Sandra‘s Closet

Rodial founder, Maria Hatzistefanis, is a full-on business woman. In 1999, the former editor, who grew up in Greece, saw the need in the market for a serious skincare range. Now, almost 16 years later, the company has grown into a worldwide beauty brand that has recently launched its first makeup line (in Switzerland exclusively available at Marionnaud from April). The charming brunette likes to recharge her batteries over the weekend in the English countryside.

Your favorite place to be?
We have a place at the COTSWOLDS, UK, an area of hills open countryside and historic villages north of Bath and west of Oxford, where we go at the weekend. It is my sanctuary where I can chill, do a lot of yoga and be close to nature.

Your favourite hotel?
THE FIVE ALLS. It looks like somebody’s house, very homely.
Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3JQ, +44 1367 860875

Your favourite restaurant?
The DAYLESFORD ORGANIC FARM. They serve all organic food. I love their superfood salad with bee pollen.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG, +44 1608 731 700

Your favorite tea place?
PATISSERIE VALERIE– the best place for the most delicious scones.
4 Southgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2DH, +44 1452 301584
208 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucs, GL50 3FA, +44 1242 513465

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK – my kids just love it. They even have lions there.

Your favourite activity?
WALKING the dog and the kids. It is our time when we can be together without any distraction, when they tell me all about their week.

Your favourite shop?
BAMFORD BARN for luxurious cashmere blankets, it’s all about at-home luxury.
Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire,  GL56 OYG, +44 1608 731713

Your must-have accessory?
HUNTER BOOTS, they look stylish and are a necessity for long walks.

Your beauty musts for the weekend?
The RODIAL GLAM BALM MULTI that I use as a nourishing mask, it’s the ultimate multi purpose product, GLAM BALM LIP and STEMCELL SUPER-FOOD HAND CREAM.

The favourite music while you are there?
Anything by DAVID GUETTA, very uplifting and cool sounds.

Your favorite book to read over the weekend?
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn, it lets your mind travel away.

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insider scoop on Cotswolds with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Maria Hatzistefanis, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Jeremie Romain, via Eatlittlebird.com

To celebrate the launch of Rodial‘s newest line of products that include bee venom, the British beauty brand and Marionnaud Switzerland invited us busy bees, bloggers and journalists to a lovely lunch at the Widder Hotel in Zurich.

Listening to Rodial founder Maria Hatzistefanis who had flown in from London especially for the event, I learnt that the bee venom is a very interesting ingredient that helps to increase blood flow to the skin and provides a plumping effect to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It apparently fools the skin into thinking it has been stung with the toxin, which forces the body to produce collagen and elastin, which are both two key components of healthy skin, in the affected area. In case you are allergic to bees, no worries, the amount included is too small to cause an allergic shock or reaction. I am a big fan of the brightening eye cream of the line.

RODIAL Bee Venom Super Serum – CHF 229.00 (30ml)
RODIAL Bee Venom Moisturiser – CHF 219.00 (50ml)
RODIAL Bee Venom Eye Cream – CHF 165.00 (25ml)

Maria Hatzistefanis with me at the lunch

Also on display was the brand’s newest body care range. All products have some very fun names and promise to firm and target problem areas fast. Whatever body part you would like to focus on, Rodial has the right product: ARM SCULPT™ CHF 82.00 – TUMMY TUCK™ CHF 123.00 – BOOB JOB™ CHF 123.00 and SIZE ZERO™ CHF 79.00.
Rodial is exclusively available at Marionnaud in Switzerland.

The SIZE ZERO™ daily toning body moisturizer is a great way to get started as it works for most areas of your body. It helps to reduce stubborn fatty deposits and water retention. Maria told me that she loves to use it post-workout to firm and smooth the skin. A fast way to look great, just the right thing for busy bees…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Two weeks ago, I flew to London to attend the 4th annual Rodial Beautiful Awards held at the trendy St. Martin’s Lane hotel. I was invited by Marionnaud which carry the brand exclusively in Switzerland.

It was such a star-studded night. On the red carpet arrived some fab celebrities including Sadie Frost, Savannah Miller, Amber Le Bon and Melissa Odabash, all of which are embodying the awards’ philosophy in perfection to celebrate women of beauty, style and elegance.

Rodial had put together a truly impressive judging panel, including Mary Katrantzou, Stephen Webster and Jade Jagger. Among the winners were Rita Ora for “Most Edgy Look” and Camilla Babbington for “Freshest Face”.

Me with the lovely Isolde Burtscher (Marionnaud Switzerland)

On display was the latest Rodial launch BEE VENOM that will hit the shelves later this spring in Switzerland. I was lucky to test it already and can only recommend this new anti-aging range. 
A donation will be made from its proceeds to Children on the Edge, a charity dedicated to children in need.

Top Secret! The new must-have range exclusive to men has been revealed during the event with a hilarious video showing the team looking for the perfect Nip+Man! It is said to provide targeted solutions to everyday skin and body concerns, such as tired skin, sore muscles, or abs in need of a lift! Hitting the stores in May 2013.

Fashion designer Julien Macdonald was the host and the birthday boy of the night. He did such a fabulous job, being very funny and entertaining. Later, we were all toasting to him with the yummy gin-litchi cocktails served at the event…

Let me share with you some impressions of the awards ceremony:

Fashion designer Ben de Lisi

Savannah Miller, sister of Sienna Miller, handed the award in the category “Best Beauty Pages Long Lead” to Marie Claire magazine. Being a former fashion editor for German Marie Claire magazine, I couldn’t have been happier.

Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial, with the winner in the category “Best Make-up Artist” Lisa Eldridge to her left.

Swimwear designer and former model Melissa Odabash to the right with Amber Le Bon, daughter of Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon and Yasmin Le Bon, who accepted the award in the category “Classic Glamour” for her mum.

Two who like each other: Sadie Frost and hairdressing royalty James Brown, who both honoured Kate Moss with the “Special Rodial Beautiful Award”.

The amazing evening ended in true style with a DJ set from the cute Amber le Bon. I had so much fun and after having met the wonderful Rodial team, I am even more in love with the brand! Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite beauty treatments at home:
The Glamoxy™ Snake Mask by Rodial, heralded as ‘Botox in a bottle’!.

RODIAL – ALTERNATIVES TO SURGERY

In the age of chemical peels and invasive cosmetic procedures, the London-based brand has captured nature’s power by creating a range of super-effective skincare that delivers targeted treatments to specific skin concerns. In all Rodial products, Pomegranate Ellagic Tannin, with its natural anti-ageing, firming and collagen-boosting properties, is combined with breakthrough natural ingredients clinically tested to show results.

The Rodial Glamoxy™ Snake Mask has an innovative black “peel off” formula that visibly improves skin radiance and texture. Amino acids and licorice brighten the skin tone while enriched minerals deep cleanse and purify pores to remove excess oil, dirt and impurities. It also contains dipeptides, inspired by the potent effects of the Temple Viper venom, to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1. Apply a fine, even layer to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area and hairline (and be truly careful!). Leave it for 15-20 minutes or until completely dry.

2. Gently peel off the mask from the outer edges like a snake sloughs its skin. This can be a little painful and feels more like a waxing. But the result is all worth it. Rinse off any residue with warm water. You can enjoy immediately a younger looking and more radiant skin. Can be used once or twice a week. I use it as a deep cleansing once a month.

THE FACE BEHIND RODIAL

Grecian-born Maria Hatzistefanis started her career as a beauty journalist. It was then that her entrepreneurial instinct foresaw the potential of a luxury skincare range that would offer an alternative to plastic surgery and injections.

Maria started the company in 1999 and grew it into a global brand now available in more than 1000 doors and 35 countries worldwide, with a huge celebrity following.

The Glamoxy™ Snake Mask by Rodial is available in Switzerland at Marionnaud for CHF 69.00 (50ml). And some very exciting news, next week I will be leaving to London to attend the Rodial Beautiful Awards 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Photos used for the collage: Courtesy of Rodial