Sandra‘s Closet

For all my German and Swiss based readers, the big annabelle trend issue will be out tomorrow featuring my blogger diary from NYC Fashion Week. Most of you followed me during that exciting week. So many crazy things happened: I modeled at the Polyvore Live Fashion Show presented by Covergirl, met celebrities such as Bradley Cooper or Nicky Hilton and attended the Bloglovin’ Awards among many other events.

Below are some amazing backstage shots of the Polyvore Live fashion show. Have a look and find some inspirations for your next beauty look.

The makeup was created by celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson (follow him on Twitter @Beau_Nelson) with products by Covergirl. For me, a very different look from what I am used to wear. Light eye make-up with just a little mascara combined with bright red lips.

Hair was done by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa (follow her on Twitter @sarahpotempa) who also invented the amazing Beachwaver, an innovative curling iron that rotates in both directions to give you glamorous red carpet waves with the touch of a button. I truly hope that this product will be sold in Europe soon. For my US-readers, click here to shop.

A huge thank you to the lovely Polyvore team for letting me be part of this amazing experience. By the way, don’t you think that Polyvore‘s co-founder Pasha Sadri looks like Marc Jacobs?!

Don’t forget to enter the More Than a Feeling with Swarovski contest on Polyvore!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Polyvore and © Sandra Bauknecht

Winter 1952. That night, just before dawn, it snowed. A boy, with his collar folded up to protect his neck, headed on his way to school. A thin white veil slipped beneath his feet and swirled around him, cloaking his mouth and the muffled words: “I’m going to be late!”

This is the start of the press release, a poetic essay about a young school boy, who fills his notebooks with drawings of flowers and dragons, who is reprimanded by his schoolteacher for taking great delight in decorating the words in his sentences with embellished capital letters (“majuscules” in French) and who is fascinated by Medieval legends. The boy, it’s Serge Lutens. And the word “Santal” on the bottle is capitalized.

Santal Majuscule is built around three ingredients, a superlatively crafted gourmand composition: Sandalwood, cocoa and Damask rose.

Another masterpiece from Serge Lutens, Santal Majuscule will be available September 2012.
50 ml, CHF 157.-

If you are interested to know more about the famous perfumer, please click here for an interview I did with him earlier this year.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Serge Lutens

“After creating Flowerbomb, we felt a twinge of jealousy: why aren’t we allowed our own bomb?” – Viktor & Rolf

In 2005, Viktor & Rolf launched its first bomb: a profusion of flowers in an excessively sensual fragrance for women… Created by famous perfumer Olivier Polge, the Flowerbomb legend was born. This September, men will have their turn.

Spicebomb, an explosion of the senses

Instant olfactory detonation. Viktor & Rolf is once again overturning convention with the help of Olivier Polge and revealing a fragrance that makes no concessions. An explosive concentrate of masculine sensuality. Surprising at first breath, its spices addictive from the very next second…

Top Notes: Chili, saffron, leather, tobacco and vetiver
Middle Notes: Bergamot and grapefruit
Base Notes: Elemi and pink pepper

Long-standing collaborators of Viktor & Rolf, the photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin created a visual campaign for Spicebomb that makes an instant impression.

The American model Sean O’Pry is in the line of sight: a mysterious, almost iconic beauty. Classic, but sexy. Virile, but sensual. What a feast for the eyes, ladies!

Just looking at the bottle you know that something is about to… go boom!

A tailor-made grenade revisited for a fragrance with an explosive scent. A chic and sophisticated weapon, given a twist with the arty touch that characterizes Viktor & Rolf. The ultimate detail: the fragrance is released by priming the pin.

Available end of September 2012.
EdT  50ml (CHF 89.-) and 90ml (CHF 119.-)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

I love to have a subtle shimmer on my tanned skin in summer. Personally speaking, I think that it makes you look so much more radiant. Therefore I would like to introduce you to two  newly launched products that are beautifully scented while leaving your skin with the perfect golden glow.

Roger Gallet takes you on an olfactive journey into the Andalucian gardens of the Alhambra in Grenada under the orange trees of the Generalife Palace. Capture the vibrant sunshine, as well as the freshness of the leaf and the fruit, the softness of the flower and the fresh sensuality of orange wood.

Top notes: Bergamot, mandarin and orange
Middle notes: Ylang, orange blossom and coconut
Base notes: Cedarwood, vanilla and musk

Eau Sublime Or Bois d’Orange CHF 59.60 (100ml)

Inspired by the luxurious gardens of the Alhambra, Eau Sublime Or takes you on an exotic olfactory journey. Once sprayed – citrus fruits from Italy refresh and delight, revealing themselves a few minutes after spraying, floral & feminine heart notes of ylang, orange blossom and coconut flower are sublimely sensual. The final touch of glamour & chic – delicate flecks of gold settle on your skin in a subtle shimmer, beautifying the skin with radiance.
Does not stain clothing.

Crème Sublime Or Bois d’Orange CHF 34.90 (200ml)

An indulgent beauty ritual of summer glamour, illuminate your skin with Crème Sublime Or. Enriched with a cocktail of 6 nourishing oils (Macadamia, Argan, Camelia, Primrose, Sesame and gentle Almond), this luxurious body cream with a delicious and enchanting fragrance, moisturises and softens your skin for lasting hydration. Its delicate flecks of gold give a subtle illuminating effect. Rich but non-greasy, quickly absorbed by the skin. No parabens. Dermatologically tested.

For store locations, please visit the Roger Gallet’s homepage.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger Gallet

OPI has a very special treat in store for all of you this Holiday 2012! In celebration of James Bond’s Golden Anniversary OPI is releasing their first-ever 18 karat gold leaf top coat “The Man with the Golden Gun” together with a complete nail polish collection of 12 shades (The Spy Who Loved Me, Casino Royale, You Only Live Twice, Die Another Day, Skyfall, GoldenEye, The World Is Not Enough, Moonraker, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Living Daylights, Live And Let Die, Tomorrow Never Dies) dedicated to the famous spy.

“For 50 years Bond beauties have graced the big screen with their dazzling looks and opulent style, and gold has always played a prominent role,” commented Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI’s executive VP and Artistic Director, in the press release.

Inspired by the world of 007, this stunning top coat contains real 18 karat gold and comes packaged in a special limited edition collectable gold bottle – the ultimate holiday gift!

Burgundy and golden nails were all over the F/W 2012 runways. So get your hands on this combination for the ultimate new season manicure. Available October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

Not only for Jo Malone fans, please have a look at the new VELVET ROSE & OUD Cologne Intense Limited Edition. Such an amazing gourmand scent.

Darkest Damask rose. Rich and textural, wrapped with smoky oud wood. Spiked with clove, decadent with praline. Velvet Rose & Oud joins the much-desired Cologne Intense Collection for a limited time. An addictive addition to the other five deeply sensual scents, inspired by centuries-old traditions of layering scents, incenses and oils. Laced with precious ingredients and lightened by a contemporary touch.

Top notes: Bergamot and clove
Middle notes: Damask rose and saffron
Base notes: Oud and praline

It took master perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin 18 months to create Velvet Rose & Oud. He describes the beautiful ingredient of praline like this: “Used in perfumery the praline note will give a fragrance more depth, inviting an unexpected and mysterious side. Known for its regressive quality, praline’s sensory effect will evoke memories that take you back to your childhood. I chose to use praline in the Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne to add a gourmand tone, with nutty almond notes. Giving a supple softness, praline is used to calm and balance the intensity of the oud. Dressing its animalic side, it moulds the oud into a more voluptuous note, while all the while complementing the sweet floral notes of the Damask rose, to make her more gourmand.”

Delicious worn alone, or layered with other Jo Malone™ scents to add textural depth.
Mist it with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily to mingle spices and incense and introduce an air of calming sensuality or Oud & Bergamot to intensify the allure of precious woods.

Available now for a limited time only.
Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne 100ml £95 / €115 /CHF165

LoL, Sandra

We’ve had Switzerland, America, Holland and now, OPI is continuing on its global tour this fall, this time with my home country Germany being the inspiration for this beautiful, very shimmering collection: GERMANY COLLECTION BY OPI.

The 12-piece collection includes from top left to lower right:

Don’t Pretzel My Buttons – A haute honey-beige that can always make you smile
My Very First Knockwurst – … and what a magical rosy-nude rendezvous it was
Berlin There Done That – A travelling taupe that’s seen it all. (Yep, that, too).
Schnapps Out of It! – Shake of the blues with a shot of fall’s must-have mauve!
Deutsch You Want Me Baby? – A self-assured shade of shimmering red-orange
Danke-Shiny Red – A self-assured shade of shimmering red-orange
Suzi & the 7 Düsseldorfs – The most beautiful bright purple of all
Every Month is Oktoberfest – Prost! Here’s to the prettiest plum in the Biergarten
German-icure by OPI – The best burgundy shimmer in the business
Unfor-Greta-bly Blue – Everyone’s favourite Fräulein loves this über-shiny blue
Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine! – A bodacious black-olive? We say “Ja! Ja! Ja!”
Don’t Talk Bach to Me – There’s nothing mellow about this sassy lime-yellow!

My favourite colour is “Deutsch You Want Me Baby?”. I love the never-seen-before metallic shimmer effect of orange and red. Such a wonderful colour for fall!

The full collection will be available in Switzerland on August 13 at select salons. Each colour retails for CHF 23.90.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI and © Sandra Bauknecht

La Mer aficionados who are looking for a lighter version than the classic formula’s thicker consistency, will be very pleased about the brand’s fifth moisturizer to be launched this fall.

The new Moisturizing Soft Cream delivers the same radiance and renewal that made the original Creme de la Mer a legend in a supple new texture. Infused with the nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™, the heart of La Mer’s profound powers of transformation, and Lime Tea Extract™, it penetrates deeply to replenish moisture and strengthen skin with the help of a new phospholipid technology. Renewed and energized, skin looks youthfully radiant.

Pat a small amount between fingertips and press gently into skin.

Available from September 2012.
30ml (CHF 195.-) and 60ml  (CHF 350.-)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Mer

Last month, we got to know that the uber-gorgeous Blake Lively is the face for Gucci’s new scent GUCCI PREMIÈRE (for the previous post, please click here).

Highly anticipated, the secret has been lifted on her facebook fan page – here is the glamorous and fabulous ad campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. I know, the photographer duo seems to have closed the deal on every campaign this season.

In a stunning sequined backless gown, Blake Lively transforms the Hollywood glamour of the ’30s perfectly for Gucci’s new fragrance Première. A short film will be released in September during the Venice Film Festival.

LoL, Sandra

Today is the start of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad. So time to show your Olympic spirit.

Bally’s men’s West H. sneaker collection makes it easy to show your national pride. Fly the flag for your own nation.

Twelve casual leather sneakers pay homage to twelve different countries. Each West H. sneaker features a national flag screen printed with a cool vintage effect that includes Great Britain, Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and more.

And Bally’s charming Bally-rina is back, this time to captivate us with her sporty London 2012 Olympic spirit in a specially designed women’s sneaker and tote.

The red stitched Athena high-top sneaker features a back zip which cutely reveals the very sweet Bally-rina whimsically waving a gymnastics ribbon in blue, red, green and yellow colours. The same motif can be found on the Hanoe fabric tote.

Both, Bally’s West H. sneaker collection and the Bally-rina collection are available in store and online. Bally offers free shipping at the moment for the sportive collection. Just enter promo code SPORTBALLY at checkout.

For collectors and most loyal fans of the Olympic Games, the Coca-Cola collector’s box Special Olympics five glasses grouping is available exclusively at Colette now. The 5 glasses come with a collector bottle and a tote bag.

Celebrate the 2012 London Olympics with the commemorative Butter London‘s Olympic Heavy Medal Collection. The set includes three beautiful, metallic nail lacquers worthy of standing upon the winners’ podium, all limited editions. 
Colours: The Full Monty, Diamond Geezer and The Old Bill.

Solange Azagury-Partridge has designed the Britannia Hotlips ring to celebrate the games. The renowned iconic Hotlips design featuring the British flag is a fun and original lucky charm- one last good luck kiss for the athletes!

For all winners among you, take sartorial gold in Markus Lupfer‘s playful sequin medal-embellished merino wool sweater. Decorated with signature charm and wit, this piece is sure to turn heads.

Take a playful approach to the sporting season with these ‘2012 Olympics’-inspired briefs by Team Great Britain’s Creative Director Stella McCartney. Cut from a blend of white cotton and silk, this colorfully embroidered pair will make a whimsical addition to your lingerie drawer.

Just click on the highlighted text to shop those must-have pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bally, Colette, Net-à-porter, Solange Azagury-Partridge and via Telegraph