIPSTICK. That is insane!

I don't like this shade. Not at all. I don't think it's particularly flattering, though I understand the craze. I'm just not a huge fan of the uber-light lips in general, so this one wasn't cutting it for me.

Next was Peter Som's P.S. Kiss.

This one is actually a really pretty color, I just don't tend to wear darker shades like this, so I wasn't too excited.

Following that was Pixel Pink for Thakoon.

Kind of looks like your basic nude-ish pinky color, right? Very pretty, but again, it just didn't make me drool over it and start calling all over the state to every Lancome counter I could find.

Chris & Tell, though... Man, I've been hearing about this shade nonstop since it premiered in the Spring 2010 Chris Benz show.

All the swatches and test photos are beautiful and the peachy-coral color is perfect to get you through the end of winter and into spring.

Here's one of the models from the runway show. I love how fresh the makeup is, though those eyelashes look a little spidery...but maybe it was supposed to be that way? I guess you never know with runway beauty. Either way, I love the look and I can't wait to get my lipstick!

It retails for $25 and will be available for purchase on February 14th at Saks Fifth Avenue counters around the country. If you want it I would highly recommend calling around to get a tube or two on hold because pre-sales are going fast. I had to call four stores before finding one that wasn't already sold out.

So, what do you think? Is this one worth the hype? I think so!

Have you tried any of the other Pout-a-Porter shades?I'd love to hear about them!

[photo credits: lancome.com, allaboutthepretty.net, makeupbag.net, whosthefairest.files.wordpress.com]