Sandra‘s Closet

Clarins Eau des Jardins is a wellness scent of orange zest, grapefruit and wild rose petals that invigorates the senses by combining fragrance and treatment benefits of plant extracts so you smell and feel good, too! The products are meant to help you focus and get on track, what a great way to start your day. To complement the line, Clarins has launched two new body products scented with the same blend, a body wash and a body cream.

UPLIFTING SHOWER GEL, CHF 32.- (150ml)

What a delicious way to cleanse your skin! The uplifting fragrance of Eau des Jardins blends with the gentleness of a rich, foaming lather that gives you an instant well-being. It is soap-free and ph-balanced which means suitable for all skin types. Showering becomes a source of beauty.

SMOOTHING BODY CREAM, CHF 50.- (200ml)

The cream has an interesting formula, irresistibly smooth to the touch – it seems to be watery and absorbs almost instantly into the skin. You are totally moisturized in a snap.

The smell of Clarins Eau des Jardins is so beautiful and uplifting that you could totally use those body products in combination with your very own perfume. Available at all Clarins counters.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

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This Sunday is Mother’s Day and it is still not too late to find the perfect gift for your beloved mum. Instead of giving a bouquet of roses have you ever thought of giving roses in a tube?

Here are some gift ideas for you:
(For my Zurich based readers, most products are available at Osswald and Jelmoli).

Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque by AESOP
CHF 38.- (120ml)

This rich conditioning treatment restores vitality and shine to all hair types with active ingredients of rose petals and lavender stems. It is to be used on the hair and scalp once a week for half an hour. Should hair be extremely dehydrated, it can be left on overnight. This masque is suited to all types of hair but ideal for dry, brittle or coloured hair.

The deep conditioning leaves hair soft, lustrous and moisturised; dry and flaky scalps will be soothed and hydrated.

Crème de Rose by DIOR
$26.50 / €24.50 / CHF 41.-

Crème de Rose is an essential nourishing and smoothing lip balm with a delicate rose fragrance that is simply addictive! It is enriched with a rare and precious Damask Rose essential oil extract, an anti-aging complex, energizing vitamins A and E, and shea butter for a long-lasting regenerating and smoothing anti-wrinkle effect. It leaves the lips optimally soothed, moisturized and nourished. Soft and beautifully plump, the lips are more radiant than ever!

Baume de Rose (Rose Balm Gloss) by BY TERRY
$55.- / €39.-

By Terry has created a chic and practical crystal case for their must-have Rose Balm which hydrates and nourishes the lips. It features an extremely high concentration of lipid-building substances and essential rose wax. The formula is a rejuvenating, reparative, strengthening, nourishing and anti-ageing treatment that enhances the voluptuousness of the lips and leaves them radiant with the glow of health!

Red Roses Bath Oil by JO MALONE
£38.- (250ml) – also availabe in a beautiful glass decanter (200ml)

Composed of seven types of roses from around the world, Red Roses is a surprisingly clean, voluptuous scent. With a heart of crushed violet leaves and hints of lemon and spearmint, it unfolds like a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers. Red Roses Bath Oil gently fragrances and moisturises the skin. Lush and softly foaming, it’s pure relaxation.

Crème Splendide Corps by ANNICK GOUTAL
€100.- (60ml)

Nutrition and firmness for all skin types. Highly concentrated in phyto-energizing active ingredients, caffeine and Active Rose Serum, Crème Splendide Corps nourishes, tones, firms and leaves skin satin-soft. Its luxurious, sumptuous texture and its fresh rose-like fragrance of morning dew win is seductive and irresistible. Rich in precious oils such as the oil of macadamia, and jojoba, this cream nourishes the skin in leaving it toned and soft like satin. It is a genuine, youth-promoting curative treatment which stimulates cellular renewal. I am completely addicted to the body cream.

Sa Majesté La Rose by SERGE LUTENS
CHF 119.- / €79.- (50ml)

A wonderful, intensive, floral bouquet with rose as the leading role in the center. For this fragrance, Serge Lutens combined Her Highness, the Rose, with fresh, green, opening notes, spices and woody notes in the base. For a previous interview with the famous perfumer, please click here.

Roses Scented Candle by DIPTYQUE
$60 (standard size) and $28 (mini size)

This beautiful scented candle recalls an armful of tender, changing roses that lightly evoke the world’s most universally loved flowers.

I would like to end this post with a huge thank you to all mums in the world:

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

- Washington Irving

LoL, Sandra

All good things come in threes. Here is the final “Bestsmellers” post for Mother’s Day. I hope that you will find some inspiration for a little odorous surprise. Those four flankers below are lighter versions for summer, mostly related to the original fragrances.
A great gift for the warm season.

LoL, Sandra

SWAROVSKI – AURA EAU DE TOILETTE
Eau de Toilette, CHF  49.- (30ml), CHF 73.- (50ml) and CHF 97.- (75ml) – all refillable

Oriental Floral
A lovely interpretation for the warm season of last year’s luxurious fragrance composition.

Top notes: Litchi and rose
Heart notes: Tuberose
Base notes: Pink pepper, benzoin, amber and musk

THIERRY MUGLER – ALIEN AQUA CHIC
Eau de Toilette Légère, CHF 74.- (60ml)

Oriental Floral
For all women who love transparent, aquatic fragrances.

Top notes: Lemon verbena and ginger
Heart notes: Freesia
Base notes: Amber and woodsy notes

BULGARI – MON JASMIN NOIR L’EAU EXQUISE
Eau  de Toilette, CHF 99.- (50ml) and CHF 116.- (75ml)

Floral
Fresh, airy and ultrafeminine – reminiscent of a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Top notes: Pomelo, almond and grapefruit
Heart notes: White tea and jasmine
Base notes: Musk and cedar

YVES SAINT LAURENT  - PARISIENNE L’EAU
Eau de Toilette CHF 111.- (50ml) and CHF 143.- (90ml)

Floral Fruity
A juicy, floral fruity summer version of the original scent that was launched in 2009.

Top notes: Vinyl accord, green notes, violet leaf and rose
Heart notes: Cranberries, red fruit and black currant
Base notes: Patchouli, cedar and white musk

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht and Stills: Courtesy of the brands

Don’t forget, on Sunday we are having a (MOM)ent. Here are some more ideas for a lovely gift for Mother’s Day.

Your mother is your first (and best) friend. Make her day all over again with something she adores like one of those recently launched fragrances.

LoL, Sandra

JOHN RICHMOND – VIVA ROCK
Eau de Toilette, CHF 46.- (30ml), CHF 84.- (50ml) and CHF 112.-(100ml)

Floral Aldehydic
Sophisticated and young, the perfect scent for a woman who loves life.

Top notes: Sicilian mandarin, carambola and cactus
Heart notes: Damascena rose, jasmine and cherry blossom
Base notes: Musk, iris and amber

KENZO FLOWERTAG
Eau de Parfum, CHF 81.- (30ml) and CHF 110.70 (50ml)

Floral Fruity Gourmand
Inspired by the urban art of graffiti, this intense version is all about sensuality.

Top notes: Grapefruit, black currant and rhubarb
Heart notes: Gardenia, jasmine and peony
Base notes: Praline, vanilla, patchouli and musk

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ – FOR HER EAU DE PARFUM DELICATE
Eau de Parfum, CHF 147.- (125ml)

Oriental Woody
A limited edition fragrance – an expression of femininity and gracefulness.

Top notes: Rose and peach
Heart notes: Musk and amber
Base notes: Oud, patchouli and sandalwood

HERMES – VOYAGE D’HERMES PARFUM
Perfume, CHF 105.- (35ml), CHF 151.- (100ml) and CHF 146.- (125ml Refill Bottle)

Woody Floral Musk
Classy, stylish and  rich – for the independent woman.

Top notes: Cardamom, lemon and spices
Heart notes: Hedione, floral notes with accentuated rose, green and tea notes
Base notes: Amber and musk

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the brands

Mother’s Day is around the corner and you might want to think of a little surprise. There are many new fragrances on the market. Here are some of the bestsmelling scents available now.

LoL, Sandra

GUERLAIN AQUA ALLEGORIA – LYS SOLEIA
Eau de Toilette, CHF 109.- (125ml)

Floral Fruity
Elegant and light, perfect for an airy summer night.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon and palm leaves
Heart notes: Lily, ylang-ylang and tropical fruits
Base notes: Tuberose, vanilla and white musk

ISSEY MIYAKE  - L’EAU D’ISSEY SUMMER 2012
Eau de Toilette, CHF 86.- (100ml)

Floral Aquatic
Dynamic and refreshing but full of exotics and warmth.

Top notes: Rose, pear and water notes
Heart notes: Carnation and peony
Base notes: Osmanthus and woodsy notes

PRADA INFUSION D’IRIS EAU DE PARFUM ABSOLUE
Eau de Parfum Absolue CHF 118.- (50ml) und CHF 150.- (100ml)

Oriental Floral
Intense, rich – full of seduction, my favourite.

Top notes: African orange flower and neroli
Heart notes: Italian iris
Base notes: White musk, benzoin from Laos, Madagascar vanilla and tonka bean from Venezuela

BIOTHERM EAU OCEANE
Eau de Toilette, CHF 70.- (100ml)

Floral Aquatic
Revitalising, hydrating and refreshing – the power of the ocean in a scent.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon and fruity notes
Heart notes: Jasmine and water notes (through Firmenich molecules)
Base notes: Musk, cedar, algae, moss and sand flowers

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the brands

Finally the amazing nail polishes from butter LONDON are available in Switzerland (For more information, please click here for a previous post). On the occasion of its second anniversary, The Nail Bar unveils its new must-haves of varnish.

By creating a colour palette inspired directly from latest fashion shows, butter LONDON has become the cult brand of nail polish among fashionistas with all productsformulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens.

You will find the complete collection (more than 60 colors) at The Nail Bar. One bottle of nail polish butter London is sold for CHF 26.90.-.

My favourites of the moment: Teddy Girl, Slapper (S/S 2012 collection) and Macbeth

Me wearing Teddy Girl, a soft pink opaque shade, perfect for summer.

The Nail Bar has three shops in West Switzerland. Let’s hope that there will be one in Zurich soon. Walk-in pedicures sounds like a dream…

LAUSANNE Only Manicure / Only without appointment
Rue de la Louve 1, +41 21/ 312 06 15

LAUSANNE Manicure & Pedicure / With or Without appointment
Av. du Tribunal Fédéral 5, +41 21/ 312 12 07

GENEVE Manicure & Pedicure / With or Without appointment
Rue du Temple 2, +41 22/ 731 28 27

Coming Soon – The Nail Bar at Bongénie Geneva
3rd Floor – G Point

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nail Bar, Butter London and © Sandra Bauknecht

“A beautiful scent is like a beautiful memory, it transports us to another place in time.”

- Carlos Huber

A scent is a time capsule. It can invoke our most intimate memories and dreams, and open doors to distant worlds. Curated by Carlos Huber, an architect specializing in Historic Preservation, Arquiste is a fragrance collection that transports the wearer to evocative moments in history. Last week, I had the honour to meet the very handsome and charming Carlos himself.

Carlos Huber with me

Mexican-born Carlos Huber (his last name derives from his Swiss-German ancestors) looks like a model from a Ralph Lauren advertising campaign. But instead of modeling, Huber was involved in the preservation of Ralph Lauren stores that held historical significance such as their famous flagship on Madison Avenue where Carlos, an architect by trade, was in charge for the high jewelry room along and for the accessories department. He is so passionate about history and told me that he loves to indulge in old books describing himself as a “nerd”. I like this new species of well-dressed, good-looking nerds!

As fate willed, he started to pursue his longtime love of fragrance by taking special classes about the art of perfumery with two top Givaudan perfumers, Rodrigo Flores Roux and Yann Vasnier, who  happened to be Huber’s friends. With their help, he created a range of six perfumes and launched Arquiste Parfumeur last year. With an immaculate attention to detail, each of his complex scents aims to evoke the olfactive notes of a specific moment in history.

Have you ever wondered how the most fragrant festival in the Aztec calendar in 1400 smelled like? What about the moment when Louis XIV saw his future wife Maria Teresa, the Infanta of Spain, for the first time? Thanks to Arquiste, you can time-travel with each spritz. Read all those little stories. Your fantasy will take you on a beautiful olfactive journey.

FLOR Y CANTO

Notes include: Mexican Tuberose, Magnolia, Plumeria and Marigold
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux

L’ETROG

Notes include: Calabrese Cedrat, Myrtle, Date Fruit and Vetivert
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux & Yann Vasnier

FLEUR DE LOUIS

Notes include: Orange Blossom, Florentine Orris, Jasmine and White Cedar Wood
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux

INFANTA EN FLOR

Notes include: Orange Flower Water, Spanish Leather, Citrus Resin and Immortelle
Developed with Yann Vasnier

ANIMA DULCIS

Notes include: Cocoa Absolute, Mexican Vanille, Cinnamon and Chili Infusion
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux & Yann Vasnier

ALEKSANDR

Notes include: Neroli, Violet Leaf, Fir Balsam and Russian Leather
Developed with Yann Vasnier

The success of Arquiste is incredible. In only six months, those extraordinary fragrances have found many fans around the globe. Arquiste – Fragrances that transport you to another place in time, for men and women. My favourite is the opulent floral scent “flor y canto”.

In Switzerland available at Osswald. For other stores worldwide, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Arquiste and © Sandra Bauknecht

Estée Lauder’s summer looks have been on my shopping list since many years and fans of the brand know, the house’s iconic summer fragrance, re-launched every year, sells out in days.

Have fun exploring my must-haves from
Estée Lauder’s BRONZE GODDESS CAPRI Summer 2012 look:

1. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée makes you looked as sun-kissed as possible. This limited edition is an exquisite, and lust-worthy bronzing highlighter that comes with a new formula of liquid, powder, and gel to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow. Use it as an all-over soft sheen or layer it for some luminous pearly highlighting.
Suggested retail price: CHF 58.-

2. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molton Lava for sexy eyes in seconds.
Suggested retail price: CHF 32.-

3. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Sands. With its new innovative prisma shine technology, you can create a gorgeous subtle day time look or really vamp it up for night time glamour. Same as the Bronze Goddess Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée, it comes with a tri-brid of a liquid, powder and gel all in one, to give the softest, most blendable shades that can be used wet or dry.
Suggested retail price: CHF 72.-

4. Bronze Goddess Capri is a summer limited edition fragrance, a “solar Oriental fragrance inspired by the seductive Isle of Capri.” It includes notes of blackcurrant, mandarin, lemon leaves, jasmine sambac, lily of the valley, peony, vanilla, amberwood, patchouli, and musk.
Suggested retail price: CHF 78.- (100ml)

Ladies, it is time to head to the nearest Estée Lauder counter!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht

Embrace the warm season with Jo Malone‘ s gorgeous new limited edition fragrance:
Plum Blossom.

Bursting with optimism, the Plum Blossom scent is an uplifting addition to the Jo Malone collection, perfect both on its own or layered preferably with Nectarine Blossom & Honey.

Opening with the fruitful freshness of yellow plum, its floral heart blooms on a background of creamy sandalwood and white musk.

Available online and in boutiques from May 2012.
Plum Blossom Cologne, CHF 130 (100ml) and CHF 68 (30ml).
In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

This scent will surely lift your mood whatever the weather.
And as it is limited, you better buy ahead!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Turn back the clock overnight.
La Prairie’s scientists have combined the breakthrough brilliance of Cellular Power Infusion with time-released Retinol - the most effective de-aging ingredient – and a revitalizing boost of Oxygen to balance and resurface your skin each night.

Why night?
Cellular Power Charge Night takes advantage of your skins natural resting state to perform necessary recovery functions. Wrinkles are repaired, signs of aging are erased, cell turnover is accelerated and oxygen is boosted – all which means you will wake up to younger looking skin.

I have tried this product for three months now and I find it absolutely fantastic. 
Use it every night, after cleansing, on clean skin, with no other product between the skin and the formula. Depress the top of the pump once or twice to dispense both cream and gel, in equal amounts, to the back of the hand.  Mix together with fingertips and apply to face and neck. Smooth any remaining residue over back of hands. Use one or two pumps. Moisturizer may be applied over it, if desired. Available for CHF 544.00 (40ml/ 1.35 FL OZ.)

Thanks to La Prairie Cellular Power Charge Night, you’ll never have to look your age again!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie