By CHERYL LIM

SMELLING nice and looking good - that was the winning formula for three final-year students from Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) Nanyang Business School.

Team Magnifique, comprising Ms Britney Cheong, Ms Ng Yi Han and Ms Jessica Ong, all 22, beat seven other teams to win the national leg of L'Oreal Brandstorm 2009 last month.

Their concept of designing a solid perfume - which is beeswax or petroleum jelly infused with fragrance oils - as a fashion accessory won raves from the judges.

The solid perfume, which comes with a liquid counterpart attached, can be detached and used independently, making it easy for people to re-apply their fragrance.

Ms Cheong said: "The most rewarding part of the competition was the opportunity to turn our ideas into reality."

The annual marketing competition, which is in its 17th year worldwide but was launched in Singapore only in 2002, challenges university students to come up with amarketing strategy for a L'Oreal brand.

This year, Singapore teams had to create a perfume for Maybelline, a cosmetic brand under the L'Oreal stable.

Team Magnifique now has a shot at winning the international championship which will be held in Paris on June 29 and 30.

It will compete with teams from 40 other countries for a trip worth 10,000 euros (S$20,410) to a city of the members' choice.

Previously, Singapore teams have won the international finals in 2003 and 2007.

Team Magnifique's idea was a clincher due to its "strong marketing finesse and originality", said Mr Nicolas Pauthier, human- resource director of L'Oreal Singapore and Asean.

cheryll@sph.com.sg

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