When I think of Coty, I think of the array of fragrances that the company produces: From Marc Jacobs and Chloe, to Exclamation! and Kate Moss, Coty is the world’s largest fragrance company and a recognized leader in global beauty. A month ago, we were invited to a media event at Coty’s Research & Development facility in New Jersey. Though flattered and extremely excited to get an inside peek into the beauty giant, none of the M.I.S.S. writers could attend. No fear! We arranged to have some photos sent to us so that you could at least get a sense of what’s it’s like on the inside of the beauty game.

It’s not all glamour, in fact, it’s all science based so think lab coats and test tubes! Chief Scientific Officer & SVP of Global R&D, Ralph Macchio (not the Karate Kid!), let the tour and explained business behind the beauty company. He explained the product development cycle of testing, smelling, comparing and evaluating all that goes into the development of Coty’s color, fragrance and skin care business. The guests even got to use machines that tested eye lash durability and skin hydration. Exciting!

Check out the rest of the pics after the jump . . .

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I’ve always loved perfume. It’s always been one of those things that I’ve associated with “being a lady”, probably because I remember my mom always putting it on and I always thought that was a very glamorous thing to do. As soon as I was old enough, I started wearing perfume. I was still pretty young, so my mom started me out on Love’s Baby Soft. Then I had all 5 or 6 flavors of Love’s (yes, they had a rainbow, lemon, orange, blue, etc). Then, it was Exclamation! When I was in about 9th or 10th grade though, I had enough of the “young” fragrances and was ready for my first real adult perfume. What did I chose? Obsession. Yep, I wore it all through high school, and I was border-line “obsessed” with the smell. I loved the musky undertones, the deep amber color of the scent and the oval-shaped bottle. I’ve stopped wearing it since then but I will always have a special place in my heart for my first fragrance. Today, I discovered that Calvin Klein is releasing an update of the fragrance called Secret Obsession and it brought back lots of aroma-filled memories.

Secret Obsession is not trying to be Obsession, rather, it’s a unique scent: It “has top notes of exotic plum, mace and rose de damas; a heart of Egyptian jasmine, French orange flower and tuberose, and base notes of cashmere woods, burnt amber, Madagascan vanilla and Australian sandalwood.” When asked to describe the difference between the two Obsessions, Michele Scannavini, president of Coty Prestige, stated: “While Obsession epitomized the overt glamour and sexuality of the Eighties, Secret Obsession will become the meaning of what is sexy today — more personal, sophisticated and intoxicating.” Eva Mendes will be the face of Secret Obsession, as well as the Calvin Klein lingerie line for fall. Secret Obsession launches in mid-September, but you can expect to see the racy ads (did you expect anything less from the people that gave you a very young, nude “heroin chic” Kate Moss??) in June. I’m a signature-scent kind of girl but I think I may have to go astray and pick up this new grown and sexy version of Obsession. Can’t wait!

Images of Secret Obsession & Info: WWD