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l Zirh Skin Nutrition has signed a licensing agreement with French Connection Ltd. to manufacture and distribute men’s and women’s FCUK prestige fragrances and ancillary products. The lines will debut this fall in fine department and specialty stores. “We believe there is a tremendous worldwide consumer awareness of the FCUK brand name which will bring a new group of young, trend-conscious consumers to the fragrance counter,” said Hiroshi Maruyama, chairman and chief executive officer of Zirh’s parent company, Shiseido International Corp.

l Babor’s ScenTao brand is expanding with a shower gel, featuring an anti-stress complex derived from Asian active ingredients such as green tea, ginseng and ginkgo biloba. This complex smoothes skin, traps free radicals and prevents light-induced aging while also using the principles of aromachology. Executives said the complete ScenTao line is incorporated in a hot stone massage therapy at select spas.
Babor has also introduced Body Line Thermal Refining Cellulite treatment using mineral-rich thermal water, active plant extracts and moisturizing algae extracts to regulate water balance and increase microcirculation and tone in problem areas.

l FDS Pursonals Feminine Deodorant spray, new from Alberto Culver, offers a portable 0.5-oz. shower-fresh accessory for women. Executives said 90% of women said freshness is a very important part of feeling comfortable and confident in professional, social and intimate situations. FDS Pursonals, a hypoallergenic, natural cornstarch spray, is available in White Blossom and Extra Strength Springtime Fresh fragrances. The spray two-pack retails for $4.50 in mass merchandise, grocery and drug stores.

l Artistry, a division of Quixtar, launched Artistry Skin Refinishing lotion, a daily exfoliator with a patent-pending formula that leaves skin softer and smoother using an oat-derived extract. Executives said the skin is 52% smoother in 12 weeks and the lotion is safe for sensitive skin.

l Eryo, a men’s fragrance new from Yves Rocher, features an oriental blend with bergamot, rosemary, mint, patchouli, vanilla, benzoin and costus. The fragrance is sold in 1.7- and 3.4-oz. eau de toilettes for $22 and $28, respectively.

l Finesse is set to launch the Finesse Curl Hydrating hair care line this spring to encourage long-lasting curls and control frizz. A shampoo, conditioner and mousse will retail for $2.99 to $3.49.

l American Crew Liquid Line, a trio of water-based styling products for men with medium to long length hairstyles, debuts this month. The products include Groom, a versatile, defining lotion; Texture, a thickening, separating and volumizing styling spray and Structure, a firm hold styling lotion. “Each product is formulated with a ‘duality of purpose,’ allowing bend without stiffness, hold without weight and texture with movement,” explained Jim Fogg, senior director of marketing. The products contain natural ingredients such as beeswax, sage extract and coconut oil.

l Aubrey Organics is using the exfoliating power of alpha hydroxy fruit acids to encourage cell turnover. A 4-oz. Natural AHA Fruit Acids with Apricot exfoliating mask retails for $19.95. Ingredients include bilberry, black currant and citrus fruit acids, as well as rose hips seeds, apricot kernels and herbal oils.

l The Body Contouring system, new from Wilma Schumann, addresses unwanted cellulite using CoAxel, a mixture of natural ingredients such as caffeine and L-carnatine to break down fatty acids, increase circulation and firm the skin. The five-step routine includes a Seaweed soap, Body moisturizer, Contouring tool, Lipolysis emulsion, tape measure and Body Contouring chart. The system retails for $90.

l HR Labs, New York, NY, launched Sea Buckthorn Professional Skin Therapy collection spotlighting the vitamin-rich and anti-aging sea buckthorn plant. Products in the collection work to promote skin regeneration, guard against pollutants, provide essential nutrients and enhance the skin’s protective barrier. The series includes a face cream, eye gel, hand cream, toner and face wash.

l Connect, a unisex fragrance from Jon English Products, Minneapolis, MN, blends pure essences derived from flowers, plants and minerals. The 2-oz. scent also has vitamin E.

l Menopausal women can find relief with Murad Resurgence, a four-product skin regimen combining antiaging and symptom specific formulas using antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and hydrating ingredients. Resurgence includes the Renewing Cleansing cream, Age-Diffusing serum, Sheer Lustre Day moisturizer SPF 15, Age-Balancing Night cream and Calming Nighttime supplement.

l Bio Enterprises, Naples, FL, introduced BIO (Beauty-Inside-Out) Essentials with sea-derived vitamins, essential oils and extracts to remove, refresh, repair, revitalize, replenish and renew skin in six steps. Executives said the products are for all skin types. More info: www.bioessentials.com.

l Fresh ingredients are featured in Fresh Body Market’s toiletries. The Dallas, TX-based company offers products such as Rise n’ Shine shower gel using organic grapefruit juice, Q-cumber facial soap using fresh cucumber and Strawberry Slush soap with strawberries and coconut milk. Each product has a best if used by date and some have food-like nutrition labels. More info: www.freshbodymarket.com.

l Salonclick has launched Min Wash, a shampoo that treats hair loss and maintains color-treated hair by limiting the production of DiHydroTestosterone (DHT), a male hormone said to be one of the major causes of adult hair loss. DHT inhibiting ingredients include plant-derived unsaturated fatty acids and zinc. Min Wash also removes excess sebum and does not deposit residue. It costs $11.95.

l D:fi products made a cameo on HBO’s “Sopranos” drama series. The Oct. 20, 2002, episode had a scene in a salon, where d:fi products were prominently displayed on a shelf.

l Valhalla, NY-based At Last Naturals has introduced Lucky Tiger Massage cream, a facial cleanser designed to remove flaky skin and impurities and rejuvenate the complexion. More info: www.getluckytiger.com.

l Lancôme’s new Hair Sensation, a hair care line set to debut in department stores next month, features 12 shampoos, conditioners and hair styling products designed to pull consumers away from the salon counter. The line’s categories include dry/damaged, flat/fine and frequent use, which are color-coded.

l Helen of Troy, El Paso, TX, is continuing to license Procter & Gamble’s Vidal Sassoon name. The agreement includes renewal options, which extends the agreement for 30 years. P&G will retain rights to the Vidal Sassoon trademark.

l Five Star Fragrance Company, Deer Park, NY, agreed to license several fragrance brands from Bijan Fragrances Inc. to manufacture and market all brands with the designer Bijan providing creative guidance. Five Star has also signed a licensing agreement with XEL Inc., the owner of Michael Jordan and Jordan by Michael cologne brands.

l Qúr Nail, a topical formulation that eliminates nail and skin fungus and nourishes the skin, is new from BioNova Inc., Forest Hills, NY. The product combines six antimicrobials with five antioxidants through nano-technology. This non-toxic formulation can also be used to treat athlete’s foot, cuticle infections, minor cuts, scrapes and ingrown nails.

l San Francisco-based MD Formulations’ Body Gel has debuted. This two-in-one product cleanses both the body and hair and gently exfoliates with a pH-balanced formula. Body Gel retails for $30 in select spas and salons.

l Sun Feather Natural Soap Co., Potsdam, NY, offers the Sweetheart Bag for Valentine’s Day. The bag contains 2-oz. Rose & Cranberry and 2-oz. Rose & Jojoba soaps, a vanilla votive candle and an organza pouch.

l Nexxus has launched Test Drive, an interactive DVD that teaches trends and techniques in the latest haircuts, colors and styles. Executives said the DVD is formatted into various modules for complete or selective learning for various time constraints.
Nexxus also won the ABBIES award for Best Marketing for New Salon Retail in the single hair car product category for its Y Serum Younger Looking hair treatment. The leave-in treatment successfully tapped the new “young-er looking hair” segment.

l For perfect brows, EsthéticPlus offers Slanted Tweezer, a professional grade tweezer made of stainless steel and imported from Italy. The tweezers are available in soft pink, sky blue, ruby red, midnight black and silver steel.

l Sephora has launched a signature makeup collection with 19 SKUs. Executives said the new line includes four