Scent 2001 reflects freedom and individuality

JAKARTA (JP): Freedom is the ability to be who you want to be. Freedom is choice. Freedom is the confidence to be different. Freedom, by its definition, is being something different from everyone else.

The individualist is back on stage again. People are looking for ways to set themselves apart from others.

The cosmetic industry conveys this message in various products, from skin and hair care products to new perfume creations.

Designer Tommy Hilfiger's new fragrance Freedom captures the essence of a generation that defines individuality and an undeniable sense of unique self-expression.

"The concept of freedom is natural for fragrance as it has come to represent the true essence of individuality and ability to choose for oneself," said Hilfiger.

Freedom was created for everyone who sees life as an adventure. The fragrance is a fusion of freshness and spices, wrapped with the effervescence of Asian ginger and comfortable woods.

Her Freedom introduces a new category of fragrance: the charismatic floral abloom with a soft, feminine sensuality. The fragrance has been created around three accords; a fusion of freshness, rich tactile feminine floral wrapped with Asian ginger and soft sensual woods.

The synergy between His Freedom and Her Freedom fragrances is evident through the use of Asian ginger, a note that has been captured via a new technology called NaturePrint.

New York designer Donna Karan offers a new fragrance for women who are always in motion.

It is created for urban women who are active, dynamic and full of vitality and energy. The scent reflects freshness, comfort and sexiness. The shape of DKNY's bottle resembles New York's sparkling skyscrapers.

"Feel the energy and excitement of New York City feel the excitement of DKNY," says the designer.

For sophisticated women, Estee Lauder has created a new perfume following its previous successes with Pleasures and Dazzling.

Intuition from Estee Lauder gives women new spiritual values and a sense of femininity. The scent is a collaboration between Estee Lauder in the United States and the European Product Development Center.

Intuition perfectly blends European and American aromas -- a harmonious assortment of ambery warmth and textured floralcy. The fragrance is produced using high technology and new ingredients like voluminaire to create smoothness and skin-like sensuality.

"Intuition is the essence of a woman. We all have our own intuitions and use them in almost our entire lives," said Evelyn Lauder, Estee Lauder's vice president, when launching the fragrance.

For energetic people and those who pursue happiness, Clinique offers a new fragrance that captures the spirit of happiness in all its incarnations, moods and ages. Clinique Happy is a chic, modern, multilayered floral aroma with a sparkling lingering top note, a mixture of exotic and tropical flowers and plantations.

The pursuit of happiness has now been embraced globally as the most basic desire.

Being happy is more important than having power, wealth or beauty, according to a recent survey conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation International for Clinique.

Here are the facts about being happy:

What Makes Us Happy?

Our Genes:

According to psychologists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, our genes determine our happiness "setpoint", the level of happiness we are programmed to cruise through life with, all other things being equal.

Our Chemicals:

When we get positive feedback from the world, our bodies experience a rise in such "feel-good" substances as dopamine and phenylethylamine.

Four Basics:

According to researchers at the National Institute on Aging, self-esteem, optimism, extroversion and a sense of personal control are the four basic cornerstones of happiness.

Other Happy People:

Happiness is contagious. Studies at the Brain Behavior Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that being around happy faces inspires left-brain activity -- associated with enthusiasm and positive emotions.

A Good Laugh:

The average kindergartner laughs 300 times a day (the average adult 17).

Being From Iceland:

According to the World Values Survey, Iceland is the happiest country in the world.

Happy Facts:

* Every year, there are more than 1,100 published scientific articles related to happiness.

* Gender does not provide a clear-cut advantage in the pursuit of happiness.

* There is evidence that happy people are significantly likelier to live longer.

* Laughter activates T-cell lymphocytes and natural killer cells, both of which help destroy invading organisms. Laughter also speeds up the production of new immune cells and reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

* Around 97 percent of women in the United States agree that it is more important to be happy than beautiful.

* Nearly two-thirds of women say they are happier now than they were five years ago. And almost 80 percent expect to be happier when entering the new millennium. (raw)