Publicly-traded beauty giant Estée Lauder Companies has inked a deal to launch a fragrance with socialite and clothing designer Tory Burch. EL Companies unit Aramis and Designer Fragrances has joined forces with  Tory Burch LLC via a multi-year agreement to license the Tory Burch fragrance business globally. This is Burch’s first move in the beauty sector.

Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz

In a release, Burch said: ”Fragrance is a natural extension of our brand — we will create unique fragrances that complement a woman’s innate beauty. Fragrance is a part of my daily routine, and it evokes strong memories of my mother and grandmother. I still remember their favorite scents.”

The first scent is due out in 2013.

Maybe boutique fragrance house Bond No.9 is indulging in a little nostalgia with its latest release, Madison Square Park. The press release says “Madison Square Park was the height of fashion in the Gilded Age.” I guess I didn’t know the area then. The area around Madison Square Park includes Flatiron and Gramercy Park, as well as a bit of Murray and Curry Hill. It’s not exactly high fashion but for the flaming Chelsea boys wandering east and the starving models coming up Fifth to Flatiron.

But, the release does also mention that the ‘hood is in “revival mode.” My aunt and uncle spent three decades in the area and saw a lot of change, and for me, the area was home for about three years. While the park will always be home to some grifters, the dog run and the Shake Shack have lured locals, suits and tourists alike.

Apparently Bond. No. 9 envisions the scent of this blend of individuals as a meeting of “romantic florals and crisp greens.” Topnotes include musk-like grape hyacinth, huckleberry, and spicy prairie dropseed grass, as well as red leaf rose and Red Hunter tulip. Finally, the scent also includes darker teakwood and vetiver root, the latter of which is shifting from a male-only scent to a gender-neutral scent.

Clearly the design is a showstopper and while it might be a bit bright for many, it might just be the touch your room needs amid this gloomy, neverending winter. But, these scents are high-quality concoctions, meaning they have a much higher oil content than most fragrances. This does not come cheap, but Bond No. 9 offers some fragrances in smaller sizes that won’t break the bank. Try a few and support an independent, woman-owned company. 

Bond No. 9 fragrances are sold at Bond No. 9 retail locations in New York, and at Saks Fifth Avenue and at bondno9.com. The suggested retail price is $240 for the 3.4 ounce bottle, $170 for 1.7 ounces, and $90 for the silver pocket spray.

L’Oreal has hired another celebrity to help boost branding and ultimately, sales. Rocker, Fashion Designer and Mother of two Gwen Stefani is now a face of L’Oreal Paris. The celebrity, whose signature look usually includes platinum blond hair and bright red lipstick, said this of the new opportunity: “I can’t believe I get to be one of the L’Oreal Paris girls. I love playing dress up, on stage or shooting videos, it’s always been one of my favorite parts of being in a band. And to get to work with such a modern, talented group of people is really exciting.”

L’Oreal Paris USA President Karen T. Fondu added: “Gwen’s unique personal style and vivacious spirit, together with her career accomplishments in both fashion and music, makes her an inspiration for women everywhere, and an exciting addition to the L’Oreal Paris family.”

This is not her first beauty move. Stefani has a set of fragrances that are separate from her fashion brands, but similarly inspired by international fashion and design scenes. She is also working on a new album with No Doubt to be released later this year. Stefani is among a long list of celebrities representing different types of beauty for the French cosmetics giant, inluding Beyonce, JLo, Diane Kruger, Diane Keaton, Julianna Margulies, Freida Pinto and Kerry Washington.

Fragrance is a stylistic move that can be more important a choice than clothes and accessories because its impact goes beyond the visual. If you’ve ever had an employee whose perfume or cologne takes over the room, you understand the power of fragrance. But, in the best light, an amazing perfume or cologne can become a marker on a certain point in one’s life, just as a meal or a landmark can remind us of lovers in our past. But, mass marketed fragrances often smell the same and the longevity matches the price. You get what you pay for and that explains why companies like Bond No. 9 charge more–because quality comes with time and good ingredients, which in the scent world means less alcohol and more oil.

The downtown Manhattan-based woman-owned fragrance company has been celebrating Gotham since its inception, with each new fragrance commemorating a particular neighborhood. The fifth in Bond’s tribute to the late fame-whore and pop culture artist, Andy Warhol, is gasp, Montauk. Snobbery aside, the design is bold and the unisex summer fragrance is a mix of woodsy and fruity notes. Launching for Memorial Day, the inspiring imagery and bold packaging makes one think of Fire Island more than Montauk, but who we are to question Laurice Rahme? ($145 for 50ml) Anyway, she’s already tackled Fire Island, Coney Island and the Hamptons.

Avoiding celebrity brands may be the goal of some beauty consumers but Pure Orchid by Halle Berry ($28) is a pleasant surprise worth succumbing to. A sexy unusual blend, it’s almost like an exotic revealing dress that is saved for a special occasion. It’s simultaneously woodsy and sweet, and begs repeated sniffs. A product of fragrance giant Coty, the notes include Papaya Nectar Fizz, Blackberry Crème Concentré, Star Anise, Patchouli Leaf, and Sustainable Tonka Bean. The clear purple packaging is beach chic and is a great spring/summer scent, especially for date nights.

Stellanude is a powerful yet understated release from the eco-minded British designer and celeb child Stella McCartney. Among her many fragrance products, the notes of this scent may paint it as a citrus-floral blend, but it is beyond categories. Stellanude ($43-81) is boho chic, for that woman who is stylish without working too hard at her look. The light, season-free scent blends grapefruit, white peony bloom, pink pepper, Ugandan vanilla and Grey Amber. The result is a mysterious work-appropriate scent that translates well to evening.

Jo Malone has been a successful boutique personal care company for years, with classy scents worthy of respect. From home products such as candles, to skin care and fragrances, the offerings are clean and inspiring. The British luxury product company joined the Estee Lauder group in 1999, when it was acquired by the beauty giant. The latest collection is called the Fragrance Chronicles, The Story of Red Roses ($95). One 1oz Red Roses Cologne is accompanied by 0.3 oz bottles each of Ice Rose, Honeycomb and Moroccan Mint Leaf Colognes for a grouping that can be mixed or worn alone. Solo, the Red Roses scent is an ultra-feminine floral that screams spring. For a deeper version, add a touch of Ice Rose, and for a woodsy honey hint, add a bit of Honeycomb. For a crisp mint note, add the Moroccan Mint Leaf, which is amazing alone too, especially for summer.

Jo Malone followed up the Roses with The Kohdo Wood Collection. Comprised of two disinct scents, one for day and one for night, they are inspired by the Japanese art of incense appreciation. The Lotus Blossom & Water Lily is designed for day, and Dark Amber & Ginger Lily for night, though they can be mixed. The collection offers cologne ($55-100) and candles ($65), online and at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Thierry Mugler created a love-hate scent years ago with the launch of Angel, making him a household name among beauty junkies. Whether you love or loathe his creations, his creativity is always deserving of admiration. His latest launch, Womanity, will hit stores in The States this summer. It promises to be a unique scent, thanks to the blending of fig and caviar, and a design reminiscent of Maria in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. The creative process also claims to separate this from the pack, by extracting aromatic molecules and then reconstructing their “olfactory properties.” This isn’t a surprise coming from Clarins Group, one of the most underrated global beauty companies. The company also kept the green trend in mind during development and opted to make the box from packaging that is recycled and recyclable, with no inner holders or paper inserts.

Finally, as a confession, Kimora Lee Simmons‘ latest release, Dare Me, is a surprisingly addictive sticky sweet mass market product. Just $28, the ultra-sexy scent is like a hot summer romance, intense and fleeting.

Whatever your pleasure, know that with fragrances, you generally get what you pay for. The mass-marketed perfume sold at drugstores and big box retailers is to the beauty market what trendy cheap clothes are to the fashion market. If you want diversity in your scent collection without breaking the bank, know that most of them won’t last more than a few hours on your skin. If you want a quality lasting scent that fits your personality and that you may wear for years, try one with a higher oil content, or a custom fragrance from makers such as Neil Morris. As with everything else in life, this search requires an open mind.

Many a celebrity has launched a fragrance and most of them were done by the fragrance giant, Coty. Entertainer and businesswoman Beyonce Knowles is the latest to join forces with the company. The two parties will launch her first scent, Heat, in February, with special events on February 2 and 3 in Union Square and Herald Square, respectively.

Given her personality and the name of the fragrance, it’d be obvious to anyone that appreciates perfumes what this might smell like. Now, it’s worth noting that all mass marketed fragrances have a high alcohol volume, which is why they don’t last as long as those with a high oil concentration. That said, this is an interesting blend of notes in a glam bottle. Before we go any further, if nothing else, we must applaud her team for launching this just weeks ahead of Hallmark’s favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day.

The use of red, her personality and the name, Heat, might make one assume this would be a supremely spicy scent, but it is actually quite balanced. Vanilla and magnolia weren’t surprises, nor were musk, amber or tonka bean, but some other notes were pleasant surprises. The addition of neroli, perhaps symbolic of an exotic characteristic most don’t know, followed by peach and honeysuckle nectar, possibly to embody her soft side, and milkwood, make for a balanced scent for women like Beyonce: strong, multi-faceted, and always feminine.

Overall, it seems this launch could be as successful as SJP’s but there’s only one issue with the media accompanying it. The woman that coined the word Bootylicious should always be proud of her curves. The ad for the perfume seems a bit touched up (left leg!), which while it is a normal occurrence in the art department, is unfortunate for the many women and girls that look up to Beyonce. Her beautiful curves should reinforce the idea that sexy comes in all packages. Maybe, in the future, celebrities might consider not just reviewing their contracts for the right licensing and pay clauses, but also for a no- or low-airbrush clause.

Perfumer: Claude Dir & Olivier Gillotin from Givaudan

Packaging: Lutz Herrmann Design

EVENTS

Tuesday February 2 starting at 6 p.m.

“Beyoncé Heat, the visionary artist is illuminating the central destination with fiery red light and smoky fog, infusing the winter landscape with a steamy, sexy aura that embodies Beyoncé’s unique appeal,” according to the announcement.

Wednesday February 3 The customer meet and greet will start at the Macy’s in Herald Square on 34th street. This will follow the 4:30 p.m. red carpet event. The first customers to buy the 3-piece fragrance set for $122.00 will meet and pose with Beyonce for a picture.

Product Details: Eau de Parfum 1 ounce $39; 1.7 ounce $49; 3.4 ounce $59

The Gold Sparkling Body Lotion, with a shimmery tone and light scent, is $24 for a 6.8 ounce bottle.

Supermodel and fashion icon Kate Moss launched her third fragrance this September, Vintage. Inspired by Moss’ love of vintage clothes and art, as well as perfumes from the 1920s and 1930s, the fragrance is classic yet refined with Moss’ contemporary twist.

A sweet floral blend mixed with warm notes of tonka bean and almond flower, the fragrance creates a feminine and sensual experience. Other notes include pink pepper and white freesia.

The bottle mimics the name by its smoky glass tint decorated with Kate’s signature in rose gold. The rose gold pattern can also be found on the folding box the fragrance is packaged in, providing a last touch of the antique inspired style.

The bane of hemp’s existence is its roots with the Marijuana plant, which unlike hemp, does have a considerable THC content. Hemp on the other hand, or industrial hemp, as its referred to by the Canadian government, can be used as a base for making food (milk, flax seed-alternative), clothing (organic cotton or bamboo alternative) or biofuel energy. Some might argue this is the root of its struggle existing in the alternative world and preventing it from entering the mainstream. One company aiming to help change the image of hemp in the United States is California-based startup The Heeling Seed. The comprehensive skin and hair product collection is based on virgin organic hempseed oil extracted by cold pressing high-grade hempseeds. The result is an oil rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs), protein and vitamins and minerals.

The 100% vegan line offers products for the face, body and hair. Free of parabens, artificial colors and perfumes, the line claims that the omega-content in hempseed oil is great for healing and moisturizing, and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, many makers of hemp skincare lines say one of the benefits is the ability of hempseed oil to penetrate the skin’s upper layers to get in and do its work. After all, caviar, peptides and vitamins are great, but do nothing if they cannot penetrate the epidermis. Still let’s be honest—it’s nice to see an honest brand that doesn’t misuse the word organic and yet, has no visible signs of damaging detergent-like ingredients often found in skincare, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. While the products’ English Daisy scent is feminine, in a bind, it could be chocked up as a green, earthy scent to justify men’s use. The products are simultaneously light but nourishing, and absorb quickly. Even in the cold northeast winters, the facial cream appeared moisturizing enough when applied after a serum. The body cream soothes dry skin and left no residue.

We think this may be one step in the direction of a responsible company whose livelihood is tied to a plant in dire need of rebranding. While Canada’s Hemp Oil Canada has been making personal care and edible hemp-based products for years, we think the American market needs a different approach—one like that of The Healing Seed. Try it for a while, and once you realize you aren’t getting high by absorbing the rich hempseed oil, you might tell your friends this hemp thing may have promise…

Bonus: According to The Healing Seed website, the company plans to introduce a face scrub and a face mask in 2009.

Legalizing Hemp: For one perspective on hemp’s potential, check out this editorial by politician Cynthia Thielen in the Star-Bulletin of Hawaii, a state that has been trying expand agricultural efforts through hemp for more than a decade.

Where: Products are very reasonably priced and range from $10.95 for a 3-ounce hand cream to $13.95 for a 10-ounce hair conditioner. For more information, to buy online, or to find a retailer near you carrying The Healing Seed, visit The Healing Seed website.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy New Global Fund Ambassador

On December 1, World AIDS Day, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy accepted a position as global ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Bruni-Sarkozy will draw attention to the needs of women and children infected with or affected by AIDS/HIV, emphasizing the need to give pregnant women and their children the means to prevent HIV infection and fight the disease.

H&M Enters Israeli Market

European clothing retailer H&M has entered into a franchise agreement with Match Retail and plans to open the first H&M store in Israel in 2010. Match Retail is owned by the Horesh family, which operates many businesses in Israel including Union Motors and Lex Motors, the exclusive local distributors for Toyota and Lexus.

Courtney Cox, Avon Link For New Fragrance

Avon announced that actress Courtney Cox will be the spokesperson for its newest fragrance, Spotlight, which will launch in the U.S. in April 2009. “[T]his fragrance captures that essence — that all women are in the spotlight in their own unique ways and this fragrance highlights the excitement and the exhilaration of that feeling,” said Cox. Cox will be featured in Avon brochures distributed to sales representatives worldwide, and will appear in television and print ads in select markets.

Whole Foods Top Sustainable Seafood Retailer

For the second straight year, Greenpeace recognized Whole Foods Market as the number one retailer in seafood sustainability, citing the company’s new quality standards for aquaculture (farmed seafood) as one of the reasons for the selection. Whole Foods announced plans to continue a program of environmentally responsible practices, seeking also to improve standards for wild-caught species. Whole Foods, the U.S.’s first national certified organic grocer, was also named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine in 2008.