Sandra‘s Closet

Kiehl’s – Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care was founded as a classic pharmacy in the East Village neighborhood 160 years ago.

Kiehl’s founding family established their apothecary to fulfill the individual needs of every customer who came through its doors. Assuming the establishment from Mr. John Kiehl, the Morse family nurtured their community, cared for their customers as neighbors, and welcomed every visitor to Kiehl’s as if it were home.

In doing so, Kiehl’s founding pharmacists and chemists launched a tradition of personalized service that’s become legendary. Nearly 160 years later, the magic that is the “Kiehl’s experience” extends around the world as the company continues to delight patrons with its high quality products that assure the health of their skin and hair.

Today, the family’s message endures: “We are delighted to serve you.” In honour of this tradition, Kiehl’s proudly introduces the Limited Edition New York Heritage Collection, only available for a limited time in Kiehl’s stores worldwide now.

Comprised of four historical formulations that are still customer favorites today, adorned with limited edition black and gold packaging inspired by Kiehl’s New York roots, the collection features: Ultra Facial Cream and Moisturizer, Calendula Toner, and Original Musk Oil.

Ultra Facial Cream, CHF 39.90 (50ml)
Ultra Facial Moisturizer, CHF 39.90 (125ml)
Calendula Toner, CHF 59.50 (250ml)
Original Musk Oil, CHF 76 (50ml)

Last night, Zurich Kiehl’s store celebrated its 5th anniversary with the launch of  a special limited edition I LOVE ZURICH Ultra Facial Cream by Tara LaTrash.
Proceeds from each sale will go 100% toward Swiss Aids Charity.

CHF 39.90 (50ml), CHF 75.00 (125ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kiehl’s and © Alexandra Pauli

A few weeks ago, I introduced the new YSL Holiday 2011 makeup look to you. Yesterday, I finally found the time to test the nail polish duo “N°6 Duo Terriblement Noir”. I am so happy with the result and hope that you will like it, too.

The two blacks, one matte and one glossy, have a wonderful texture and look great worn alone. But I couldn’t resist reproducing the French manicure look from YSL’s ad campaign using the matte polish as the base and the glossy one for the tips. The only bummer is that you have to be really careful when using hand cream or cuticle oil as this will damage the matte effect easily.

LoL, Sandra

Manucure Couture n°6  – CHF 49,00

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Just around the corner of the Dream Downtown hotel in the trendy Meatpacking District is the beautiful Bond N. 9 store on Washington Street. In case that you are not familiar with the brand, Bond N. 9 is a major, full-blown fragrance collection that was launched as an homage to New York City. The name is also the address of its headquarters boutique at 9 Bond Street in NoHo.

The Bond No. 9 collection of women’s, men’s, and unisex eaux de parfum has a dual mission: To restore artistry to perfumery, and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own. Each fragrance represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility. With new introductions in the coming seasons, Bond N. 9 infuses the island of Manhattan with scents.

Also available are scented body creams and candles.

One of my favourite Bond N.9 fragrances is Chinatown with notes of peach blossoms, gardenia, tuberose, patchouli, and cardamom.

A new addition to the Bond N°9 New York Midtown family is New York Amber with notes of bergamot, saffron, nutmeg, white peppercorn, magestic rose, jasmine, osmanthus, oud, amber, sandalwood, musk, myrrh and benzoin tears. 
This eau de parfum has a different, interesting twist to the classic note of amber. I absolutely love it. To be launched in Switzerland this December.

Another new eau de parfum is I LOVE NEW YORK which exists for her, for him and in an unisex version. I LOVE NEW YORK for Her is an easy-to-wear; easy to love pastry gourmand fragrance with notes of mandarin zest, spicy nutmeg, blueberry accord, roses, pink peonies, patchouli, musk, vanilla, sandalwood and leather accord. So yummy!

Outside of the store, you can see the I LOVE NEW YORK car! Pretty cool, isn’t it?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

For all beauty junkies among you, check out the fabulous Christmas sets by Origins. Those kits packed with their bestselling products mean huge savings while being the perfect gifts for your loved ones or of course for yourself!

Don’t waste your time with gift wrap this season. Instead opt for one of these ready-made luxury box sets. Here are some of my favourites:

GO GINGER

I am especially in love with the idea of gingering myself this winter! The GO GINGER gift box comes beautifully packaged, with a travel-size Ginger Souffle™ whipped body cream, an Incredible Spreadable™ ginger body scrub that I am addicted to, and a Ginger Bust™ savory body wash. CHF 32.00

FAMOUS FAVOURITES

Give it all with this tremendous collection of Origins favourites! This set includes: Plantscription™ anti-aging serum, Starting Over™ age-erasing moisturizer with mimosa, Starting Over™ age-erasing eye cream with mimosa, Modern Friction™ nature’s gentle dermabrasion, Ginger Souffle™ Whipped body cream and Incredible Spreadable™ ginger body scrub, CHF 129.00.

PERFECTLY PROTECTED

Sneak nature’s age-fighters under their tree. This value set includes: full-size A Perfect World™ white tea skin guardian, A Perfect World™ SPF 25 age-defense moisturizer with white tea, A Perfect World™ antioxidant cleanser with white tea. CHF 84.00

MASK DUO

Purifies and hydrates – oh, what fun! The Origins Mask Duo set includes Clear Improvement® active charcoal mask to clear pores and Drink Up™ intensive overnight mask to quench skin’s thirst. CHF 46.00

As you know, I am a huge fan of Origins products and not only because of the amazing quality but due to its packaging. If you travel a lot like I do, you will appreciate less packaging. Many high-end creams come in gigantic pots to appear even more luxurious and of course bigger. Origins can do without that! Thumbs up for this ecofriendliness!

If you are at the Origins counter, have a look at another new product, so-called Super Spot Remover™ blemish treatment gel that has advanced blemish-fighting super powers. (It is true! I am completely sold on this product.)

Designed to treat and manage breakouts, it is formulated with powerful naturally-derived ingredients that penetrate pores to eliminate stubborn, embarrassing blemishes. Skin is allowed to heal while existing scarring is visibly reduced and the development of new blemishes is prevented. Skin emerges spotless. 10ml – CHF 24.00

No more pimples, praise the Lord!

LoL, Sandra

39-year-old Latin singer Ricky Martin and 28-year-old rapper Nicki Minaj took over as faces from Lady Gaga for MAC’s new 2012 Viva Glam campaign. Shot by famous photgrapher David LaChapelle, the two stars pose next to a giant lipstick.

The collection is for a good cause. Every cent of the selling price of MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipgloss is donated to the MAC AIDS fund.

LoL, Sandra

Introducing the Yves Saint Laurent “Holiday Look 2011”. YSL international make-up artist Lloyd Simmonds pays tribute to the Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo, the absolute garment in a masculine-feminine wardrobe, enhanced by a satin sash, a velvet lapel, a bow-tie.
In doing so, he has recreated a new palette of seduction, placing the emphasis on expression, on the force of an attitude.
“The tuxedo? It’s the icon of the Yves Saint Laurent wardrobe. A reference to the pictures of Helmut Newton. The famous ‘smoky eye’. A signature eye.” – Lloyd Simmonds

Inspired by the tuxedo, the Palette Noir Terriblement and the Palette Blanc Terriblement both celebrate the emblematic spirit of evening clothes that move effortlessly throughout time. Nestling inside a beautiful gold case, adorned by a pleated belt and embroidered with the Yves Saint Laurent logo. It can be worn around the wrist like a bracelet, a nocturnal fetish.

Palette „Noir Terriblement“ – CHF 89,00 (Limited Edition)

The black tuxedo. Eye Shadow in 5 colors. 4 variations of black and a shimmering white in the middle. Black velvet, black silk, black moiré, black lamé, white satin, fabric turning into eye colors in the magic of an evening where black is unveiled in a play on shadow and light.

Expert’s secret by Lloyd Simmonds: “The best thing is to choose your black and use it as a base applied with the flat brush. And then to ‘smoke’ it with a round brush to blend the product so that the edges are invisible.”

Palette „Blanc Terriblement“ – CHF 89,00 (Limited Edition)

The white tuxedo. The complexion illuminator palette. Shimmering silver, shimmering pink, shimmering violet. Three white hues delicately lit up with precious pearls, catching the light like a magnet to give an absolute glow effect.

Ombres Duolumières – CHF 65,00

Contrasts and highlights for sparkling eyes in two different colour combinations: Silver moiré / Black Flannel, Gold lamé / Velvet black.

Manucure Couture n°6  – CHF 49,00

Make a show of style and colour right down to the fingertips. The hand becomes the most luxurious fashion accessory.  Yves Saint Laurent’s “Duo Terriblement Noir”: Two blacks. One matte and one glossy. An ultra–graphic feel for the season’s most radical, most ‘couture’ duo. A reprise of the contrasts of powder texture and satin lapels, they are complementary to give an ultra–sophisticated, infinitely black finish.

Golden Gloss – White shimmering gold collection – CHF 46,00

Transparence and light, wear it alone or added to a lipstick to give a white gold shimmer on the lips. Available in: White Gold Diamond, White Gold Opal, White Gold Quartz, White Gold Amethyst 48 (pictured left), White Gold Topaz 47 (pictured right).

My beauty must-have: The limited edition palette “noir terriblement” for the perfect smokey eyes.

LoL, Sandra

At the Viktor & Rolf S/S 2012 fashion show, you might have thought that dolls were on the runway instead of models. Wearing a thick set of synthetic pink lashes with a little ribbon in their low ponytails, they appeared in oversize lace prints, giant stitchings that held the clothes together and über-girlish looks. The colours were all candy (a huge trend for S/S 2012), reminiscent of your early childhood days.

For Christmas 2011, Viktor & Rolf are launching a special limited edition of their iconic fragrance Flowerbomb that also got inspired by the dolls.

Flowerbomb Limited Edition 50ml Eau de Parfum – CHF 136.-

Draped in metallized fuschia and covered in ribbons, the scent remains the same, an exotic blend of sambac jasmine, centifolia rose and catleya orchid wit patchouli and benzoin. It truly smells like 1000 flowers in a bottle, full-bodies and opulent.

Flowerbomb Limited Edition Dollhouse Set – CHF 136.-
including 50ml Eau de Parfum, 50ml Body Lotion and 50ml Shower Gel

Another delightful gift for a loved one is the Flowerbomb Dollhouse Set. The packaging is so incredibly charming. Like a dollhouse, the box comes with stairs and different compartements for the beauty products. Love it!

LoL, Sandra

A little, a lot passionately!

Ultra-feminine passion red combines with elegant gold. Eye shadows and powder are decorated with sparkling pearl. Silky textures melt into skin and last until dawn. Passion by Clarins offers everything you need to look chic during the festive holiday season.

Passion Face Palette – CHF 78.-

The star product of the collection is a precious powder presented in a gold case with a graphic design inspired by Art Deco motifs. An ultra-fine gold pearl shimmer helps you to subtly illuminate the face and décolleté for the festive season.

Passion Ombre Minérale 4 Couleurs  – CHF 62.-
Long-Lasting – Wet & Dry

Focus on the eyes with this palette for the perfect „smokey eyes“ look. The pearl texture of the highlighter is easy to use and leaves the eyelid ultra-shimmery. It can be used also as a base for your eye make-up. The three powder eye shadows can be used wet or dry, leaving you the decision if you prefer a more natural or more intense look. Flawless hold guaranteed.

How to create your Passion „smokey eyes“ look?

From left to right:
Apply make-up
1. Apply the coppery pink on the half of the top eyelid, to the inner corner of the eye.
2. Then the silvery grey on the other half, t the outer corner of the eye.

Intensify
3. Using the finer applicator, emphasize eyes with the charcoal grey eyeliner.

Highlight
4. Apply the silver highlighter in touches, on the inner corner of the eye.

Rouge Prodige – CHF 37.-
True-Hold – Colour & Shine Lipstick
131 Passion Rose

This limited edition shade in pearly rosewood with a subtle bronze shimmer would suit most skin tones. Not too light, not too dark, it is the perfect tone for winter. The sensously velvet texture provides a total comfort while remaining shiny for a long time. Let the party go on!

My beauty must-have: Rouge Prodige Passion Rose, I have one in my bag… love it!

All three limited-edition products are in shops now and as the season of goodwill is almost upon us, it is time to glam up…

LoL, Sandra

Guerlain‘s inspiration behind their beautiful Holiday 2011 makeup look “Belle de Nuit” is truly worth reading it and might leave you intrigued. Enjoy!

“During the 1920’s and 1930’s, pioneers in aviation accomplished unimaginable feats and these brave pilots became instant, worldwide heroes. It was during this revolutionary period, in 1933, that Jacques Guerlain composed the legendary perfume Vol de Nuit, meaning “Night Flight,” as a tribute to the most famous women aviators of his time. Named for the second book written by his close friend Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Guerlain’s creation was a bold oriental fragrance that served as ode to all fearless women. Comprised of woody, vanilla and powdery iris notes, Vol de Nuit was for the woman who laughs in the face of fear, for whom nothing is impossible.

For Guerlain’s Holiday 2011 make-up collection Belle de Nuit, Creative Director Oliver Échaudemaison takes his inspiration from this legendary fragrance. Evoking the changing shades of the night sky, he created daring tones that are both dark and dramatic with mesmerizing iridescent accents. With lacquered and blue-green details, the products are encased within boxes that reveal the blue and black zebra motif found on the original Vol de Nuit box design. Belle de Nuit is a sophisticated and enchanting limited edition collection that is as fleeting as nightfall.”

Let’s take a closer look at those very luxurious limited-edition pieces:

Vol de Nuit Poudre Iridescente Parfumée – Face & Body – CHF 111.-

The star product is a combination of a luminous powder and a fragrance that wraps the skin with a veil of iridescent shimmer while being deliciously fragranced by the notes of Vol de Nuit. The universal pale pink shade is accentuated with blue-green and silvery hues to leave the face, body and hair sparkling. The bottle reinterprets that of the original Vol de Nuit, which was revolutionary at the time by being the first to combine glass and metal.

Météorites Perles de Nuit Poudre Lumière – Eclat Pur – CHF 74.-

The cult favorite is back and reinvented this holiday season. Although the formula remains untouched, Météorites Perles de Nuit leaves the face glowing and radiant with a new tailor-made harmony. Five perfectly smooth pearls correct, illuminate and even out the skin. It is composed of pink pearls to capture light, white to illuminate the complexion, gold to reflect light, orange to boost radiance and silver to add shimmer without whitening the skin.

Parure de Nuit – Poudre Pressée & Blush – CHF 97.-

Parure de Nuit is a face powder and blush in one and uses pale pink, white, deep pink and blue green to harmonise skin tone. It comes with a super-soft brush so you can softly sweep across all the shades for face illumination. So pretty!

Ecrin 4 Couleurs N° 10 Les Ombres de Nuit – CHF 80.-

Guerlain has developed a new color harmony made especially for night owls that creates smoky, seductive and spellbinding eyes. An iridescent texture of green, blue and grey pearlescent particles release luminous color with an extremely metallic finish and is combined with an extra-matte black shadow for a precise, intense liner effect.

Rouge Automatique – Le Rouge Hydratant Longue Tenue – CHF 54.-

The thirties icon Rouge Automatique is back and is more modern and attractive than ever. The Art Déco inspired case opens and closes at the flick of a hand revealing two new shades for holiday. Seductive, yet innocent, in Rouge Automatique, Guerlain has created a second-skin texture allowing for long-lasting wear.

Two limited edition shades:
169 Flirt d’un Jour: A soft and luminous pink, evocative of passionate kisses.
170 Nuit d’Amour: A surprising black red that reveals an intense plum color on the lips (above).

Opening a Guerlain product feels like opening a present, so have fun indulging yourself in pure luxury. The collection is available now.

My beauty must-have: Vol de Nuit Poudre Iridescente Parfumée that will add the perfect sparkle to every festive outfit.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

A symphony of red, gold and light. Majestic and refined, gold adds a sumptuous touch to delightful festivities. On the face, it becomes one with the skin, reflecting the light in an exceptional way. LES SCINTILLANCES DE CHANEL is composed of eyeshadows and sparkling powders. Ivory, black, golden beige and red: Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, uses the iconic colours of the House of CHANEL for a makeover scintillating with gold and light.

Mixing fine jewellery and costume jewellery are an integral part of the style of Gabrielle Chanel. She loved their sumptuous radiance or the touch of lightness that they added to an evening gown or simple knit. For his Exclusive Creation, Peter Philips drew inspiration from a belt buckle worn by Mademoiselle in a photo taken in the 1930s:

LUMIÈRE SCULPTÉE DE CHANEL – Highlighting Powder, CHF 84.-

A simple brushstroke adorns the face with an iridescent halo of beige sprinkled with gold. The sheer powder catches the light on cheekbones and sweeps lightly over the forehead or chin to accentuate the structure of the face.

Rouge Allure in 197 Enivrée and 207 Famous – CHF 48.-
Lèvres Scintillantes in 297 Sweet Beige and 307 Sparkle d’ Or – CHF 41.-
Rouge Allure Laque in 707 Empire – CHF 51.-
Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 517 Triomphal – CHF 48.-
Le Vernis in 587 Rouge Carat – CHF 35.-

Ombre Essentielle in 407 Blazing Gold and 417 Beige Lamé – CHF 43.-
Ombre Contraste Duo in 27 Noir-Ivoire – CHF 60.-
Ligne Extrême in 307 Or – CHF 45.-
Poudre Universelle Libre in 47 Féérie – CHF 67.-

My beauty must-haves: Lumière Sculptée de Chanel Highlighting Powder and Le Vernis in 587 Rouge Carat.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, © Solve Sundsbo