The name of the fragrance is a reference to a feminist ad campaign that was launched last year by the brand to promote images of successful women and which is fronted by Juliette Binoche and Elsa Morante. A community platform website has been set up also at www.magnifique-women.com to encourage participation from consumers.

A global roll-out is planned for September 2008. (via: The Scented Salamnder).

Lancôme ‘Magnifique’ Eau de Parfum: The fragrance that celebrates her vibrant femininity, her joie de vivre. Infused with the spicy impertinence of saffron, the warmth of roses and the smoky embrace of exotic nagarmotâ wood. SRP: $65 for 1.7 oz. $85 for 2.5 oz. (via: nordstrom.com).

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Up ‘dos mere mortals like us can actually replicate at home

With a few (and only a few) key products and styling tools, you can quickly give yourself a salon-worthy ‘do. And hey, if you hate it, try a different one — at least you haven’t blown 60 bucks and a hour of precious time on it. …More

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Calvin Klein Secret Obsession Perfume isn’t launching till fall, but Secret Obsession is available now at Macy’s.com. This is the only place you can get the fragrance before it’s on-counter.

The Secret Obsession fragrance is a floriental with no relationship to the original Calvin Klein Obsession scent other than the name and the steamy advertising (the television spot has apparently been nixed by network censors).

According to a Coty representative: Obsession put Calvin Klein on the map in 1985 and continues to be an integral piece of the brand portfolio…While Obsession epitomized the overt glamour and sexuality of the Eighties, Secret Obsession will become the meaning of what is sexy today - more personal, sophisticated and intoxicating. Eva Mendes is a reflection of how things have changed over the past 20 years.”

Secret Obsession’s notes include exotic plum, mace, rose de damas, jasmine, orange flower, tuberose, cashmere woods, burnt amber, vanilla and sandalwood.

You can post your Secret Obsessions here!

via: Now Smell This.

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Stars without Makeup See celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Madonna and Jessica Alba au naturale — you won’t even recognize them! Most of the time when celebrities are photographed, it’s after a team of hairstylists and makeup artists have groomed every inch of them, making them appear flawless (photo retouching helps too). But sometimes we get a snapshot of them without their hair and makeup done and the results are, well, a relief. They’re not perfect, as this gallery shows; in fact, they struggle with the same skin issues — acne, wrinkles — that we all do. Hallelujah! …More

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“Les Fleurs fragrances were created with passionate, modern women in mind. The scents change to match the daily schedules and different moods that women experience in all phases of their lives,” said Lusina Yaraliantz, creator of Les Fleurs. “Les Fleurs fragrances are for the woman who wants everything and demands perfection. They are ahead of the trends and have exquisite taste,” said Ms. Yaraliantz.

About Les Fleurs:
Les Fleurs was created by Lusina Yaraliantz, founder and CEO of Nouveau Paris, which includes both Les Fleurs for women and Dumann for men. Both fragrance lines are carried in department stores nationwide. Each Les Fleurs fragrance is sold separately in both a 50 ml and 100 ml bottle. The retail price for the 50 ml bottle ranges from $50 to $68 and for the 100 ml $75 to $95.

Azure Marine: bright and clean, a blend of lotus, water lily and melon.

Blue Diamond: luxurious and glamorous, a blend of rose, jasmine and plum.

Delightful Citrus: light and refreshing, a blend of orange blossom, jasmine and sandalwood.

Moonlight Dusk: silky and sexy, a blend of almond, coffee flower, cinnamon wood and vanilla.

Pink Burgeon: exotic and fruity, a blend of Asian pear, tangerine and Chinese magnolia with rose petal and white iris.

Sweet Grass: rich and smooth, a blend of apple leaf, mint and grapefruit.

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These product reviews reveal which formulas tame fine, thick, wavy and curly hair … and which are a waste of money

We painstakingly perused your ratings and reviews of anti-frizz products to find out which ones made your repeat purchase list and which fell short of your expectations. Soak up the feedback and use it to your advantage next time you’re shopping for the perfect frizz-fighting formula for your hair type and beauty budget. …More

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For Holiday 2008, Edouard Schamschula produced a beautifully elegant “arabesque” motif onto the new limited edition flacon, topped with its signature glass golden threaded topper (or an atomizer for just a spritz.) 25 ml of pure Montaigne extract glistens sumptuously through its 24 carat gold dressed attire. The essence, named after the famous Avenue in Paris, conveys bold and mysterious femininity. Notes of golden mimosa flowers mingle with jasmine and intensify with woody and exotic undertones of sandalwood. Montaigne captures the grace of old Hollywood with a touch of bold femininity perfect for those with contemporary styles with classic, modern appeal.

Montaigne Limited Edition. Available Holiday 2008. $520.00 Bergdorf Goodman, New York and the Caron Boutique at Phyto Universe, 715 Lexington Ave. at 58th St. 877.88.CARON/ www.parfumscaron.com

The House of Caron, known for its pure perfume extracts housed in Baccarat crystal fountains and signature eau de toilettes, also specializes in fine French accessories and crafts. With over 100 years of experience, Caron places one of the most ancestral of traditions, the art of glass gilding and painting, at the service of ultra-contemporary creations.

To understand the demands of an almost dying trade, one would have to visit Igé, the headquarters of Clerik, responsible for bringing to France all the skill and experience of Bohemia’s glassmakers. It was in 1922, that the Schamschula family left Czechoslovakia to settle in Paris where they were already adorning glass objects covered in hand-painted enamel, a very old technique used as early as the 13th century in Syria on moque lamps. Seemingly forgotten, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the art was revived by the family. This time, it denoted the height of luxury: pure gold was applied onto pieces in glass or crystal, which could be found in the bathrooms, boudoirs and on the tables of the most elegant residences of the Belle Epoque and the Roaring 20’s.

The art of enameling glass lies in the precision and speed of the craftsman and has been passed on through the generations. Today, Edouard Schamschula, creates new patterns exclusively for Caron. Loyal to their roots, the Schamschula family has glass pieces flown in from Austria and Germany. They then use a machine called a “divider” especially useful for round bottles and flacons. It is used to divide the body of the object into perfectly equal sections, to ensure that the decoration is even. Then the enamel is made: glass powder reduced to powder, as fine as icing sugar, is mixed with turpentine and gum to be applied with a fine paint brush. It is at that moment that the talent of the craftsman takes center stage

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No one is innocent, not even Paris Hilton. Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles tells which beauty crimes to avoid

Before you make up your next face, there are 10 crucial no-nos you need to know. (Chances are you’re guilty of at least one of them.) To ensure that your best efforts aren’t wasted, we asked celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles to explain why these common mistakes really are that bad … as if fear of looking like one of these celebrity offenders isn’t enough …More

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Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Parfum Spray is an intensified version of the Daisy Marc Jacobs Eau de Toilette Spray, it’s sparkling bouquet captures the edge of violet. Top notes of violet leaves and wild strawberries, mid notes of violet petals and jasmine bouquet, base notes of musk and vanilla infusion all captured in a deluxe collectible black bottle with a luxurious gold daisy cap that expresses edginess with an offhand charm.

SRP: $72 for 1.7 oz.

(via: nordstrom.com).

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About Caron Paris Montaigne Perfume: Cobblestone clad Avenue Montaigne in Paris bustling with shoppers eager to find that one gem out of the dozens of stores that line the prestigious couture row. Caron Paris, a boudoir style boutique reminiscent of Parisian royal society presents Montaigne, a floriental essence sure to elude elegance through the air of every woman who wears it. Known as a secret pleasure, it has never before been available as an Eau de Parfum until now.

Montaigne captures the grace of old Hollywood with a touch of bold femininity and a dash of mysteriousness perfect for those with contemporary styles, classic or modern appeal. Notes of golden mimosa flowers mingle with jasmine and deepen with woody and exotic undertones of sandalwood.

A veil of beauty and elegance surrounds the Montaigne woman giving an air of sophistication around her. Presented in Caron’s signature tapered flacon now complete with spray atomizer, keeping in mind a modern woman’s lust for luxury and convenience.

About Caron Paris: Caron Paris, one of the last standing perfume houses complete with an in-house nose and Master Perfumer Monsieur Richard Fraysse, Caron has been creating fine fragrances since 1904. Known for their fine extracts housed in Baccarat urns and hand crafted atomizers from Parisian artisans.

The new Caron Paris Montaigne Perfume was introduced in Spring 2008 and is available at select Saks and Nordstrom nationwide, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel , New York and the Caron Boutique at Phyto Universe, 715 Lexington Ave. at 58th St., and on www.parfumscaron.com.

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