Sandra‘s Closet

What if believing in mysterious signs, keeping talismans close, or projecting your desires onto superstitions was a reliable way to ensure that luck is on your side? Gabrielle Chanel believed it wholeheartedly, shaping her destiny based on symbols that have since become iconic.

Lions, wheat, comets, camellias, numbers… Mademoiselle was as talented as she was superstitious, and she surrounded herself with objects and symbols. These talismans gave her the freedom to achieve her dreams; inspiration for the designs in her collections; strokes of genius that led to her most iconic signature styles; and the strength to embrace her destiny. With the LES SYMBOLES DE CHANEL collection, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio has reimagined 5 iconic symbols as precious highlighters. Le Lion, La Comète, Le Camélia, Les Perles, and Les Chaînes become 3 subtle and sophisticated shades: Warm Gold, Precious Coral, and Pearly White, offering sparkling shimmer designed to illuminate and enhance the complexion. And your future…

THE LION
A symbol of strength

The animal representing Gabrielle Chanel’s zodiac sign is a mirror image of her radiant, untameable personality. It also recalls the Lion of Venice, an iconic city that fascinated Mademoiselle. The lion is a true inspiration, lending strength and pride to those who choose it.

LA COMÈTE
A symbol of luck

“ I wanted to cover women in constellations ”, said Gabrielle Chanel in 1932, while presenting her first and only high jewelry collection, which is filled with celestial motifs. Superstitious, she put her faith in the stars and loved surrounding herself with comets. The comet gives off incandescent light, promising eternal luck to its owners.

LES PERLES
A symbol of radiance

Gabrielle Chanel played with strings of pearls boldly and freely, wearing them close to or draped around her neck, during the day as well as in the evening, in the city and even at the beach. Pearls, which capture both warmth and light, illuminate the complexion and reveal the radiance of those who wear them.

LE CAMÉLIA
A symbol of harmony

Typically worn by dandies on the lapels of their jackets, the camellia became Gabrielle Chanel’s emblem in 1913. It has been featured in many of her creations, where it continues to flourish, still today. Perfectly symmetrical, it never loses its leaves; it embodies steadfast beauty—harmonious and serene. An oasis of calm that soothes and provides peace of mind to those who treasure it.

LES CHAÎNES
A symbol of style

Gabrielle Chanel, an avant-gardist, broke with the rules of her era when she added a chain to her bags. Tucked into the lining of CHANEL jackets, chains are also the secret to creating their structure and ensuring that they fit perfectly. Symbolizing a unique style, chains reveal the allure of those who wear them proudly.

LES SYMBOLES DE CHANEL
Maxi Poudre Illuminatrice
WARM GOLD: a champagne
PRECIOUS CORAL: a soft, satin coral
PEARLY WHITE: a sparkling white
Available for CHF 77.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, M·A·C Cosmetics invites its community in Switzerland to join the fight to end HIV/AIDS by getting the lipstick that gives back 100% to charities helping people impacted by the epidemic.

Funds raised from M·A·C VIVA GLAM lipsticks directly support charities around the world working to reduce new infections and help people currently living with HIV/AIDS. In Switzerland, M·A·C Cosmetics has been working for years with the Geneva-based organization Groupe Santé Genève, which is committed to universal access to health and is particularly active in the fight against HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections. They organize health promotion campaigns and promote prevention, particularly among people at risk, while helping to improve their quality of life.

«Giving back to our community has always been core to our brand DNA, and we are proud of the incredible strides M·A·C VIVA GLAM has made in helping people affected by HIV/AIDS over the past three decades. However, there are still millions of people around the world who continue to be impacted by the epidemic,» says Aïda Moudachirous-Rebois, Global Chief Marketing Officer, M·A·C Cosmetics. «This World AIDS Days serves as another key moment to rally our community around our mission of creating an AIDS-free generation.»

VIVA GLAM was started in 1994 by M·A·C founders Frank Toskan and the late Frank Angelo who saw the HIV/AIDS epidemic directly affecting their community in Toronto. They created M·A·C VIVA GLAM Lipsticks, which donated 100% of the selling price to organizations serving people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Thanks to this powerful mission, nearly 30 years later VIVA GLAM has raised more than $520 million USD (and counting).

While great progress has been made over the past several decades in reducing AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections, the fight is far from over. More than 39 million people around the world are currently living with HIV, which continues to disproportionately impact certain populations – particularly young women and adolescent girls, gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and racial and ethnic minorities.

This World AIDS Day, put your money where your mouth is by purchasing a M·A·C VIVA GLAM lipstick at a local M·A·C location or online here.

The Viva Glam lipsticks are available for the retail price of CHF 32 online at maccosmetics.ch and at the M·A·C counters.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © M·A·C Cosmetics
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

This Christmas, discover Sisley’s very first beauty advent calendar and enter a whimsical world where collages and embroidery mix and mingle. Designed by Isabelle d’Ornano, the calendar is adorned with a joy-filled patchwork of inspirational words and colorful images that capture the spirit of Sisley perfectly. Each of the calendar’s twenty-five drawers contains a carefully selected gift from Sisley’s skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrance collections. Enjoy a moment of surprise each day and delight in discovering beauty treasures in the lead up to Christmas.

Personally speaking, I love all the small sized beauty products as they are so perfect for travelling! As I don’t want to spoil the surprises, I can only tell you that there are also some full size products included. Available for CHF 730.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of SISLEY Paris
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Paris, the 1920s. Art Deco style is at its peak. The frenzy of the era is in full swing. It is a time of exuberance; sequins lead the way. With her avant-garde and free-thinking spirit, Gabrielle Chanel embraced this geometric and contrasting aesthetic, and experimented with a completely new style. Within the walls of her rue Cambon Atelier, the designer celebrated life by creating evening gowns studded with striking sequins. In 2023, the Makeup Creation Studio honors her daring spirit by creating dazzling eye looks for the holiday season. The carefree splendor and liberating glamour of that era shine today in a new exclusive collection that symbolizes the Roaring Twenties in all its magnificence. With only one goal in mind: to shine. Infinitely.

COLLECTION MAKE-UP HOLIDAY 2023

PRECIOUS EYES

Like a delicately embroidered cascade of sequins on a dress that twirls to the beat of the music, the five shades featured in the LUMIÈRE GRAPHIQUE palette are flecked with flamboyant sparkles. These precious, dazzling flashes of Pink Gold, Diamond White, and Shimmering Black can be combined for a graphic, contrasting eye look.

Illuminated eyelids swing to the rhythm of a graphic black line created using SIGNATURE DE CHANEL eyeliner. This intense duet then follows the tempo of NOIR ALLURE mascara, which fans out the lashes, gives them volume, and adds mysterious depth to the overall look. Irresistibly magnetic.

LUMIÈRE GRAPHIQUE
Création Exclusive Yeux
CHF 100.00

THE DESIRE TO DAZZLE

DUO LUMIÈRE captures the splendor of the 1920s within a radiant powder that illuminates the complexion and creates a signature look. The embossed sequins of this exclusive creation are reminiscent of the sparkles that were dear to Gabrielle Chanel.

Shades of Pink Champagne and Crystal White contain iridescent pigments that, upon contact with the skin, instantly boost radiance, offering elegance in concentrated form. When swept over the tops of the cheekbones and bridge of the nose with the brush applicator, these spellbinding, shimmering shades brighten the complexion and leave it with a delicate pearlescent luster.

DUO LUMIÈRE
Création Exclusive Teint
CHF 67.00

LASTING ALLURE

A nod to the opulence of the Roaring Twenties, ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT puts on quite the show with four irresistible shades. On the outside: a new limited-edition case adorned with golden trim, which can be refilled as many times as desired. On the inside: a protective, moisturizing formula enriched with ume flower extract and plant waxes.

This season, the highly pigmented lipstick comes in the shades Midnight Red, a hypnotic, metallic red hue, and Roaring Purple, a deep, iridescent crimson, in addition to Beige Brut and Rouge Puissant. A vibrant tribute to shine. A finish as brilliant as the light of the setting sun. ROUGE ALLURE LAQUE is available in two delicate, mesmerizing shades: Golden Beige, a golden coral, and Fancy Prune, a powerful metallic plum hue. Delicately applied, these unique new jewels of lipsticks will allow your lips to shimmer all night.

ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT
Midnight Red – Roaring Purple – Beige Brut – Rouge Puissant
CHF 71.00

ROUGE ALLURE LAQUE
Golden Beige – Fancy Prune
CHF 50.00

Art Deco style, right down to one’s fingertips. LE VERNIS lights up manicures with its bold, precious, delightfully sultry colors.
White Silk, a rosy white; Tuxedo, an antique gold; and Sequins, a shimmering black. Three new shades created for the holidays… and maybe even beyond.

LE VERNIS
White Silk – Tuxedo – Sequins
CHF 37.00

In stores from end of October 2023.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Kilian Hennessy‘s inspiration: At night, there are no rules but one: just be Smoking Hot! KILIAN PARIS newest smoky fragrance is a truly caramelized delight. It features Kentucky Tobacco Absolute, infused with a hookah drag of Apple-flavoured Shisha Tobacco and intense Bourbon Vanilla. Evoking everything from European clubs to Eastern hookah lounges, Smoking Hot redefines what a smokey scent is today, going almost where it’s too hot to handle.

Personally speaking, in general I am not a fan of smoky fragrances at all, but this one had me at first smell. It is so extremely interesting and contradictious. Its smoky part is so well counterbalanced with the sweet feminine side. It opens with forbidden fruit: a round Apple Hookah flavour blends with warm Cinnamon Bark essence. In a slow burn, notes of fire-cured Kentucky Tobacco Absolute emerge. Harmonized with Oakmoss, this resonant tobacco absolute leads into a Bourbon Vanilla, with balsamic tonalities. Also known as a Pure Jungle essence™ Bourbon Vanilla, it is of the highest quality Vanilla available, especially intense, and textured. When crossed with Orcanox™, a powerful sensuality comes full circle.

The perfume notes: Hookah Flavour, Tobacco Absolute, Bourbon Vanilla Pure Jungle Essence
Olfative family: The Smokes
Perfumer: Mathieu Nardin

This unisex scent is available for CHF 250.00. The bottle is refillable.
TO SHOP KILIAN PARIS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Kilian Paris – © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

This holiday season, haute couture and avant-garde style meets hair care and skincare to bring joy at first sight. Aveda has teamed up with Iris van Herpen for a new capsule collection that includes limited-edition high-style hair accessories, plant-powered hair care products, luxurious skin and body care formulas, all wrapped in designer gift packaging conceptualized by the Dutch designer, whom you might remember from her amazing collaboration with Rolls-Royce in February.

Aveda x Iris van Herpen came together through their shared love and respect for nature. With the natural world as their muse, the collaboration combines biomimicry designs, high-performance hair, skin and body care for luxurious holiday gifts that turn heads and fashion possibilities.

«This collection captures a future-forward vision for the holidays and embodies the limitless beauty of nature,» shares Iris van Herpen. «The visual inspiration of this collection was drawn from the relationships between living organisms and their physical environments in all its layers and nuances – a constant dialogue between nature and ourselves.»

While van Herpen’s couture designs are regularly seen on red carpets, in globally recognized films, and on runways around the world, she has also dressed models for hair shows led by Aveda’s Senior Vice President of Global Professional Artistry, Antoinette Beenders. Years of working together led to a genuine friendship that evolved into this formal holiday collaboration with artistry and craftsmanship at its core.

The special-edition gift boxes, sleeves and other holiday gift packaging elements are made with FSC-certified recycled paper that is wrapped and ready to gift as keepsake boxes that may also be reused or displayed as miniature works of art. The luxurious beauty gift sets have been curated together for a variety of hair and body selfcare needs for everyone on your list.

From ultra-hydrating nutriplenish™ hair hydration to naturally derived botanical repair™ hair strengthening to sleek styling with smooth infusion™, there’s something for every hair care lover on your list. From deeply moisturizing skin and body care to bespoke accessories that elevate any holiday updo or hairstyle, there’s a gift set for every self-care lover on your list.

Personally speaking, I am obsessed with the bespoke hair accessories, that include three luxurious, limited-edition and instant high-style accessories: a hair cuff, hair pin set, and cosmetic pouch. The elegant hair jewelry and pouch can be found online while supplies last for a one-of-a-kind haute couture gift.

Henosis Hair Pin Set: For a stunning end-look to accentuate your hair style, this pin set design embodies the Greek concept of oneness and union.

Lagoon Nebula Hair Cuff Set: Statement hair cuff features a limited-edition design inspired by an interstellar cloud where stars are born. This cuff embeds itself seamlessly into your hair to elevate your everyday updo.

Syntopia Cosmetic Pouch: Keep beauty products safe and in style with a luxurious pouch featuring a design inspired by the state of being where different species live together.

In line with the brands’ sustainability values, the hair cuff and hair pins are made from recyclable gold tone brass, and the cosmetic pouch is made from 65% post-consumer recycled materials.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aveda @avedaswitzerland @irisvanherpen #avedaswitzerland #irisvanherpen
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

As promised here is the new dual-step treatment system to rejuvenate ageing skin. Every La Prairie product is backed by 90 years of cellular science, and the Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Mask is a milestone in skincare research. The Platinum Multi-Peptide and Cellular Complex help restore youthful skin, giving you visible plumping with the brand’s patented Micro-Infusion Technology. This unique advancement means that hyaluronic acid and collagen can permeate the skin barrier to create results akin to sought-after aesthetic procedures without needles.

Apply in the evening to the face, neck and décolleté as the finishing touch to your skincare routine. La Prairie recommends using the mask at least once a week and up to three times a week.

• Enriched with platinum
•  Macro-Infusion Technology delivers large biomolecules for immediate benefits
• Designed to improve skin texture, plumpness and bounce
• Helps to reactivate the skin’s own rejuvenating process

The LA PRAIRIE Platinum Rare Haute Rejuvenation Mask (20ml) is available from Mid November 2023 for €1579.00
TO SHOP LA PRAIRIE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © La Prairie
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

While being in London, I had the pleasure to be invited by NET-À-PORTER and La Prairie to a beautiful dinner at Daphne’s restaurant.

Renowned Swiss clinic La Prairie first opened its doors in 1931 – since then, the brand has expanded to offer innovative skincare with the same effects as its in-office treatments. Backed by over 90 years of cellular science, the range uses proprietary active ingredients including its patented Exclusive Cellular Complex, an anti-aging elixir that boosts skin’s natural rejuvenation process.

During the evening, we learned a lot about the powerful ingredients and indulged in an extremely yummy caviar themed dinner. A new must-have product will launch in November that I will tell you all about in the next post.

TO SHOP LA PRAIRIE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

With Newby Hands, Contributing Global Beauty Director Net-A-Porter

With Daniel Stangl, Director Innovation bei La Prairie Group

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Exclusive gift sets and collector’s cases: CHANEL makes the holidays magical. The perfect gifts to make every beauty lover happy.

THE LIMITED-EDITION GIFT SETS BY CHANEL
This year, CHANEL presents two complete, limited-edition fragrance rituals that pair fragrances with scented essentials.

N° 5
The N°5 gift set brings together N°5 Eau de Parfum 50 ml et N°5 The Body Oil 100 ml, presented for the first time in a bottle whose silhouette evokes that of the iconic N°5 fragrance. A ritual that showcases the sensuality of the legendary scent.
CHF 227.-

COCO MADEMOISELLE
The COCO MADEMOISELLE fragrance ritual brings together the ambery-fresh scent of COCO MADEMOISELLE Eau de Parfum 50 ml and COCO MADEMOISELLE The Body Oil 100 ml, presented for the first time in a bottle whose silhouette evokes that of the iconic Eau de Parfum.
CHF 227.-

THE LIMITED-EDITION CHANEL CASES
This holiday season, CHANEL has created limited-edition cases for three of its most emblematic fragrances, which open to reveal the elegantly presented bottles inside.

N° 5
A limited-edition gold and white case, which opens to reveal N°5 Eau de Parfum 100 ml. N°5 Eau de Parfum is the very essence of femininity, an iconic and timeless fragrance.
CHF 192.-

COCO MADEMOISELLE
A limited-edition pearl and gold case the holds COCO MADEMOISELLE Eau de Parfum 100 ml, a surprisingly fresh feminine amber fragrance with distinct character.
CHF 192.-

BLEU DE CHANEL
A limited-edition gold and blue case that contains BLEU DE CHANEL Parfum 100 ml, a majestic aromatic-woody fragrance with a powerful, sophisticated trail.
CHF 183.-

N°5 THE BODY OIL
Majestically presented in a minimalist glass bottle, N°5 The Body Oil 250 ml is a new way to wear fragrance that delights the senses.
N°5 The Body Oil moisturizes skin and enhances the aldehydic floral bouquet of N°5.
CHF 142.-

In stores end of October 2023.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL #CHANELFragrance #CHANELWonderland #CHANELHoliday
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Welcome to my Clé de Peau Beauté Key Radiance routine. As an amabassador for this ultra luxury skincare and makeup brand, I would like to present you the different steps to achieve beautiful, glowing, and healthy radiant skin. Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated — with the right products, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Clé de Peau Beauté has always known this since its creation in 1982. Being at the cutting edge of skincare innovation, using the most potent, scientifically-proven ingredients to forge new frontiers in advanced skin-cell science, each product in the range features Clé de Peau Beauté’s Skin-Empowering Illuminator, a patented technology made with Platinum Golden Silk Essence to enhance your complexion’s intuitive ability to self-repair.

Step 1: AWAKEN
The Serum

With a unique formula that feels as though it’s melting into the skin, Clé de Peau Beauté’s best-selling THE SERUM is the crucial first step in the Key Radiance Care Ritual, as it awakens Skin Intelligence while delivering vital moisture and priming skin for optimal absorption of Clé de Peau Beauté skincare. For maximum impact, apply three pumps morning and evening onto freshly cleansed skin.

Step 2: NURTURE
Hydro-Softening Lotion

Follow up the nutrient-packed serum with the Clé de Peau Beauté HYDRO-SOFTENING LOTION that instantly and intensively hydrates and balances skin to help eliminate the appearance of roughness and dryness, thanks to a potent combination of moisturising agents. Like the mind, skin is smart. The Hydro-Softening Lotion leverages Skin Intelligence to support your skin’s maximum ability to restore and protect itself. This product helps you respond to the good (nutrients, sleep, moisture) and bad (pollution, stress, UV rays) for your best skin. It has a clear liquid consistency and should be applied with a cotton pad morning and evening.

I recommend using the Clé de Peau silk COTTON pads that are much better than normal cotton pads as they don’t absorb too much of the product and have an exfoliating effect.

Step 3: BOOST
The Moisturizer

Finish off your skincare routine with a targeted daily moisturizer that nourishes and protects while enhancing skin’s natural resilience for vibrant, youthful-looking skin. During the day, reach for Clé de Peau Beauté’s PROTECTIVE FORTIFYING CREAM. Containing UV protection (SPF 20), it helps guard against environmental aggressors such as UVA, UVB, blue light and infrared rays, it’s the perfect base for foundation. With continued use, it maintains skin’s natural moisture barrier and resilience. Take a pearl-sized amount and sweep it over the skin following The Serum and Hydro-Softening Lotion for a flawless finish.

At night, use the ultimate anti-aging night cream LA CRÈME, that maximizes your skin’s ability to repair, renew, and protect itself overnight to restore the look and feel of youthful skin. With a high concentration of Skin-Empowering Illuminator, it is the icon of the brand and targets skin’s innate potential for self-regeneration. As the skin is at its lowest level at night, this product amplifies the skin’s innate self-regeneration potential. Come morning, the skin feels rejuvenated, incredibly smooth and firm. With its continued use, the skin achieves remarkable resilience and a youthful density. It is an amazing luxurious product, the best you gift to your skin. It takes three days to produce it in the factory. Other products take around half a day in general.

The packaging is also in line with this outstanding product, a jewel, like a diamond. It is a testament to perfection, with 40-years of research behind it. 60 ingredients are transformed in meticulous steps, formulated for a youthful and radiant look, and fully produced in the workshops in Japan.

Don’t forget to use the ENHANCING EYE CONTOUR CREAM SUPREME as the final step of your ritual at day and night. The Clé de Peau Beauté award-winning eye cream focuses on the micro circulation and helps to produce collagen and tightens the eye contour. It also diminishes the appearance of fine lines and under eye darkness while visibly lifting and plumping to support youthful vibrancy around the eye area. Its rich, silky texture absorbs easily into the skin. Best applied with a platinum-coated eye massager tool with a unique faceted design that enables the tool to roll effortlessly over skin.

Incredibly smooth skin with a glow that evolves over time. Vitality, awakened. Resilience, reclaimed. Forward to a radiant tomorrow.
Finally Clé de Peau Beauté is available in Switzerland at Globus and Marionnaud.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!