Sandra‘s Closet

After the success of last year’s NACRE, Giorgio Armani will launch its new limited edition couture fragrance NUANCES this month.

Inspired by the beautiful Armani fabric designs, seen on the S/S 2013 runway, the packaging comes with an organza pouch to store the bottle.

The woody-iris fragrance was designed by famous French perfumer Nathalie Lorson and is made from noble raw materials, just like a couture dress for your skin. She explained the central idea: “The S/S 2013 collection is representative of a fashion which is halfway between masculine and feminine where different materials and textures are superimposed. This fragrance is a reflection of the new collection with its combination of the intensive, masculine, magnetic nature of the vetiver with the powdery, silky, feminine delicateness of the iris.”

WOODY FLORAL

Top notes: Floral vetiver and orris
Middle notes: Bergamot, cinnamon, heliotrope and iris
Base notes: Vetiver and sandalwood

Armani Privé NUANCES is available as 100 ml Eau de Parfum for CHF 690.00 with only 1000 bottles made worldwide. In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Geneva plus at the Armani store in Zurich.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ARMANI PRIVE NUANCES ONLINE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Whether you like floral, fruity, or the scent of the ocean itself, one spritz of these new fragrances will conjure up the sweet or refreshing smell of summer that is desperately needed during those cold and rainy days.

Here are my personal favorites:

CLASSIQUE Summer Fragrance by Jean Paul Gaultier

The design of this year’s summer limited edition of Classique is inspired by tattoos featuring carp motifs or koi tattoos.

ORIENTAL FLORAL

Top notes: Clementine, rose and orange blossom
Middle notes: Jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley and white iris
Base notes: Vanilla, musk and amber

Available now for CHF 85.00 (100ml)

ROBERTO CAVALLI ACQUA by Roberto Cavalli

The very elegant turquoise successor to the Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum from 2012 is inspired by exciting nights in the Mediterranean. The perfect scent for a party on a yacht.

FLORAL AQUATIC

Top notes: Lemon, watery notes and jasmine
Middle notes: Lily-of-the-valley
Base note: Musk

Available now for CHF 63.00 (30ml), CHF 94.50 (50ml) and CHF 123.00 (75ml)

CK ONE Summer 2013 Eau de Toilette by Calvin Klein

This limited edition for 2013 offers an interesting combination of citruses, fruits, aquatic and aromatic notes. A wonderful refreshing scent for a hot summer day, like a splash from a waterfall.

AROMATIC ACQUATIC

Top notes: Citruses and watery notes
Middle notes: Water lily, caraway seeds, watermelon and cucumber
Base notes: Moss, woody notes and musk

Available now for CHF 55.00 (100ml)

J’ADORE Voile de Parfum by Christian Dior

My absolute favourite for summer. Like a gentle veil it leaves a sensual trail on the skin, very elegant and light.

FLORAL

Top note: Damask rose
Middle note: Tuscan iris
Base note: White musk

Available now for CHF 115.00 (50ml) and CHF 165.00 (100ml)

LoL, Sandra

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

«L’Air du Temps is blue, as blue as the sky and the sea thus evoking infinity and freedom.»
Olivia Putman.

Designer and heiress to the Putman style, Olivia Putman brought a breath of fresh to the Ricci label, reworking the bottle of the house’s celebrated perfume L’Air du Temps for a unique and limited edition 2013 with her certain Parisian chic.

L’AIR DU TEMPS by Nina Ricci - A classic revisited

A tribute to flowers. Since its creation, this vibrant and sumptuous bunch of flowers – the first spicy floral in the history of perfumerie – has been jealoulsy protected and remained unchanged.

A fragrance that goes from mothers to daughters, from girls to women, L’Air du Temps is a joy that is inherited, an object that is shared, a trail that is transmitted.

A determinedly free creation from its very start, in 1948. New and bold alchemy of natural materials and synthetic products, invented in the elation of the post-war period, L’Air du Temps is an ode to new found joy, peace and victorious freedom.

A pure and radiant fragrance that has all the seductive and bewitching assets of femininity.

FLORAL

Top notes: Peach, carnation, neroli, bergamot, rose and palisander rosewood
Middle notes: Rosemary, carnation, gardenia, violet, orchid, cloves, orris, jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose
Base notes: Spices, iris, amber, sandalwood, musk, benzoin, moss, vetiver and cedar

The limited edition L’AIR DU TEMPS par Olivia Putman is available as Eau de Toilette for CHF 129.00 (100ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nina Ricci

Have you ever dreamt of owning a one-of-a-kind Hermès Birkin bag? Here is your chance! Travis W. Simmons infuses an icon of sophistication with the boldness of punk in this vintage 35cm clemence leather version, graffitied with purple sinuous detailing throughout. Words exemplifying the movement’s spirit are intricately placed within these waves.

The handbag features two rolled top handles, a belt-style strap with a padlock-and-key clochette and gold metal feet.

TO SHOP THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND 35 BIRKIN BAG, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Trend forecasting in perfumery is very similiar to the world of fashion, it is seasonal in terms of olfactive notes and compositions. This summer, it is all about fruity scents composed of ingredients such as passion fruit, mango, guava and litchi combined with aquatic florals.

Here are the most mouthwatering new flankers:

L’EAU D’ISSEY Summer Eau de Toilette by Issey Miyake

The exotic summer flanker of the original L’Eau d’Issey, created by Alberto Morillas, is carrying us away toward new evocations of scents, flavors, and colors. This year, discover the juicy, sparkling sweetness of exotic fruit.

AROMATIC FRUITY

Top notes: Pink grapefruit and litchi
Middle notes: Guava and passion fruit
Base notes: Vanilla and wood

Available now for CHF 85.00 (100ml).

WOMANITY AQUA CHIC Eau de Toilette Légère by Thierry Mugler

The energetic and sparkling limited edition 2013 summer version of the original comes with a provocative freshness without loosing its identity.

AROMATIC FRUITY

Top notes: Black currant, red berries and coriander
Middle note: Mandarin blossom
Base notes: Spices and woody notes

Available now for CHF 59.00 (50ml).

OH LOLA! Sunsheer Edition Eau de Parfum by Marc Jacobs

Inspired by sun-kissed pleasures, Marc’s summer version of Oh Lola! emits hints of vanilla, peony, and raspberry. It’s more fresh and sheer than its predecessor and I love its delightful green bottle.

FLORAL FRUITY

Top notes: Raspberry, wild strawberry and pear
Middle notes: Peony, cyclamen and magnolia
Base notes: Vanilla, sandalwood and tonka bean

Available now for CHF 115.00 (50ml)

DAISY Sunshine Edition Eau de Toilette by Marc Jacobs

Radiant, colourful, full of joy, dressed in the happiest flowers of the season, this limited edition scent is designed to compliment your summer wardrobe.

FLORAL FRUITY

Top notes: Red currant, guava and mandarin orange
Middle notes: Lily-of-the-valley, litchi and violet
Base notes: Musk and woody notes

Available now for CHF 98.00 (50ml)

LoL, Sandra

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

As I told you already in January, Lancôme and Lanvin’s Creative Director Alber Elbaz have joined forces to create the limited edition collection HYPNÔSE SHOW. Here is your sneak preview at those beauty must-haves.

Sometimes we just need a little something to brighten up a morning beauty routine. Alber Elbaz gives eye makeup a touch of whimsy for Lancôme. This amazing collection that will hit the shelves with very limited quantities, comprises the four Lancôme’s best-selling mascaras with matching eye shadow palettes, all embellished with designs, such as blue stars, red hearts, pink polka dots, and green heavily lashed lids. There will also be one set of false lashes.

The limited-edition Hypnôse Show line is due to hit counters worldwide on June 15, 2013. In Switzerland exclusively at Marionnaud until July 1, 2013.

Mascara Hypnôse Show, Hypnôse Drama Show, Hypnôse Star Show, Hypnôse Doll Eyes Show, CHF 49.00 each
Hypnôse Palette CHF 79.00 each, Ombre Hypnôse CHF 39.00 each, Faux-Cils Show CHF 38.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme and © Sandra Bauknecht

The star of YSL’s Summer 2013 Baby Doll Collection is the house’s new mascara, applied in the ad campaign by Cara Delevingne. The gorgeous collection will also feature new shades of eyeliner and a limited edition glossy stain for lips and matching nail polish.

The new MASCARA VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS BABY DOLL provides volume  and clean definition in one. The brush surrounds each lash with a breakthrough clump-free formula that is also protecting lashes from free radicals.

The micro-faceted brush is easy to use: lashes are multiplied, precisely defined and magnified. On one side, thick and spaced bristles coat the lashes and create volume. On the other side, fine and close bristles reach every lash, including the smallest lashes at the corner of the eye for a full fringe effect.

Available in 4 different colours.
(Fetish Black – Audacious Blue – Indiscreet Purple – Wheedler Brown)
VOLUME EFFET FAUX CILS BABY DOLL N°01, N°02, N°03, N°04 – CHF 53.00

EYELINER BABY DOLL N°10, N°11, N°14, N°15, N°16  - CHF 51.00

VERNIS A LEVRÈS Baby Doll CHF 48.-
LA LAQUE COUTURE Rose Baby Doll CHF 37.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of YSL

“Lively. Radiant. Lush… A colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, drum roll please, it is official, EMERALD GREEN is the colour of the year according to Pantone, the authority and market leader in colour. One of the season’s hottest fashion trends, the timeless shade was seen on many S/S 2013 runways such as Gucci (my favorite), Kenzo and Burberry Prorsum (combined with another trend: metallics).

ICE Watch has launched a new unisex watch model in collaboration with Pantone dedicated to the trendy emerald tone, in two variants: emerald and white/white and emerald. 
Other trend colours will follow in the future.
ICE Watch Emerald White – CHF 109.00

From fashion to beauty, there are many ways to wear this vibrant colour from day to night and it’s a definite go-to for your next shopping trip!

Belted silk-twill blouse and matching silk-twill flared pants, both by Gucci, suede platform pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti and Lulu leather shoulder bag by Saint Laurent.

Don’t forget to look for some gorgeous makeup products that will complement your new season look, now may be the best time.

A great way to get started with the new style are nail polish shades in sea hues. Draw attention to your manicure and you will be really hitting the trend.

The best ones available are: CHANEL Le Vernis in 657 Azuré and 667 Bel Argus (CHF 35.00 each), DIOR Vernis Bird of Paradise Duo 001 Samba (One Shot, CHF 47.00) and YVES SAINT LAURENT La Laque Couture 36 Vert D’Orient (CHF 38.00).

The nail polish shades are part of my two favourite summer beauty looks by DIOR and CHANEL. Have a look yourself how beautiful those collections inspired by enchanting animals are:

DIOR – Bird of Paradise

Inspired by Christian Dior’s passion for color, the new collection tells the tale of an exotic faraway. Drawing from nature’s tropical paradises, the Bird of Paradise collection embraces the vibrancy of nature and translates to versatile, wearable shades for summer.
In stores now.

My personal must-haves:

DIOR 5 Coleurs Eye Shadow 374 Blue Lagoon (One Shot, CHF 92.00)
The legendary 5 Couleurs case is coated with shimmering pigments, inspired by the golden reflections of a peacock’s feathers. Stunning!

DIOR Diorshow Liner Waterproof Aqua Green (One Shot, CHF 34.00)
Add a fun pop of color to your eye makeup with this limited edition liner.

L’Eté de Papillon de CHANEL

Another amazing collection comes from the house of Chanel. Creative Director of Makeup Peter Philips was inspired by the dazzling colours of butterfly wings and created electric shades for the eyes. A stunning effect is achieved is through the application of colorful mascaras.
Available in Switzerland starting end of May 2013.

My personal must-haves:

CHANEL Stylo Eyeshadow 47 Blue Bay (CHF 47.00)
This exclusive creation is easily applied to highlight eyes with gleaming colour. The smooth-gliding pen has a cooling, water-infused formula for a shimmering veil on lids or precise definition.

CHANEL Mascara Inimitable Waterproof 37 Lime Light (CHF 47.00)
The iconic mascara in a long-wearing, waterproof formula that won’t flake or smudge comes this season vibrant limited edition shades of blue, green and yellow.

To complement such a vibrant beautiful eye makeup, choose lips in orange, apricot hues, following in the footsteps of Tangerine Tango, which was the shade of 2012…
Stay tuned for an upcoming post in which I am wearing this beauty look.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, Dior, Ice Watch, Style.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

Next month, Jo Malone is launching a new limited edition fragrance that is just perfect for summer: OSMANTHUS BLOSSOM Cologne.

Delicately exotic. This white flower captures the duality of apricot counterpoised with supple leather. Luminous petitgrain and luscious peach and orange flower ripple over voluptuous cashmere wood. Packed in a beautiful decorated bottle.

FLORAL FRUITY

Top note: Petitgrain
Middle note: Osmanthus blossom
Base note: Cashmere wood

Available in May 2013 as Cologne for CHF 68.00 (30ml) and CHF 130.00 (100ml). 
In Switzerland exclusively at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

Combine it with Jo Malone’s Blackberry & Bay to add a tart verdant depth, or with Nectarine Blossom & Honey to amplify with a sophisticated sweetness.

For romantic summer feelings with a touch of exotics. I love!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Today is Earth Day 2013, that aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth’s environment. To honour that special day, Kiehl’s turns the spotlight on two amazing initiatives: their popular “recycle and be rewarded” loyalty eco-program (If you return three empty Kiehl’s packages, you will get a Kiehl’s lipbalm for free. In case that you bring back 10 finished products, you will get a full size 250ml shower gel.) and the limited edition Eco Bag Blanda Eggenschwiler. Kiehl’s donates the total proceeds (CHF 9.000.-) of the sale of this organic cotton bag (limited to 500 pieces) to the bioRe® Foundation.

Blanda is not only the girlfriend of Joe Jonas (Jones Brothers) but also a very talented graphic designer from Zurich who is living in NYC. Representing the perfect mixture of Swiss art and New York lifestyle, the stunning beauty has created the very cute fabric tote that will be available in all Kiehl’s stores in Switzerland Mid May for CHF 18.00.

Great news for my Swiss based readers: Here is your chance to win one of five limited edition Eco Bags that were signed by Blanda Eggenschwiler.

To win, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Kiehl’s” to .

All entries must be received until May 1, 2013. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Teen.com and © Sandra Bauknecht