Sandra‘s Closet

Mother’s Day is around the corner and you might want to think of a little surprise. There are many new fragrances on the market. Here are some of the bestsmelling scents available now.

LoL, Sandra

GUERLAIN AQUA ALLEGORIA – LYS SOLEIA
Eau de Toilette, CHF 109.- (125ml)

Floral Fruity
Elegant and light, perfect for an airy summer night.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon and palm leaves
Heart notes: Lily, ylang-ylang and tropical fruits
Base notes: Tuberose, vanilla and white musk

ISSEY MIYAKE  – L’EAU D’ISSEY SUMMER 2012
Eau de Toilette, CHF 86.- (100ml)

Floral Aquatic
Dynamic and refreshing but full of exotics and warmth.

Top notes: Rose, pear and water notes
Heart notes: Carnation and peony
Base notes: Osmanthus and woodsy notes

PRADA INFUSION D’IRIS EAU DE PARFUM ABSOLUE
Eau de Parfum Absolue CHF 118.- (50ml) und CHF 150.- (100ml)

Oriental Floral
Intense, rich – full of seduction, my favourite.

Top notes: African orange flower and neroli
Heart notes: Italian iris
Base notes: White musk, benzoin from Laos, Madagascar vanilla and tonka bean from Venezuela

BIOTHERM EAU OCEANE
Eau de Toilette, CHF 70.- (100ml)

Floral Aquatic
Revitalising, hydrating and refreshing – the power of the ocean in a scent.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon and fruity notes
Heart notes: Jasmine and water notes (through Firmenich molecules)
Base notes: Musk, cedar, algae, moss and sand flowers

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the brands

Finally the amazing nail polishes from butter LONDON are available in Switzerland (For more information, please click here for a previous post). On the occasion of its second anniversary, The Nail Bar unveils its new must-haves of varnish.

By creating a colour palette inspired directly from latest fashion shows, butter LONDON has become the cult brand of nail polish among fashionistas with all productsformulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens.

You will find the complete collection (more than 60 colors) at The Nail Bar. One bottle of nail polish butter London is sold for CHF 26.90.-.

My favourites of the moment: Teddy Girl, Slapper (S/S 2012 collection) and Macbeth

Me wearing Teddy Girl, a soft pink opaque shade, perfect for summer.

The Nail Bar has three shops in West Switzerland. Let’s hope that there will be one in Zurich soon. Walk-in pedicures sounds like a dream…

LAUSANNE Only Manicure / Only without appointment
Rue de la Louve 1, +41 21/ 312 06 15

LAUSANNE Manicure & Pedicure / With or Without appointment
Av. du Tribunal Fédéral 5, +41 21/ 312 12 07

GENEVE Manicure & Pedicure / With or Without appointment
Rue du Temple 2, +41 22/ 731 28 27

Coming Soon – The Nail Bar at Bongénie Geneva
3rd Floor – G Point

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Nail Bar, Butter London and © Sandra Bauknecht

“A beautiful scent is like a beautiful memory, it transports us to another place in time.”

– Carlos Huber

A scent is a time capsule. It can invoke our most intimate memories and dreams, and open doors to distant worlds. Curated by Carlos Huber, an architect specializing in Historic Preservation, Arquiste is a fragrance collection that transports the wearer to evocative moments in history. Last week, I had the honour to meet the very handsome and charming Carlos himself.

Carlos Huber with me

Mexican-born Carlos Huber (his last name derives from his Swiss-German ancestors) looks like a model from a Ralph Lauren advertising campaign. But instead of modeling, Huber was involved in the preservation of Ralph Lauren stores that held historical significance such as their famous flagship on Madison Avenue where Carlos, an architect by trade, was in charge for the high jewelry room along and for the accessories department. He is so passionate about history and told me that he loves to indulge in old books describing himself as a “nerd”. I like this new species of well-dressed, good-looking nerds!

As fate willed, he started to pursue his longtime love of fragrance by taking special classes about the art of perfumery with two top Givaudan perfumers, Rodrigo Flores Roux and Yann Vasnier, who  happened to be Huber’s friends. With their help, he created a range of six perfumes and launched Arquiste Parfumeur last year. With an immaculate attention to detail, each of his complex scents aims to evoke the olfactive notes of a specific moment in history.

Have you ever wondered how the most fragrant festival in the Aztec calendar in 1400 smelled like? What about the moment when Louis XIV saw his future wife Maria Teresa, the Infanta of Spain, for the first time? Thanks to Arquiste, you can time-travel with each spritz. Read all those little stories. Your fantasy will take you on a beautiful olfactive journey.

FLOR Y CANTO

Notes include: Mexican Tuberose, Magnolia, Plumeria and Marigold
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux

L’ETROG

Notes include: Calabrese Cedrat, Myrtle, Date Fruit and Vetivert
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux & Yann Vasnier

FLEUR DE LOUIS

Notes include: Orange Blossom, Florentine Orris, Jasmine and White Cedar Wood
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux

INFANTA EN FLOR

Notes include: Orange Flower Water, Spanish Leather, Citrus Resin and Immortelle
Developed with Yann Vasnier

ANIMA DULCIS

Notes include: Cocoa Absolute, Mexican Vanille, Cinnamon and Chili Infusion
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux & Yann Vasnier

ALEKSANDR

Notes include: Neroli, Violet Leaf, Fir Balsam and Russian Leather
Developed with Yann Vasnier

The success of Arquiste is incredible. In only six months, those extraordinary fragrances have found many fans around the globe. Arquiste – Fragrances that transport you to another place in time, for men and women. My favourite is the opulent floral scent “flor y canto”.

In Switzerland available at Osswald. For other stores worldwide, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Arquiste and © Sandra Bauknecht

Estée Lauder‘s summer looks have been on my shopping list since many years and fans of the brand know, the house’s iconic summer fragrance, re-launched every year, sells out in days.

Have fun exploring my must-haves from
Estée Lauder’s BRONZE GODDESS CAPRI Summer 2012 look:

1. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée makes you looked as sun-kissed as possible. This limited edition is an exquisite, and lust-worthy bronzing highlighter that comes with a new formula of liquid, powder, and gel to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow. Use it as an all-over soft sheen or layer it for some luminous pearly highlighting.
Suggested retail price: CHF 58.-

2. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molton Lava for sexy eyes in seconds.
Suggested retail price: CHF 32.-

3. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Sands. With its new innovative prisma shine technology, you can create a gorgeous subtle day time look or really vamp it up for night time glamour. Same as the Bronze Goddess Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée, it comes with a tri-brid of a liquid, powder and gel all in one, to give the softest, most blendable shades that can be used wet or dry.
Suggested retail price: CHF 72.-

4. Bronze Goddess Capri is a summer limited edition fragrance, a “solar Oriental fragrance inspired by the seductive Isle of Capri.” It includes notes of blackcurrant, mandarin, lemon leaves, jasmine sambac, lily of the valley, peony, vanilla, amberwood, patchouli, and musk.
Suggested retail price: CHF 78.- (100ml)

Ladies, it is time to head to the nearest Estée Lauder counter!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht

Embrace the warm season with Jo Malone‘ s gorgeous new limited edition fragrance:
Plum Blossom.

Bursting with optimism, the Plum Blossom scent is an uplifting addition to the Jo Malone collection, perfect both on its own or layered preferably with Nectarine Blossom & Honey.

Opening with the fruitful freshness of yellow plum, its floral heart blooms on a background of creamy sandalwood and white musk.

Available online and in boutiques from May 2012.
Plum Blossom Cologne, CHF 130 (100ml) and CHF 68 (30ml).
In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

This scent will surely lift your mood whatever the weather.
And as it is limited, you better buy ahead!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Turn back the clock overnight.
La Prairie‘s scientists have combined the breakthrough brilliance of Cellular Power Infusion with time-released Retinol – the most effective de-aging ingredient – and a revitalizing boost of Oxygen to balance and resurface your skin each night.

Why night?
Cellular Power Charge Night takes advantage of your skins natural resting state to perform necessary recovery functions. Wrinkles are repaired, signs of aging are erased, cell turnover is accelerated and oxygen is boosted – all which means you will wake up to younger looking skin.

I have tried this product for three months now and I find it absolutely fantastic. 
Use it every night, after cleansing, on clean skin, with no other product between the skin and the formula. Depress the top of the pump once or twice to dispense both cream and gel, in equal amounts, to the back of the hand.  Mix together with fingertips and apply to face and neck. Smooth any remaining residue over back of hands. Use one or two pumps. Moisturizer may be applied over it, if desired. Available for CHF 544.00 (40ml/ 1.35 FL OZ.)

Thanks to La Prairie Cellular Power Charge Night, you’ll never have to look your age again!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie

Men, don’t be afraid of hair loss anymore. Kérastase has heard your cries for help against premature balding. Their solution? The Kérastase Homme Capital Force — the first hair care range for men designed to protect against hair loss and thinning areas.

Kérastase’s 1st double-action roller ROLL-ON ANTI-CHUTE with Système Taurine and a massaging ball helps maintain the density of thinning hair. Apply the product every day for one minute on the receding hair lines and enjoy the cooling effect of this easy-to-use roll-on.

Available at select Kérastase salons for CHF 41.- along with the complete product range, including the new Kérastase Homme Capital Force Bain Vita-Energetique, a shampoo for daily use formulated specifically for normal hair types. Its superior three-tiered nourishing, stimulating and cooling action helps to achieve a healthy scalp and to strengthen the hair fibre, CHF 26.-.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase

There are some beautiful things on their way from Yves Saint Laurent: The house’s new makeup summer collection which will be launching in Switzerland in May 2012. 
I love the earthy hues with the contrast of blue that inspired me to this look:

Olive green logo T-shirt by Yves Saint Laurent, lace-print cropped low-rise skinny jeans by Dolce & Gabbana, ruched suede ankle boots by Brian Atwood, gold-plated lace-effect cuff and Arty gold-plated glass ring by Yves Saint Laurent, bag by Alexander McQueen, blue wool and silk-blend blazer by Stella McCartney.

My favourite products for the eyes: The Pure Chromatics Eyeshadow Palette N°8 Sand (CHF 79.-) can be used dry and wet and looks gorgeous in combination with the Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof N°4 Blue Majorelle (CHF 50.-).

Here you can see how I applied the eyeshadow palette. I used the three earthy hues dry on the lid and blended them well starting with the darker tone up to the lightest one. The olive shade was applied wet like an eyeliner. I finished off the look with lots of black mascara for the upper lashes and used the blue mascara for the lower lashes to open the eye beautifully.

On my nails I am wearing the new La Lacque Couture in N°18 Bleu Majorelle (CHF 37.-).
The nail polish is part of the new La Lacque Couture La Vernithèque collection which will be launching in May 2012 in Switzerland.

Thirty new shades that offer high shine and easy application with a new brush. Choose from a colour palette of reds and  oranges, pinks and fuchsias, plums and purples, nudes and browns, and other groundbreaking shades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of YSL and © Sandra Bauknecht

“Island of the Gods and Demons”, “land of 10,000 temples” – these are just two of the many names for Bali, the Indonesian island located in the Indian Ocean between Java and Lombok. I love the friendliness of the Balinese people and the beauty of the island and not only because I spent my honeymoon at the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan. The same resort and villa that Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber celebrated their honeymoon. The island has an aura that is quite overwhelming.

Bali Balance is a label launched in 2011 with offices in Indonesia and Switzerland that brings the magic of this wonderful island to your home.
High quality hair and body spa products made with organic essential oils that are produced biologically in Bali and that have an intense revitalizing effect. 
Indulge yourself and wake up your senses with magical scents that will accompany you throughout the day.

The product range includes shampoos (CHF26.-/250ml), conditioners (CHF29.-/250ml), body wash (CHF24.-/250ml) and body lotion (CHF 29.-/250ml), oils (CHF32.-/250ml) and candles which are all available in two scents: Morning Mantra (lemongrass, clove, lavender, peppermint, cajeput, ginger) and Bali Passion (vanilla, ylang ylang, ginger and sandelwood).
For further enquiries, please contact: .
In Switzerland, Bali Balance products are exclusively available at Cachet.

Famous places such as the The Istana are using the Bali Balance products.
A feast for the senses!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bali Balance

SMASHBOX – Created. Tested. Photographed at Smashbox Studios LA.

Smashbox Cosmetics is an American makeup brand, founded by Dean and Davis Factor in 1996, with the focus on meeting the needs of “a high definition world”, the needs of a photo shoot brought to daily life.

Their goal has always been to demystify makeup and to help every woman to be her own makeup artist.

From finding quick beauty fixes to easy makeup application, Smashbox offers innovative products for everyone, everywhere. I recommend to visit their homepage for awesome makeup tutorials and more by clicking here.

Smashbox’s most important products are the legendary PRIMERS, with 23% of the company’s overall business.
11 different primers are offered to choose from. To find out which one works for you, try the primer finder or visit the nearest Smashbox counter for a personalized shopping experience.

My personal favourite is the new oil-free Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer (blue, second to the left) that delivers immediate hydration to the skin and seals it in for hours while smoothing fine lines and pores, CHF 44.-.

Smashbox products are exclusively available in Switzerland at selected Marionnaud stores.

Click, you’re it! It is your flawless-looking skin…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Smashbox and © Sandra Bauknecht