Sandra‘s Closet

Dolce & Gabbana Fragrances unveils its newest face: the French model and actress, Laetitia Casta. Laetitia’s unparalleled beauty, sensuality and femininity brought her to the attention of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana who chose her to embody the Dolce & Gabbana woman for the launch of their newest fragrance Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme.

“Laetitia has always bewitched us with her sensual and natural charisma: she is the perfect interpretation of the Dolce&Gabbana woman of today.” says the famous designer duo.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana launched their first scent Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme in 1992 that marked the decade of the nineties. In 2012, the designers have decided to re-launch their rich floral perfume in a new version.

Top notes: Neroli, raspberry and tangerine
Heart notes: Jasmine and orange blossom
Base notes: Marshmallow, vanilla, sandalwood and heliotrope

The advertising campaign was shot by Mario Testino in Sicily with Laetitia Casta and Noah Mills. The fragrance is available from July 2012 – as 25, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum for women.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana Fragrances

First of all, there is no doubt that Lancôme produces the best mascaras in the entire world and the newest creation HYPNÔSE STAR is just a testament to my statement.

For their advertising campaign, inspired by the movies of the 30s, the famous French luxury cosmetics house is calling upon Betty Boop, the sexy cartoon character, and Daria Werbowy. “Betty Boop’s mischievous eyes and innate sensuality are combined with the contemporary spirit and confident femininity of Daria Werbowy,” Lancôme says. “Yesterday’s vintage glamour meets the glamour of today.”

Wrapped in a sparkling case, Hypnôse Star combines a specially designed brush, which has three patents pending, and a “Black Diamond” effect fluid formula to sculpt lashes. Two flat sides deliver mascara to the lashes, including the shortest ones, while two oblique sides with longer fibers separate and lengthen lashes while fixing them in a curl.

Utilizing two types of wax, Hypnôse Star offers two formulas for light texture and robust volume. Different soft waxes provide a mistake proof application while hard carnauba wax forms a thin film over the entire lash surface and sets the curl.

Available now for CHF 44.-.

Werbowy wears “Noir Midnight” Hypnôse Star mascara, Ombre Hypnôse eyeshadows “Erika F” I202 and “Strass Black” S310 and “Beige Diaphane” 03 Teint Idole Ultra 24H foundation. Lips are enhanced with “Sequins d’Amour” 170N Rouge In Love lipstick.

New OMBRE HYPNÔSE eyeshadows are available for CHF 39 each in 24 amazing shades.

Have a look at this super-cute video in which we will learn from Mrs Boop that “all stars have a secret,” before Daria chimes in with Betty’s signature boop-oop-a-doop!

LoL, Sandra

Photos & Video: Courtesy of Lancôme

Jo Malone‘s newest scent is called Blackberry & Bay. Think about childhood memories of blackberry picking with stained lips and sticky palms – the scent of innocence.

Master perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin, who shares his time between Paris and Grasse, where he was born as the son of a perfumer, found the inspiration for this beautiful, different new fragrance “out of rambling, autumnal country walks in deepest, mellowest autumn; of blackberry picking in overgrown English woodland; of foraging for perfectly ripened blackberries in rustling hedgerows. I have always wanted to create a fruity fragrance that captures the richness of red and black berries and so I embarked on this journey to create a scent that is full of juicy sweetness, bursting with the sparkling tartness of just ripe blackberries, while playing with the green, leafy earthiness of the bay accord.”
Fabrice also created Paco Rabanne’s Black XS L’Excès.

Top notes: Blackberry and grapefruit
Middle notes: Bay and floral accord
Base notes: Vetiver and cedarwood

Available from September 2012.
In Switzerland at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.

Cologne 30ml (CHF 68.-) and 100ml (CHF 130.-)
Body & Hand Wash CHF 64.- 
Body Cream CHF 99.-
Home Candle CHF 82.-
(All suggested retail prices)

I love this new addition to Jo Malone’s world. Try combining Blackberry & Bay with Lime Basil & Mandarin for added vibrancy with a peppery, citrus zest. Or layer it with Nectarine Blossom & Honey for sweetness with a green, herbaceaous edge.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Gentlemen, here is a great product from Kiehl’s for you: FACIAL FUEL No-Shine Hydrator.
Dive into deep shine-free hydration with this instantly refreshing, lightweight oil-free 24-hour moisture gel formulated to effectively mattify the skin’s surface.

Powered by a blend of zinc, sodium, and magnesium, the formula helps reduce the appearance of facial oils while also boosting skin’s ability to maintain optimal hydration. An ideal moisturizing solution for men’s oily skin, this super-absorbent formula uses a unique technology to control shine, leaving skin clean and healthy-looking.

Available from September 2012 for CHF 75.- (30ml).

LoL, Sandra

You might have seen those colourful bottles at the counter already and if you haven’t smelled them yet, please do. All four are uber-yummy and I like the idea behind the collection. Ralph Lauren celebrates the many facets of modern young women by saying that “scent is an essential accessory for all of the roles a woman plays.” Today’s woman should have a fragrance wardrobe to choose from according to mood and occasion. And here it is:

THE BIG PONY FRAGRANCE COLLECTION FOR WOMEN

Have fun exploring those four vital attributes and find out which F/W 2012 looks plus accessories would coordinate those passions best.

N°1 SPORTY

Catch her if you can. This floral citrus scent features grapefruit & blue lotus for a vibrant, energetic fragrance that evokes confidence while awakening the senses. Confident and fearless, the sporty woman is a natural born leader and ready to take on the world.

Her must-haves: Cabas Chyc leather tote by Yves Saint Laurent and Tokyo metallic and leather sneakers by Jimmy Choo

N°2 SENSUAL

A floriental fruity with the key ingredients of cranberry & tonka mousse, this fragrance is for an alluring flirt and the romantic at heart. Playful and irresistible, this modern woman follows her heart.

Her must-haves: PS1 Medium textured-leather pouch by Proenza Schouler and Maniac leather platform pumps by Brian Atwood

N°3 FREE-SPIRITED

Eccentric, rebellious and independent, this floral green fragrance highlights pear & mimosa. The crisp, bright scent represents ultimate optimism and natural feminine radiance for a woman who dances to the beat of her own drum.

Her must-haves: Victoria leather tote by Victoria Beckham and suede and elaphe slingback sandals by Nicholas Kirkwood

N°4 STYLISH

Edgy and refined, with a flair for the exotic, this oriental floral contains key ingredients of wild cherry & purple amber. Designed for the stylish woman, her flair expresses her unique personality and catches the eye and the hearts of anyone who crosses the path.

Her must-haves: PS1 Large suede satchel by Proenza Schouler and Havana patent-leather brogues by Christian Louboutin

Available now as EdT 30ml (CHF 44.90) and EdT 50ml (CHF 54.90).

LoL, Sandra

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

I came back from my amazing road trip through the US this week and left immediately to Munich for a day with Bobbi Brown. Stay tuned, I will tell you all about it very soon.

During the last 5 weeks, I went through 9 states – Illinois, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, Nevada, California, Hawaii and Texas – and besides the horrible hail storm in South Dakota, I was blessed the whole time with beautiful sunny weather. So I was quite shocked when I got back to Switzerland where there was no sign of summer at all. Surprisingly, I found severe hail damage in my garden, my pool cover looked like shot with a pump gun. What a subtle irony! And when I experienced a mini tornado yesterday at Lake Zurich, I was inspired to this outfit.

Mini Tornado in Zurich on July 21, 2012 (Photo via Tagesanzeiger)

Invest in some great fall key pieces. Bottle green is one of the hottest colours for the season. Peplum hems appeared on many runways and are one of the most flattering trends. A trench coat is a true classic piece that works for so many occasions and definitely belongs in your closet – with Burberry you cannot go wrong. Finally, add a piece of colourful statement jewelry.

Mid-length cotton-gabardine trench coat by Burberry London, fine-knit wool peplum top, bottle-green De Manta leather tote, skull-print modal and cashmere-blend scarf, skull-embellished umbrella, all by Alexander McQueen, stretch-leather skinny pants by Yves Saint Laurent, multi-stone cuff by Emilio Pucci and ‘Original Tall’ Wellington boots by Hunter.

Nars Fall 2012 collection offers for your eyes and nails some icy shades with stormy names:

Vent Glacé (Glacial Wind) Duo Eyeshadow, CHF 59.-

Storm Bird Nail Polish (Limited Edition), CHF 32.-
Both available from August 2012.

Good news: The weather forecast says that the arrival of summer is close in Zurich. Let’s hope that the weather gods will be merciful.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nars

The day I left for my trip to the US, a wonderful package arrived at my doorstep filled with the newest goodies from Guerlain and of course, I packed them all.

The French house’s fall 2012 makeup collection is an homage to femininity and the sensuality of colours. It overflows with beautiful shades of reds (Rouge D’Enfer) and pinks (Rose Angélique), just perfect to complement my Hawaiian looks.

Natalia Vodianova is again the face of the ad campaign and she is wearing bold red lips coloured with the new Rouge G L’Extrait de Guerlain. I took the photos of my favourite products at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea.

For fall, pair your lipstick with your blush and change your look every day. Guerlain’s blush duos Rose aux Joues allow you to shade, sculpt and colour in total freedom. 
My favourite blush and lipstick combination: Rose aux Joues (CHF 70.-) in 04 Pink Punk and Rouge G (CHF 64.-) in G76 Gracy (a beautiful raspberry)

Guerlain, the creator of the first tube of lipstick in 1870, now offers Rouge G L’Extrait. Its liquid, creamy, ultra-pigmented, and velvety consistency stays on amazingly well. The case is an outstanding object, pull, click and watch the double mirror gracefully open.
Available in 7 shades for CHF 64.- each.
My favourite colour: M69 Orgueil (a matte burgundy)

The new Lasting Colour High-Precision Lip Liner in 42 Bois des Indes is the perfect nude beige – an essential designed to enhance the natural tone of the lips. CHF 36.-

I love wearing eyeshadows and adore this new set of four shades to the left. It is a variation between the warmth of oranges and browns to make red looks sizzle.
My favourite eyeshadow and blush combination: L’Écrin 4 Coleurs (CHF 80.-) in 14 Les Fauves and Rose aux Joues (CHF 70.-)  in 01 Peach Boy.

Available from August 15, 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Guerlain

Family owned and operated for over ninety years in Zurich, Osswald will officially open its doors in the heart of SoHo, New York City in August 2012. Highly regarded in Europe for their carefully curated array of niche perfumes, luxury skincare and exceptional customer service, Osswald is pleased to bring their time-honoured values and standards to the US for the first time.

Since 1921, generations of the Dreiding family have been continuously progressing the Osswald Parfumerie in Zurich. It began with founder Boris Dreiding, who was then succeeded by his son Jago Dreiding, Jago was followed by his wife Tamara who took the helm in the late eighties.

Tanja Dreiding Wallace and Werner Abt (Photo: Bolero)

With Tamara’s direction and the help of store manager Werner Abt, Osswald entered the niche perfume and luxury skincare market. In 2005 she asked her daughter Tanja Dreiding Wallace, who had been living in New York City for over 8 years at the time, to return to Zurich and manage the company’s future growth. Tanja found herself becoming fiercely passionate about the brand’s international plans. She took pride in staffing the Zürich flagship with the most knowledgeable professionals in the beauty care business. Within a few years, Osswald became one of Europe’s leading niche parfumerie and skincare boutiques known for its superior customer service.

“Once Osswald was established as one of the leaders in the European niche perfume, skincare and cosmetic market, I realized that growing the family business was my true calling,” says Tanja Dreiding Wallace, CEO of Osswald. “In 2010, during a visit to New York, I detected a void in the beauty retail industry for premium service and quality products. At that point, I was committed to launching Osswald in the US and sharing my family’s vision of premium Swiss hospitality with New Yorkers, individuals who would appreciate our approach to an extraordinary shopping experience.”

My dear NY-based readers, here is my shopping list of exclusive must-have products that you will only find at Osswald NYC in the US:

For the American debut, Osswald will exclusively launch and sell coveted Swiss skincare brands Bellefontaine, Cell Premium, and La Colline as well as established brands Cellcosmet and Valmont. Each brand is on the cutting edge of skincare, using advanced technologies including the use of stem cells.

My skincare shopping suggestion:

This is an amazing magical product that will be launched in September 2012: Time Master Intensive Program by Valmont. The Swiss brand with over 25 years of experience calls itself the magician of time and is renowned for its spa treatments. Now, a professional unique intensive program will be available to be used at home. A combination of technology, efficiency and precision, this nano-emulsion is so delicate that it penetrates the skin in a split second and treats all the causes for aging. Within 28 days, Time Master Instensive Program regulates the cellular mechanisms of the skin and turns back the clock.
The 4-week treatment will be available for CHF 1235.-/ € 950.-.

Sought after perfumes including Pierre Guillaume’s Parfumerie Générale and Profumum Roma will only be available at the Osswald New York location, as well as Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Clive Christian, MDCI, Kilian, Micallef, Amouage, Pierre Guillaume’s Huitième Art and Six Scents amongst others.

My fragrance shopping suggestion:

If you get a chance, please explore the fragrance world of Pierre Guillaume: Parfumerie Générale and Huitième Art, a niche collection of 8 fragrances launched for the brand’s 8th anniversary in 2010 – synonymous with perfume being the 8th art. His creations are a must for anyone who loves perfume. 
I met the perfumer once at an event held at Osswald in Zurich and was truly impressed by his passion. He is young, brilliant, intellectual and very handsome. My favourite – among many of his scents I like – is PG19 Louanges Profanes, an oriental floral, that is fresh and soft in one.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian offers bespoke scents. Ask the Osswald team for more information. So sophisticated!

Other offerings will include By Terry makeup, scented candles, exquisite bathroom accessories and mirrors, manicure etuis, shaving kits, toiletry bags and other beautiful items in the luxury lifestyle sector.

Osswald NYC will open August 2012
311 W. Broadway New York, NY 10013 www.osswaldnyc.com

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands

Today I would like to show you the first precision hair powder brush that gives instant root lift, texture and body: Volume Maker by Shu Uemura (CHF29.-).

This invisible texturizing powder also helps to refresh and blow-dry for long lasting hairstyles. It is fragrance-free and works on all hair colours.

How it works:

To be used on dry hair. Neatly separate the sections where you wish to have volume. Place the powder brush at the root area. Click and stroke side-to-side. With the fingers, massage to distribute. For added volume, I recommend backcombing the hair in addition.

I am so happy with this product. This full volume look at the roots is always hard to achieve with long hair like mine. Now, it finally works. The brush distributes the powder lightly, where you want it to go, and becomes invisible. A little bit like a dry shampoo but so much more convenient.

When it is finally time to wash your hair, I recommend Shu Uemura‘s Cleansing Oil Shampoo (400ml, CHF 61.-) to get the job done!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Shu Uemura

It’s July, and in the world of beauty and fashion, that means already fall! The new makeup collections are hitting the shelves. Bobbi Brown‘s Desert Twilight Collection, inspired by end-of-day light in the desert, transitions from summer to the next season with sun-swept nudes and pinks for eyes, cheeks and lips.

Personally speaking, I love that she injects her favourite colour turquoise to add a splash of colour reminiscent of the hues of Southwest jewelry. The combination of turquoise and bronzy hues is so perfect for a late summer glow.

MY MUST-HAVES (from top left to right):

Desert Twilight Eye Palette (Limited Edition) – CHF90.- / $60.-
Shades: Navajo, Twilight Pink Metallic, Twilight Metallic, Cement, Pink Dusk Metallic, Dusk Sparkle, Water Colour Pink Sparkle and Chocolate Mauve.
Includes a dual-ended Eye Shadow and Eye Liner brush – all in a sleek mirrored compact – so you can apply everything like a pro.

Long-Wear Cream Shadow (Limited Edition) – CHF37.- / $24.-
Now in the limited edition shade Blue Moon.

Nail Polish (Limited Edition) – CHF27.- / $22.-
In the unexpected hue of Turquoise, polish turns nails into the perfect fall accessory.

High Shimmer Lip Gloss (New shade) – CHF35.- / $23.-
Bobbi’s new lip gloss in Bronzed Heather combines gorgeous, light-catching shimmer with lasting, non-sticky shine.

Available this month at all Bobbi Brown counters worldwide, in Zurich at Jelmoli.

LoL, Sandra