Sandra‘s Closet

This spring, all eyes are on CHANEL! The new mascara LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL is definitely something you shouldn’t miss. Why is that?

Two years ago, CHANEL shook up the beauty world with LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL mascara, equipped with the first 3D-printed brush marketed on an industrial scale – a first in the mascara world. It was an immediate hit with women worldwide and hasn’t dropped out of the Top 5 bestsellers in Europe since its launch (Presence in the Top 5 in Europe only, in the Top 20 in the UK and the US).

Launched in 2018: LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL

Today, CHANEL uses innovation to enhance beauty once again with LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL. It reveals a new brush that visibly extends lash length while offering perfectly controlled volume. With 3D printing by ERPRO 3D Factory, a start-up specialized in this technology, the frontiers of product design are pushed even further. By precisely crafting a unique, tailor-made brush, this was the only approach that could technically translate the creative concept defined by CHANEL in order to respond to new awaited makeup benefits. The mascara brush of LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL is protected by four patent applications.

Launched in 2020: the new LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL

Resulting from a close collaboration between the Packaging Innovation and Research teams, the Makeup Creation Studio and CHANEL Research, the new LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL mascara brush unveils an elegant, streamlined and curved shape that is extremely precise: five branches of two rows of bristles arranged in an elliptical shape with a micro-cavity at the center. This feat was only possible with 3D technology. A simplified approach was taken for a lighter and more flexible brush. With its elastic shape memory, it bends and stretches in all directions before returning to its original form. Ergonomic, it fills with mascara in an instant and delivers it just as intuitively. This brush is as easy to use as it was complex to design. With its perfectly crafted structure, it features an organization of bristles arranged precisely down to the last millimeter. The size of the bristles adapts to the elliptical shape for application in two steps: the longest bristles, at the center, grip and brush each lash by stretching them over their entire length, while the shortest bristles at the tips coat them evenly with the black formula, stroke by stroke. In other words, the work of two brushes in a single tool. This brush was created by printing successive layers of a polyamide powder derived from castor seeds (a bio-sourced material of vegetal origin) and then polymerized with a laser beam.

A mascara with a brush from another world…

The numerous trials carried out to finalize the brush also made it possible to adjust the most important factor: the affinity between the mascara formula and the tool. Thanks to this perfect balance, ensuring an ultra-effective tailor-made result, LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL unites volume and length without compromise. The formula is based on a perfect balance between natural-origin waxes for impeccable glide, stunning curve and a stretch effect. Candelilla wax coats lashes, while carnauba wax ensures magnetic shine. Jojoba esters guarantee the suppleness of the stretch-effect formula and beeswax promises perfect adhesion all day long. Like a latex film, the polymers spread out the lashes in a fan shape. Finally, cellulose coated with ultra-dark «carbon black» pigments envelops lashes and improves their density. Perfectly shaped and covered in black, lashes are extended to the max for eyes that look more wideopen than ever before.
LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL – CHF 48.00

A perfectly controlled line
New to the eye makeup family, LE LINER DE CHANEL comes in seven shades, including four limited-edition colors. In a simple and understated black tube, this liquid eyeliner hides a soft, extra-thin felt tip. With this flexible tip, this precision advantage helps stylize eyes in a single step with no risk of smudges. It’s never been so simple to show off eyes that look bigger and more wide-open than ever!
Its formula contains a polymer, inspired and derived from latex technology, that sets in the blink of an eye. It guarantees impeccable smudgeproof hold and a waterproof effect that lasts until evening.

Classic shades
512 Noir Profond: a deep black
514 Ultra Brun: a rich brown
516 Rouge Noir: a rich plum

Temporary shades
518 Mauve Métal: a metallic lilac
522 Bronze Doré: an intense caramel bronze
524 Gris Argent: a metallic silver gray
526 Bleu Cobalt: a navy blue
LE LINER DE CHANEL – CHF 48.00

Enhanced structure
It is often said that eyebrows structure the eyes. A good reason to define their shape with LA PALETTE SOURCILS, which unites two textures and four accessories to precisely groom each hair. On the left, a matte wax sculpts and colors the brow line. On the right, a powder softens this result for a more natural finish. Two brushes are included, as well as a spiral brush for more definition and mini tweezers to adjust brow shape hair by hair. It comes in three harmonies for all women, offering a natural makeup result that surpasses perfection.

Shades
01 Light
02 Medium
03 Dark
LA PALETTE SOURCILS – CHF 64.00

In stores in the beginning of March 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

Fun, iconic, versatile: Louis Vuitton accessories for S/S 2020 play on combinations and Monogram effects, so cute and perfect to elevate every outfit to new heights.

Silk is used in playful new ways and approached from different angles, whether tied around the waist, in the hair, around an arm, or a wrist, worn as a scarf around the neck or simply as a handle for a bag. The collection is punctuated with Louis Vuitton’s signatures and codes: the prints adorning many of the pieces play on the iconic Monogram or showcase the LV Circle signature from the Dauphine bag, referencing the House’s leather goods and know-how.

The Monogram Confidential print (available as a bandeau or a silk square) features chains, clasps and small padlocks on a Monogram background. Available as a shawl or a silk square, the utterly romantic and iconic Tree of Louis takes a look at the history of Louis Vuitton in the form of a Monogram tree blossoming with bags, shoes and accessories that have been designed by the House since its 1854 founding.

So pretty: Louis Vuitton’s Confidential print

More pop and arty inspirations can also be found within the collection, with the ABC bandeau. Spelling out the name Louis Vuitton, each letter is reinvented as a totem, matching an animal or character: the L is for the leopard, a symbol of power; the V is for Vivienne, the House’s mascot. The very contemporary Monogram shawl is reinvented this season in new fluorescent denim colours (pink, yellow or blue/pink).

This contrasting combination of prints, shapes and materials gives each piece unique appeal. A Party Palm Springs calf leather bracelet (my favorite) featuring a miniature version of the Louis Vuitton backpack lives alongside a bandeau that can be worn on the arm, or a look can be customised with two other accessories: the Tie the Knot belt or the Louise smartphone case.

Pilot sunglasses are revisited for the summer with Monogram lenses and fashion jewellery complete this new collection of accessories.

Metal pilot sunglasses

Nanogram brings the Monogram motif to bracelets, earrings and hair jewellery; the LV Planet set, directly inspired by the F/W 2019 show, includes earrings with high graphic impact, composed of two mini-globes linked together and embossed with the LV Circle logo.

LoL, Sandra

Nanogram Sweet Dreams earrings

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

Burberry launches its latest B Series as part of the series of monthly product drops designed by the fashion house’s Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci.

The Robin, a small black structured bag in smooth Italian-tanned leather with our signature Thomas Burberry Monogram clasp, will be available 17 February from 12 noon GMT exclusively through Burberry’s Instagram, LINE and Kakao platforms for 24 hours and from 5pm CST on Burberry’s WeChat platform for 24 hours.

The bag will debut today at the upcoming F/W 2020 show at 5pm GMT in London.
The next B Series will be available on 17 March 2020. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Burberry

This week, I strolled through Perfumery Osswald in Zurich and explored some of their gourmand fragrances. In the end, some of my old gourmand favorites as well as some new treasures landed in my basket. Their dessert-like qualities and embracing aldehyde accords that tickle our taste buds as well as our nose are enough to make one salivate! Enjoy those beautiful scents below – I wish you could smell them while scrolling:

Kilian
ROLLING IN LOVE

This musc de peau is capturing the sensation of feeling so high on love that it seems to almost «get under the skin.» Working with perfumer Pascal Gaurin, Kilian Hennessy took an entirely new direction. Rolling in Love is more direct and less faceted than his previous fragrances – almost «monochromatic» in its focused representation of a single emotion. Rolling in Love is a «white» scent, layering different textures along the scent’s trail with notes of ambrette seeds, almond milk, iris, and musk.

Top notes: almond milk, ambrette seeds
Heart notes: iris, freesia
Base notes: musk, vanilla, tonka bean

50ml Eau de Parfum for CHF 259.00

Pierre Guillaume Paris
5.1 SUEDE OSMANTHE

Osmanthus is a most bewitching flower, its elegant petals often scenting the rice fields of China with their potently smoky, fruity fragrance. In Suede Osmanthe, the delicate flower’s seductive contrasts are deconstructed and magnified to gorgeous effect. A precious suede, a thin and delicate skin, infused with apricot and black tea notes, olfactive illusion of an osmanthus, conspicuous by its absence.

Top notes: aldehydes, orange blossom absolute, apricot
Heart notes: leather notes of Suederal, black tea notes, osmanthus
Base notes: Moroccan cedar wood, cashmeran, honey sweet musk, myrrh

100ml Eau de Parfum for CHF 188.00

Tiziana Terenzi
KIRKÈ

This chypre fruity fragrance for women and men was launched in 2015 and an immediate success. It is inspired by the Goddess Circe’s famous enchanted potions – nectareous and mysterious and infused with a lush bouquet of sweet fruit including passion fruit, raspberries and pears. Kirkè’s juicy scent is warmed by the sweet, indulgent heliotrope flower and a sensual base of musk.

Top notes: passion fruit, peach, raspberry, cassis, pear, warm sand
Heart notes: lily-of-the-valley
Base notes: heliotrope, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli, musk

100ml Extrait de Parfum for CHF 218.00

PROFVMVM ROMA
ACQVA E ZVCCHERO

Like waking up from a dream of eating something delicious with the taste still lingering on your tongue – sweet, elusive and ambrosial. As airy as a meringue, as fragile as first love, this feels like honey melting in your mouth, enveloped by tender relaxation.

Top notes: wild berries
Heart notes: orange blossom
Base notes: vanilla

100ml Perfume for CHF 280.00

Montale
VANILLA CAKE

A gourmet and bewitching fragrance, subtly mixing milk, grilled almond, warm caramel and vanilla from Madagascar. A real yoghurt cake just out of the oven with a delicious meringue sillage, reminiscent of your childhood days when your mum prepared a cake for you.

Top notes: almond powder, butter cream
Heart notes: milky mousse, caramel, yoghourt cake
Base notes: baiser, vanilla

100ml Eau de Parfum for CHF 119.60

In Switzerland, all these fragrances are available at Perfumery Osswald.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

I love Valentine’s Day – everything in red and pink, with sparkling hearts makes my heart leap with joy. Here you see me on my way to dinner yesterday, celebrating love and life.

My look: Ruffled embellished chiffon wrap maxi dress by Ashish, bandage and crepe turtleneck jumpsuit by Hervé Léger, vintage CC heart motif earrings and vintage camellia hair clip, both by CHANEL, bow-embellished patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent, printed metallic leather box clutch by Dolce & Gabbana, and vintage white black rasoir cut-off cat-eye sunglasses by Miu Miu.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The American fashion house has dropped their new cheekily-named fragrance, just in time for Valentine’s Day and it is very Tom Ford.

«The prick of a rose. The slight pain that yields such sensual pleasure. Inspired by my own rose garden, Rose Prick is a wild bouquet of intoxicating and rare hybrids.
 A trilogy of Rose de Mai, Turkish and Bulgarian roses. Sharp and pristine. Warm and sensual. A heady bouquet of blooms in pink perfection. The danger of being so close to beauty heightens the seductive power of Rose Prick.» – Tom Ford

F*cking Fabulous. Lost Cherry. And now Rose Prick. The latest cheeky offering is certainly no exception and a rose by any other name wouldn’t be Tom Ford… Strong, unexpected, seductive, with an amazing staying power, the new fragrance smells just as delectable as it looks.

It isn’t overly rosey, inspite of its name, but it imparts a full-bodied rose scent, accented by spicy Sichuan pepper and warm notes of turmeric and patchouli. Personally speaking, after a few seconds I smelled some chocolaty gourmand notes on me, before the deliciously heady trilogy of Rose de Mai, Turkish rose and Bulgarian rose, which  is one of the rarest varieties of rose in the world, takes over. The base is sweet and sexy with patchouli and tonka bean, finished with caramel, vanilla, and musk.

 You’ve already made space on your shelf haven’t you? I felt the same way when I read the press release. I am so happy to have added the brand new Eau de Parfum to my fragrance collection because it ticks so many boxes for me, not only in terms of the scent itself but also because this matte baby pink bottle with its sophisticated signature black label looks so pretty in my bathroom.

Top notes: Sichuan pepper, turmeric
Heart notes: May rose, Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose
Base notes: Patchouli, tonka bean, caramel, vanilla, musk

TOM FORD Rose Prick Private Blend 50ml is now available for CHF 340.00 and as 250ml for CHF 890.00. TO SHOP TOM FORD ROSE PRICK ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

Victoire de Castellane’s creations continue the sparkling story started by Christian Dior himself: a story of femininity, elegance and refinement, adorned with delicately rendered boldness.

«Yes… A word whispered in your ear, a muffled cry that lies upon your neck… The Oui collection reveals a selfish pleasure, a precious gift or a commitment to life.»
Victoire de Castellane

Oui earrings in yellow gold with diamonds, € 1500

Now, the jewelry designer expanded the Dior «oui» collection, which means «yes» in English, featurings rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces that spell out romantic French phrases.

Oui double ring in yellow gold with diamonds, € 1600

There’s for example a pink gold double ring that says «je t’aime» (I love you), dotted with diamonds; a pair of yellow gold earrings that feature the word «toi» (you) on one side, «moi» (me) on the other; and a diamond-embellished «oui» bracelet and necklace, which come in 18k gold in pink gold.

Oui earrings in yellow gold with diamonds, € 1500

Oui double ring in yellow gold with diamonds, € 1600

And don’t be shy. The cursive font used in the collection also lets you wear several pieces together,  make a statement by stringing together different rings, one on each finger.

Oui bracelet in pink gold with diamond, € 1000

Oui collier in pink gold with diamond, € 1200

I truly hope that my better half reads my blog 🙂 …

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

You can’t go wrong with a classic red lipstick — especially when it’s in Dior’s emblematic #999, a hue that is suitable for most skin tones. To celebrate Valentine’s Day and love, the iconic Dior lipstick is adorned with the word «Love».

This flamboyant Rouge Dior, available in two highly desireable shades, is presented in an elegant metal couture box. This limited-edition version of the sensual Dior signature lipstick is a true fashion and beauty essential.

999 – iconic red, satiny finish
520 Feel Good – vibrant pink, satiny finish

In stores now for € 40.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

After Lion’s Run, I drove directly to Gstaad for an amazing birthday party with the motto «Wild West». Everybody got dressed in olde-Western-style and we partied until the early morning. I had a lot of things in my closet matching the fun theme, that was loved by both, men and women.

My look: Button-embellished fringed suede vest, cropped fringed sequined denim top, and fringed embellished mid-rise straight-leg jeans, all by Balmain, Paris metallic leather ankle boots by Saint Laurent, Tess small embossed two-tone leather shoulder bag by Chloé, earrings and Paris-Dallas western necklace, both by CHANEL, rodeo style belt by Ralph Lauren, fur tail by Dolce & Gabbana, and matte logo embossed cowboy hat by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last night, the awards season officially closed with the 2020 Oscars. The biggest ceremony of the year, now in its 92nd year, was once again being held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Renée Zellweger in Armani Privé

Some of our favorite A-list nominees were all in attendance, in the hopes of taking home one of the industry’s highest honors: that iconic golden trophy. Renée Zellweger (Judy) in Armani Privé and Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) in the Stella McCartney suit he’s been wearing all season long, won the best actor categories this year.

Joaquin Phoenix in Stella McCartney

Phoenix was not alone showing his environmentalism. The entertainment industry’s push for a more sustainable awards season has made its way to the Oscars red carpet. Vintage dresses made an appearance, following past award show mandates this month, such as the BAFTAs, that have enforced a more eco-conscious dress code.

Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

Saoirse Ronan recycled part of her BAFTA’s Gucci dress for the 92nd Academy Awards red carpet.

Elizabeth Banks in Badgley Mischka

Pitch Perfect star Elizabeth Banks wore the same fire-red dress by Badgley Mischka that she had worn at the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. She just had removed the jewelry straps in the back.

Kaitlyn Dever in Louis Vuitton

Kaitlyn Dever supported the Red Carpet Green Dress initiative in a custom red Louis Vuitton gown made with ethically sourced and sustainable materials.

Jane Fonda in Elie Saab

Jane Fonda repeated her Cannes Film Festival 2014 outfit at the Oscars 2020 and she has a solid reason to do so. Dressed in an Elie Saab F/W 2013 Haute Couture gown, Jane, ethereal as ever, presented the Best Picture Oscar on stage at the Dolby Theatre. She also carried a red coat that has a deeper meaning behind. In 2019, Fonda, who had been a lifelong activist, had been arrested five times in Washington, D.C. for civil disobedience during her climate action campaign. While addressing the crowd, Jane had said that she will refrain from buying new clothes henceforth. This is why she repeated not just her Cannes outfit at the Oscars but the coat as well. «You see this coat? I needed something red and I went out and found this coat on sale. This is the last article of clothing that I will ever buy,» Jane had said on November 1.

And there was another strong message, Jane Fonda sent down the aisle this award season. When the 82-year old stepped onstage, there was something different about her: Instead of the Hollywood legend’s natural brunette, or the sandy blonde hair colour, her new pixie cut was a beautiful shade of silver. Fair or not, gray hair is not considered an option in La La Land. Going against certain beauty norms in regard to aging in Hollywood, this move is fitting considering the actress is as radical as ever.

Natalie Portman in Dior

Natalie Portman made another important statement about the state of Hollywood, that was stitched into her beautiful cloak. The actress stepped onto the red carpet in a Maria Grazia Chiuri designed embroidered Dior gown and matching cape that paid tribute to cinema’s female creators who weren’t nominated, such as Lorene Scafaria, Greta Gerwig, and Lulu Wang.

The craftsmanship of Portman’s Haute Couture gown is breathtaking. Have a look at the behind the scene photos below… investing in a beautiful piece of clothing and keeping it is a message I have tried to convey since ever. Sustainability was the one theme that ran throughout the Oscars while there was no shortage of glamour.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior, via Vogue/Getty