Jennifer Aniston

Courtesy Elle

She’s one of America’s most gorgeous women, and next month Jennifer Aniston will be getting the beauty recognition she deserves in the coveted cover-model spot on Elle magazine’s big September issue — and PEOPLE.com has a first look. In an exclusive interview inside, Jen dishes on her love life, friendships and life in Hollywood. “I’m not going to ignore the pink elephant in the living room,” she says of the media’s insistence that she’s lonely. “It’s fine. I can take it. If I’m the emblem for ‘this is what it looks like to be the lonely girl getting on with her life,’ so be it.” And she’s happy to help others who find themselves in a similar position. “I support women, men, anybody who is in a place that’s not their strongest and who is ready to push forward,” she says. But if you are more interested in the star’s style than her love life, click over to Elle.com now for an interview with her longtime hairstylist, Chris McMillan, who dishes on the secrets behind star’s much-imitated tresses. “I’ve been doing Jennifer’s hair forever. When I first met her, she had long, one-length hair with bangs, and she was like, ‘Don’t cut my hair — I want my hair long,’” he reveals. “I cut a couple inches off and layered it from her bangs down to the ends…The next thing you know, her bangs were down to her chin, and the rest of her hair was at her shoulders in these long, loose layers that sort of flipped out — and that’s what we called the Rachel.” Click here to read more about Jennifer’s hair how-tos — and her must-have products and hair styling tips at Elle.com. Tell us: What do you think of Jennifer’s Elle cover?

Courtesy of Ferragamo, inset: Jim Spellman/WireIma

Italian luxury designer Salvatore Ferragamo and stars like Jennifer Aniston, Madonna, Demi Moore, Gywneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria Parker, Marisa Tomei, Dita Von Teese, Lucy Liu and Debi Mazar are coming to the aid of the Italian town L’ Aquila that lost almost 300 people in a tragic earthquake in early April. The A-list stars are auctioning off autographed Ferragamo handbags to benefit GlobalGiving’s Italy Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund. Bags on the eBay auction block include Aniston’s eco-friendly hobo, with her signature in hot pink ink on the inside natural hemp lining and a handwritten note from the actress herself. Bid on Jen’s bag and other personal Ferragamo bags from your favorite star at eBay.com until June 12th. You can also donate directly to the cause at globalgiving.com.

Suzanne Hanover/Samuel Goldwyn Films

For her new role as a traveling saleswoman in the film Management, which hits theaters today, Jennifer Aniston trades her famous head of perfectly tousled hair for a darker auburn bob that’s a distinctive departure from her signature relaxed glamour. “She wanted to look very different,” says Melissa A. Yonkey, her hairstylist on the film, “but didn’t want to cut or dye her hair.” Jen’s solution? A $10,000 custom wig created by her offscreen hair guru Chris McMillan. “The color was very complimentary on her. She’s got wonderful warm skin,” says Yonkey. And the new look was all for the sake of art. “With that blond hair, she’s very known as Jennifer Aniston.” says Yonkey, “and I think sometimes that takes away from watching the story”. But don’t think the hairstylist wasn’t at least a little worried about taking style risks with one of America’s most famous movie stars. “I was actually very, very concerned,” she says. “She’s so well-known for her hair that I was waiting for a lot of backlash. But I haven’t had it yet.” Tell us: What do you think of Jennifer’s onscreen hair? — Reporting by Nicholas White

Inset: Lisa O’Connor/ZUMA

Stellar stars like Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner, Kate Bosworth and Ellen DeGeneres are getting set to Stand Up To Cancer, showing their support at the benefit gala that will air commercial-free on ABC, CBS and NBC tonight. Celeb-loved jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer is doing her part to raise funds with an exclusive STAR necklace — and she’s donating all net proceeds from the sale to Stand Up To Cancer. Jennifer Aniston, who’s slated to make an appearance at the gala, has already been spotted wearing the pretty pendant in 18K gold. You can support the cause — and look gorgeous doing it — by clicking over to standup2cancer.org to purchase your own STAR necklace, which retails from $250 for a silver star to $3250 for a dazzling diamond version. – Samantha McIntyre

Craig Barritt/JPI

When Jennifer Aniston joined pals Courteney Cox and David Arquette for a relaxing holiday in Mexico, she shielded her face from the sun with a OmniPeace olive hat. Jennifer, Courteney and David are long-tim supporters of Omnipeace, a company who supports the Millennium Promise, a non-profit organization whose goal is to end extreme poverty by 2025. OmniPeace’s t-shirts and hats have been spotted on Zac Efron, Casey Affleck, Sienna Miller, Naomi Campbell and more. 25% of all profits go to the Millennium Promise — the T-shirts alone have already raised $112,000 to end poverty. Get Jennifer’s hat, $48, at shopkitson.com and be sure to check out all the OmniPeace products sold at Kitson.

Courtesy of Good Karma

What do lucky dogs like Martha Stewart’s Paw Paw and Jennifer Aniston’s Dolly have in common? You might spot them prancing around town in a Good Karma collar by SOCOCO, or Socially Conscious Companion. The chic collars let pets show some style while supporting a good cause. 10% of the profits from each $30 collar goes directly to help children in South Africa’s Baphumelele Orphanage and Education Center, a charity that gives permanent shelter and schooling to children orphaned or abandoned because of AIDS. The collars are available in a rainbow of bright hues like Mighty Mango and Brave Blue that let you and your dog show off your true colors.

JD/KO/QK/Flynet; Maryannakis/Splash News; KO/SC/Flynet

Ah, finally a trend made for the weekends! Jennifer Aniston, Kate Bosworth and Ashley Olsen are just a few of the stars we’ve spotted in a classic casual combo — plaid buttondowns paired with jeans. And there are so many options, from urban black & white combos to classic red-based patterns — and you can pick between skinny jeans like Ashley, wide-leg jeans like Kate or bootcuts like Jennifer! Here are a few of our favorite plaid shirts online to fit any budget:

Women’s Plaid Camp Shirts, $10 at oldnavy.com

Baby-pleat plaid shirt, $45 at gap.com

Kimchi & Blue Ruffle Front Shirt, $48 at urbanoutfitters.com

McQ By Alexander McQueen brown plaid ruffle snap front shirt, $135 at bluefly.com

7 for all Mankind Brushed Plaid Peasant Shirt, $155 at eluxury.com

Bell Fan Sleeve Plaid Shirt, $198 at saksfifthavenue.com