For decades, an unfinished formula for an extraordinary fragrance begun by Mrs. Estée Lauder remained locked in the archives at the famous fragrance house, International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF). Estée conceived Formula #546AQ, as it was known, as a new way to convey sparkling freshness balanced with sophisticated elegance and a distinctive signature. However, it was left unfinished in her lifetime and was gradually forgotten for many years.

Often inspired by her grandmother’s work, Aerin Lauder, Estée Lauder Senior Vice President and Creative Director, was looking back through the archives and rediscovered this lost fragrance. She fell in love with its unexpectedly lively, modern spirit and decided to complete the fragrance, using today’s advanced technology and the finest natural ingredients direct from France.

Working with the same passion and clarity of vision as her grandmother, Aerin experimented note by note, accord by accord, with several Jasmine essences and an exclusive White Moss accord developed for her alone. The result, after over a year and a half of work, was a complex, elegant chic fragrance that layers textures for a tone on tone effect.

Combining luminous freshness and youthfulness balanced by a sense of luxurious elegance, Private Collection Jasmine White Moss is a tribute to past and present and a first in the history of fragrance and for Estée Lauder.

THE FRAGRANCE: The shared creation of Aerin and Estée, Private Collection Jasmine White Moss is a passionate yet elegant blend of modern and classic ingredients. An intensely lush green floral chypre fragrance, Private Collection Jasmine White Moss is comprised of an opulent white bouquet surrounded by delicate moss, rich woods and 15 100 percent pure natural fragrance Absolutes, many of them provided by IFF’s raw material company, Laboratoires Monique Remy (LMR), located in the south of France.

The fresh sparkling top notes include Mandarin, and Absolutes of Black Currant Bud (crisp and fruity, a new quality captured for the very first time with a new extraction technique), Galbanum and Bergamot.

The elegantly complex middle notes include Jasmine Sambac Absolute selected by Aerin and subtly blended with the Ylang Ylang and Jasmin India Absolutes Estée herself had chosen, plus Violet, Orange Flower Absolute and Orris.

Warm modern base notes include Absolutes of Patchouli Heart, Vetiver and White Moss Mist (an Estée Lauder exclusive).

Private Collection Jasmine White Moss is the third fragrance introduced by Aerin, joining Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia and Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang.

THE ADVERTISING: The advertising for the fragrance was photographed by Craig McDean and features Aerin smiling and looking relaxed and elegant in a vintage white jersey Halston dress with a beautiful white flower in her hair. The advertising concept was created by Aerin in collaboration with Doug Lloyd of Lloyd and Co.

THE PACKAGING: The packaging for Private Collection Jasmine White Moss, also a collaboration between Aerin and Doug Lloyd, was inspired by Estée’s private world.

“Estée always incorporated elements of blue and white into her surroundings – her rooms, her bathrooms, her dining rooms, everywhere,” said Aerin Lauder. “This third fragrance is a tribute to her love of blue and white.”

Reflecting Estée’s aesthetic and Aerin’s interpretation of it, the Private Collection Jasmine White Moss parfum cap is embellished with natural semi-precious gems including White Jade, dark and light Lapis, Sodalite, Black Agate, Mother of Pearl and Blue Lace Agate stones. The stones selected for each cap are different, making each piece unique.

The eau de parfum cap is also a tribute to Estée, with a golden basket weave design that was a favorite and used often in her packaging designs.

The fragrance’s elegant outer carton provides a nod to Estée with its signature deep blue interior that suggests pure luxury.

THE COLLECTION: Private Collection Jasmine White Moss will be available at www.esteelauder.com and specialty doors Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman beginning July 2009.

The collection includes:

Suggested Retail Prices

Parfum Spray, 1oz. $325.00

Eau de Parfum Spray, 1oz. $80.00

Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.5oz. $135.00

Body Creme, 6.7oz. $75.00

Perfume Solid Pendant (limited edition) $195.00

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Finding the perfect balance of moisture and effectiveness in an anti-aging treatment isn’t easy, but with the help of TotalBeauty.com product reviews, you can pinpoint the right skin care serum for your budget and skin type.

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Hayden Christensen, the face of LACOSTE Challenge, isn’t the only one enjoying this new fresh scent. Rachel Bilson seems to enjoy her boyfriends cologne as much as she enjoys wearing the new boyfriend trend! The fresh and energetic notes of tangerine and lemon make getting extra close, extra easy!

Exclusive pictures of Hayden Christensen in tennis action

LACOSTE Challenge: The top note opens the fragrance strongly with fresh and energetic notes of tangerine and lemon, augmented by a burst of aromatic lavender. The middle accord  is driven by spices such as ginger, bringing an exotic kick to the fragrance. Lastly, the base note combines rosewood, teak, and ebony to create a sustained strength, giving the fragrance its solid foundation.

Exclusive pictures of Hayden Christensen in tennis action

The LACOSTE Challenge Fragrance Collection:

Eau de Toilette Spray, 1.6 fl. oz. $40.00
Eau de Toilette Spray, 2.5 fl. oz. $50.00
Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.0 fl. oz. $60.00

Availability: Macys & Select Department Stores Nationwide Summer 2009

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Top notes of beech tree leaves, sunny marigold, purple wisteria and honeysuckle nectar mingle with mid notes of English lavender, blooming white hydrangea, lily pond lotus and pink peony petals.

The scent is grounded in a base of plush oak moss, sun-bleached teak wood, burnished sandstone and South Hampton hedges, stirring the senses and transforming your environment into a seaside cottage.

$24.00; Available for a limited time at Banana Republic Stores only.

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Casa di Francesca, a new home diffuser collection that captures the essence and aromas of Old World Italy. This unique fragrance collection was inspired by Francesca, a true Renaissance woman, and one of the few women to tour Europe via the Grand Tour in the late 1600’s. With Francesca’s story in her heart, Designer, Katie Borghese created Casa di Francesca, inspired by both the storied Italian lineage of her family, the Borghese’s, and Katie’s love of art and travel.

Inspired by the four seasons, Casa di Francesca brings Old World European excellence to homes through an array of Italian-made diffuser fragrances and hand crafted accessories. Casa di Francesca makes these exotic scents attainable without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home. Katie has also created the Casa di Francesca Murano Glass Diffuser Set, inspired by one of Francesca’s most unforgettable memories – her trip to the beautiful island of Murano. Reminiscent of the great glass artworks of Italy and famous throughout the world for the brilliance and ingenuity of its hand blown glass, this enchanting Murano vessel is a luxurious addition to any home.

Casa di Francesca Home Fragrances include:

Bulgarian Primrose
Casablanca Lily
Cashmere Musk
Cedar Wood Vanilla
Cinnamon Stick
Cut Flowers
Deep Lilac
Eggnog Spice
English Gardens
English Leather
Gardenia Di Provence
Home for the Holidays
Honeysuckle & Night
Blooming Jasmine
Hyacinth
Italian Linen
Madagascar Vanilla
Magnolia
Mediterranean Lavender
Moroccan Amber
Mountain Paperwhite
Orange Blossom
Persian Violet
Peony
Peppermint Pine
Persian Violet
Pure Pear
Pineapple and Wild
Jasmine
Rosemary & Mint
Sicilian Pink Grapefruit
Summer Breeze
Tuscan Peach Blossom
Versailles Tuberose
Warm Apple Cider
White Lotus Blossom
Wild Forest Honey & Cream

The Casa di Francesca Starter Kit includes a beautiful Italian glass diffuser bottle with a separate 200ml plastic bottle containing the delightful Casa di Francesca fragrance of your choice. $24.50

The Refill Set includes a 300ml plastic bottle containing the delightful fragrance along with 10 reed diffuser sticks. $19.50

The 500 ML Diffuser Set includes a beautiful Italian glass diffuser bottle with a separate 500ml plastic bottle available in the below fragrances. $39.95

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The lush, sparkling version of Fuel For Life illuminates the modern, masculine fragrance with bright, summery notes inspired by the season’s quintessential cocktails. The new ingredients intensify the fragrant aura of sexy energy that epitomizes the fragrance, infusing the vibrant potion with a fresh essence.

Captured in a vivid blue bottle with a frosted finish, the fragrance cocktail provides an instant injection of chilled refreshment to combat the summer heat.

WHAT IT COSTS: $62.50, 75ml

WHERE TO FIND IT: The recently opened Fifth Avenue Diesel Flagship in New York, Diesel boutiques, Diesel.com, Macy’s, Dillard’s and other major department stores.

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There are thousands of products you could buy from your neighborhood Avon rep, so it can be tough to know which to choose. Luckily, TotalBeauty.com readers have tried almost all of them and told us in their unbiased product reviews which Avon goodies are keepers — and which they won’t be reordering.

See products The Worst: No. 4: Avon Goddess Eau de Parfum Spray, $22.50 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 4.9*

“It doesn’t stand out in my mind or fragrance cache as being anything unusual or fun …” No. 3: Avon DARING DEFINITION Mousse Mascara, $3.99 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 4.5*

Instead of defining, readers say this “left my eyelashes very clumpy and just felt goopy …” The Best: No. 11: Avon Clearskin Invigorating Cleansing Scrub, $12 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.2*

“It washes away dirt and oil and keeps my complexion healthy, clear and glowing …” Want to see the rest of the best and worst? Click here!

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TotalBeauty.com members share convincing reviews that yes, you can get a reliable eyeliner for less. See which brand won the most praise.

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Raise your hand if you want gorgeous, sexy hair! It’s easy to achieve with these tips. No matter what your hair length or type, get ready for some seriously stunning hair.

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Tim McGraw Unveils Southern Blend: The new men’s fragrance available in August 2009. Southern Blend by Tim McGraw is McGraw’s second fragrance. Following the overwhelming success of McGraw’s first fragrance, McGraw by Tim McGraw, Southern Blend is a fresh, modern scent that draws its inspiration from the man surrounded by his natural elements, his home, and portrays the true masculinity of the modern man.

“Southern Blend depicts the essence of the Southern man – charming and strong, yet at the same time, sexy and rough around the edges. Who better than the modern country icon, Tim McGraw, to represent this bold new fragrance. We are very excited to introduce Southern Blend to consumers and hope they enjoy this savory new addition to the McGraw franchise,” says Steve Mormoris, Senior Vice President Global Marketing Coty Beauty.

Tim McGraw

Southern Blend embodies Tim McGraw’s genuine American spirit and pays homage to his deeply-rooted Southern values. Created by perfumer Richard Herpin, Southern Blend is multifaceted, modern and smooth…depicting the fresh energetic vibe that is Tim McGraw.

The fragrance opens with a vibrant burst of grapefruit, star anise, and bergamot. The mid notes of lavender, violet leaves and whiskey accord, add warmth to capture the more relaxed side of Tim McGraw. The rich, earthy and woody base notes of vetiver, fresh amber, and tobacco, an ingredient indigenous to the South, exudes strength and substance. All of these luxurious ingredients come together to create the ideal fragrance for the true Southern gentleman.

The Southern Blend bottle maintains the unique rectangular shape and premium identity using gold tones in the cap along with a whiskey-inspired juice color. The carton uses rich natural textures, such as wood, cork patterns and brown earth tones with a hint of green as cues of the Southern lifestyle. The paper-inspired label gives it an authentic touch and accent along with the embossed gold guitar pick, similar to the original McGraw fragrance.

The print advertising campaign, shot by renowned photographer Michel Comte, features Tim McGraw, relaxing on his porch, enjoying the southern air. It is a lifestyle portrait of a man at ease in his natural environment-his home.

McGraw by Tim McGraw Southern Blend Collection:

0.5 oz / 15ml EDT $17.00*
1.0 oz / 30ml EDT $23.00*
1.7 oz / 50ml EDT $30.00*

* All prices suggested retail

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