Is Brad Pitt Good Pitchman for Chanel No. 5?

Okay, so what about the new gossip-worthy Chanel No. 5 ads featuring Brad Pitt? It's possible Angelina wears the iconic fragrance and inspired all the poetics, but we're thinking the $7 million contract played the major role.

#Noteworthywomen Sought for Fragrance Launch

New online beauty hub Coterie.com is looking for #Noteworthywomen to mark the launch of its new perfume. 

Coterie has partnered with Demeter Fragrance Library to create Noteworthy Eau de Toilette — a fruity, floral blend of frosted Italian bergamot, white jasmine, blue iris, creamy white rose, cashmere musk and white patchouli. 

Noteworthy will be available through Coterie Oct. 2-31, and in honor of breast cancer awareness month 30 percent of proceeds will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

To garner additional awareness, Coterie has launched a #Noteworthywomen social campaign with Animoto.com, where friends, guests and members can create inspirational “notes” and videos around the noteworthy women in their lives.

To participate:

• Write a post about a noteworthy woman or women you admire (need not be breast cancer related).
• Invite your followers to join the conversation by going to www.coterie.com, www.facebook.com/coterieinc or Twitter with the hash tag #noteworthywomen.
• Submit a link to your post to collaborate@coterie.com.
• Coterie will choose from your stories and share on their blog, Facebook and Twitter.
• For every post submitted, Coterie will donate $1 to the National Breast Cancer in addition to Noteworthy fragrance proceeds.
• One lucky winner will be randomly selected to win a $100 Coterie gift card, Noteworthy Eau de Toilette, and a one-year subscription of Animoto pro — a digital storytelling video website, a $249 value.
• Coterie is accepting posts through midnight Tuesday, Oct. 9.
• Please include mention of the #Noteworthywomen campaign and/or Noteworthy limited-edition Eau de toilette. 

Coterie’s online campaign will feature editorial and video stories of women who have been touched by breast cancer, which affects approximately 1 in 8 women in the U.S.


Coterie is a new, online destination where busy, socially savvy modern women can research, purchase and share their beauty finds, as well as collect their favorites in a virtual vanity. 

If you can't make it to Coterie's headquarters in San Francisco, visit the company on Twitter and Facebook. 

Noteworthy is $45 for 1.7 ounces.

Punk Priestess Prefers Powdery Pale

Niagara is known internationally as the "High Priestess of Punk." Once a member of the band Destroy All Monsters, she is now busy with an array of projects, ranging from her own apparel lines with Pink Pump and Japan's Hysteric Glamour, to her recent art exhibit, WAR PAINT, which just closed at Detroit's Re:View Contemporary Gallery. A more extensive bio as well as a gallery of her artwork can be found on her website. Here, she answers our classic "In A Bottle" questions with an iconoclastic twist.

What is your favorite fragrance "in a bottle"? 

I'm not really a perfume fanatic ... mostly because I don't make time to find that particular fragrance that matches my persona, soul, mood or whatever people do match it to.  

Although one really must have some kind of bouquet to be civilized. And there's where I already have to veer from your first question. Because there's no "bottle," I prefer fragrance to be in powder from. It's lighter (scented) and whiter (good on white skin). When I do wear perfume, I wear DIVA by UNGARO. Does the name sound narcissistic? It has narcissus in it.

What does it evoke for you?

I like that it could be a man's fragrance, more male than unisex. Farthest from sweet, it's a blend of forest notes — woodsy, mossy, deep and, they say, luxurious. A luxurious forest.

It's rich-y and slightly witchy. It's consciously commanding but not abrasive. It might give strength.

It seems to stand apart. I like it for those reasons.

What is your favorite scent that can't be captured "in a bottle" and why?

I thrive on the smell of gasoline at service stations. 

And once a year our Night-blooming Honeysuckle is intense. It's magic and unbottle-able. In fact the scent of night-blooming flowers is a world away from day-scented flowers. Datura is blooming now ... very mysterious and oozing licentiousness. 

Stiletto Girl Shares Taste for Candy

Tawny Thieu is a retail dynamo with Pink Pump and P2 women's clothing and accessory stores throughout metro Detroit. Her latest boutique, P2 Exchange in Royal Oak, celebrates a cool mix of shoes, jewelry, handbags and ... candy. With the mission statement "all things sweet," it's no wonder Thieu likes her scents with a little bit of sugar.

What is your favorite scent "in a bottle"?

Right now I'm loving CANDY by Prada.

What does it evoke for you?

Soft, sweet, sensual notes! It's not overly sweet or overpowering. The best fragrances should be subtle.

What is your favorite smell that can't be captured "in a bottle," and why?

Brewing vanilla camomile tea. The aroma fills the room and instantly relaxes me. I prefer drinking tea in the evening; it totally soothes a stressful day.

We love the private label apparel by international icon Niagara available exclusively at Pink Pump.  Stay tuned for Niagara's "In A Bottle" picks tomorrow.

Nicole Richie Goes Back to her Roots...with New Perfume

For Nicole Richie, life is getting a lot less simple! The reality star turned fashion icon is busy with release of her new fragrance, Nicole, which is being added to her already extensive résumé. Along with her successful accessories line, House of Harlow 1960, Nicole debuted as a mentor on NBC's Fashion Star this past year. 

The perfume was inspired by Richie's memories of her mother's unique layers of fragrances. "I knew exactly what I wanted to do because my mom would combine different oils and lotions, and the blend of scents became very special to me," she said. "Nicole blends the smells of my childhood memories with the aromas of the present."

Richie worked closely with esteemed perfumer Steve DeMercado to perfect Nicole, which grew into a classic, yet modern, blend of a variety of notes such as vanilla, cashmere woods, blackberry, golden amber, and Moroccan rose. The bottle itself was beautifully crafted by luxury design expert Dale Brandon Kan. 


Richie calls Nicole "a spiritual balance of femininity and bohemian." On Aug. 29, she appeared at Macy's in Glendale, Calif., to unveil the new perfume. She will also be making a similar appearance at The Grove's Nordstrom in Los Angeles on Sept. 20. 

Nicole eau de parfum is being sold at Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillards, and other department and specialty stores nationwide in two sizes: 1.7 oz ($55) and 3.4 oz ($69). Richie has also released an accompanying body lotion and shower gel. 

Back to School Fragrance Hunt : Part II (For Guys)

Girls aren't the only ones who like to smell good for school! Guys need fragrances too, whether it's for spritzing on after gym class, making yourself smell presentable every morning, or giving that special girl a scent to remember. Across the board, guys' cologne seems to be more expensive than girls' perfume, but it is nonetheless a necessity. Here are a few that you can't go wrong with. 

AE Real

American Eagle always has a great selection of fragrances for both genders, so it's usually my first stop when it comes to buying perfume or cologne as a gift for another teen. 

Real is spicy, warm, and confident. It contains many different notes, ranging from cool citrus and cardamom to amber and rosewood. This is definitely not the type of cologne that goes unnoticed, and its bold scent is very good at drawing attention to the wearer. 

Real is available from American Eagle in a 1.7 oz bottle ($39.95). A more affordable alternative is the AE Real Body Spray ($9.95). 

Jake by Hollister

Hollister is infamous for the way that their fragrances are pumped through their stores to the point of becoming overpowering. It's impossible to ignore the scent as you walk through the mall, and shoppers often complain of headaches and sensory overload. Believe it or not, their fragrances are actually really nice when experienced in a lighter dose. 


Jake has a citrusy top that fades flawlessly into a woodsy base. It is sweet, sour, and strong all at once. Although most guys rave that it is perfect for the beach, this cologne is equally effective in the classroom and perfect for everyday wear (and the ladies love it, too!). 

Jake is available from Hollister in quantities of 1 oz ($30) or 1.7 oz ($38).

Back to School Fragrance Hunt : Part I (For Girls)

Fall is rapidly approaching and, ready or not, that means school is on its way. In the spirit of the season, it's time to refresh our closets, restock on three-ring binders, and, of course, make ourselves smell nice. No matter if you're headed back to high school, college, or even if you just want to smell a little younger, here are some great fragrances for girls (on a budget).

Promise Me by Aéropostale 


This perfume is one of my personal favorites. It smells expensive, but it isn't, and it's noticeable yet light enough to wear to school. 

Promise Me is conjured up from a sweet blend of apple juice, white tea, gardenia, and vanilla. I've always thought that this perfume makes me smell more grown-up than a lot of my other fragrances do, and I was also pleased to discover how long-lasting it is. Definitely a fresh, safe buy to give as a gift or keep all to yourself.

Promise Me is available from Aéropostale in quantities of .5 oz ($12.50) and 1.7 oz ($19.50).

Pretty & Pure by PINK

Victoria's Secret's little sister store, PINK, also has some great, affordable perfumes to offer. Out of their selection, Pretty & Pure is definitely at the top of my list. 

Pretty & Pure lives up to its name as a clean, fruity, floral fragrance. Its notes are composed strictly of jasmine and pink lemonade, and the result is breezy and tangy. This mouthwatering perfume is perfect for all seasons and occasions. 

Victoria's Secret PINK Pretty & Pure eau de toilette is available in a pretty 2.5 oz bottle ($20) on the Victoria's Secret website, but is rumored to be found for an even cheaper price in the store.

AE Bohemian

I received a rollerball of this perfume as a gift about a year ago and instantly fell in love. American Eagle always has a lot of fragrances to offer, but this is definitely one of their best. The actual bottle is a lot pricier than what you would find from Aéro or PINK, but the rollerball is much more reasonably priced. 

Bohemian is a concoction of many different notes: citrus fruit, wildflowers, garden herbs, jasmine, and musk. It is a very crisp fragrance, somehow earthy and bold at the same time. Definitely compliment-worthy and addicting.

Bohemian is available from American Eagle as a .25 oz rollerball ($14.95) or 1.7 oz bottle ($39.95).