Sandra‘s Closet

DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW, GORGEOUS SHADE GALAXY

On the surface they look marbleized, but on the skin they blend for stunning celestial effects.

M·A·C‘s new Heavenly Creature colour collection features 9 Mineralize Eye Shadows, 4 Mineralize Skinfinish and 4 Mineralize Blushes, orbited by 5 Lipsticks, 5 Cremesheen Glass and False Lashes Mascara. Skin gets a nourishing boost with Mineralize Charged Water Cleanser, Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel and Moisture Eye Cream. Returning for a limited time, Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator gently cleanses and exfoliates for radiant skin. Create your celestial Mineralized look with 3 Duo Fibre Brushes. Natural goat hair lifts off, applying the perfect amount of Powder and Pigment while synthetic fibres fuse colour onto skin for a polished, luminous finish.

I love the mineralized products because you can play around with the different shades in them. They work perfectly on those days when you have no time to do your makeup as they create a great effect on your skin in seconds.
Here are my collection’s favourites:

MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW
EARTHLY Beige, peach and cool brown mélange, CHF 32.00, $20.00

MINERALIZE BLUSH
SUPERNOVA Magenta and burnished gold mélange, CHF 34.00, $23.50

MINERALIZE SKINFINISH
CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE Coral with gold shimmer, CHF 40.00, $29.00

BRUSH
187 Duo Fibre Face Brush Great to apply the mineralized skin products, CHF 67.00, $42.00

Available North America July 5, 2012, International July 2012 at all M·A·C locations.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M·A·C

Let me introduce you to Chanel‘s new Fall 2012 makeup collection, LES ESSENTIELS DE CHANEL, created by Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup. The collection was inspired by Coco Chanel’s signature style, “her essentials”: The little black dress, the quilted handbag and the two-toned shoe. Personally speaking, it is a very wearable makeup collection with classic pink hues and natural beiges to soften the face and lips while modern grey-black or sophisticated light taupe dress the nails.

In stores in Switzerland end of August 2012.
For the preview and nail colour swatches, please scroll down:

LUMIÈRE D’ARTIFICES BEIGES – CHF 84.-

Designed to extend a summer glow, this limited-edition duo of lighter and darker beige shades—enchantingly rendered to resemble sequins—blends together harmoniously for a subtly iridescent complexion.

My tip: If you have got one of Chanel’s limited edition highlighters from previous collections, you won’t need that one. The design looks beautiful, but the effect is pretty much the same compared to the preceding shimmering powders.

ROUGE ALLURE EXTRAIT DE GLOSS – CHF 48.-

Bold colour combines with the smoothest, silkiest gel texture for luxurious wear and deeply dramatic effect. Lips feel comfortable—never sticky or tacky—and look luminous, full and sensuous for hours.

The double-sided, flocked applicator is beveled to deliver ultra-precise definition.

My tip: Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss comes in a new shade, so-called 68 Troublant, which looks stunning worn alone for the day. For a darker, more glamorous effect for night, I recommend adding the new lip definer Le Crayon Lèvres in 54 Amarante – CHF 34.-.

NAIL COLOURS – CHF 35.-

Long-lasting, chip-resistant nail colour straight from the runways of Paris (for a previous post, please click here). State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails. Unique patented non-spill bottle with wiping action for easy application.

My tip: Those nail polishes are a must, get them all! If you have to choose one colour, I would recommend 559 Frenzy, the new light taupe shade, that is different, new and so sophisticated!

STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF (EYE PENCIL) – CHF 35.-

Waterproof, smudge-proof eyeliner delivers long-lasting definition with a twist of the wrist: Colour winds up when you need it, winds down when you don’t. Gentle, soft, silicone-enriched formula delivers smooth, even lining. A built-in sharpener at the opposite end detaches for quick refreshes.

My tip: This is your perfect companion for the beach. Line and define the upper and lower eyelids based on eye shape and desired makeup result and it will stay on the whole day even after excessive swimming. I love 88 Noir Intense.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel and © Sandra Bauknecht

When I am travelling, I try to limit the amount of beauty products that I pack to a minimum. Therefore, I am a huge fan of Bobbi Brown’s new Soothing Cleansing Oil as it combines different makeup removing steps in one. It is a quick yet luxurious way to cleanse your skin. Featuring precious jasmine flower extract, it leaves skin feeling soothed, supple and comfortable. It also doubles as a gentle non-waterproof makeup remover for eyes and lips and won’t clog pores.

How you use it:

1. Pump a generous amount of cleansing oil into dry hands and smooth over dry face.
2. Splash warm water onto skin and massage to help dissolve surface impurities and makeup.
3. Rinse skin clean with warm water. If needed, repeat this process to thoroughly remove long-wearing eye and lip formulas.

Available in Switzerland in July 2012 for CHF 61.- (200ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Across the land of Provence, people will tell you that l’Aigo es d’Or (Water is gold). Inspired by the freshness of the fountains of Provence, L’OCCITANE has created its very first collection of Eaux de Cologne.

Three rippling fragrances bring a splash of timeless freshness to those warm, sunny days. First, there’s EAU UNIVERSELLE, a zesty scent that owes its name to its unisex nature. Next, EAU RAVISSANTE, with its flo­ral, feminine, sparkling notes. And finally, EAU CAPTI­VANTE, destined for men, with its aromatic and stimula­ting tones. These three olfactory worlds together form Eaux de Provence, a new tradition from L’OCCITANE.

EAU UNIVERSELLE
If freshness were a match made in heaven, it would be the zest of two juicy citrus fruits.

Type: For men or women
Mood: With its refreshing accord of bergamot and grapefruit, this sunny, invigorating Eau de Cologne is a beautifully timeless scent.

Family: Citrus

Top notes: Bergamot, grapefruit
Heart notes: Petit grain, geranium
Base notes: Woody notes, musk

EAU RAVISSANTE
If freshness were a woman, it would be both mischievous and graceful.

Type: For women
Mood: The sensual softness of flower petals combined with the sparkling freshness of citrus fruits, to give this Eau de Cologne a mischievous, almost beguiling air.

Family: Floral

Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper
Heart notes: Damascena rose, freesia
Base notes: Musk, amber notes

EAU CAPTIVANTE
If freshness were a colour, it would be the green of the aromatic plants of Provence.

Type: For men
Mood: A cologne with a very Provençal feel, which combines aromatic notes with the invigorating radiance of bergamot and lime zests. A wonderfully fresh bouquet!

Family: Aromatic

Top notes: Bergamot, lime
Heart notes: Mint, basil
Base notes: Lavender, woody notes

Eau Universelle, Eau Ravissante and Eau Captivante, CHF 42.- (50ml) and CHF 75.- (300ml)
In stores now. All three bottles together look so beautiful on display, don’t they?

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht and Stills: Courtesy of L’Occitane

« The strength of the sea and the brightness of the sky are the elements that I am drawn towards the most when in Pantelleria and that inspired me Acqua di Gio. For Acqua di Giò Essenza, I wanted to create a concentrate of power and sensuality. »

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani has always loved the Mediterranean, and drew his inspiration from the rock-strewn landscape of Pantelleria to create Acqua di Giò in 1996. A fresh, sensual blend that has become a classic men’s fragrance. An irresistible combination of sea’ salty accents, sparkling citrusy notes, musk and woody cedar, this exceptional scent embodies masculinity in harmony with nature, a fragrance of escape and sensuality.

Today Acqua di Giò Essenza opens a new chapter with an Eau de Parfum, a new interpretation of Acqua di Giò, more intense, composed by Alberto Morillas.

Top notes: Cascalone, Sicilian bergamot essence and grapefruit zest.
Heart notes: Paradisone, jasmine absolute from Grasse, basil and sage.
Base notes: Patchouli,  Atlas cedar, vetiver from Haiti, ambrox, animalic ambergris and clary sage.

The result is an incomparable sensuality, the tantalizing lure of the skin.

The bottle shares the same architectural lines as the Acqua di Giò bottle, with the addition of light and technology. An engraved silver-plated plaque embraces the base of the glass like a mirror, to give the fragrance an even greater dazzle. In a click, the new magnetic cap bearing the Armani logo, opens and closes the bottle with a simple, sensual gesture.

The campaign was shot by Bruce Weber starring Simon Nessman.

LoL, Sandra

Each year, the CHANEL Métiers d’Art fashion show celebrates the exceptional talent of these Houses, pairing their know-how with a legendary destination.

PARIS – BOMBAY showcases a specific vision of India. Immense chandeliers and can­delabras bathe an opulent banquet table in light. The scent of jasmine floats through the air. Surreal princesses from an idealised empire or authentic Parisian women combine the lavishness of the Maharajas and the timeless codes of the House of CHANEL. Refined jewelry pieces clip back sumptuous hairstyles and black-shadowed eyes take on a catlike appearance.

Indian beauties know how to enhance their noble almond-shaped eyes, which they accen­tuate with kohl and dark eyeshadows. Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, intensifies the proportions of this iconic makeup to give it a universal character.Eyes succumb to the boldness and mystery of a black eyeshadow in all its nuances with ILLUSION D’OMBRE Mirifique. Graphic makeup with saturated colour blocks stretches out from the corner of the eye to express strength and femininity. The rest of the face fo­cuses on gold and light.

The exclusive creation of the collection is a precious, evanescent golden powder to dab onto cheekbones and eyelids in scintillating touches. In its classic black-lacquered case, ROUTE DES INDES DE CHANEL recreates an embossed motif of a rare fabric, a piece of bronze brocade from an Indian-influenced collection created by Ga­brielle Chanel in the 1960s. A stroke of blush structures the face and warms the translucent complexion with the hint of an elegant and sunny earth tone. Lips remain natural, enhanced by the luster of luminous beige shimmering with gold.

On nails, an original nail polish mixing pale gold and silver recalls the traditional festival of lights, for which it was named: Diwali.

All products will be available in July.

ROUTE DES INDES DE CHANEL An ultra-luminous and scintillating golden powder, CHF 85.-
(Limited Edition)

LE VERNIS Diwali A vintage gold with silvery metallic reflections, CHF 38.-
(Limited Edition)

ROUGE COCO SHINE 437 Empreinte A natural beige with iridescent golden shimmers, CHF 46.-

JOUES CONTRASTE 03 Brume d’or A bronze brown with subtle gold sparkles, CHF 60.-

ILLUSION D’OMBRE 85 Mirifique Every nuance of black, CHF 47.-

LE CRAYON KHÔL 61 Noir, CHF 32.-

INIMITABLE INTENSE 10 Noir, CHF 47.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Blake Lively is the face of Gucci’s new upcoming fragrance Gucci Première, named after the Italian house’s haute couture line. This is the “Gossip Girl” regular’s first scent campaign, though she posed for Chanel last year.

The scent is meant to evoke Old Hollywood and so does the short movie for the campaign shot by director Nicolas Winding Refn. “She is a girl of extraordinary beauty and she’s a girl who loves fashion. She has great taste in clothes. Although she’s young, she’s also very determined, and I liked this spirit. She knows how to be a diva in the right sense, with an aspirational glamour,” said Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini.

Lively was the perfect choice to transport that glam retro-Hollywood look, don’t you think? The perfume will be launched worldwide Mid July.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Gucci

As promised less than two weeks ago, here is the new fragrance, that I was telling you about: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake – the perfume that moves you.

The launch event took place at the Louvre in Paris with a very different und beautiful presentation. Dressed in pleats of every colour, models leaped and danced, twirled and spinned, motivating the audience to join in the fun.

The designer Issey Miyake is known known globally for his signature pleats – a look that went around the world in more than 80 colours; it is contemporary yet timeless. Today, the iconic line Pleats Please Issey Miyake has its own fragrance. It is a scent that pays homage to a seminal fashion creation: an infusion of emotion and olfactory ode to joy.

The iconic L’Eau d’Issey and L’Eau d’Issey Pour l’Homme burst forth from the fountain of Issey Miyake fragrances; clear and shimmering, the waters heralded Issey Miyake’s first foray into perfumery.
Pleats Please is completely different, a joyous, light-hearted scent with meticulously sculpted facets created by perfumer Aurélien Guichard. For this new fragrance, the exuberance and heartiness of a floral bouquet was a must – flowers to define the femininity of a subtle delicate composition.

Perfumer Aurélien Guichard

Top Note: Nashi (a hybrid fruit that oscillates between pear and apple, with the pear note predominating).

Middle Notes: Peony and sweet pea. Indole adds a fleshly, voluptous touch and „gives substance to the note“, the perfumer explains. The accord is warm and vibrant, like „an invitation to fluidity“. (Remember Roja Dove who explained me the sexual power of indole. Click here if you would like to know more.)

Base notes: Cedar, patchouli, vanilla and white musks.

Available from September 2012. The product range comprises a trio of eau de toilette in three formats: 30, 50 and 100 ml. The EdTs are supplemented by two derivatives infused with the notes of Pleats Please: a creamy, body lotion and a deodorant spray.

The bottle is very interesting. Its shape is reminiscent of a bag that is put down on the floor. The cap takes the form of a floral calyx, a finely pleated abstraction that symbolises both a white flower and the Pleats Please fabric.

In his quest for the timeless and functional in fashion, Issey Miyake found his answer in pleats. Fashion keeps moving, and so does fragrance!

It was such a beautiful presentation at the Louvre! For more details about my look, please click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Swarovski pursues its story and opens a chapter on the theme of love: Aura by Swarovski Collection Mariage. Boasting an olfactory composition inspired by moments of happiness in a marriage, it brings women good fortune and bliss.

The fragrance is composed of 3 main notes:

Sparkling and fruity, lychee blends perfectly with tea leaves to symbolise the seal of emotional commitment.
A delicate blend of peony and lotus evokes happiness, serenity and the promise of an eternal alliance.
In moments of intense love, white musk wraps women in a luminous and glittering aura.

This limited edition collection is available now.

Aura by Swarovski Collection Mariage EdT Légère CHF 73.- (50ml)
Prestige Edition EdT Légère CHF 121.- (50ml)
Makeup Jewel Crystal Gloss, Rose Scintillant CHF 73.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski Parfums

For his S/S 2012 fashion show, Giorgio Armani, the king of nonchalant elegance, borrows the luminous magic of Southern Italian summer nights, “when the last rays of the sun shine a myriad of new shades upon the water, when the blue sky turns to night tinged with green, petrol blue and bluish gray hues flushed with violet, when darkness sweeps over the scenery metallic glints silver tones, pale gold and pink copper tints sparkle and when stars seem to float upon the water.”

Mother-of-pearl (NACRE) gives its name and forms the central theme. With his new Haute Couture Fragrance NACRE, Giorgio Armani accompanies his prêt-à-porter collection with a rare, highly limited and very luxurious fragrance.

It is an ode to mother-of-pearl which signs each of the 1000 numbered bottles in this edition with a plate bearing its name. No two plates are the same: each is unique, in tribute to the living character of a material born from the depth of the sea. The bottle itself is a piece of art.

The fragrance was developed by perfumer Marie Salamagne, at Firmenich. It has a really spicy woody smell to it, with a strong amount of iris. It’s unisex and definitely something everyone could wear! The iris chosen for Nacre has a very rare quality, combining the rich, creamy facet of iris, with a powdery, almost talc-like note.

Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper and saffron
Middle notes: Iris absolute and musk
Base notes: Patchouli, vetiver woods and tonka bean

130 bottles of the 1000 limited editions are available in Switzerland now for CHF 690.- (100ml). In Zurich at Jelmoli. Definitely a collector’s piece.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani, © Sandra Bauknecht