Sandra‘s Closet

I am so thrilled to announce my Instagram Live Talk on April 20, 2021 at 6.45 pm CET @sandrascloset with the one any only Mary Phillips @maryphillips, celebrity make-up artist and like me LA MER ambassador, who will join me from my favorite city in the world, Los Angeles.

Working regularly on makeup looks for Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Bella Hadid, and many more, Mary Phillips doesn’t need a big introduction. With 1.3 million followers on Instagram, she has established herself as one of the most talented celebrity makeup artists in the world.

«I never considered being anything else, this is what I truly love to do.» – That innate passion cultivated a career Mary Phillips has been training for her entire life. Whether rummaging through her mother’s products as a little girl, or acting as the resident cosmetics «guru» during neighborhood dress up sessions, Mary’s role was clear.

She grew up in California telling everyone she was going to become a makeup artist, and now Mary Phillips is one of the most sought after in the industry. Attending cosmetology classes while still in high school, (and makeup courses after graduating), Mary later worked in a dermatologist’s office- garnering more knowledge about one of her signature passions, skin. After being mentored by makeup veteran Eugenia Weston, Mary’s natural born talents eventually grew into working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Her innovative and evolving looks that Mary’s known for have graced the covers of all the famous fashion magazines around the globe, including Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and ELLE.

Mary’s refined execution and attention to detail leave a memorable mark of high amped sophistication all her own. She is obsessed with skincare as for her, «the right skincare  is the best canvas for makeup».

Today in our live talk, she will reveal her favorite LA MER products and beauty tips. I promise, you will be amazed how Mary uses the LA MER cream. She is super innovative and you will surely love it. We will talk about the LA MER moisture wardrobe and most importantly, Mary will explain how you can achieve a glowy spring makeup look. You can also ask questions at the end of the talk.

Tune in, see you at 6.45 pm CET on April 20, 2021! I hope that you are excited like me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Mary Phillips © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This is a paid collaboration with LA MER. 

The last days I have been travelling like crazy and I have so many exciting things to share with you. Here is a little teaser of what is coming up. On Saturday evening, I went to the launch event of Gucci Première, the Italian house’s new fragrance for women, at the famous Hotel Cipriani in Venice. Present at the exclusive dinner were also the face of the campaign, Blake Lively, with her boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, and of course Frida Giannini, Creative Director of Gucci, Salma Hayek and her husband François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR.

As Gucci Première is inspired by timeless Hollywood glamour, I chose this black and gold outfit matching the colour scheme of the fragrance:
Metallic-striped fringed leather dress, “Kelly” black and gold suede sandals, “Hysteria” patent leather clutch and belted suede leather jacket, all by Gucci from different seasons. Earrings by Chanel from the Paris – Bombay collection and Twenties fishnet stay-ups in black by Wolford. On my nails: “Smoke Red” by Tom Ford.

Stay tuned for photos of the dinner, more information on the fragrance and an amazing interview with Blake Lively.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

At the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, another premiere took place. Gucci is breaking into the rarefied world of couture with the launch of Gucci Première. But the Florentine luxury goods house does not intend to show haute couture on the catwalk, the capsule collection that will be renewed twice yearly by Creative Director Frida Giannini is more a response to the rising demand for outstanding red-carpet outfits and will only be available on a limited basis to their top clients and celebs.

No wonder that sultry actress Salma Hayek debuted the new line at the opening night Wednesday as her husband François-Henri Pinault happens to be the chairman and CEO of Gucci`s parent company PPR. But she has been beyond question a good get for the Italian luxury house. She kicked off Cannes and Gucci Première at the Robin Hood premiere in a slinky burgundy one-shoulder dress. A real showstopper!

The next evening at the premiere of Wall Street: Money never sleeps, Salma Hayek wore another one-of-a-kind gown from Gucci`s new couture division – a result of beautiful craftsmanship. The designs are executed in Parisian ateliers, the traditional home of the couture.

And Salma was not alone this time, Kate Beckinsale looked like a fairytale princess in her antique-white dress with a silver embroidered belt and bow from the Gucci Première line. So radiant with a subtle sparkle, that one was my favourite.

As couture houses have been dying out in the last decades, Gucci`s modern approach might create a new dimension and lay the foundation for their raison d`être. Taking Gucci to Hollywood is definitely an interesting advertising concept as there will be a lot of press about their red-carpet wear in the future.

Giorgio Armani has lead the way and is probably the most successful with his couture gowns. Let`s see Gucci do that…

LoL, Sandra