Sandra‘s Closet

This October sees the launch of L’Occitane‘s extremely beautiful limited edition Shea Butter Fortune Flowers collection. The colourful range was inspired by two West African traditions: Basket weaving and storytelling. Decorated with striking motifs that evoke the baskets woven by women, the collection captures the delicate scents of “fortune flowers” whose qualities are praised in popular folklore.

Generosity is another African tradition – so it made perfect sense to include a fund-raising soap in this collection. All profits from the sale of this product – sales price in store minus taxes, transport and production costs – will go towards fighting preventable blindness in developing countries.

The limited editions come in three new scents to captivate the senses:
ROSE PETALS: Evokes the sweet floral notes of rose with a hint of the sugar-coated scent of candied almonds.
DATE BOUQUET: Recalls the mouth-watering essence of this deliciously sweet fruit.
MANGO FLOWER: Reveals a full and zesty aroma – the olfactory signature of the wide open spaces of Burkina Faso.

HAND CREAM (Rose Petals, Mango Flowers, Date Boutique) 30ml (CHF 10.-)
HAND CREAM COLLECTOR 150ml (CHF 27.-)
ULTRA RICH BODY CREAM (Rose Petals, Mango Flowers, Date Boutique) 100ml (CHF 31.-)
LIP BALM (Rose Petals, Mango Flowers, Date Boutique) 15ml (CHF 15.50)
SOLIDARITY SOAP (Rose Petals) 50g (CHF 2.50)
Available Mid October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of L’Occitane and © Sandra Bauknecht

With Bobbi Brown, I spent a beautiful day in Munich for the launch of Bobbi’s seventh book:
PRETTY POWERFUL.

“Over the years I’ve worked with countless women who have inspired me with their stories. Beyond makeup, we’ve talked about life-altering events. Everything from the joy of being a new mom to dealing with homelessness and divorce. With each conversation, these women have shown that when you have the will and the heart, almost anything is possible—and that’s what Pretty Powerful is all about.” – Bobbi Brown

Sandy decor at Munich‘s hotspot Nektar, colourful goodie bags, hardcover copies displayed on white Nektar-branded crates and a nice crowd of journalists expected me for a wonderful lunch. Flipping through the book, you get immediately inspired. And this is all what renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown wants to achieve with her do-good attitude towards makeup: To make you feel “pretty powerful” and to be confident.

The tome includes stories in which the beauty guru hand picked celebrities, athletes, and everyday women to pose for before and after makeover shots plus tips how to eat healthy.
In stores now for CHF 49.90.

My look: Knit dress with lace overlay, earrings and suede wedge ankle boots, all by Louis Vuitton, blush jacket by Stella McCartney and brown Pandora bag by Givenchy.

Inspired by Bobbi’s book, Pretty Powerful, Bobbi introduces the Uber Basics collection – shades for every woman. This collection will give every woman – no matter what her skin tone – the essentials she needs to go from pretty to pretty powerful, day to night.

Highlighting the simplicity of Bobbi’s Uber Basic look, the collection is organized into four colour stories, with a corresponding Eye Shadow (CHF 37.-), Sparkle Eye Shadow (CHF 40.-), Blush (CHF 41.-), Rich Lip Color (CHF 35.-) and High Shimmer Lip Gloss (CHF 35.-).
Available now.

“Our most flattering colours. Ever. It’s makeup, simplified.” – Bobbi Brown

And I have more news from Bobbi Brown for you: Actress Katie Holmes is the first celebrity to become the face of beauty brand.
Sounds all pretty powerful to me.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and © Sandra Bauknecht

This weekend, I was invited by Dior to the Zurich Film Festival that is celebrating the art of film in all its facets this year for the 8th time. In a very short amount of time, it has established itself upon the national and international festival landscape.

We started in the afternoon with the vernissage “Stars in Dior”, a beautiful exhibition of photographs featuring celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Sharon Stone, who have often worn creations by the house of Dior, whether they were designed by its founder or his successors, on the set, at cinema-related events or simply in their everyday life.

At the vernissage framed by Manuela Pastore (Sales Manager Parfums Christian Dior) to the left and Sonya Burch-Baumann (PR Manager Parfums Christian Dior) to the right.

Later, we went to the screening of “Love is all you need” (Den skaldede frisor), a film directed by Academy Award Winner Susanne Bier and starring Pierce Brosnan plus a famous Danish cast, among them Trine Dyrholm and Kim Bodnia.

The heartwarming story is very moving but at the same incredibly funny with a hint of absurdity. A hairdresser (Trine Dyrholm) who has lost her hair to cancer finds out her husband (Kim Bodnia) is having an affair, travels to Italy for her daughter’s wedding and meets a widower (Pierce Brosnan) who still blames the world for the loss of his wife.
Of course, nothing goes according to plan and yet everything works out in the end. The film was shown in Danish/English with German subtitles and I have to admit that the original soundtrack added even more charm to it.

The Dior after party took place at the Frauenbadi that was beautifully decorated.
What a great night!

My look: Black belted gown by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, cropped fur jacket by Prada, feather stole, handbag and pearl multi-strand necklace by Dior, pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.

In the end, Dior spoilt us even more with the wonderful coffee-table book “Stars in Dior” (Available in stores for around €45.-) and a bottle of the house’s recently launched fragrance: MISS DIOR – Le Parfum.

The scent is announced as elegant, sensual and intoxicating nocturnal perfume extract. The nose behind this fragrance is François Demachy who said he “wanted to bring something precious and luminous to the composition of Miss Dior Le Parfum, like an oriental jewellery set or the reflections of shimmering fabric.” Yet again, beautiful Natalie Portman is the face for the campaign, formerly she presented Miss Dior Cherie.

MISS DIOR – Le Parfum
Oriental – Chypre

Top notes: Mandarin
Middle notes: Bulgarian rose absolute and Turkish rose absolute
Base notes: Patchouli, amber and vanilla.

Available now for CHF 129.50 (40ml) and CHF 179.50 (75ml).
My new favorite, such a warm, beautiful and very feminine perfume. A must for all lovers of oriental fragrances.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, IMDB and © Sandra Bauknecht

Thank God, it is weekend and finally I am feeling better after my stomach flu. A wonderful girlfriend of mine had a little surprise from New York for me. This very cute cosmetic bag. The perfect accessory to store my emergency must-have beauty products.

BLUSH

It is a miracle what a little blush can do for you, add a little colour to your cheeks and you look immediately healthier. The light PHYTO BLUSH ÉCLAT by Sisley works wonders with micronized pigments and light-reflecting powders for a soft focus effect. It includes the extracts of gardenia, linden, and mallow to soften plus rosehip and ginkgo biloba to protect the skin. So it is not just another pretty blush. It is one with benefits. Available in five colours from peach and pink berry, to pink rose, mango and pink coral. Personally speaking, I also adore its “zebra” print design that is nice and flat.
My favourite shade: 5 Pinky Coral

CHF 74.-

LIP GLOSS

Sisley‘s new collection of ultra shiny colours PHYTO-LIP GLOSS have a 3D pouty effect. Active vegetable ingredients help to nourish, moisturize, soothe, heal and protect the lips. Available in seven non sticky shades. Yet again, a lipgloss with benefits.
My favourite shade: 4 Fuchsia

CHF 47.- each

MASCARA

And last but not least, add a little mascara to finish off your 2 minute emergency beauty routine. I became a huge fan of MASCARA VOLUME GREEN PRIDE by UNE. A new invention on planet lashes, a mascara that brings you volume that is as good for your lashes as it is beautiful. Its organic formula is certified by Ecocert and lasts for up to 16 hours. But all it takes to remove it is a simple micellar water cleanser or cleansing milk and lotion! The waxes dissolve gently and totally, leaving no residue on lashes and causing no irritation to eyes. Available in brown and black. A mascara with benefits for you and the environment.
My favourite shade: V01 Black

CHF 26.90

The emergency beauty formula: Mascara, blush + gloss = Looking so much better in 2 minutes.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Sisley and UNE

The Yves Saint Laurent woman moves through Paris as if it were an urban jungle. Dressed in a tuxedo jacket, leopard-print silk crepe de chine top and stretch-leather leggings, she strides at a determined, steady pace along the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Près, clutching her Cabas Chyc alligator-effect bag close to her, like a talisman. The totally liberated, enticing YSL woman is radiant in her stiletto pumps. She releases a disarming tension created by playing on contrasts to more effectively reveal herself.

Yves Saint Laurent’s fall makeup look “CONTEMPORARY AMAZON” created by Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director Make-up Yves Saint Laurent, has the same power. It “expresses a desire to get back to the basics, a desire for a luminous matteness that is both natural and sophisticated, with effects that can be tailored to a personalized look. Khaki, black, gold, red, the classics of the contemporary Rive Gauche woman who has a daring approach to colour and a free spirit combined with true Parisian chic.”

STAR PRODUCT

Palette Couture – An alternative to blush, another way to sculpt the cheekbones.
CHF 89.-

Pure Chromatics
CHF 79.-

Harmony N°10 and Harmony N°11

Mascara Volume Effet Faux
CHF 49.-

N°19 Graphite Green

Rouge Pure Couture – The Mats
CHF 48.- each

N°201 Orange Imagine, N°202 Rose Crazy, N°203 Rouge Rock, N°204 Rouge Scandal, N°205 Prune Virgin and N°206 Grenat Satisfaction

La Lacque Couture
CHF 36.- each

N°31 Khaki Arty (on my nails below) and N°32 Rouge Expressioniste

Dare to Glow – A silky complexion illuminator, between a highlighter and an enhancer.
(Limited edition)
CHF 34.- each

N°1 Tempting Gold, N°2 Fatal Red and N°3 Naughty Pink

And don’t miss the following product:

Le Teint Touche Éclat
CHF 67.-

One word: Amazing! Classical foundation formulas contain varying amounts of opaque powders that result in a diffused reflection – a “masked” effect that leaves skin looking grey and dull, especially on darker complexions. Now, for the very first time with LE TEINT TOUCHE ÉCLAT, Yves Saint Laurent resolves this dilemma by replacing the powder with a soft focus gel. Through a diffusing and translucent texture on the skin’s surface, this unique soft focus gel smoothes away imperfections without ever masking the skin, ensuring skin colour purity for a natural-looking and sophisticated glow.

Available in 22 shades, organized in colour families, from beiges to golden and rosy hues, from the lightest to the darkest tones, corresponding to the 7000 skin tones identified in the world.

In stores now!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent and © Sandra Bauknecht

Sparkling fashion label Swarovski launches a new scent for women, so-called SWAROVSKI EDITION. After the huge success of last year’s launch AURA, the brand presents its new delightful limited edition fragrance that will hit stores this month. The design of the bottle is reminiscent of the house’s clutch evening purses.

A fruity-floral fragrance created by perfumer Sonia Constant.

Top notes: Clementine and red currant jam
Middle notes: Wild rose and gardenia
Base notes: Cedar and musk

Available now as a limited edition Eau de Toilette 50ml (CHF 71.-).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski

Lancôme has got my favourite makeup look for this fall: MIDNIGHT ROSES. The colours, designed around a purple spectrum, are so feminine and seductive.

Imagine midnight in Paris, the hour of untold possibilities…

In fall 2011, Lancôme introduced 29, Saint Honoré, a collection paying homage to Lancôme’s emblematic address. Today, marking the next chapter in this beautiful story, the French house invites us to number 29 on a secret street. A magical, coveted address. A perfect location that opens its doors at the hour when purple roses come into bloom…

It is here that the “Midnight Roses”, women among the most elegant in the world, emerge just after midnight. Somewhere between mystery and magic, the “Midnight Roses” collection showcases nocturnal seduction through each of its “purple-tinted” dimensions.

When night-time becomes a magical celebration… and as I just spent four magic days in Paris, I exactly know what Lanôme is talking about!

Let’s unveil purple’s deepest secrets:

L’Absolu Rouge Mat

For the first time, the mythical Absolu Rouge is as matte as velvet…
As comfortable and replenishing as ever thanks to its formula enriched with Pro-Xylane™, it caresses lips in three new seductive purple tones.

360 Rose Aphrodisia, 361 Rose Sortilège, 160 Rouge Hypnôse (All three one shots)
CHF 44.- each

L’Absolu Crème de Mat

For the “Midnight Roses” collection, L’Absolu Crème de Brillance has undergone a transformation and become completely matte. The smoothness of a gloss, the coverage of a lipstick, the comfort of a cream texture.

100 Potion d’Amour, 300 Magie Pourpre, 301 Prune Élixir (All three one shots)
CHF 44.- each

Blush Highlighter

Like reflected moonbeams dancing on the banks of the Seine…
The Blush Highlighter captures the unique light that bathes Paris at midnight. Crafted thanks to a new technology combining a high-comfort “marshmallow” texture with an illuminating effect, this extremely fine, light-infused powder is adorned with an embossed emblematic Lancôme rose. The powder feels whisper-soft on application, leaving just a veil of sheer pearly radiance.

Tips:
– Applied in delicate strokes following the lines of the shoulders, the Blush Highlighter beautifully emphasises a low-neck dress.
– Delicately applied using a sponge applicator, it catches the light, playing with “matte and gloss” contrasts.

001 Moonlight Rose (One shot)
CHF 65.-

Vernis In Love

A manicure resonant with the colours of Parisian night-time…
This season, Vernis In Love plays with a trio of shades infused with mystery: an intense purple, an urban khaki and a timeless powdered beige. Lancôme also creates a magical formula: a top coat that completely transforms nails, instantly turning them velvet-matte.

453 Infusion de Prune (One shot), 250N Beige Poudré, 280N Cosmopolitan Kaki, 030 Givre Magique – Top coat (One shot)
CHF 25.- each

Le Regard Pro

A must-have to enhance eyebrows and eyes in a handbag-friendly case. Le Regard Pro contains three universal shades of brown for made-to-measure mixing to redefine eyebrows, as well as a highlighter to apply just below the eyebrow arch for added depth. Created to suit all skin tones, the four shades can also be blended on the eyelid.

The crucial detail: the compact also contains a pair of tweezers. For perfect brow-grooming.
(One shot) CHF 75.-

Hypnôse Brow Shaper

In one simple step, this transparent gel structures eyebrows. To be used alone for a natural effect, or combined with Le Regard Pro to ensure make-up lasts through to the early hours.
(One shot)
CHF 35.-

Le Crayon Khôl

Incredibly creamy and highly pigmented, Le Crayon Khôl casts a spell on eyes with this season’s it-shade: bewitching purple.

014 Prune Crépuscule
(One shot) CHF33.-

Hypnôse Drama

A true essential to perfect eye make-up: The iconic mascara, the instant and full body volume expert, in its “timeless black” shade.

01 Black
CHF 44.-

Lancôme Midnight Roses makeup collection for fall 2012 is available now. For a night of untold possibilities…

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Lancôme

THOMAS SABO celebrated its newest fragrance launch in Zurich over the city’s rooftops at the Clouds Restaurant, located on top of Switzerland’s highest building Prime Tower.

German perfumer Geza Schön, the nose behind GLAM’N SOUL, is considered  “one of the most radical perfume designers” these days. He had flown in from Berlin and gave us some insight into his creative process and his visions behind the fragrance. I had a very interesting and fun conversation with him over lunch.

GLAM ‘N SOUL is an elegant, floral-fruity fragrance, dedicated to the self-confident, courageous and independent woman.

Top notes: Bergamot, lychee, pink pepper and violet.
Middle notes: Rose, water lily and magnolia.
Base notes: Vanilla, cedar and white musk.

Eau de Parfum 50 ml (CHF 84.90)

For perfumer Geza Schön, the combination of lychee and rose was so interesting for GLAM’N SOUL as both have similar components. He is not a fan of sweet fragrances, in general sugary notes play a secondary role in his creations. As for him, he likes “to smell the person behind the fragrance” and prefers transparent scents.

REBEL AT HEART is the very first THOMAS SABO men’s fragrance created by perfumer Mark Buxton. This extravagant scent belongs to the woody-aromatic fragrance family, aimed at the charismatic man with an international style and an authentic Rock ‘n’ Roll attitude.

Top notes: Cardamom, bitter orange and cinnamon.
Middle notes: Carnation, bay, caraway seeds and cedar.
Base notes: Tonka bean, vetiver, patchouli, incense and white musk.

Eau de Toilette 50 ml (CHF 74.90)

Both fragrances are available this fall at all Thomas Sabo stores and exclusively at Douglas.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills and Ad Campaign Photos: Courtesy of Thomas Sabo

Let me introduce you to NOVALIP DUO by La Roche-Posay: The first lipstick which allies a record rate of skincare and a vibrating colour, for a perfect lips surface, which fixes and reflects colour all day-long. This is the solution for all of you with sensitive and dry lips who avoid or fear wearing lipsticks, due to its tendency to emphasize lips imperfections and its sensation of discomfort.

1. 46% of skincare inside: LHA + 8% glycerin and D-Panthenol, which deeply hydrates up to 9hours, repairs and smooth lips, to prepare a perfect lips surface.

2. An ultra-resisting and protective colour film, which enhances skincare efficiency, maintaining 9h hydration while magnifying colour all day-long.

Available now in 15 nuances (brown, rose, red, coral and nude hues) at selected pharmacies for CHF 27.- each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay

I love violet nail polishes but finding the right hue can be pretty tricky. Christian Dior defined purple as a demanding and sophisticated shade, calling it the veritable “Queen of colours”. As for me, Tom Ford offers the two perfect shades for nails.

“African Violet” is a very bright hue that immediatly helps to make your skin tone looks more radiant. It is part of Tom Ford’s standard palette.

“Dominatrix” is a limited edition nail polish for F/W 2012. It has a hint of silver shimmer that gives it a very interesting metallic shine.

Available in Switzerland at Jelmoli for CHF 44.- each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht